I steal a look at the guards as they march by the temple, praying they won’t linger by our door. Most of the men pass, but the last one stops.
“Sister,” he says to the veiled acolyte as he riffles through his satchel, not five paces from where Dietan and I crouch behind the door.
I fear the worst, thinking he’s going to produce a search warrant or an order from the king.
He walks up the temple steps, and my heart stutters.
Then he produces a handful of coins and places them in the veiled girl’s hands. “For the work you do,” he says.
“Sirona bless you,” the temple sister says, pocketing the money.
He briskly marches off to join his company.
I stumble back deeper into the vestibule, relieved beyond words. My thundering heartbeat slows, and the glass tiles feel cool against my back. Dietan rests his weight on my shoulder, spent from our rushed escape along the city perimeter.
Inside the sanctuary of the temple, incense fills the air. Tinkling bells and running water echo from deeper within.
When the guards are gone, the sister turns around, lifting her veil and revealing her face. It’s a welcome one.
“Siena!” The scullery maid is resplendent in her jeweled gown. Her fiery locks are brushed and gleaming with bangles chiming on her wrists. I must look a fright in comparison.
“Aren! We waited for you all night!” she says as we fall into a tight embrace. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier to see a friend. “What happened?” she asks when she releases me. “Why didn’t you make it to the meeting place?”
“I was…delayed,” I say, giving Dietan a sideways glance. “He was in much worse shape than I thought…”
Dietan leans uneasily on the wall, twitching occasionally in pain. He’s almost unrecognizable in his rags. The skin that isn’t bruised and swollen is sickly and pallid.
“Oh, dear. Is that…?” she asks.
I nod.
Siena sinks into a deep bow. “Your Highness,” she says. “I am at your service.” I remember now that Siena is from Loegria.
Dietan winces as the two of us each take an arm and help him walk. He’s still shaky, and he shudders each time he moves.
“Osian did this?” Siena whispers, looking aghast. “I knew he tortured his victims, but even the prince of Loegria…” She can’t finish.
“He needs help,” I say, gripping her hand urgently. “Good food and uninterrupted sleep and the best damned healer we can find. We need to get him on the road as quickly as we can.” I sigh, thinking back on everything we’ve suffered, only to escape Namreth by the skin of our teeth, with the Rings still firmly embedded in Dietan’s back.
“You’re in the right place,” Siena says. “We can help him here. Come on.” She leads us deeper into the temple.
“What are you doing here?” I ask as we make our way down a long corridor bathed in the soft glow of copper braziers suspended from arched ceilings. “Why didn’t you leave with the others from the meeting point?”
Her bangles jingle as she walks. “I told them to leave without me. I didn’t want to go without you and the prince. This was the only place I could think to come when the alarm sounded. I was raised in the faith, and the temple is a safe haven.”
“I’m so sorry. You shouldn’t have waited for me,” I say.
Siena looks me in the eye. “And leave my friend? You saved me once. We faithful do not rest until a kindness is returned.”
We share a meaningful look. She is a loyal subject of Loegria, yes, but she waited forme.
Women—we look out for each other.
I’m beyond grateful, and I hope her decision doesn’t lead to her death. “I’ll get us all out of here, I swear.”
“I know you will.” Siena smiles cheekily. “It’s the first time I’ve been outside the castle since I was sold into King Osian’s service when I was ten years old.”
My heart drops to my stomach. Ten years old. She was just a child. Who could do such a cruel thing, especially to someone so young? An even more fierce determination grows within me to escape. Siena deserves a life outside of these walls.
