Page 21 of Esperance

Amryn’s heart pounded as the cleric’s focus landed on her, and a shiver tracked down her spine.

“There will be no secrets between us,” Zacharias said. “Before this year is out, I will know everything about you.”

Amryn wasn’t sure if he meant the words as a threat, but that’s exactly how it felt.

After breakfast, they were all led on a tour of Esperance, starting with the main temple they would be living in for the next year.

The couples walked in pairs, so Amryn followed Carver as he shifted into a position directly behind the empirical heir. Even without a weapon on his belt, Carver’s stance was protective as they followed the prince and his new princess.

The sprawling temple had several floors and multiple wings and towers. They didn’t see every part of the main building, but they were briefly shown a vast library, an art gallery, and a museum. In one of the narrower corridors, Amryn’s arm brushed Carver’s as they walked. The brief contact shot awareness through her whole body. She was quick to shift away, and her darting eyes noticed Carver’s hand roll into a fist, though he didn’t spare her a glance.

She made a concerted effort for the rest of the tour to avoid any more accidental touches.

In addition to everything they’d seen so far, the temple also contained offices for the high-ranking clerics, at least a hundred guest suites, and a few dining rooms in various sizes. There were also breakfast rooms, study and meditation rooms, and several sitting rooms. There was a great hall, that had once been a throne room, but now stood empty. And there was a large ballroom that was quite musty from being closed up. The unused rooms felt strangely haunted, and were stark reminders that Esperance, too, had been conquered by the empire. Amryn was glad to leave them behind.

Outside the main temple, the walled compound of Esperance held smaller chapels, as well as quarters for the clerics, guards, and outdoor servants. Amryn knew from what Torin and Rix had told her that servants of the church weren’t paid in gold, but in lodging, food, and blessings from the Divinities.

Despite many of the beautiful things in Esperance, Amryn couldn’t shake her unease. She found herself rubbing her mother’s old prayer coin in her pocket, as if that could ward off the eeriness. The clerics and servants were all polite, but the feeling of being trapped was overwhelming. She also felt extremely isolated, even though she was surrounded by people. She assumed a lot of her unease came from the almost threatening air the high cleric gave off.

The group took their time walking to each new site their guide directed them toward, and Amryn stayed silent as they were shown the features of the vast yard.

There were storage buildings that housed food and supplies, and there were many small huts tucked around the expansive yard of the compound. The huts were all abandoned.

“Many retired soldiers stay here,” the male cleric explained. “They come to escape the world and heal from the unseen horrors of war.”

Carver, who had remained close to Amryn, tensed a little.

“How awful,” one of the new brides whispered. Amryn only caught the words because the woman stood directly behind her. She’d learned during breakfast that the woman’s name was Sadia.

Their guide gestured to the nearest outer wall of the compound. “There are even huts beyond Esperance’s walls, for those poor souls who truly seek solitude. Of course, they were all emptied for the coming year.”

Just ahead of her, Amryn saw Princess Jayveh tighten her hold on Prince Argent’s arm, and she felt a wave of the princess’s concern. “Where were they sent?”

Their guide was quick to answer. “Those who could be convinced to go home, did so, while some elected to go to a clinic in the capital. Others chose to make their own way back into the world. Some even became servants here.”

“Wait,” the brown-haired, jealous woman from breakfast—Amryn had overheard her name was Marriset—interrupted, not even trying to check her tone. “There are troubled soldiers here? Walking among us asservants?”

“I assure you, only those considered stable were granted such a request,” their guide said hurriedly. “They have sworn oaths to never again take up weapons, and their only wish is to serve the Divinities. You are quite safe. Now, on the other side of this garden, there’s a training yard that the soldiers used to practice and exercise . . .”

As they changed their course, Amryn peeked at Carver. His tension hadn’t ebbed, and considering Marriset’s comments, that wasn’t really a surprise. But whatdidsurprise Amryn was the lack of any strong emotions from him. All she felt was muted calm.

Rix sometimes attempted a forced calm around her, but even at his best, he never managed the level of control Carver was exhibiting. She wondered how he managed it.

Or perhaps she just wasn’t attuned to Carver yet, and all the other emotions around her were marring her ability to read him correctly.

The gardens at Esperance were impressive. Some were painstakingly cultivated, while other sections ran wild; like a piece of the jungle itself had been brought into the compound. Monkeys scrambled in the trees above them, chattering away as the group moved from flower gardens to herb gardens, then to fields and orchards growing a variety of foods Amryn didn’t recognize. She supposed it made sense that the temple was self-sufficient. How else would they have survived for a year without supplies from the outside world?

They ended their tour at a large stone gazebo located in one of the flower gardens, where they were served a cool, fruity drink. While most of the couples broke into groups to talk, Amryn quietly sipped from her cup. Even though the juice didn’t drive away the sweltering heat, or dry the sweat dripping down her spine, it at least made her feel a little better.

A bird shrieked above them and Amryn startled, clutching her glass in a vicelike grip.

“Afraid of the birds?” Carver asked from beside her.

She pinned him a look. “No.”

His aquamarine eyes held a hint of amusement. “Liar.”

She couldn’t really deny it when another bird screeched and she winced.

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