Vant’s face filled with despair. “For my music.”
Tagaret lost his breath completely. He staggered backward, realizing it was all around him. The black walls of rock. The sounds of dripping, the high-pitched hiss of ventilators issuing from the grid on the cavern wall, and the rumble of the subterranean Endro beneath his feet. The dark ways crowded with desperate people, searching vainly for escape.
“You wrote it,” he breathed. “This is the Catacomb.”
Vant nodded.
“Kuarmei,” Tagaret said. “Let him go.”
“Sir.”
Released, Vant took an unsteady step back. “Grobal Tagaret, sir . . .”
“Don’t tell—” Tagaret began, then realized that even if a hundred Akrabitti reported this incident, no one would believe them. “Kuarmei, we haven’t been here. We did not speak to this boy, and you have never met him before.”
“My heart is as deep as the heavens,” Kuarmei said. “No word uttered in confidence will escape it.”
“Vant, you know what that means, don’t you?” Tagaret asked. “If we should meet again, as I don’t doubt we will, none of the three of us will behave as if we’d met tonight.”
Vant nodded, his eyes wide. Kuarmei looked extremely skeptical.
Without saying goodbye, Tagaret turned and strode back through the tunnel, across the now-empty courtyard, and into the alleyway that had brought them here.
“Kuarmei,” he said, after a few seconds, “I apologize. I won’t ever do that again.”
“Of course not, sir.” She followed him silently for more than a minute, as if weighing what to say. “But, sir? You should know that Akrabitti are rapacious with information.”
“I didn’t know that.”
They emerged onto the radius again more quickly than he expected—astonishing, how close that other world was to his. But maybe he shouldn’t have been surprised.
“Master,” said Kuarmei. “I mean they don’t keep secrets.”
Tagaret shrugged. “This one does. If he didn’t, he wouldn’t still be alive. Give Vant a chance, Kuarmei. When we meet him again, you’ll see what I mean.”
He thought the topic finished, but as they walked inward from the grounds gate, she spoke again, quietly. “Sir? What makes you so sure we’ll see him again?”
Tagaret stopped and turned to face her. “I met him at Della’s house, Kuarmei. Della’s younger sister was playing yojosmei, and he was sitting beside her, playing also. That’s where we’ll see him again. There may be no better way to express our thanks than to protect his secret. His music needs to be heard.”
Kuarmei pressed her lips together. “Yojosmei? The Kartunnen instrument?”
“Exactly.”
Inside its bright bubble, the celebration of the Selection’s end hadn’t diminished at all. Clumps of sparkling, jewel-colored people gathered in groups, talking and laughing along the base of the tall windows, and couples had started dancing. As they entered, the sound of a Kartunnen orchestra washed over them.
Tagaret approached the nearest Household servant. “Imbati, can you please direct us to Selemei of the First Family?”
The Imbati bowed and escorted them, skirting the dancers until they reached a tall marble column not far from the orchestra. Lady Selemei was enjoying a drink with Secretary Boros, Menni of the Second Family, and Amyel of the Ninth Family. She raised her glass when she saw him.
“Tagaret! I wondered what had happened to you.” Her eyes showed a worry far greater than that suggested by her smile.
“Ah, sorry,” Tagaret said. “May we speak alone for a moment? If you would excuse us, that is, Gentlemen.”
“Certainly,” Amyel replied. “And I should say, congratulations! Tonight we bow willingly to First Family business, don’t we, Boros?”
Boros clapped Amyel on the back. “How about we find some of those cakes I was mentioning.”
“Congratulations, Tagaret,” said Menni, offering his hand. “Your brother’s determination really surprised me.”
Tagaret shook it. “I’d be happy to renew our acquaintance, Menni,” he said. “I hope I can speak with you later.”
Menni smiled. “I’ll look for you.”
At last he was alone—or close enough to it—with Lady Selemei.
“Ustin,” said the Lady. “If you’d help keep our conversation private . . .”
