Page 114 of The Garnet Daughter
“It’s not justtheirwar.” I shake my head, confused. “You sound like the elders of Frith.”
“This.” She wildly waves her finger around signifying the Estate and those who dwell in it. “This is what I have been protecting you from. Please . . . stay away.”
“I just wanted to see you.”
“You returned yesterday,” she reminds me, letting me know she doesn’t approve of me waiting to find her until now.
“Yes. I had to update Ferren and 99 of what we saw in the birthlands, information that could help defend the city.”
She nods slowly.
I jut my head forward a little at her reaction. I was expecting her to be more upset, to show her anger more outwardly like she has in the past. This display of indifference is worse. It’s hurtful.
“I went to the birthlands because I knew I could help my friend, and I did help . . . in a way,” I ramble.
“I have little to say on the matter. Whenever I try to protect you, you flee.”
“I didn’t flee!”
“Your mother made me promise to keep you safe, and you make it extremely difficult.”
“You are here with the order, not me.”
She leans in, pulling me to the side. “Every member who heard about your gift in the council meeting will cast a vote for the next highest priestess. I am doing my best to sway their interest.”
“Interest?”
“You are young. You possess powerful gifts they do not currently hold in their ranks. To them, you are easy to control, someone to do the corrupt elders’ bidding.”
I step back from her, feeling so far removed from this world that the thought of even being known to the priestess order can’t reside in my mind.
“Stay with the Viathans. Don’t come here again.”
High Priestess Ursa sways her way toward us, a grey shadow sweeping into our peripherals. “Selene, we are making our official selections if you would like to witness.”
“I would, thank you.” Selene does her best to hide her expression.
“I have already made mine. My choice has been known to me for some time.” The priestess smirks at me, sending a prickly chill across my skin.
“Your selection?” Selene perks up, feigning interest.
“Yes.” The priestess pauses, capturing our attention, almost basking in obvious anxiety. “I’ve put forth a name for consideration, one that already has some traction . . . our young Calliape’s.”
Chapter
Thirty-Four
The rest of the conversation with High Priestess Ursa is a blur in my mind. I could only focus on Selene’s expression. The way it fell when my name was presented as a selection for the next highest. Even as others came over to greet me with their assessing demeanors, I could not take my eyes off Selene. She looked utterly defeated, unable to express her true feelings as order member after order member spoke to her, painting a calm mask over the storm that was raging beneath it.
I hadn’t the slightest idea that some of her dealings in the Estate were to keep them away from me, or that it was even necessary. She demanded I did not share the strength of my gift with them in the council meeting, and now I know exactly why. Not just for the general eeriness the order brings, but because I may be what they have been looking for.
My mother was pregnant when she fled the order with Selene, but others had knowledge she was having a daughter, of the strong hereditary line she carried, passing it to me. I often wondered what my life would have been like if she had not made that choice, if I were raised within the order. Would I have beenprimed to be the next highest from my youth? Did my mother’s choices tilt my scales and now they are trying to be corrected?
My stomach turns just thinking of the way they looked at me with a greedy shine in the whites of their eyes and not in awe of someone they deemed powerful. The first chance Selene got, she made a welcome excuse for me to leave, giving me a certain look I have come to know means that our conversation has only paused and isn’t over.
I walk far out of the courtyard and around an empty hallway to get away from the priestess order and their beady eyes on me. I fold into August’s ship cockpit, resetting to the same spot I always do with little effort.
I waste no time when I see he is not there and try the mess hall, which is also vacant. There is no need for concern, but for some reason, I panic to get to him and fold into the cargo hull with stumbling speed surges through my veins.
