When they reached the base of the dais, everyone bowed.
“Rise,” the emperor said, his voice as worn and thin as the rest of him. His faded blue eyes tracked over them. When they landed on Jayveh, he lifted a trembling hand. “Jayveh.” The rasping plea in his voice made Amryn’s heart clench.
Tears shined in Jayveh’s eyes as she climbed the few steps of the dais. She didn’t hesitate to enfold the emperor gently in her arms, even though his attempt to return the embrace was feeble. Amryn couldn’t hear their whispered words, but she felt the cut of their mutual loss, as well as the affection that swelled between them. The intensity of it—especially coming from the emperor—surprised her.
The female high cleric remained standing beside the throne. Now that they were closer, Amryn could see the woman was perhaps in her forties, the creases around her eyes subtle. A coldness radiated from her, making goosebumps scatter across Amryn’s body. Standing above them, the high cleric surveyed the Chosen with a superior air. It may have been Amryn’s imagination, but she swore the woman’s eyes lingered on her. A shiver ghosted down Amryn’s spine.
Finally, the woman’s eyes moved to Zacharias. Her throb of dissatisfaction was so strong, Amryn felt it punch through all the other emotions tangling in the room.
Jayveh finally drew back, and the emperor clasped her hand. “Sit beside me,” he said.
Insecurity sparked in Jayveh, but her expression showed only regal confidence as she settled on the second throne.
For perhaps the first time, it truly hit Amryn that her friend was the future empress of Craethen. The realization came with a sharp pang.
The emperor cleared his throat. “My Chosen. I mourn for all you’ve suffered and lost, but I’m grateful to see you standing here before me. I know you must be weary, so I will wait to hear your full reports tomorrow morning. Some of my most trusted advisors will join us. Together, we will find the best path forward so we canturn tragedy into triumph. In the meantime, you will be shown to your rooms so you might rest.”
“Your Eminence,” Zacharias said, taking a slight step forward. “I had hoped that we might speak privately.”
The emperor frowned. “I would like to first speak with Jayveh and Carver. If you wish to wait outside until we’re finished, you may do so.”
The high cleric’s mouth thinned. “With all due respect, Emperor, my report cannot wait.”
“Zacharias, you forget yourself,” the female high cleric reproached, her voice high and thin.
Tension climbed in Zacharias’s shoulders. “High Cleric Lisbeth. I’m not sure what you’re doing here, but—”
“I am the new High Cleric of Craethen,” she said.
Zacharias’s start of shock could not be missed. Nor could his slice of alarm and the low burn of jealousy. His tone managed to be mostly even as he said, “I had not heard of your promotion. Congratulations are certainly in order.”
While some high clerics were given special appointments to sacred sites or temples—like Zacharias—some high clerics were chosen to serve as the spiritual leader to an entire kingdom. There were a finite number of such prestigious positions, since there were only twelve kingdoms in the empire. As High Cleric of Craethen, this female cleric not only held ultimate spiritual authority in the oldest kingdom in the empire, but she was also the direct spiritual advisor to the emperor himself. All of this made High Cleric Lisbeth one of the most powerful leaders of the church. She certainly outranked Zacharias.
A fact the High Cleric of Esperance clearly did not welcome.
Lisbeth smiled slowly, her eyes gleaming. “Thank you, Zacharias. Your congratulations mean a great deal to me.”
His left eye twitched. “What happened to High Cleric Bartholomew?”
“His health was failing,” the emperor explained. “The Holy Superior invited him to return to Daersen and rest at the High Temple. I dreaded losing his friendship and counsel, but—” He cast a grateful smile toward the female high cleric standing beside him. “Lisbeth has been a great comfort to me.”
Lisbeth returned his smile. “I’m grateful Highest Cleric Jeremiah appointed me here, Your Eminence. I’m blessed to be able to serve you.”
Zacharias’s irritation spiked. “I sent a letter to Bartholomew,” he said. “If I had known of his retirement, I would have written to the Holy Superior himself.”
Lisbeth’s smile dropped as she faced her fellow high cleric. “You were not informed, because you were supposed to be under a strict seal at Esperance.” The reprimand was indirect, yet still pointed. “And never fear,” she added. “I read your letter.”
Zacharias’s eyes narrowed. “If you read my letter, you know none of what happened in Esperance was my fault.”
“Things never seem to be your fault, Zacharias. And yet, your spectacular failure cannot be denied this time.”
His hands fisted. “In my letter, I made it clear we have a more pressing threat.”
Jayveh’s brow furrowed. “What threat?”
Amryn’s heartbeat slowed, instinct whispering a warning.
Zacharias met the emperor’s gaze; Amryn felt his need to take control—to draw the emperor’s attention away from Lisbeth. “An empath was at Esperance, Your Eminence.”