Tagaret nodded to Kuarmei, and the two Imbati posted themselves in bodyguard stances, causing the flow of the crowd to retreat. Lady Selemei put her back into the corner where the column emerged from the wall, planting her cane firmly to one side. “I’ve been very worried for you,” she murmured.
“I’m fine, Cousin,” Tagaret said. “In fact, I’m better than ever.”
Her smile was sad. “You sound like Erex.”
“Well, Erex might be happy to know this, too.”
Selemei’s brows lifted.
“I’ve changed my mind,” he said. “I want to offer you a deal: I’ll become your cabinet assistant, if you promise you’ll respect my mother’s wishes and leave her out of politics for good.”
Selemei studied his face, with a smile hovering about her lips. “I can agree to that. May I ask what changed your mind?”
“I’ve always believed in your project, Cousin. I want to improve life for our ladies.”
Her gaze sharpened. “But?”
Tagaret leaned down, speaking into her ear. “But they’re not the only ones suffering. We all are—and that means we need a grander project. To improve life for everyone.”
“The Grobal Trust . . .”
“Is broken. We’ve been blind—blind to our own place in a game of power as big as all of Varin. It’s not only killing the Race; it’s killing our people, killing the very soul of our civilization. Honestly, Cousin, I don’t know how to change it. I just know I have to. But it’s like you said: I can’t change anything from the outside. If I get in, then eventually I can find somewhere to experiment—someplace where I won’t be watched.” Suddenly, he understood Reyn’s desire to leave. Safe Harbor wasn’t his place, but . . . “Selimna,” he breathed.
Lady Selemei chuckled in her throat. “Perhaps you may follow in your father’s footsteps after all.”
He nodded, though the thought chilled him to the core. Alixi of Selimna. Yes, that was precisely the kind of power required to change a game so large—and only an Heir could give it to him. Della had paid a high price to change the rules during the Selection, but this price would be higher still. “On that note, there’s someone else I need to talk to.”
Her intelligent eyes showed him she understood. “Shall I come with you?”
“Thank you, no. I’ll need to do this on my own.”
He wasn’t really on his own, though. Erex had given him the servant at his back; Mother had given him the courage of sunlight; Reyn had given him his direction; and Della whispered in his ear, we will outplay them. He hid the memory of darkness deep inside his heart, along with the determination to burn it away, and moved toward the largest, most ecstatic crowd in the room. They clearly recognized him, because they parted as he drew near, opening a way to the center.
The Eminence Herin stood there, beaming, one hand holding a glass of sparkling yezel, the other resting lightly on Nekantor’s shoulder. Far from resenting the touch, Nekantor glowed with it. His eyes moved fast, drinking in the adoring gazes around him. His hands were relaxed and still.
“Heir Nekantor!” Tagaret managed a grin.
Nek turned to him. “I’d been wondering when I’d see you, Tagaret.”
Then he was here none too soon. “Congratulations,” he said, and held out his hand. “The First Family will always be grateful to you for what you’ve done. I certainly couldn’t have done it myself.” Every word of it was true.
Nek raised his eyebrows and cons
idered Tagaret’s offered hand. “You’re in a good mood.”
“The best,” Tagaret said. “I’ve got news—not near as good as yours, but I’ve just got a new job. I’m going to be Lady Selemei’s cabinet assistant!” He held his breath and waited for Nek’s reaction.
Nekantor burst into a delighted laugh, seized his hand, and shook it, clapping him on the shoulder and whispering in his ear. “Gods, Tagaret, you mean you’re in with her? This is perfect—you can stop by the Heir’s suite any time and report to me.”
Nek wanted to use him as a spy. He ignored the familiar flare of outrage. Only if Nek accepted him as a second could he hope to attain his goal. “Not often enough to make her suspicious, of course,” he murmured back. “I will have to act the part seriously, you know.”
“Most definitely. Father would be proud. Of course, you know what this means.”
“I don’t,” Tagaret confessed. “But I’m sure you do.”
His brother’s voice quivered with excitement. “It means we’ll have our chance. We’ll take our time with this game. I’ll take Father’s allies. You take his enemies. If we work together, we can remake Varin.”
