Divined (21 page)

Clio watched the crowd. The High Priest stood in the forefront, whispering to the two priests standing beside him.

“No longer will we go out and conquer,” the Emperor began again. “No longer will your sons be sent from your homes only to come home bloody and broken. This famine, it is a sign from the Deities. We grow too large. It is not for mortals to command so much—such power must be reserved for the Deities. I have heard their warning, and I will listen. We will cease all warfare. Our warriors will pick up their spears only to defend our people. Households will no longer be required to send slave offerings for sacrifice.”

“Your Highness!” The Head Priest stepped forward, his eyes bright with panic. “But the Deities require offerings.”

The Emperor’s gaze landed on the High Priest with such strength the man flinched. “You told me we needed to sacrifice to ensure victory. I no longer seek victory, and so we no longer need sacrifice. It is my decision, and I will not allow it questioned.”

“Your Highness.” The priest bowed, but Clio caught the red in his cheeks.

“There was once a time when the Empire did not rely on bloodshed. A time when we were protected by the Deities through their own vessel. Lives were not wasted.” The Emperor looked into the crowd. “It is my fault we came so far from that time. And because of this, from now on I have reversed my edict regarding the Oracle. From now on, we will welcome this chosen vessel into our city.”

“But, Your Highness,” a noble began, his voice trembling. “You banned the Oracle for her treachery.”

The Emperor smiled at his subject. “I did. I was young. While I am the Emperor, I am also mortal. It’s past time I realized this.” He paused. “I wish to be honest with you, my people. The truth is I once loved a daughter of the Oracle. I loved her so much I have never been able to take a wife, and I gave up all hope of family when I lost her. Mannix,” he called to his son, holding his hand out. Mannix approached the throne to stand beside his father. “But the Deities have blessed me. The woman I loved bore a son to me. I never knew it until recently, but he stands before you as my blood and my heir.”

The whispers faded, and the room was silent once more.

“How can I—how can we—oppose the Oracle when her blood mixes with my own in the form of my son? How can I embrace my son, and send his sister, the Oracle of Sheehan, to her death? I cannot.” The Emperor’s voice shook with restrained emotion, and Clio noticed tears in the eyes of the nobles. Men and women alike clutched their chests and wiped their eyes, moved by the raw display of their leader. “My son stands before us all as a symbol of our new era of peace.”

Clio could see priests move through the crowd to stand near one another. Some had already slipped from the room.

“Tonight, I wish to have my son legitimized. In doing so, I will be recognizing the noble blood that flows through his veins—the blood of the Emperor and the Oracle in one. I see it only fitting that he be blessed by the Order and the Oracle alike. And so, it is my greatest pleasure to formally welcome and introduce Clio, the Oracle of Sheehan. Clio, would you honor us by blessing Mannix, your brother and my son?”

A veiled serving maiden emerged from the back of the room. She walked up to Clio and held out a white bowl. Clio recognized the contents as the scented oils used in the formal ceremonies of Sheehan.

The High Priest was already walking to the top of the throne. A priest trailed behind him, holding a golden dagger. Clio looked back to the bowl. If she did this, she would be accepting the titles and position of the Oracle. The High Priest knelt before the throne and bowed his head to hide the fury twisting his features. The Emperor was using her to weaken the Order. Everyone knew it. She could refuse. It was her choice.

Instead, she lifted the bowl from the maiden’s hands and approached the throne.

The High Priest’s face went red when he saw her. His motions were harried as he slashed his palm with the golden blade. Handing the blade to the other priest, the High Priest squeezed his bleeding hand into a fist over Mannix’s head. A single drop landed below his eye.

“The Order blesses Mannix, the Emperor’s son and heir.” The High Priest’s voice was choked. When he finished, he glared down at Clio.

She dipped her hands in the oil and pressed her thumb to Mannix’s forehead, careful to avoid the blood dripping down his cheek.

“In the name of the Emperor and the Deities, I bless you. May your reign be long and peaceful,” Clio whispered.

Mannix grinned, and she flinched at the red victory in her brother’s eyes.

“Commander.” Clio turned to Riece. “If you would approach the throne.” She looked to the Emperor, who nodded once, his eyes sparkling.

