Page 67 of Sanctifier

“Do you want me to stay?” he asked.

Ru thought about the way they’d joked at the party, his hand in hers, the warmth of his body as they readGods & Glories. There was no reason to say no. She could give in. Open herself to him, close the distance, taste him again at long last.

“No,” she said, not meeting his eyes. “I’d rather be alone tonight.”And every other night, she thought bitterly, wondering how much of her distance from Taryel was still anger and hurt and how much was pure stubbornness.

CHAPTER 24

If Ru never again attended a courtly party in her honor, it would be too soon. The Marchioness of Cantilla was the night’s host, presiding over her garden party with an air of smug pride. Ru had to grudgingly admit that the partywasresplendent, a show of wealth and excess, its festivities overtaking a vast courtyard with every topiary and hedgerow strung with lamps. Tables and chairs clustered near outdoor fires lit in delicate braziers. Fur blankets lay draped across benches and piled about on stools, ready for the taking. A low-hanging sky of grey clouds muffled the starlight.

It had only been a day since Ru and Taryel had readGods & Glories, and there had been no opportunity to share what they’d learned with Gwyneth and Archie. But even her friends were at the back of Ru’s mind — because at the center of the courtyard, surrounded by awe-struck courtiers and blank-eyed Children, was a deeply off-putting ice sculpture. It took Ru a moment to recognize it as Taryel. He was glowering, holding the artifact in one hand and gesturing with the other as if he were about to cast a spell.

“What onearthis that monstrosity?” said a voice just to Ru’s left.

Ru spun, heart leaping. It was Gwyneth, bundled in wool and fur, her cheeks pink in the cold.

Just behind her was Archie, wrinkling his nose. “You’ve got to hand it to them,” he said, snatching a trio of steaming mugs from a passing tray and handing one each to Ru and Gwyneth. “Aristocrats certainly know how to create a bizarre and unsettling atmosphere.”

Ru tried not to look at the statue, wondering who in the world would have put time and effort into creating such an ugly thing.

“Isn’t it delectable?” said a familiar voice, husky in the chill air. Lady Bellenet drifted out from a cluster of courtiers, draped in white furs and flanked by a trio of Children. The regent trailed after her, an empty-eyed reminder that Lady Bellenet held her leash.

“It’s… delectable,” Ru said, trying to smile through the coil of dread that was pulsing in her belly at the sight of Lady Bellenet. It was the first time she’d seen the woman since their tea, since Ru’s emotions had been temporarily stolen from her.

The fur-draped lady only smiled, an indulgent curve of full lips, a knowing glance as if she were bestowing some gift upon Ru. “The Marchioness of Cantilla had it commissioned especially for the occasion. She is a true believer if ever I met one.”

“Is it a likeness of Festra,” Ru asked, despite herself, “or Taryel?”

“Are they not one and the same?” a new voice interjected, jovial and enthusiastic.

Ru and her friends all turned to see the Marchioness herself, a vision of colorful fabrics, furs, and jewels. Her silver hair erupted outward from the sides of her head, while a fur-trimmed tricorn perched perilously on top. She extended both hands to Ru, who allowed the Marchioness to clasp her fingers in welcome.

“Aren’t we the luckiest court in the continent,” the Marchioness enthused, gazing up at the statue. “To learn that the Destruction was never about death, but life… eternal life.” she shook her head, eyes shining. “A blessed day, a blessed time. Miss Delara, if there is anything you need, anything at all. Simply ask, and you shall have it. Tonight is for you, and the heart, andTaryel.” She beamed, still looking as if she might burst into tears at any moment.

With great self-control, Ru managed to refrain from twisting her face in disgust. Instead, she forced a half-hearted smile and murmured words of thanks. At last, the Marchioness let go of her hands, and with a slew of blown kisses, departed to greet more guests.

“You see,” said Lady Bellenet, with cool satisfaction. “She understands the truth of it. Not death, but life.”

The hairs on the back of Ru’s neck stood on end, and not from the cold. “I still find myself struggling to understandhow,” she said, forcing a sweet, naive tone. She knew better than to question Lady Bellenet, but the woman had spoken only nonsense and vague rhetoric since Ru came to the palace. And Ru was running out of time. “You say the Great Cleansing won’t bring destruction,” she went on, “but… the Destruction of Ordellun-by-the-Sea resulted in the loss of countless lives. Simplysayingthat it was never about death… well, words don’t make a thing true.”

“Don’t they?” Lady Bellenet cocked her head. The Children’s heads moved in concert with hers, a decidedly unsettling tableau. “As an academic, I would have thought that you, above all, revered knowledge and the spread of it. Words alone can change the world.”

“Even the ignorant can speak,” Ru said, unable to stop herself.

The lady’s eyes flashed. “Be careful, Delara. You tread dangerously close to heresy.” Her gaze then turned to Gwyneth and Archie, who had remained frozen in silence throughout the exchange. Lady Bellenet smiled serenely. “Remember that it is by my grace alone that your friends are here, that they are safe and content.”

Gwyneth turned to Ru with wide eyes.

“Forgive our Delara,” Archie said with a winning smile. “She’s sleep-deprived. She’ll say absolutely anything without her beauty rest.”

Ru swallowed her anger; it tasted bitter. “Apologies, my lady,” she murmured. “Iamtired.”

“Enjoy the party,” Lady Bellenet said, and it was as much a farewell as a warning. She and the Children drifted away like ghosts in the frost-bitten night.

Archie and Gwyneth spun on Ru.

“You’re supposed to be playing along,” Gwyneth said, her voice a low warning. “What was that?”

“She thinks she’s educating the populace,” Ru spat, overwhelmed with anger. “Did you hear what the Marchioness said about the Destruction? They’re rewriting history, they’re undoing centuries of scholarship. It’s absurd. I…” she trailed off, unable to find the right words.

---