Kiri dipped her head. “True. But I believe that the Kings will see the need for a miracle in this tumultuous time, and grant one. Mark me, when we make our prayers at the harbor, the mouth of the bay will be entirely cleared, and there will be no question that it was our beseeching that made it so.”
Another, longer pause. Zophia’s mouth drew to a pucker, her face inscrutable. “Such faith,” she murmured.
“A pretty idea, but unrealistic.” Tealia didn’t stick her tongue out and wag it, but her tone was the same as if she had. Her eyes darted from the High Priestess to Kiri. “Even if the Kings grant your request, who’s to say the Florish insurrectionists won’t kill you before you’re able to make your prayers? You’re putting quite a lot of faith in their piety.”
“To the contrary.” Kiri’s smile could cut glass. “I’m putting quite a lot of faith in the Five Kings. Or do you not think them capable of keeping us safe from a few unhappy rebels, Tealia?”
The other priestess shut her mouth, cheeks burning. Zophia looked between them, frowning, then to the Queen.
At the end of the table, Isla sat still and quiet, her eyes far away. The fist of fear closed tighter around Neve’s heart.
“Your faith is admirable,” the High Priestess said finally, when it became clear Isla wasn’t going to respond. She turned to Kiri. “And I think it’s worth a try, though I’m sure the Queen and I are in agreement that guards should accompany you as well.”
“One or two, perhaps.” The cut-glass smile didn’t quite meet Kiri’s eyes. “Truly, I don’t think more will be needed.”
Zophia made an unconvinced sound but didn’t press further. “I’ll approve it, but we must move quickly. Sending the shipment through Floriane will add days to its arrival. If after your vigil things still seem unstable, we can always go back to marriage.”
“I don’t see why we don’t anyway.” Belvedere, cutting back into the conversation after minutes of silent listening. “Surely it can’t hurt.”
His eyes were on Neve, expecting her to answer, but Kiri did first. “Of course not,” she said primly. “But a royal marriage is a joyous affair. If at all possible, Neverah should have time to plan it as she sees fit.”
Relief wanted to flood her chest, but worry chased it. Neve watched the priestess with a clenched jaw. Something about all this felt transactional. Whatever help Kiri offered would come with the expectation of being repaid.
The only question was how.
Details were arranged, dates set, and guards appointed. Kiri, Arick, and her priestesses— chosen by Kiri herself, to save the High Priestess the strain— would depart in two days, after an announcement had been sent to Floriane’s capital. The Three Dukes of Alpera were still visiting, having not yet returned home after seeing Red off, so Belvedere could bring the proposal to them before nightfall.
Neve hung back as Belvedere and the priestesses left the room, each of them bowing to Isla and then to her before exiting. Kiri held her gaze as she bent forward, still with that slight, cold smile. “Perhaps I will see you this afternoon, First Daughter. I plan to pray.” Then she glided from the room.
Slowly, Neve stood, walking from her end of the long table to where her mother sat. Up close, she could see a sheen of sweat on Isla’s brow, the way her hands kept twitching on the folds of her gown.
“Mother?” Her voice came tentative. “Do you need me to help you to your room?”
A moment, like she didn’t hear her at first. Then Isla shook her head, standing on unsteady legs. “No. I might be ill, but I’m not an invalid.”
“Perhaps you should get some rest.”
She half expected another caustic answer, but instead her mother just sighed. “Yes. Rest.” She pushed the door open, walking slowly enough down the hallway that it looked like a leisurely stroll instead of a way to keep from stumbling.
Neve watched her go, chewing her lip so hard she almost broke the skin. Then, brows drawn down, she strode toward the gardens.
Despite the pleasant weather— by Valleydan standards— there weren’t many people lingering among the hedges. The few who were didn’t acknowledge Neve other than with dips of their heads as she walked with single-minded determination toward the Shrine.
Kiri waited, hands tucked into her sleeves. Something jutted against the underside of the fabric covering her collarbone. The wood-shard pendant, worn but hidden.
That same sharp smile lifted her mouth as the priestess watched Neve approach. “Fancy meeting you here.”