Page 79 of Daughter of the Drowned Empire
“I’ll be out in a minute,” I called.
Tristan closed the door, and I jumped out of the pool, grabbing a towel. Pavi wasn’t going to forgive me for her lashing. I’d made a powerful enemy today. I’d have all of Ka Elys after me now, both the Bamarian and Elyrian branches.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
ANHOURLATER,Ileft for dinner and ran right into Haleika and several other novice soturi wearing fresh practice tunics. I completely stood out in my silver gown, especially with my hair pinned back and curled to showcase my diadem, glittering over the center of my forehead. Lady Romula needed to be reminded of my station. But to everyone who saw me, it was very clear that I was most definitely not on my way to combat clinic.
“Your grace.” Haleika sidled closer. “What about clinic?”
“Your grandmother called on me,” I said quietly.
Understanding flashed in her eyes. One did not turn down invitations from Lady Romula. Her grandchildren knew that best.
“Can you cover for me?” I asked. “Sign me in? I’ll be at the next one, but tonight….”
Haleika bit her lip. “Forging your signature…I don’t know.”
“It’s fine, I grant you permission. Please?” Forging signatures of the ruling Ka was illegal, but she’d be fine. And I’d be at the next one, hopefully with an engagement ring.
Haleika twirled a loose brown curl around her finger then nodded. “Of course.” She squeezed my hand. “Good luck, Lyr. I hope it goes well. You and Tristan deserve to be happy.”
I gave her a tight-lipped smile. “Maybe we’ll be cousins after tonight.”
“I’d love that,” she said.
I hung back as Haleika engaged the other girls in a conversation, steering them away from me, and managed to get out of the apartment building unseen by anyone else before I flew into the countryside of Vertavia. Ka Grey resided in large individual homes all surrounding the Grey Villa, their most prized possession. Glittering waterways flowed out from the Villa, only two stories high. Where it lacked height, it more than made up for in width, and it was sculpted out of pristine gray stone. Of course.
Two mages wearing bright blue robes with gray sashes stood guard at the Villa’s entrance. Pinned boldly over their chests was the Grey sigil, the silver seraphim wings and silver moon. Ka Grey had always relied on magic instead of soturi for protection. It had worked to my benefit that day in the city, but now that I was a soturion, it would not further my case with Tristan’s grandmother. Reaching the front entrance, I was escorted inside and officially announced.
“How wonderful to see you, your grace.” Lady Romula stood at the top of the staircase. Her hand, weighed down in silver rings, held the banister tightly as she ever so slowly descended the steps. She was an old woman with old legs. But Lady Romula enjoyed making others wait. Taking someone’s time was as pleasurable to her as taking money.
“And you, Lady Romula. Thank you for having me tonight.”
“Thank you for honoring us with your presence at the Villa.”
A minute passed since she’d greeted me. The Villa was only two stories and the steps not that high, but she was only a third of the way down. I folded my hands before my waist, the portrait of noble piety and patience.
Lady Romula touched the bottom step and paused, pointedly checking her hair, which was swept up in a series of braids on top of her head. I was used to waiting for her, but this crossed the line to insulting. She’d gained the upper hand, having already taken something from me without permission—my time.
“What a beautiful dress,” I said as she stepped onto the foyer. Old age had not touched Lady Romula’s skin the way it had others of her years. Gold and silver seemed to have a way around that—as did a life of ease. Her lips, however, were always dried and cracked and painted a dark red. She leaned forward to kiss me on each cheek. I tried not to cringe as her mouth brushed roughly across my skin.
“Oh, this?” She gestured grandly at her gown. “From last summer.” Her formal dress was of course silver, a mix of satin and silk cloth gathered at the waist behind a belt of hundreds of delicate pearls and diamonds. She looked ready to attend a great ball, not spend an evening at home. “Lady Arianna has also called on me tonight with your cousin, the Lady Naria.”
I swallowed, attempting to relax my hands at my side. It didn’t mean anything. Aunt Arianna called on members of the Council all the time. There were a hundred reasons why the Master of Education needed to call on the Master of Finance for dinner. But knowing Naria was coming left my blood boiling. She was the last person I wanted here as I attempted to gain Lady Romula’s blessing. At least I wasn’t the only one missing combat clinic.
“Come, darling, let us retire.” She took my arm, leading me swiftly around the corner—her knees suddenly working just fine. Two stories high and full of open windows, plants, and chandeliers made of diamonds and gold, the sitting room was meant to impress upon guests the immense wealth of Ka Grey. Oil paintings of their ancestral lords and ladies covered the walls from floor to ceiling. Lady Romula reclined on a couch, resting on silver velvet pillows, and snapped.
Two goblets brimming with wine floated through the doorway. The glass stems landed between our fingers. Lady Romula took hers with ease while I clumsily balanced mine and retreated to the couch on the opposite side of the room. A circular pool full of heated water stood between us, and I attempted to lie as casually on my cushions as she did.
Lady Romula’s lips smacked together in admonishment. “I always forget how meager your father has you living.” She took a long sip of wine. “Three young ladies on the verge of ruling society with no servants, no luxury. Bamaria used to be the leading edge of culture. In my day the parties, the fashion….” She shook her head. “Things are so austere now. How are you to function when your father deprives you so?”
I coughed. We used to have luxury, parties, and public appearances, but with the riots and the assassination attempt on my father, plus Meera and Morgana’s vorakh, Bamarian culture had been put on hold. I conjured my sweetest smile and lifted my cup. “We try to set an example for all, including those less fortunate. Knowing the plight of the common Lumerian will make Meera a better leader. But I confess,” I said with a wink, “it’s why I so enjoy coming here.”
She laughed wholeheartedly, raising her glass. The wine was the same color as her lips.
“We must remind you of what you’re missing. Perhaps you can convince the Arkasva to bring luxury back to Cresthaven.”
“One may hope,” I said. “Bringing more Ka Grey into Cresthaven will only improve it.”
