With it written on the page in front of her, the truth was apparent. Erich was the antithesis to her. She turned a few more pages, but they were illegible. She could only pick up a word in three beneath the scorch marks. She scanned the rest of the book, hoping to find something different, something that didn’t confirm her worst suspicions.
Liane rubbed her temples, shaken by what she’d learned. She knew she shouldn’t be surprised. She’d known being drawn to him was wrong, and yet a small part of her held onto the hope that he could be redeemed, but this book proved otherwise.
One of the priests who’d delivered the books came back over.
“Forgive me, your divinity. I think I misplaced one of my books in your stack.” He reached for the book she’d been reading.
She handed it back reluctantly. “It looks interesting. I’ve never seen mention of Moon Goddess before.”
“It’s a heretical book that belongs to the moon cult, one of the few that survived the fires that burned the library during the Corruption. It’s very fragile and not meant for anyone to read.”
The sword in her back throbbed as if asking her to give it a second look. But she’d gotten her answers, hadn’t she? He belonged to the Nameless, she to Cyra.
With nothing left to learn, Liane began to retreat from the library, but her skin was prickling with anxiety. She watched as the priest carried the book to the back of the library, toward a metal cage that bisected the library. The temple in Artria had one similar. She turned to leave and nearly collided with Ludwig.
“You’re plotting something,” he said.
“I was reading in the library.”
“And eyeing that locked cage.”
She shrugged.
“What are you trying to find out?”
“Nothing. I got my answers.” She headed out of the library, but as she did, a hooded priestess stepped into her path.
“Your grace, did you see the book I left you?” Sylvie asked.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end.
“Which book?” Liane asked.
She lowered her head guiltily. “I heard you’ve been asking questions about the church’s history. And I thought you’d appreciate reading something that hasn’t been heavily censored.”
“That was kind of you.” Liane tried to muster a smile. Sylvie was innocent and couldn’t have known that she’d closed the door on Liane and Erich’s relationship for good.
Liane began to walk past her when Sylvie grasped hold of her sleeve. She turned to look at her.
“If I might be so bold, your divinity. I have a favor to ask of you.”
People wanted blessings from her, or begged for miracles, but she always turned them down. Apart from the spectacles the Avatheos made her participate in, Liane couldn’t do much for the people who were seeking a miracle.
“If I can help, I will,” Liane said.
Sylvie rolled up her sleeve and revealed black veins spreading over her arm, crawling up toward her shoulder. “I’m corrupted. Technically, all initiates are until we’ve been purified. But they don’t think I’ll last until the equinox. It’s why I wanted to meet you so badly. I thought maybe you’d be able to help me.”
Liane grabbed her by her elbow, pulling her into an empty alcove. Ludwig turned his back to them, watching the hall to make sure they wouldn’t be overheard.
“How long have you been withering? We should take you to see the Avatheos and have him heal you,” Liane said.
Sylvie shook her head. “I was born with it. We all are, those of us with magic. He can’t heal me, no one here knows how. Maybe a long time ago, before the corruption. But no one has the power now. We know medicinal herbs and small magics, but nothing for this. Only going into the water can save me, or so they say. But some don’t make it out of there either. They drown or who knows what.” She wrapped her arms around herself.
“By ‘the water,’ you mean the source?”
Sylvie nodded.
“Then why not go into the water?”
