Page 83 of Cheating Fate

“This way,” Gotia said, gesturing with her fingertips for us to follow.

Some people might have found it almost sensual. But I only saw the sharp metallic tips covering them. They were richly adorned, matching the elaborate jewelry clasped around her wrists, upper arms, and her neck.

Just like the dignitaries closed the March behind the rest of our team on their way to the Great Hall, the Initiates and Hallowed Knights, quietly filed behind us.

To my shock, Gotia didn’t even try to make the usual small talk expected from a hostess. No asking about our trip. No useless comment about how glad she was that we would visit under such clement weather. She just walked three steps ahead of us, her head held up high, and her back stiff. For all that, her gait was fluid, the sway of her hips almost hypnotic. Once again, I couldn’t help thinking that most people would find the movement sensual. But all I could think about was a snake.

Had I been less secure in my relationship with Gavin, I might have been uncomfortable by the sheerness of her outfit that gave a far too detailed glimpse of her behind. Clearly, she was either wearing a thong or no underwear at all.

Rumors about the Divine Court ran rampant. By all accounts, only the most beautiful diviners were allowed to serve as they basically joined the Divine’s harem. I didn’t know whether it was true. However, seeing how they were all so scantily clad seemed to support that theory.

My jaw dropped as we entered the hall of the Basilica. Intricate carvings adorned the walls in abstract art pieces. However, the tiny granite tiles covering the carvings turned them into three-dimensional mosaics. Giant windows allowed a generous amount of natural light to reflect on them, creating the illusion of movement. A few winged statues served as pillars framing the wide aisle to the throne at the end of the room.

Everything felt grandiose and luxurious without falling into vulgarity. I couldn’t even call it ostentatious, despite the bigger-than-life statues and décor. The large space on each side of the aisle remained vacant. Filled with benches, it would have turned the place into a church. But I suspected they used it for large gatherings where people milled about instead.

At the other end, a large throne towered over the space, sitting atop an oval dais that perfectly rested against the arched back-wall. Framing it on both sides, two more platforms at a slightly lower height each offered a dozen seats for the Initiates. The exquisite gondola stool next to the throne likely belonged to Gotia. Made of the same ivory stone as the statues, it was covered with a plush cushion in a shimmering off-white fabric with matching tassels. Slightly to its right, and about a foot behind, I spotted another far less intricate bench, although just as comfortable looking.

But the imposing man sitting on the throne held all my attention. He commanded the place. At a glance, he appeared to be 6’4 and extremely fit. Like Korletheans and Veredians, Dantorians tended to be on the lither side. It undoubtedly helped with their flying abilities as a bulkier build might prove challenging to cut through air.

Like the other members of his court, a half mask covered his face. It seemed made of pure gold, the upper part ending in the shape of a crown with mounted precious gems. He was bare chest but for a massive, horizontal golden crescent-moon breast plate, which hung like a necklace. A long, flowy white skirt embroidered with gold threads covered his lower body. Swirling gold bracelets also hugged his upper arms, along with bracers clasped around his wrists. His majestic midnight-blue—almost black—wings hung partially open behind him.

The echoes of our footsteps resounded loudly in the otherwise deafening silence. It almost felt like we were being led to our execution instead of a meeting with a powerful religious figure of an allied nation.

Gotia gestured for us to stop behind her, approximately five meters from the first step of the dais. We complied, our gazes still locked on the Divine. She then walked up the five steps to the platform, settling in what I had correctly guessed to be her seat. As she did so, I shifted my vision to assess the Divine’s soul. To my shock, he radiated with deep rage mixed with a strange softness. His soul was angry. But it wasn’t aimed at us.

The instant thought that popped into my head was a wild animal rattling against its cage, fighting to regain its freedom. I peered at the handful of Initiates who were already sitting on the sides of the room. From them, I perceived clashing emotions. Some seemed to share the same hatred towards us as Gotia did, but they were extremely few. The others appeared wary and the rest hopeful.

However, the Divine troubled me the most. His soul felt familiar. But what the little voice at the back of my head tried to whisper made no sense.

Chamberlain Ralan, still standing in front of us, moved a few steps to the right and turned sideways.

“You’re standing in the presence of the great Divine, Taseus Orgos,” Ralan said loudly in a solemn tone. “Your Holiness, meet your guests, Gavin Aldriss, and his mate Lady Zharina Praghan.”

“Welcome to my chamber, Gavin Aldriss,” the Divine said, his voice a little raspy. “It is an honor to finally meet you.”

An emotion I couldn’t define seeped into his voice as he spoke those words. He sounded moved, almost sad.

“The honor is mine, your Holiness,” Gavin replied. “But why finally?”

“Because my jailors prevented me from doing so sooner,” he said, his voice hardening.

“Divine!” Ralan exclaimed, even as Gavin and I gasped.

“SILENCE!” Taseus shouted with an air of pure hatred for his Chamberlain, startling us further. “Meddle again, and you shall feel my wrath. You and your puppet master have caused enough harm.”

More confused than ever, I peered at the other attendees’ souls to find a greater shift in their responses to what just happened. This court was heavily divided between those who loved and hated him.

“As you can see, the Basilica is not the happy place my people try to portray,” the Divine said bitterly. “It is a den of snakes… or krilliks, like the Xelixians say.”

“Taseus!” Gotia said, jumping to her feet.

The Divine jerked his head to the left and bared his clenched teeth at his consort before fisting his left hand. Gotia instantly cried out and pressed both hands to her chest, as if she was having a heart attack. The crowd gasped, their shocked reactions implying they had never witnessed something like this before.

“Divine!” Gavin exclaimed, taking a step forward.

That seemed to snap him out of the murderous rage the priestess had stirred in him. He opened his hand as one would to just drop something foul, and Gotia seemed instantly relieved. Her knees wavering, she rested one hand on the recurved armrest of her stool for support before dropping herself into her seat.

“Peace, Gavin. As much as I would enjoy killing her, I won’t,” Taseus said in a conversational tone.