“It is the will of the Deities to see the Emperor’s son and the Commander rule this mighty Empire for years to come. Together, they will protect the legacy of our Emperor.” Riece’s eyes widened as Clio bestowed the same blessing on him. It wasn’t much, but perhaps it could rein Mannix in for a time.

The Emperor beamed at them when it was done. He turned to his people. “In thanks, the Oracle Clio will be given her own temple in the heart of the city. She will have the same rights to the great pyramid as the Order, and her word will be treated as the will of the Deities. These are my wishes. Let them be law.”

Clio looked down at the nobles and saw that almost every priest had already left the room.

“Now we celebrate.” The Emperor raised his hand and the room erupted in applause.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

“How could you do this?” Riece hissed to the Emperor. They still stood by the throne, but the room had picked up with the celebrations, and the sounds of drums and singing drowned out their voices.

“I don’t know what you mean, Riece.”

“Every priest in the city will be seeking Clio’s death now.”

The Emperor looked past them. “No. If they move against Clio now, they will lose the nobles. You saw how affected they were by my story. Tonight begins the end of the Order. They will only be further weakened with each coming day.”

“Was everything you said about reuniting family a lie?” Clio asked. “Clearly, you wished to use me all along to break the Order’s influence.”

The Emperor grinned. “I do wish to welcome you to my home. However, I am the Emperor first and a man second. I saw a way to weaken the Order, and I took it.”

“I don’t want a temple. I don’t want to serve as the Oracle.” She had only just escaped it all, and now here she was, like none of it had mattered.

“Clio.” The Emperor’s expression turned stern. “You think anything here has to do with want? My people need you to lead them, and so
I
need you to lead them. I urge you not to make the same mistakes as your ancestors. Please”—he gestured to the feast—“enjoy yourself. This celebration is your triumph as much as mine.” He turned and descended the throne.

“You don’t have to stay here, Clio. You don’t have to pretend to be the Oracle.” Riece’s eyes were black in the firelight. She felt his fear for her in the silence between them.

“I chose to give the blessing. I chose to appear dressed like this.” She shook her head. “If it breaks the Order then it will have been worth it.”

“But he’s sentenced you to a life you’ve always fought.”

“Riece,” she said, tired. “It makes no difference. Perhaps this will be easier.”

“Perhaps what will be easier, dear sister?” Mannix appeared at her side.

“I don’t know how you managed to fool the Emperor, but I don’t believe a word of your newfound remorse.” Clio studied her half-brother. He was dressed more simply, but still the cool redness in his eyes bespoke his unflinching ambition.

“Believe what you will, but it is the truth.”

“Is it? What happened to Irime then? I know you found out the truth from her. She’s the only one left who knows what happened all those years ago.”

His eyes twitched, and he looked to the side before answering. “She told me the story, yes. Shortly before succumbing to her madness and hanging herself.” He met her gaze, and there was something empty in his expression.

“Liar,” Clio hissed. “You murdered her, didn’t you? You had to have your revenge for her part in what was done to you as a child, but she had no choice.”

“Honestly, Clio, I was surprised you had left her alive in the first place. I know her actions pained you as much as they pained me. You must have wanted to kill her for what she did.”

“I’m not a murderer.”

He raised a brow. “I know you crave vengeance as much as I. We share the same blood after all.”

She stilled, blood raging in her veins. “We’re nothing alike.”

“Take all the comfort you want in your lie, but we both know the truth. I’ve heard of your hatred for the Deities. And now we’ll face them together, sister. We will face everything together.” His eyes sparkled as they swept down her body.

Clio shivered but stepped in closer to him, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Make no mistake, Mannix, you weren’t the only one legitimized tonight. I’ve given myself the power to make kings and emperors. And now I can unmake them if I so choose.”

He sneered, his hand coming up to touch the small rune behind her ear. “You’ve less power than you pretend, Oracle. Might want to be careful. You’ll never know from which direction your enemies will attack.”

Bowing, he backed away and walked into the midst of the feast, the memory of his touch still stinging her skin.

Riece was behind her. She felt his hand on her elbow. “Clio…”

“I’m fine, Riece. I only want to speak to Derik.” She peered into the crowd, searching for any trace of the Sheehan party.

