She shrank back another step, but the Avatheos urged her forward, and seeing him lay his hands upon her made Erich’s insides boil. He couldn’t see her expression, but he saw her discomfort in every line of her body. She gripped the railing of the balcony on which she stood and then slowly raised her hands. As she did, a golden light glowed. Not from her but from the curtain behind her. At the right angle, or if you were determined to believe, it looked like she was casting sunlight down on the crowd. But Erich could see it for the farce it was. He’d seen Liane glow before; this wasn’t her power.
The people wept and cried, thanking her profusely.
“Leave your offerings of thanks, and spread the word of the goddess’ chosen’s healing light, that the entire continent be healed,” the Avatheos said.
The people shouted as Liane was escorted from view, and they tried climbing the walls to get to her.
Erich couldn’t stand to watch a moment longer, broke away from the crowd, and rushed down a nearby hallway. The entrance to that balcony had to be around here somewhere. He tried a few locked doors to no avail. Then he rounded a corner and came face-to-face with Liane’s guard, Ludwig. His instincts had been right; she must be nearby.
“What are you doing here?” Ludwig hissed.
Erich shrugged. “I’m here to learn about the Church of Sol. Is that a crime?”
“I heard a rumor you were in Basilia. Perhaps it’s best if you leave,” he ground out.
Erich leaned closer to Ludwig. “Is she mad that I missed our meeting?”
Ludwig crossed his arms as he glowered. “She doesn’t want to speak to you.”
“I’d like to hear it from her.”
“I won’t act as a messenger like Luzie would. I think Liane’s made her intentions clear. She’s dedicated to the church.”
The possessive part of him was rankled by the idea of this man trying to stand between him and Liane. But he had to rein in those impulses. They would get him nowhere. “I would never hurt her. You have to believe that.”
Ludwig narrowed his eyes at him. “Because I won’t let you.”
The church wasn’t the only thing standing in his way of getting Liane out. He couldn’t imagine why Liane kept Ludwig around after he’d betrayed her. Or what his motives were.
They simply glared at one another until Fritz intervened.
“Your hands are shaking,” Fritz remarked.
With Ludwig’s arms crossed, Erich almost hadn’t noticed the slight tremor in his hands. Ludwig dropped his hands to his sides and balled them into fists instead.
“What of it?” Ludwig snapped.
“You’ve had stardust before,” Fritz replied.
Ludwig didn’t answer, just glared.
“The church isn’t what you think it is. They’re the piece you’ve been missing in your search. Seek out the Midnight Guards, and you’ll uncover what you’re hoping to find,” Fritz said.
Ludwig’s nostrils flared, and his eyes dilated slightly. “What do you know about what I’m seeking?”
“You want to know where stardust comes from and how to rid yourself of that craving you still can’t shake. Am I wrong?”
Ludwig looked around the room as if fearing they’d been overheard. But there was no one else around. Ludwig shook his head as if he could shake off Fritz’s words.
“I saved your life once,” Erich said. “I won’t ask you to pay the debt, but let me see her. Just this once.”
Ludwig glared at them a moment longer before sighing heavily. “Don’t ask me again. This will be the last time.” He turned, and they followed him down another passageway and through a locked door into a hidden ornamental garden with rows of low bushes and several trees that provided shade from the day.
Erich recognized the maid keeping watch at the end of the pathway, who waved them over as they approached.
“I can’t believe you brought him,” she said to Ludwig.
“Believe me, I didn’t want to.” Ludwig sighed.
