Page 14 of The Half King
“No, Your Grace,” she said, but in truth, the Order wasn’t known for its tolerance. “Of course not. I shouldn’t have assumed the worst.”
“I assure you the maid was given a warning and released,” he told her. “Her punishment was the loss of her position here at the palace, but I believe she has already found another posting in the city. I’m nothing if not merciful. How can we expect the goddess to forgive our sins if we’re unable to forgive others?”
Relief washed over her, and not simply for the elderly woman’s sake. Father Padron was the head of Shiera’s Order, and she was glad to find he wasn’t cruel, that he was a good man. She was still obligated to protect the revelation, but today, in her heart, Father Padron had taken a step toward being an ally.
His kindness mattered more to her than he probably knew.
“May I ask one more question?” she said.
“As I’ve told you, Cerise, you may ask me anything.”
“Nothing was explained to me when I was sent here,” she began. “I’ve heard that the people in the city expect me to do miracles. I’m already going to disappoint them by being ordinary. I don’t want to be incompetent as well. How can I impress the king when I meet him tomorrow? What will my first day as emissary look like?”
“Let me put your mind at ease,” Father Padron said. “The king will expect very little, if anything, from you in the way of political guidance. And as for spiritual guidance, you needn’t waste your efforts.”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you remember how His Majesty spends his days?”
“In his chamber with his courtesan.”
“The king is seldom seen and rarely heard,” Father Padron explained. “He dismissed the majority of his court several moons ago. Since then, he has withdrawn from the daily business of rule. The people you saw yesterday were mainly palace servants, along with a few courtiers who chose to remain. There are no meetings for you to attend, no public audiences or hearings, because he cancelled them all.”
“Are you saying I have nothing to do here?”
“That is exactly what I’m saying,” he told her. “Try not to worry.”
Oddly, it didn’t make her feel better to learn that she had no role in the palace. There must besomethingfor her to do; otherwise, the Reverend Mother wouldn’t have Seen the image of her studying “quite dutifully” at the emissary’s desk. But she kept that thought to herself, and she left Father Padron to his duties.
She didn’t realize how long she had spent inside the sanctuary until she noticed the low sunlight slanting across the foyer. Judging by the scent of roasting meat, dinner would be served soon. There seemed no point in returning to her room only to leave it again, so she drifted outside in search of the garden she had seen last night from her balcony.
The air began to surrender its moisture as the sun slid closer to the horizon. She decided this was her favorite time of day in Mortara, and when she reached the garden, she noticed with pleasure that she had it all to herself. The flowers in Mortara were different than the ones in Solon, blooming in vibrant blues, pinks, and purples, but not as delicate. They were thicker to the touch and less satiny, with tough stems. The harsh climate had made them strong. She wanted to be strong, too.
A sweet chirping from nearby drew her gaze to a wooden trellis, on which perched the tiniest frog she had ever seen. She had never come across anything like it in her books. Vivid blue and about the size of her thumbnail, its form was delicate, unlike the tough plants all around it. Its eyes were large for its face, giving it an undoubtedly cute appearance. She crept slowly toward the trellis, trying not to startle the frog. Once she had moved close enough to touch it, she stretched out a hand to welcome the tiny creature into her palm.
A sudden rush of movement whizzed past her ear, followed by athud. The next thing she knew, the frog was dead, pinned to the wooden trellis by a dagger. Gasping, she whirled around to see who had thrown the weapon.
That was when she met His Majesty Kian Hannibal Mortara.
A thrill passed through her at the sight of him. She had seen his official portrait many times—shoulder-length ebony hair parted down the middle, framing a copper-hued face and a pair of gray eyes she considered more dangerous than attractive. But in person he commanded a bold presence that oils couldn’t capture. Instead of his royal military jacket, he wore canvas pants and a black silk shirt rolled at the sleeves, revealing strong, tanned forearms made taut by clenching fists. He hadn’t smiled for his portrait, and he wasn’t smiling now. He was glaring at her as though she were something vulgar he had discovered underneath a rock.
“Didn’t they teach you anything at the temple?” he demanded. For a sliver of a second, she thought she saw more than anger in his eyes. He seemed…disappointed.
Catching herself, she dipped in a low curtsy.
“Not that, you insipid girl!” He flung a hand toward the frog.“That.”
Insipid girl?Her lips parted in offense. She was of noble birth, and king or not, he had no right to treat her like a serving wench. “I am…” Her voice trembled, and she lifted her chin to try again. “I am a lady of the temple, and you will address me as such.”
The king broke into laughter—a slow, menacing chuckle that did nothing to warm his gaze. “I see you’ve met my high priest.”
She didn’t like the way he saidmyhigh priest, as if the sacred Order was a commodity to be traded among laymen. “I’ve met Father Padron, yes.”
“A pity he spent more time overinflating your ego than teaching you which creatures to avoid.” He jutted his chin at the frog while striding toward it. “Like that one. It emits toxins through its skin. One touch, and not even Padron could have saved you in time.” He pulled his dagger free and pointed the blade at her. “You’re welcome, by the way.”
Cerise realized she was backing up, and she stopped. She wouldn’t let him bully her. “If that’s true, then I owe you my gratitude, Your Highness.”
“If that’s true,” he repeated while raking a disdainful gaze over her. “You’re the emissary they sent here to deliver me from evil? Forgive me if I lack faith,my lady, but you don’t look like much. You don’t even have the Sight, do you?”