“Perhaps you should eat something first. You look pale.”

“I’m
fine
,” she repeated, her voice sharp. Derik stood in the very back of the room among a small group of warriors. Speaking to Derik was something she could do—the one task she was certain wouldn’t endanger the ones she loved. Every day it seemed she faced something new, something unfathomable, where the smallest misstep could be disastrous. But Derik was different. She walked to him, her assurance growing as she approached.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Tirza stepped in Clio’s way. She was taller than the last time Clio saw her. Tirza wore a slim red skirt, her dark hair wild and curling down to her shoulders. Defiance shone brightly in her brown eyes.

“Tirza, another time, please.” Clio kept her gaze trained on Derik moving across the back of the room.

“No. Now.” Tirza blocked Clio’s path.

“Tirz, what are you doing here?” Riece asked when he caught up.

“I’m the commander’s sister. You thought they wouldn’t invite me?”

“You’re a little young to come to a feast unescorted.”

Tirza’s mouth pulled into a straight line. “Do you think I stop aging during your many absences?”

Riece’s cheeks colored, but he recovered, stepping in and embracing his sister in a tight hug. “You look stunning. How are you? I’m sorry I didn’t come to visit you sooner.”

“I’ll leave you two,” Clio mumbled, trying to slip away.

“Are you betrothed to my brother?” Tirza asked, making Clio stop.

“I—” Clio looked to Riece, who seemed as stunned as her. Behind them, Derik was walking toward the wide arches leading to the palace’s terrace. “I have to speak to Derik. Excuse me.”

She didn’t have to push her way through the crowd. Wherever she walked, the nobles made way, bowing their heads as Clio passed. She nodded at them in turn, hating the look in their eyes—as if they saw her as a Deity herself.

Derik
. She needed to focus on him and push all thoughts of her new position out of her mind for the time being.

Derik hadn’t left the room yet. He stood beside the archway speaking to a Morek noblewoman while his warriors kept watch.

His eyes met Clio’s as she approached. He tipped his head in the smallest of nods, but made no move to excuse himself from conversation. When Clio approached, he eyed her stonily before taking his party outside onto the terrace.

Derik was purposefully evading her—that much was clear, although she couldn’t possibly imagine why.

“Answer the question, Clio.” Tirza reappeared behind Clio.

“You could simply ask your brother. There’s no reason you need to force yourself to speak with me.”

“I did ask him. He told me he would like to hear your answer, too.” Tirza crossed her arms, her expression stern. “So? Are you?”

Clio sighed. The entire evening was out of her control, she might as well suffer more of Tirza’s vehemence. “I’m not. Are you satisfied? There’s still time for you to convince Riece I’m not worth it.”

Something changed in Tirza’s expression. Her eyes rounded as she pursed her lips. “Well, why aren’t you?”

“
What?
Do you
want
me to be? I thought this news would please you.”

“I… It doesn’t matter what pleases me.” Tirza’s voice was oddly soft, and Clio found herself remembering the young girl who once urged her brother to let himself love Clio.

“Tirza, I—” There was so much she wanted to say. So much for which she needed to apologize. She’d never meant for Riece to get hurt, to leave home, to join this fight against the Deities.

“Don’t.” Tirza held up her hand and turned around, leaving Clio alone with her guilt.

Too many nobles were watching her. Behind them, Riece was making his way through the crowd, his eyes determined. Clio wasn’t going back to his side until she’d spoken to Derik and stopped Sheehan from starting another war. No matter what everyone wanted from her—the Emperor, Riece, Atzi—Clio could do this for herself and her people first.

Striding outside, Clio threw her shoulders back and raised her chin high. The night air was warm, and guests stood sipping drinks and looking out across the city. Clio passed through them all until she stood behind Derik.

“King Derik.” Clio called authority into her voice. As she hoped, the noblewoman who was speaking to Derik bowed and quickly hurried away when she saw the Oracle.

“Clio.” Derik turned to her, his expression cool. “Forgive me, I have little desire to speak to the new Oracle of Morek.” He made to walk past her, but Clio grabbed his arm.