“Novah Artemis,” I said. My fingers toyed with a loose thread in my skirt.
Gregorios, Raithe, Felaf, Letti and I had spent the night aligning on a story that wouldn’t see us all in the dungeon. I wasexhausted, having not slept a wink, and needed to perform an act worthy of saving our heads. We couldn’t risk my name tying me to Gemini in any way, so I was forced to create a new identity for myself.
Under pressure, I’d selected my last name based on the story of a goddess my grandfather and I used to read about together. According to Pahn’s storybooks, Artemis was fierce, independent, and protective—everything I aspired to be. Knowing such stories were forbidden, I was surprised Gregorios didn’t object to the name. If he recognized it, he didn’t let on.
As for my first name, I could only think of the little girl in the streets of Dioscuri who lost her way. I didn’t know why her name stuck out to me, or why that day was seared into my memory. I supposed I saw myself in her, longing to be with my own mother and father.
The dream of such a reunion was slipping away with every second that passed.
“We did not mean to deceive,” I explained humbly. “Gregorios was hesitant to announce my presence because of historical precedent. And my… Choosing was quite brutal, rendering me unconscious for?—”
“Spare me the sob story. Where do you hail from,Novah?”
“Pipma,” I answered.
The room raised quizzical brows. Someone coughed aggressively. I craned my neck to find Felaf standing along the wall, shaking her head minutely. At her side, Raithe’s stony expression gave way to exasperation.
Had I not said it right?
“I meant… Pipirima. I was born in Pipirima.”
Maryn’s glacial gaze cut to Raithe. “Your village. What are the odds of that?”
“Slim,” I answered for both of us, having only been told it was small and resided near the Barrier. “I haven’t lived there inyears. I was only passing through when the Choosing started.” I glanced at Raithe, finding his penetrating stare on me. “Thank Gem—thankScorpiothat your guardian was there too.”
“What our new princess says was not luck,” Gregorios affirmed. “As I told you shortly after Raithe’s abrupt departure weeks ago, Queen Regent, I received a dream from Scorpio encouraging me to send Raithe to his home village. I thought perhaps it was meant as a respite, but clearly it was because of Novah.”
If I didn’t know the truth already, I would have taken Gregorios at his word.
“That guardian takes enough unauthorized time to himself.” Maryn sipped her tea. “Evenifwhat you say is true, Seer, I gave no approval for such leave.”
“My deepest apologies, Queen Regent,” Raithe interjected, not meeting her eyes. “I should have obtained your permission first.” On the surface, he appeared remorseful.
His casual detachment said the opposite.
Maryn’s upper lip curled. “How did you find her, Guardian?”
“I was walking out of the temple when I heard a commotion behind one of the shops. It turned out to be Novah, in the midst of her Choosing.”
“Did anyone else witness this?”
“Only me. I immediately recognized what was happening. Given it is half a day’s flight, I barely got her here in time.”
It was frightening how easily Raithe and Gregorios wove the lie.
If I was to be successful, I couldn’t let my emotions overrun me. I had to play into my new narrative long enough for me to gain not only Maryn’s trust, but especially that of Raithe, Felaf, and Gregorios. I had inside knowledge, albeit limited, to the apostai. If I helped them take down the apostai, then maybe an exception would be made and they’d let my family live.
I swallowed. It was foolish to harbor such wishful thinking, but I had no other alternative.
“Pipirima’s lake’s been long since dried up. It’s hardly a skyland to holiday on,” Maryn said. “What wereyoudoing in such a desolate place?”
“I… am a dancer and live a nomadic lifestyle,” I recited from the speech Gregorios prepared. “I grew up travelling with my…” Perhaps it was sleep deprivation or the tonic Letti gave me to ease my pain, but a ruthless idea popped into my head.
I wondered whatwouldhappen if I revealed the truth about Gregorios’s dream, and Raithe’s subsequent illicit travels, to Maryn. Both men were spooked enough by the idea that I realized I could use such knowledge against them—with the promise of keeping my family safe from any sacrificial offerings.
I plastered a demure smile on my face and continued. “Traveling with my grandparents from town to town. They passed tragically in a skyship accident, and I have been on my own since. I know of no other living family member.”
Felaf and Raithe’s disbelieving stares singed my cheek. I’d deviated from the script, risking a lot on a desperate whim.
