Page 33 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

I fought my eyes from darting towards the pile of parchments that sat stacked precariously on the desk. “As you can see, I’m here, prepared to work on it.”

Joden nodded, turning back to the window, his fingers trailing together. “How are you going to manage, Your Highness, between attending Apollo and keeping up with your father’s work?”

“I will manage”—I bit the words out—“fine.”

He blew out a breath, the gray at his temples glimmering. “Forgive me, but as you’re already falling behind, I am uncertain that is the case. I know your father wished to test you in this. But he didn’t realize what all would fall on your shoulders.” He stepped in closer, tapping his fingers against Father’s desk before running them along the marble globes. “Dealing with a deity is enough on the plate of someone as young and inexperienced as you are. It may be wise to hand some of the work off to the advisors for us to handle for you.”

I glowered, rolling my shoulders back, and gripped the chair standing between us hard enough that my knuckles lost their color. The rings on my fingers glimmered, the emerald and cardinal colors of them sparkling. Joden had always been a pain in the ass, even for Father. But he kept him on the board because Father believed in balanced narratives. But this level of disrespect had crossed the line. My voice came out low and heavy. “You address me as Your Highness, yet your actions belie your words. When I—”

“Your Highness, I believe you’ve misunderstood—”

“Did I give you permission to speak?” I kept his gaze until he shook his head. “Presently I am the ruling authority.” I spoke each word calmly. Carefully. “You are to treat me with the full respect and consideration of the king. And if I must remind you of this again, I will dismiss you without hesitating.”

His skin paled, the tan color of it swirling away. “Your Highness, I didn't mean to offend you.”

I put my hand up to stall him. “No. You intended to manipulate me. You see me as young and foolish. By doing so, you discredit my father and his decision making through your actions.”

“I only intend to help.”

“Excellent.” I gestured towards the heavy, carved doors. “I shall let you know if I need help. And do not enter this office without permission again.”

He smacked his mouth but bobbed his head and walked out, pulling the door closed behind him. As soon as it thudded, my shoulders fell, and I dropped against the edge of the desk. Maybe the advisors should scrutinize Father’s decision making. I certainly felt overwhelmed with everything on my plate. Doubt seemed to continue creeping its way into the shadowy corners of my mind, waiting for any opportunity to slink out and remind me that every small misstep on my part could tumble our kingdom towards disaster. I’d struggled with all of it from the moment Father had left. And that was before Apollo, son-of-fucking-Zeus, showed up at my doorstep.

I took a deep breath that did nothing to ease my racing heart. And then I walked around the desk, dropping into the chair, and lifted a stack of paper off the pile.

11

Epiphany

Temi sat bowed over a book at breakfast, her fingers twirling a spoon in a bowl of yogurt. Crystal-clear beads decorated her dark braids, and they sparkled in the pink light of dawn. I eased into the chair beside her. “Good morning.”

She lifted her face. “Hello.”

“Would you be interested in joining me this afternoon?”

She cocked an eyebrow up. “For what purpose?”

Attendants shuffled through the dining room, their footsteps echoing off the tall ceilings. I failed at biting back a sigh. “I have a dress appointment. And I thought you might enjoy having a few gowns made in Niria style while you’re here.”

She studied me for a moment and then lifted her spoon, taking a taste of the yogurt. “Did your brother ask you to invite me?”

I fiddled with the edge of the tablecloth. “He did.”

“Are you miserable about the prospect of me attending or over the appointment itself?”

My cheeks blazed, and I cleared my throat. “The appointment for me, definitely.” I twisted the gem encrusted bracelet on my wrist. “I’m not thrilled about it. It has nothing to do with you.”

She popped another bite into her mouth and then pushed back from the table, a grin slashing across her face. “I appreciate your honesty. I’ll join you.”

I stood with her, and we ambled into a hallway lined with three stories of windows. The colors of the world, the sweeping trees, and vast swathes of clouds flowed outside them. Another sigh bubbled up in my chest and whispered past my lips before I thought to rein it in. Temi shifted towards me but said nothing.

For being a sister of a god, she seemed surprisingly unpretentious. In the limited interactions we’d had so far, she’d intrigued me with her snappy responses and unassuming attitude. I wondered what her everyday life looked like back at home, if she interacted with other gods regularly, and if she got to attend events like the decade dedication. I didn’t get to. Beyond being too young—I was only thirteen for the last one—I was a woman. My place wasn’t making social connections. But there were goddesses. Surely they held power and purpose. Then again, I was a mortal, not a goddess.

Temi lifted her skirts as we reached the stairs. Something about her, the way she held her posture and conducted herself, made me believe that she didn’t share the same beliefs around the limitations of being a woman. How nice that must be.

We climbed stairs until we reached a high room, the spring smell of sweet flowers trailing through the space that lay swathed in fabric which contrasted against the ivory walls and gold-gilded mirrors.

I gestured to the three that sat huddled over a stack of papers covered in dress designs together. “Temi meet Melanie.” She smiled, her mahogany curls crinkling over her gown. “Luelle and Rya.” They both waved. “Everyone, this is Temi.”