Page 14 of Daughter of the Drowned Empire
Tristan tried to be discreet, but he leaned out of the litter once more, ordering the escort to move away from the protesters, before he drew the curtains in. I let him win that one.
Within minutes, the shouting died down, and I breathed a sigh of relief.
Soon we found ourselves surrounded by a small bazaar of tents selling goods meant for wealthier patrons. Our litter was lowered to the ground, and we climbed out. I shook my head at the ease with which Tristan moved. He believed being amongst the wealthy made him safe. I knew better. Father had almost been killed by the wealthy—by my own uncle. And because of his betrayal, Aunt Arianna had been arrested. She’d suffered in prison for days before they realized she hadn’t been aware of or involved in her husband’s rebellion.
I scanned the tents, perusing several tables full of jewelry. Delicate necklaces with charms of golden seraphim birds and Valalumirs were the year’s trend. Too dainty for me. I had big features: full lips, a strong nose, and a wide collarbone. I needed something large and dramatic for it to even be seen on me. There was one seller in particular who specialized in those pieces.
I pulled my hand from Tristan’s, planting a kiss on the corner of his mouth. “Are you going to buy me anything for my birthday?”
“What do you want?” he asked, his eyes flicking toward my hand.
I swallowed, knowing his mind was on an engagement ring. Would he buy it now? Had he bought it already? Or was it an heirloom of Ka Grey from their vaults?
“Surprise me,” I said. “I’m going to pay a visit to Ramia.”
Tristan nodded but only after he made me agree to keep an escort at my side and meet him in thirty minutes. We turned in opposite directions.
“Your grace? My Lady Lyriana has come alone? Come, your grace, come here!” Ramia poked her head out of the silk curtains billowing over the flaps of her tent. “NO!” she snapped, yelling at a vendor across the street who was striding toward me. He seemed to have gotten wind of who I was and thus how much was in my purse. “She won’t buy from you,” she hissed. A caress of power sparked around her, shimmering and slippery but full of strength.
“Stupid librarian,” he muttered.
I waved off Tristan’s escort, signaling him to wait outside the tent for me.
Ramia pulled me inside, brushing her own fiery red hair behind her shoulders. “Idiot.” Her voice was heavily accented. “Just because I’m librarian doesn’t mean I can’t have side hustle.” She tied the tent flaps shut and winked at me. “Plus, it is known I make far better jewelry than anyone else.”
I grinned.
Ramia worked with the Scholars, caring for and maintaining the Great Library in the pyramids of Scholar’s Harbor. Her job kept her confined to one of the smaller pyramids, in the section that dealt with Afeyan scrolls.
Because Morgana had once asked, I knew Ramia was nearly fifty. But she had an ageless quality to her, appearing barely a few years older than me, a side effect of being half-Afeyan.
“Happy birthday, your grace.”
Frankincense burned in every corner of the tent, making my eyes water as I relaxed onto a floor cushion. Beside it sat a silver tray of tea and a slice of honeyed cake.
“I made for you,” she said.
“Thank you.” I blew on the tea, inhaling the sweet scents of cinnamon and cardamom before I took a sip. “How did you know I was coming?”
“A gamble. I’m surprised you did come. An Heir to Arkasva Batavia out loose in the wild streets of the city,” she said with a smirk. The noises of the festival, the music, the voices, and the bustle of bodies outside seemed to swell in response to this. “Your father isn’t more strict since the attack? Catch.” She tossed a small silver bracelet into my lap.
I shrugged and picked up the bracelet. “He is.”
Ramia laughed, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “But you come anyway. Good. I have something special for you and would have to make personal delivery if you not come. Not that!” she added, pointing to the silver bracelet in my hand. The chain had been threaded through with black silk, holding some mixture of herbs that should have never been blended. It smelled horrid.
“What in Lumeria?” I asked.
“It’s latest rage,” Ramia said. “Magic bracelets to get rid of akadim. I sell a hundred this morning alone.”
“This won’t protect against akadim. Magic has no effect on them.”
“I know this.” Ramia smirked. “Lumerians buy stupid things when scared. Every vendor has them. At least mine are pretty.”
I tossed the chain onto a small table, rubbing my hand on my cloak to rid myself of the scent.
Ramia removed a key from the gold and silver bangles adorning her arm. She pulled back a curtain and unlocked a box.
I knew whatever was inside would be a prized piece. Jewelry to adorn me tonight and draw everyone’s attention away from…hopefully nothing—by the Gods. But also, something pretty. Something that was just for me. Something I could claim for myself on my birthday, the way I used to with Jules.Birthday jewelry, we’d called it. Every year on both of our birthdays we’d go shopping for the perfect pieces. Now many of Jules’s old items helped hide Meera’s secrets on my body.
