“I am. We are. He wanted to talk. To end things.” A blush was burning on her cheeks. She sounded ridiculous. Ludwig might not know everything about Erich, but he knew enough to want to stop her.
“Silence is answer enough.”
“Either you let me go, or I jump out the window.” Liane backed up toward the window. She’d make good on that threat. She needed closure with Erich to squash out this ember of hope she kept kindling in her stomach. The goddess’ chosen and the corrupted didn’t end up together. That was not how their story went. But he deserved the courtesy of her thanking him to his face for saving her at the dock.
“You’re supposed to be the goddess’ chosen, and yet he’s reducing you to using emotional manipulation?” Ludwig asked. The look of disdain on his face was something she’d never seen before. It felt like a dagger to the gut. Was that how he really felt?
The heat from her face spread to her neck and chest as her anger rose.
“You’re acting rather high and mighty. Where have you been sneaking off to? Have you started using stardust again?”
Ludwig flinched as if he’d been slapped, his arms hanging at his sides. And she wished she could take the words back. She’d forgiven him. She knew that he’d done it partially under the compulsion of Heinrich’s power. But apparently, despite them both trying to make amends, there were wounds left festering for both of them.
Ludwig looked away and ran his hands through his hair. “No. I’m not.”
She hated this. Ludwig used to be the one person she could trust above all others, and now she didn’t know.
Liane reached out to him as a sort of olive branch, but before she could make contact, a priestess came up behind Ludwig’s shoulder.
“I hope I’m not interrupting?” they said.
“Not at all.” Ludwig walked down the hall, and she watched him go until he disappeared around a corner.
“The Avatheos wishes to present you to the temple today. Prepare yourself. The veil is required.”
Luzie sprang up, apparently having been lying there listening to her and Ludwig argue all that time.
“She’ll be ready in a moment,” Luzie said, then slammed the door.
When they were alone again, she wrapped her arms around Liane, pulling her into a tight embrace. Liane rested her head against her friend’s shoulder.
“I keep hurting him,” Liane muttered.
“I know.”
“I’m the worst friend imaginable.”
“He did betray you. It takes time to rebuild trust.”
Liane sighed heavily as Luzie patted her back comfortingly.
After a few more minutes of dawdling, Luzie said, “We better get you ready.” She turned to gather up Liane’s things, including the dreaded veil. Liane eyed it dubiously.
“I don’t know how I could have forgotten the meeting. Do you think you could…?” Liane asked.
“I’ll go out to look for him, but no promises. Ludwig isn’t wrong; silence is an answer.”
Liane had been afraid she’d say that. It wasn’t as if she didn’t feel bad enough as it was, but she had to see him one more time. When her duties were done for the day, she’d fight her way out of the temple if she must.
The rest of the day was long and grueling. Wearing the veil was cumbersome and suffocating; it trapped her breath near her face and made everything wet and unpleasant. On top of that, she’d been paraded around the temple to greet the rich and powerful of the city, who’d groveled and tried pressing bribes into her hand for miracles she couldn’t perform. It reminded her of the same sycophants who’d followed her around in the Golden Palace to get closer to her mother and sister. Thankfully, the priestess escorting her kept the worst of them at bay. But, to Liane’s horror, she was informed she’d have to greet the crowds again tomorrow. The people were getting restless, and they wanted to see the goddess’ avatar. The thought of being near crowds made her stomach turn, but she’d been persuaded when they’d told her she’d see them from a balcony no one could reach.
By the time she got back to her room, her feet and her back were aching. But she was determined to get out of the temple and go meet Erich. She tore off the veil the moment she was alone.
“Any luck?” she asked Luzie.
Luzie shook her head slowly. “I’m sorry. He wasn’t there, and it’s a large city.”
Liane deflated. Ludwig was right; perhaps Erich had assumed she didn’t want to speak with him again.