“You’re right, Nek,” Tagaret said. His heart pounded, and he closed his eyes. “Together, we’re going to change everything.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
Epilogue
Tagaret paced the waiting room of the medical center. The fear had twined around his lungs, and every shallow breath was an effort. “Heile stand by my mother,” he prayed. “Sirin and Eyn bless her. Elinda forbear.”
Della appeared in his path and put her arms around him, looking up into his eyes. “Have faith, love. Aloran’s given her the best care anyone could hope for.”
“I know.” He took her close, feeling her heartbeat against his chest, stroking her copper hair. But knowing that Aloran had cared for Mother was almost worse—it touched a different kind of fear, a secret certainty he and Della shared, but never spoke.
The door opened, and they both swung around. A young Kartunnen woman stood there, blushing so her green lip stood out starkly.
“Kartunnen?” Tagaret said in surprise.
“I’m sorry I’m not whom you expected, sir, Lady,” the nurse replied. “Lady Tamelera would not permit her servant to leave her.”
Relief exploded through him. “You mean she’s all right?”
“Yes, sir. It is my honor to inform you that you have a healthy baby brother. The doctor will call you when she is ready to receive visitors.” The Kartunnen bowed out.
“Healthy!” Della pressed her hands to her mouth. “Heile be thanked, I can’t believe it.”
“I can,” Tagaret said.
Della stared at him, silent.
He shouldn’t have said anything. He found her hands and squeezed them tight. “It’ll be all right, though,” he said. “It has to be.”
Far sooner than they expected, the door opened again. The elderly doctor walked in, shaking his hairless head. “Grobal Tagaret, sir, and Lady Della,” he said. “Thank you for your patience. Lady Tamelera is asking for you.” As they passed him, he murmured under his breath, “Remarkable. Just remarkable.”
Tagaret stopped walking. “Doctor—what’s remarkable?”
The doctor chewed his painted lip. “Not to trouble you, sir . . .”
“But?”
“I’ve never seen a Grobal baby receive a perfect health score.”
Della squeezed his hand tighter. They hurried down the hall to the treatment room, where Yoral opened the door for them. It was all he could do not to burst in at a run.
“Mother,” he called.
“Tagaret, my darling.” Mother was lying at an angle in her treatment bed. Tears of joy ran down her face—he’d never imagined she could look so happy. Tiny arms waved out of a bundle in her arms. “Look,” she cried. “They didn’t take him away.”
“Oh, Mother, that’s wonderful.”
“Just look at him—Della, you come, too. See how beautiful he is.”
As he walked to her side, Tagaret stole a glance at Aloran. The Imbati stood silent as always beside Mother’s left shoulder. Today he wore a green medical smock over his usual black. His face and hands were perfectly calm, but his eyes smiled down at the child in Mother’s arms. Tagaret held his breath and looked down.
The baby had dark hair—but looked like Mother.
“Oh, gods be thanked!” he exclaimed. “Della, look.”
“Oh, Tame—Mother,” Della sighed. “He’s just perfect. May Heile and Elinda grant me your good fortune one day.”
“His name is Adon,” said Mother. “Aloran suggested it.”
Tagaret swallowed. “Aloran?”
“It is an honorable name-line,” said Aloran quietly. “With a long history among the Grobal.”
“Adon.” Tagaret tried the name out, nodding. My brother. He reached down and gently stroked the baby’s downy head. “I’ll do whatever I can to protect him. Have you told Nek?”
“Master, if I may,” said Kuarmei, “the Heir sent me a message to deliver, should all go well.”
“Yes, thank you, Kuarmei.”
Kuarmei took reciting stance. “Dear Mother: I give you honor for your endurance, and congratulate you on the birth of your child. It is a great day, indeed, when we may give thanks for Grobal Garr’s last gift to the Race. With love, Nekantor.”
Tagaret glanced at Della; she had bitten her lip. No one spoke for nearly a minute.
“Well,” Mother said at last. “That was very kind of him.”
