I burned with curiosity, hating that I couldn’t get to the bottom of what had happened.
Maybe one day that truth would finally come to light.
But it wouldn’t be today.
Chapter Thirty
Jacinth
The rest of our trip through the markets was considerably less eventful. I stopped by a diamond merchant who had a number of beautiful gems to choose from, and as I let the influence of the gods guide me, I zeroed in on a crystal-clear diamond that resembled a heart in shape. The shining jewel had a teal color, the same as Azurill’s eyes, in the center, and I knew immediately that it would be perfect for my potion.
All that was left was to find the right pearl, and I clutched at my mother’s necklace as I walked the path through the markets, keeping an eye out for just the right vendor. It was as I rounded a bend in the path that I spotted it. The dark-skinned merchant gave me a knowing smile as I approached, their hair and eyes the lightest shade of pink I’d ever seen. It seemed vaguely familiar, but I couldn’t place from where.
“As I prayed to the gods this morning, the knowledge came to me that a very special customer would come by my table today. I didn’t believe it,couldn’treally, but it’s true,” she whispered as I walked up, soft enough that even Alfrikr, leaning against a post across the path and watching closely, wouldn’t hear her. She looked me over closely, her eyes shining with unshed tears.
I shifted on my feet, uncomfortable. Maybe I shouldn’t have worn the pink after all. If she knew…
“You don’t remember me, do you?” She chuckled, sniffing slightly as she blinked her tears away.
“Should I?” I asked her warily, narrowing my gaze as I looked her over more critically. Something about her nagged at my memory, but it was just out of reach.
“My parents worked in your household,” she said, keeping her voice low as my heart about stopped. “We played together sometimes as children, Lady Linnea.”
I hadn’t heard my true name directed tomefrom another’s lips outside of dreams and visions since that night my parents died. My breath caught in my throat as my heart raced, and a ragged gasp tore from my mouth. I had to wave Alfrikr back to his post as he swiftly stood to attention.
My memory clarified as I looked at her, remembering playing from time to time when her parents brought her along. It was usually only when they couldn’t find childcare, but I’d always looked forward to those days.
“Dalia?” I asked in a strangled whisper, and she nodded, smiled brightly.
“Oh, my Lady.” She laughed wetly. “Knowing you live, that House Marit’s blood lives on…” She shook her head, wiping a stray tear away.
“No one can know,” I told her urgently, grabbing her hand and squeezing. “It’s too dangerous.”
She nodded smartly. “Of course, my Lady. I would never betray you, you have my oath to Erodite on that.” Her words relaxed me slightly; an oath to our goddess was absolute.
“Thank you, old friend.” I smiled sadly, and her own matched it. “Things are coming to a head now, and I need a pearl to help me see the truth of things. About what happened that night…and who was truly responsible for the deaths of my family.”
Her eyes nearly glowed as she realized the part she had to play today. “I’m honored my pearls will go to such a worthy cause. I can only hope this will lead you to your rightful place, my Lady.”
“I have no rightful place, Dalia. Not truly.” I shook my head, my defeat and the raw pain I felt surely all over my face.
“Nonsense.” Dalia insisted sternly, “The gods answered my prayers today with knowledge, sure enough, and they don’t do that unless a great destiny is at play.”
I opened my mouth to argue, for surely whatever role the gods saw fit for me was not one I cared for, not if the rest of my life thus far was anything to go by. Dalia, however, refused to hear it.
“When my prayers were done, I knew just the pearl to bring with me today. A special one, that I hope you’ll find fits your needs.” She smiled, pale pink eyes shining brightly, contrasted against her lovely dark skin.
Dalia leaned down behind her table and brought out a tray that held a pearl like I’d never seen before. It was huge, for one, and the hue so closely resembled my own coloring that it was uncanny. It looked like it had been crafted in my image.
The shining pearl was perfectly round, with not a blemish to be seen, and as I picked it up, nearly entranced by its appearance, I felt the tell-tale tingle of the gods’ presence. My hair stood on end as a strong gust of wind blew through the market, extinguishing the torches and leaving the vendors scrambling to relight them.
Dalia smiled truly, nodding to me. “You see, the gods know what they’re about.”
“Apparently.” I couldn’t argue with her after that and smiled slightly. “How much for it?”
She scoffed, shaking her head. “As if I would ever ask my Lady to pay for such a gift. Please, take it. House Marit lives through you now. Thus, my loyalty is as it ever was,yours, Lady Linnea.”
I was pleased to know there were still those out there whose loyalty to my family was so great that their allegiance was unquestionably mine at my mere appearance. Perhaps I was wrong to think no one cared about House Marit anymore. Or perhaps she was an outlier.
