Heiress of Lies
Page 20
Angeline reached the front of the church and stood before the high priest. The ceremony began. Connor leaned back against the wall and drank her in. With his enhanced hearing, he was able to clearly hear her every response.
“Do you accept the responsibility of leading the people of Altera?”
“I do.”
‘Do you swear to protect the people of Altera from harm at all costs, including loss of your own life?”
“I will.”
“In the name of the high gods and all that is good in the world, I proclaim you Queen.”
The audience erupted into a roar as the crown was placed on her head. Because of that, he missed the warning in the back of his mind that he was no longer alone on the balcony.
“You aren’t supposed to be here.” The voice emerged from the darkness behind him.
Connor turned as Malin Baford stepped in front of him to block his view of Angeline. Connor had seen the Chief Advisor during one of the customary truce visits to the Master, but had never spoken with him. Connor was starting to see the emergence of a pattern—a scary one. Baford was playing multiple sides.
“You can’t stop me from being here,” Connor said quietly. “You and your Clan may be able to keep me from getting close to her, but you can’t stop me from being here.”
“You have no idea what game you are stepping in the middle of, Connor. If you truly do want your wish to be granted, the Clan insists you return to your coven and do not try to interfere. The Clan thought that we had an understanding.”
Connor wanted to argue, but he knew it wasn’t the time or the place. But his educated guess had been confirmed: Baford was working for the Clan. He pushed away from the wall and looked down at Angeline one more time. Then he shoved past Malin and left the balcony.
It was because of the meditation the nuns had taught her shortly after arriving at the convent that she was able to clear her mind and allow for serenity. As she approached the high priest, Angeline willed that trancelike state into being. She had never been so nervous in her entire life.
The meditation helped her tune out all the noise coming from the audience around her, both what was being whispered out loud as well as the voices of everyone’s minds. She had been able to actually hear the priest’s words and answer confidently. And as the crown was placed on her head, she heard the words float down to her as clearly as if he was standing next to her.
“You can’t stop me from being here. You and your Clan may be able to keep me from getting close to her, but you can’t stop me from being here.”
And then Malin’s reply. “You have no idea what game you are stepping in the middle of, Connor. If you truly do want your wish to be granted, the Clan insists you return to your coven and do not try to interfere.”
Angeline’s heart wanted to sing. He was here. Or at least, he was close by. As Angeline turned to the people, her people, she suddenly felt certain that someone was looking out for her and she would find a way out of her situation. She had not forgotten her promise to him in the cellar. She wasn’t one to go back on her word, and it appeared that he was fulfilling his as well. He was her loyal servant, and he was waiting for her to find him. And so find him she would. But she only had three days until she became Malin Baford’s bride, and her window of opportunity to make her own decisions may end forever.
Angeline pasted a smile on her face and brought her hand up to wave to her people. She was a Robart. She played to win.
#######
Cege Smith is a Minnesota based writer who is addicted to lattes and B-rated horror films. She had been crafting spooky stories since she was twelve years old. She lives with her husband, two adorable stepsons, and mini long-hair dachshund, Juliet in the suburbs of Minneapolis.
Connect with Cege Online:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/cegesmith
Facebook: http://facebook.com/cegesmith
Cege's blog: http://www.cegesmith.com