Aloran smiled.
Deities of the Celestial Family
Father Varin—Source of all life; punishes the wicked after death by gnashing them in his fiery teeth. The sun. Symbolized by gold.
Mother Elinda—Goddess of childbirth and death; brings souls to children, sets the souls of the virtuous dead in the heavens as stars. The moon. Symbolized by silver and the mourning color, pale yellow.
Mai the Right—Deity of justice; takes male, female, and nonbinary embodiments, can see all sides of a problem, chooses humans who share one’s nature. A planet. Symbolized by bronze, often worn as a medallion by the chosen.
Plis the Warrior—God of strife and war. A planet. Symbolized by iron.
The Silent Sister—Goddess of earth and agriculture. A planet. Symbolized by any sedimentary stone.
Bes the Ally—God of charity and negotiation; one of the Twins who together symbolize unity, peace, and love. A planet. Symbolized by lapis.
Trigis the Resolute—God of steadfastness and rescue; one of the Twins who together symbolize unity, peace, and love. A planet. Symbolized by malachite.
Heile the Merciful—Goddess of mercy, music, art, and medicine. A planet. Symbolized by peridot, the color light green, and a green lamp.
Sirin the Luck-Bringer—God of luck, youth, and love; one of the Lovers who together symbolize love and faithfulness. A planet. Symbolized by garnet and the color dark red.
Eyn the Wanderer—Goddess of exploration, independence, and beauty; one of the Lovers who together symbolize love and faithfulness. A comet. Symbolized by diamond and the color white.
Cast of Characters
(by caste, in order of appearance)
Grobal
Tagaret of the First Family—son of Garr and Tamelera
Fernar of the Eleventh Family—friend of Tagaret
Gowan of the Ninth Family—friend of Tagaret
Reyn of the Ninth Family—friend of Tagaret
Speaker Orn of the Third Family—Speaker of the Pelismar Cabinet
Nekantor of the First Family—son of Garr and Tamelera
Tamelera of the First Family—mother of Tagaret and Nekantor, partner of Garr, formerly of the Eleventh Family
The Great Grobal Fyn—founder of modern Varin
&nbs
p; Benél of the First Family—distant cousin of Tagaret and Nekantor
Garr of the First Family—father of Tagaret and Nekantor
Della of the Sixth Family—a young Lady
Selemei of the First Family—an older cousin of Tagaret and Nekantor
Herin of the Third Family—Heir to the throne of Varin
Dest of the Eleventh Family—distant cousin of Tamelera
Fedron of the First Family—cousin of Garr
Keir of the First Family—cousin of Tamelera by partnership to Erex
Lienne of the Eleventh Family—cousin of Tamelera
Iren of the Ninth Family—sister of Reyn
Alixi Faril of the Ninth Family—father of Reyn, rules in Safe Harbor
Lady Catenad of the Ninth Family—mother of Reyn
Arbiter Erex of the First Family—leader of the First Family Council, older distant cousin of Tagaret and Nekantor
Doret of the Eleventh Family—cabinet ally of Garr, cousin of Tamelera
Caredes of the Eighth Family—cabinet ally of Garr
Inkala of the First Family—cousin of Tagaret and Nekantor
Pyaras of the First Family—cousin of Tagaret and Nekantor
Administrator Vull of the First Family—father of Pyaras
Yril of the Twelfth Family—friend of Nekantor
Grenth of the Twelfth Family—friend of Nekantor
Jiss of the Eighth Family—friend of Nekantor
Losli of the Seventh Family—friend of Nekantor
Amyel of the Ninth Family—cabinet member, father of Gowan
Eminence Indal of the Fifth Family—ruler of all Varin
Tindamer of the Fourth Family—friend of Nekantor
Dix of the Fourth Family—friend of Nekantor
Drespo of the Ninth Family—friend of Nekantor
Boros of the Second Family—Secretary of the Pelismar Cabinet
Menni of the Second Family—son of Boros, former schoolmate of Tagaret
Xemell of the Third Family—a young gentleman, cousin of Herin
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