Hypatia’s wicked grin grew bigger. She snapped the fanned-out incense back into one bundle in her palm. “Then follow me, Commander Aimilia.”
It would take her mind off of Nikias and her worry about what exactly he was doing—about what Konstantin was having him do. It seemed maybe Hypatia had the same idea to distractherself, although Aimilia was certain it was four different reasons.
As they passed through the town again, Aimilia watched as Hypatia was occasionally stopped by the townspeople, and she immediately began chatting with them. She rattled off in her language so fast Aimilia struggled to catch anything.
She would manage to catch a few words here and there. Nothing stood out as all that strange about it, other than the fact that there was nothing strange about it. Hypatia was surprisingly pleasant with them.
There was always this air of smug superiority, an aura of wealth and power that Hypatia exuded, but Aimilia would expect so of anyone that was considered essentially royalty, and even more so one like Hypatia, who was considered blessed. There was a reverence in the way people spoke to her, and an expectation of such in her manners. But she wasn’t dismissive or rude or cruel. She smiled and laughed, but not the kind of dark, hungry smiles Aimilia had seen on her before. If Aimilia didn’t know any better, she would have thought Hypatia a normal woman.
Albeit one with status.
They pressed on, and Aimilia caught a few looks directed at her red hair. They weren’t derogatory, not by nature, mostly confused. It didn’t seem anyone had her kind of hair, in either color or texture, in this town. Not that she was surprised.
As the temple grew larger, they left the town itself behind, finally alone.
Hypatia said, “Quite a few of them like your hair, by the way. Say it reminds them of the roses that grow on the outskirts. I presume you didn’t catch that.”
Aimilia shook her head but couldn’t stop herself from reaching up to touch her braid. She’d always been partial to roses, but she highly doubted anyone looked at her hair and wasreminded of the deep, beautiful red of the flower. “I doubt that. They were probably just trying to be polite to your guest. You’re the one they like.”
Hypatia raised an eyebrow as they reached the steps leading into the small temple, only darkness inside. “Does that surprise you?”
Aimilia shook her head. “You’re their royalty. Does it surprise you?”
Hypatia just grinned wider. “I knew I was right to like you.”
Then Hypatia disappeared inside into the darkness. Aimilia looked around at the columns and the pediment. It was less than half the size of the temple that Gavril and Marcella had held their second wedding in. However, it was twice as intimidating. There was a cold, quiet stillness, even though all the carvings of Asentai on the stone outside and of her symbol were meant to be warm and inviting. There was no life.
Aimilia shivered even though it wasn’t cold outside, and she followed Hypatia into the darkness.
As soon as Aimilia reached the top step and started to walk between the columns inside, vitae lit the air as Hypatia cast with one hand, lighting torches along the interior of the sanctuary. Aimilia turned on her feet, looking up at the dilapidated temple around them.
It was certainly old and in need of repair and a very thorough cleaning. Foliage had crept in and started to overtake some of the walls. Vines obscured Asentai’s figure and cut through paintings of scenes from myths that Marcella had been taught as a child. Marcella had told her a couple of them, but Aimilia didn’t recognize any of the paintings as ones Marcella had told her.
Hypatia reached the altar and pulled out her incense, arranging it in a very specific formation that Aimilia didn’t knowthe significance of. Hypatia lit them and soon enough, smoke poured off the tips. The pungent smell filled the air.
Aimilia took a deep breath, which was a mistake, as it sent her coughing. She knew Marcella was fond of it, but Aimilia had a hard time seeing why. It was very strong. Now was as good a time as any, and Aimilia called out and said, “Has Marcella ever been here?”
Hypatia shook her head. “I’ve only been here once before myself. Marcella never really left the estate much until she was a soldier, and then it was only on assignments. I didn’t like her to go on them, so I didn’t let her. She looked far too much like me, and I wanted to keep her close.”
Aimilia supposed it was her fault for asking. “How much later did you leave after us?”
Hypatia finished lighting the last stick and turned around. “If you’re asking about Marcella’s condition, there was no new information when I left. That kind of news takes more than a few days to bury and a lifetime to grieve.”
Aimilia fell silent. So Hypatia did know about it. She couldn’t imagine Marcella had really wanted to tell her.
Smoke filled the air, enveloping Hypatia as she said, “You’re surprised. Don’t forget she’s not my distant cousin anymore, but my sister-in-law. I know you and your people have a specific image of me, but I do make it my business to know what’s going on with the people I care about.”
Aimilia couldn’t help her scoff. “The people you care about?”
But Hypatia’s expression didn’t change. She said, “Why does that surprise you? I thought you might know better than most. Even monsters have their favorites. From what I saw this morning, you are his, aren’t you?”
Aimilia took another look around and said, “Do you just light incense and that’s it? Is that all this is for?”
“For the Solitus, yes. For me, no.” Hypatia spread her hands wide and took a deep breath. “Tell me, Commander Aimilia, how would you like to see the future?”
Aimilia’s heart ricocheted. She’d heard much about Hypatia’s abilities. She had her own doubts, but Marcella swore it was all true.
Nikias was going to kill her.
