“You’ll think I’m losing my mind,” I whispered.
“Let me decide that for myself.”
“I… could have sworn I saw Basil.”
Felaf’s head whipped in our direction.
Raithe’s brows only lowered. “Your brother? You’re certain?”
I ran a shaky hand through my curls. “I know he’s gone. Gregorios confirmed as much. And to be honest, I would rather he be dead than living whatever hallucination I just had.”
Raithe’s hold on me remained. I was grateful for his steadiness.
“I must be delirious from sleep deprivation. Part of me feels like I’m walking to my death right now. It’s only natural that I conjured an image of my brother in my final moments.”
“You’re going to be fine,” he said tersely. “You can do this. You can.”
I smiled weakly, his confidence in me burning away the lingering chill. My hand twitched with the desire to cup his cheek. To ease the surprisingly blatant worry etched into his handsome face. There was still so much left unsaid between us.
“Ahem. Up here, Princess,” Felaf called, her voice bouncing off the cavernous walls.
Our gazes lingered, drawing out this final quiet moment before joining Felaf and Gregorios.
The royal topaz, the fourth talisman of Scorpio, sat nestled at the center of a thick gold torque necklace resting atop a velvet pillow. The flames of the torches caught along the smooth, polished surface of the golden-yellow stone. Behind the podium it rested upon was a waterfall, its mist sprinkling my skin as enchanting strings tickled my ears.
Gregorios felt ahead of him for the pillow before lifting it into his arms. “Ready when you are, Princess Novah.”
Raithe stepped through the waterfall first, likely to ensure there were no threats waiting on the other side. From what I recalled of arches, only a talisman could grant access. Gregorios followed after him. Felaf and I clasped hands. The water crashed down on my shoulders for only a moment before it stopped and we were in a room filled with light. We found ourselves in an ankle-deep pool, a waterfall at our backs. The thermae.
Raithe slicked his wet hair back. “All clear. Alekko and Vesperah have secured the area. We should be safe for the parade.”
I took in the empty space. “Is this a public bathhouse?”
“For nobles only,” Felaf answered.
“Erm, shouldn’t we be worried about how vulnerable the stone was back there?” I gestured behind us at the waterfall we’d come through. “I know only those with a talisman can step through it back into the palace, but?—”
“What if Chosens from other courts wanted to steal it?” Raithe supplied.
“Well, yes.”
“This arch is not on any disclosed maps we’ve shared with the rest of the courts. Only we”—Raithe gestured to the four of us—“know of its precise location. We’ll emerge into the city down atunnel connected from here, meeting Alekko and Vesperah at a designated location before joining the parade.”
“Still seems like you put a lot of faith in that boulder and the arch,” I noted.
“It’s been safe down there for thousands of years,” Gregorios assured. “Our guardians check on it routinely.”
I didn’t know what to expect when we stepped out onto the street. A herd of guards closed in, enclosing Gregorios and me in a tight formation. Dust caked my toes. The brightness of the sun overhead beat down on us unforgivingly. The roar of thousands rang everywhere, but all I could see was the mass of black enclosing me. I couldn’t bring myself to look at the crowds that swarmed the streets, chanting and cheering with hope.
I focused on the temple looming at the end of the path we walked. On the Scorpion statue who appeared to stare right back at me. Her figure grew larger as we neared. A black creature scurried along the base of the massive carving, capturing my attention.
A scorpion—a good omen, or bad?
I reminded myself to breathe. I was safe for the moment, with Raithe right in front of me.
Three things.His voice soothed my mind, guiding me through all of the senses. It worked until it didn’t.
In a blur we were ushered into the temple that was every bit as intimidating on the inside as it was the outside. Felaf and Raithe secured the doors closed, drowning out the outside world. Several acolytes greeted us. Before long, Gregorios was guided down the length of the temple, leaving me, Raithe, and Felaf lingering near the entrance to wait for the ceremony to begin.
