Page 62 of Vows of Sacrifice

“Of course, it’s my concern. Dovah and I have been together for years now. I should have been his wife, but my brother refused for obvious political reasons, given our rank. As much as I hate the idea, he’ll unite me with a decrepit old king of a country that will probably serve Osacan’s future interests. A duty I accept. This is why, Ashana, this is why Dovah has mourned the loss of me, no matter what he may have said to you on this subject to spare your feelings. However, we’ve decided to remain lovers, for it is love that binds us. I wanted you to know this to avoid any misunderstanding on the subject. Have I made myself clear?”

What could I say? The Isamane was still the king’s sister. Deny? Did I really know Dovah’s heart? No. Of course I didn’t. So, I simply clenched my fists again, much tighter this time, without letting any of the anger that was agitating me from within show.

“You had prepared an outfit, I believe?”

It was the only response I could think of to answer. Nadrisse smiled. That smile. The one that tells you she knows she’s won the game. She tossed her hair back in a graceful gesture, then motioned for her attendant to show me the dress.

“An interview with the king is still an interview with the king, Lady Ashana. Your Muvarian clothes are absolutely unsuited to the Osacan court. It’s an insult to His Majesty.”

Seitha hurried to join Nirgide by the bed to undo the tissue paper that protected the Osacanian dress, taking care not to touch it. It was the same kind I’d worn the day I arrived at Baal Castle, except this one was golden yellow.

“Seitha will accompany you to the eaglery.”

With that, Nadrisse suddenly swivelled around to leave, accompanied by Nirgide. Nirgide gave me an encouraging smile, which I found difficult to return. In that moment, I missed my mother. I missed my sisters. I missed Muvaria. I really wanted to be home.

“Lady Ashana?”

It was Seitha calling me, looking concerned.

“Are you alright?” she insisted. “I know the Isamane can be a bit . . .”

I interrupted her with a hand raised in the air.

“You needn’t worry. It’s nothing.”

I had to move on. I couldn’t let myself be poisoned by her venomous words. Doubt was my worst enemy. If I started to suspect Dovah, everything would deteriorate between him and me, I was sure of it. It was my duty to find out for sure. Which I would do, but not just yet.

Luanda and Marione entered the room then, and although they were surprised to find one of the Isamane’s attendants there, they reacted with exemplary discretion.

Seitha refused the assistance of Luanda and Marione to help me put on the Osacanian dress. She wore silk gloves so as not to dirty the delicate fabric, or so I assumed. My chambermaids and Seitha then accompanied me to the wing housing the king and his precious eagles.

“Don’t get too close to them, Lady Ashana,” Marione advised me in a low voice. “They are so big and their beaks so sharp that they could hurt you or even tear off your arm in the blink of an eye.”

Luanda nodded in agreement.

“It’s true. When they circle around in the sky, we don’t really realize how big they are, but the truth is, they’re gigantic!”

Gigantic eagles? I was really looking forward to that. Or not.

“I’ll be very careful, in this case.”

“They are messengers of the griffin god Wulous. They will do you no harm.”

This curt intervention came from Seitha. I shot her a quick glance and she smiled back, but it remained a polite gesture tinged with deference, with no trace of the gentle friendliness she had already used with me.

When the guards stepped aside and the gates to the eaglery opened, the first thing that struck me was the noise. The shrieks of the great birds of prey were piercing, drilling into my eardrums.

“We’re waiting for you here, Lady Ashana,” Luanda said, rubbing her hands together. “Don’t hesitate to call us if you need us.”

She looked worried and Marione didn’t seem reassured either. Why was this? We exchanged glances, then the guards closed the large carved wooden doors behind me. I felt alone, and those shrieks grabbed me by the throat like invisible hands trying to suffocate me.

As for my own hands, I saw that they were trembling. Slight, uncontrollable spasms. Maybe I was more afraid than I thought.

I didn’t see King Elendur right away, but I heard his voice first:

“Ah, you’re here at last.”

I could make out his silhouette in the shadow of the backlight, the one provided by the roof under which I was still standing. The rest was open to the sky, haunted by the majestic giant eagles of Osacan. I immediately tried to smile.

---