Page 40 of A Veil of Gods and Kings

Gods, I hoped that was the right decision.

14

Epiphany

At lunch I pierced my fork into a lettuce leaf while Hyacinth spoke in low murmurs to Emrin, his brow furrowed, a pinched expression edging up around his eyes, which had become normal since Father left. Hanging silks fluttered in the breeze of the open windows. The flowers painted on the ceilings glistened in their demure colors.

Temi ate quietly beside me. The emptiness of Apollo’s chair seemed to swell into the space, nuzzling up against all of us as we chewed.

“Are you busy this afternoon?” I said to Temi.

She shifted in her seat, the plum gown she wore rippling. “I could readjust my plans. Why?”

I shrugged. “Would you like to spend some time with me?”

She lifted her wineglass and took a drink, her long fingers wrapping around the golden stem. “What did you have in mind?”

“Do you like horseback riding?”

Her face scrunched up. “Oh, no. I’m afraid not. Horses—” She gave her head a shake.

“Didn’t you say you hunt?”

“Yes, but always on foot.”

“Wow.” I stirred the salad around on my plate. “That’s impressive.”

She popped a bite of grapefruit into her mouth, chewing and swallowing before answering. “Perhaps it’s not considered the most feminine activity.” She cocked an eyebrow up, a smirk touching her lips.

“I grow tired of”—my voice grew dry—“feminine activities. Or things being labeled one way or another as if a woman can’t hunt or play sports as well as a man if she wanted to.” I froze, my fingers clenching into my napkin. I shouldn’t have said that.

Temi’s mouth pursed, her eyes sparkling, her utensils abandoned. “Do you play sports?”

Hyacinth finished whatever he said to Emrin and rose, bowing towards us both and clipping out of the dining hall. Well, too late to not be honest. “I wish.”

“If you desire to, why don’t you?”

Emrin stood as well and exited as I gestured to the lilac gown I wore. “It’s not practical or appropriate, is it?”

She made a sound in the back of her throat and took another swallow of her wine. “I care little about what’s appropriate. If it brings you joy, it seems purposeful to me. What sports are popular here?”

I shrugged. “Well, discus is rather popular, but it’s…” I swept my hands out, my bracelets clattering, and let my words drift off.

Temi cocked her head to the side. “It’s what?”

“It’s one of the rougher sports.”

She tapped her fingers against the table, and the motion reflected on its shining surface. “Now that sounds intriguing to me.”

“Do you want to see a game?”

“Definitely.”

A few hours later, we sat on a bench together beneath the shade of a pear tree in bloom, ivory petals fluttering around as the boughs’ shadows embraced us. The group preparing for discus chattered on the field, but their eyes kept darting to us. And they left their shirts on. Well, there was a reason I hid when I watched. I smirked.

Emrin had joined in but not Hyacinth. My smile faded. Hyacinth never took time for himself anymore. He worked himself to the point of exhaustion. I sighed. Temi turned to face me, a question in her eyes she didn’t ask.

The game began, and I leaned in towards her, pointing at Valerian as he grabbed the discus. “Each team has a zone marked with flags.” I pointed to the ribbons tied to stakes at each of the four corners. “The goal is to get the disc into the other team’s zone. However, if it goes too far and passes the boundary, it’s a point against your side.”