The four Leuxrithian councilors watched her with guarded curiosity. Mariah sensed nothing hostile from them, but still a bead of sweat tracked a path between her shoulder blades.
Her nervousness spiked higher as she finally met the Oracle’s scrutinizing stare.
She was an elderly woman, hunched and wrinkled, and yet an ageless intelligence gazed out through her light-purple eyes. The type of stare that knew too much, saw too much.
The type of stare that Mariah loathed.
Callamus emerged from the shadows behind the council table. His indigo hair gleamed in the soft lantern light, and the reassuring smile he gave Mariah settled her, just a touch.
Murmurs rippled through the temple at the appearance of the god. Was this the first time most of them were seeing Callamus returned?
Though Mariah supposed she’d have her answers to all of that soon enough.
Mariah cleared her throat. The whispers and murmurs died, silence descending upon the cavern.
“Thank you, members of the council, for welcoming me to Leuxrith.”
Water dripped from the stalactites, echoing mockingly off the walls.
The councilor seated in the center of the table—a middle-aged woman with long, night-black hair and pale indigo eyes—rose to her feet. There was something vaguely familiar about the way she moved, in the proud tilt to her chin.
“It is an honor,” she began, her tone warm, “to welcome the first Onitan Queen on Leuxrithian soil in over one thousand years. It was foretold that our kingdoms would be friends again; to see hope of that happening during my lifetime is the greatest privilege.”
Mariah inclined her head, ears pricking at the bit about her arrival being foretold. How much could the Leuxrithians, with their magic of prophecy and spell work, see? “The honor is all mine, Councilor…?” The question in her voice was clear.
The councilor smiled. “We go by no titles here. I am Merete. This is Tomas, Birgitte, and Viktor.” The other council members bowed their heads in acknowledgment.
“And, of course,” continued Merete, “our Oracle, Silje.” She smiled. “I believe you are acquainted with her granddaughter, Signe.”
The priestess appeared beside Callamus, giving Mariah a small wave and a knowing grin.
Mariah gave her head the barest of shakes. She’d given up being surprised by Signe; ever since that first time they’d met at Mariah’sPorofirat, the Leuxrithian priestess had been nothing but layers of multitudes and mysteries.
“Yes, I am.” Mariah returned her attention to Merete. “We would not be here without her aid and guidance.”
“Indeed. Signe has spent many years away from us; we are happy to have her back.” Merete lifted her chin, addressing the crowd. “Today has been a historic day. We welcome the Onitan Queen within our temple and ask that the people of Eyarfell also welcome her to their city. But the Council now needs this space.”
That was all it took. The people stood as one and shuffled out, back into the midday sun. A few murmured words of welcome as they left, all wearing the same open, kind expressions.
It unnerved Mariah to see so many people looking at her with warmth and hope, rather than the usual disgust or distrust.
Merete clapped her hands and sat back in her chair. Three robed figures emerged from the shadowed hallways, each carrying a chair, and placed them at the table across from the council. Merete gestured to the chairs, a sharper gleam slipping into her gaze.
Mariah followed the invitation and sat, Matheo taking the chair to her left and Andrian to her right, across from the Oracle.
Mariah’s skin prickled as the elderly woman leaned forward, locking that scrutinizing expression on Andrian, but said nothing.
“So,” Merete started, “how fair our neighbors to the south?”
Mariah drew in a breath. Held it in her chest. Released it on a sigh.
“Not well. I may be an ascended queen, but it’s a title without a crown or throne.”
There was no use lying to a group of seers and witches.
Silence settled onto the council. Tomas and Birgitte shared a look heavy with concern. Merete sat forward. “What exactly do you mean, Your Majesty?”
Mariah swallowed. “How familiar is Leuxrith with the First War and the dark god we knew asFlétrir?”
