Later, Tethys sat in Lady Messene’s office on the highest floor of Venia’s judicial building. The levels above the main courtroom housed most of the city’s officials in rows of dusty rooms that overlooked the Antarean districts.
“I scanned every row of that alcove, Messene, I assure you it isn’t there,” Tethys said, pinching the bridge of her nose. Messene nodded, clasping her delicate hands together. The woman, although only in her thirties, had an aura of elderly wisdom.
Dust particles floated through daylight beaming in, sending glimpses of light scattering through the air. Messene’s office was more like a museum, housing ancient vases and display cases filled with gilded trinkets and crystal figurines.
“If you’re sure it’s missing, then we have a massive problem on our hands, my queen,” Lady Messene braced on the mahogany desk before her and watched the goddesswith furrowed brow.
“Don’t the copyists have a log of who visits that floor? That would be a good place to start. See if the archive staff noticed anything out of the ordinary there,” Tethys offered, tossing a glance over her shoulder at lieutenant Araes.
He’d been even more insufferably silent during the ride up town than his usual brooding demeanor. He didn’t meet her eyes, his own glazed over and unfocused. She wondered what ate away at the soldier, but swiftly quieted those thoughts. On top of the rebellion, missing children, and the dry season, one of Venia’s oldest texts was now missing from the most secure alcove in the realm.
“I assure you my queen, we will find it. I must admit, the copyists have gotten careless over the years. Perhaps it was shelved incorrectly.” Messene pushed the wheels of her chair and glided around the desk to sit beside Tethys. Lord Ophis informed Tethys upon Messene’s selection that she’d been in a terrible accident as a child.
Her father took her riding one morning and misjudged the trail. Messene was thrown from her horse, and after landing on a jagged boulder, paralyzed from the waist down. That didn’t stop her from riding, though. Messene alone adjusted her saddle to keep her mounted.
The woman was brilliant, thus making her the obvious choice for lead historian when the time came.
“My queen, let the copyists recover the text. Although the edition is incredibly sacred, its contents are well known. Between you and me, the only reason those editions are housed down there is because the earthen conditions slow the decay. They very well could be shelved on the first level of the archives with the replicas.” Messene risked reaching out her hand to the goddess.
“Please keep me informed of what becomes of the search. That text is one of our last connections to Eos herself,” Tethys replied. She knew Messene was correct; theTheogony wasn’t an incredulous tale of secrets, but without her transcription, Eos was entirely lost in time. Each ink stained page held the final remnants of her voice. Her story. Her life. If it were to slip away...Tethys swallowed the knot in her throat.
“You will be the first to know, my queen. Now, I’m so sorry to cut our meeting short, but the afternoon seminar is about to begin. I should really get going. The children get a bit...well, feral if I’m late,” Lady Messene said, chuckling and wheeling to the door. Tethys and Araes rose and followed the historian to the exit.
“My office is always open to you, my queen. Never forget that,” she said, gesturing to the hallway.
“Thank you, Messene. I hope lessons go smoothly this afternoon,” Tethys said, offering the woman a small smile.
† † †
“I don’t know Jaide, it’s strange. That alcove is nearly impenetrable. If someone slipped the edition out, what else could be missing from down there?” Tethys bit her lip and rose from her seat in the manor’s library. A fire roared in the central stone fireplace, its crackling flames sending shadows dancing along the rows of novellas and ledgers in the floor to ceiling shelves.
Jaide placed her book on the table beside her and sipped a glass of wine. Her lady-in-waiting came calling after Tethys returned from her meeting with Messene. While she was grateful for the company, the goddess’s mind raced.
“They’ll find it, my lady. Try not to worry,” Jaide offered. She leaned over the coffee table between them and placed her hand across Tethys’s knee. “When was the last time you slept? You look exhausted.”
Tethys scoffed. The last time she truly had a restful night was long before Jaide was even born. Maybe whenTethys was still a child, before her arrival, even.
“I’m serious, Tethys. You don’t have to carry this load alone. I can tell something’s haunting you. Let me help.” Jaide’s eyes glittered as they locked with Tethys.
“It’s too dangerous if I told you. I can’t risk pulling you into this,” she whispered, her throat dry in the heated air. Jaide sighed and leaned back in her chair.
“Can I speak plainly for a moment?” she asked. Tethys arched a brow but nodded anyway.
“Since the day I’ve met you, my lady, you’ve kept everyone an arm’s length away. I know there are those in this realm that can be cruel. Gods look at those idiots on your council…they are...”
“The worst?” Tethys suggested. Jaide snorted, her mouth curling into a slight smile.
“Yes. The absolute worst, but my lady...there are those that love you here too.”
Tethys felt her stomach tighten. She knew Jaide was a true friend, a sister, really. She’d been there for her too many times to count, but the thought of letting her in…sharing the darkness burrowed in the deepest parts of herself. She couldn’t risk losing Jaide to the horror of learning just how broken she truly was.
Most nights, when Tethys finally found herself alone, those demons clawed at her, whispering the most vile truths. How could she explain to the woman sitting across from her, now awaiting her reply, that it was easier to succumb to loneliness?
Everyone eventually left. It was just a matter of time until Tethys did or said something that’d cause Jaide to turn away forever.
So, she simply smiled at her friend and took a sip of her wine. She would survive in her sadness alone, because eventually there’d be no one left.
“Stay for dinner if you’d like. Arissa made sure there were fresh linens in your room,” Tethys said, draining herglass.
