“I don’t understand. The emperor wants me to read people?” Kyrin’s eyes shifted between Master Zocar and the government official who stood by as she read her commission. She’d never heard of such a job. “Why?”
Zocar deferred to the official. The stern man’s gaze trained on Kyrin. “Emperor Daican has many enemies, and it’s often difficult to tell who they are. With your ability to detect lying and such, you can warn His Majesty of any potential threats and persons he should be aware of.”
Kyrin glanced down at her commission again as if it could explain how she’d landed in this mess. The thought of the emperor alone made her knees wobbly, never mind other threats and political intrigue.
At her hesitation, the official narrowed his eyes. “You are pleased to serve the emperor, are you not?”
Kyrin’s gaze snapped back to his. “Of course.” Her insides flinched at the lie. “I apologize. This is all very unexpected.”
“Of course it is,” Master Zocar said in breathy exasperation. “This has never occurred before at Tarvin Hall. It’s an incredible honor for you and your family.”
Kyrin glued a smile to her lips. If she didn’t play this right, who knew what could happen. It certainly wouldn’t bode well for her personally, and she could only imagine the disgrace it would bring to her already shamed family.
“Now, do you understand everything?” Master Zocar questioned.
“Yes, sir.” But did she? If not, she’d have to figure it out as she went. She didn’t wish to try his or the official’s patience.
“Excellent. Now, the celebration feast will begin shortly. Go enjoy yourself. Tomorrow morning, your escort will arrive to take you to the palace.”
Cold washed through Kyrin with another urge to flee. She gave a respectful nod to both him and the official and turned to leave.
“And Kyrin,” Master Zocar added. “Make sure you’re on time for this meal.”
Kyrin managed a small smile at the rare jest.
Of all the most anticipated events of the year at Tarvin Hall, the promotion ceremony banquet rose to the top. Expert chefs from all around Valcré gathered, at the emperor’s expense, to provide the food. The students took full advantage of this and heaped their plates with the exquisite delicacies.
With mountainous meals set before them, they filled the dining tables, and the large hall rang with their enthusiastic chatter. To her great discomfort, much of it centered on Kyrin. Seated with the other promoted students along a raised table at the head of the room, she couldn’t escape notice. She kept her eyes down and took a small bite of creamy herb and butter potatoes. It went down hard, catching in her throat and settling like a rock in her stomach.
“Ah, come on, Kyrin, eat up.”
Collin’s grin flashed at the corner of her eye. He’d clearly manipulated the situation to sit beside her. Could be worse, she supposed. She glanced at his half-empty plate, and that was already his second helping. The thought of so much food stuffed inside her made her sick, and she willed the potatoes not to come back up. She’d avoided fainting, but retching in front of everyone would be just as bad.
“I’m afraid I don’t have much of an appetite. Too much excitement.”
Collin gave her a smile one might give to a child. “I guess it’s not too much of a shame. We’ll be eating pretty well after this—the two of us assigned to the palace of all places.”
Kyrin managed a brief smile, though it pained her cheeks. Collin had already gone over every minute detail of his assignment to the emperor’s security force, and how they would still see a lot of each other. He found entirely too much pleasure in it. Now Kyrin believed Kaden’s suspicion that Collin had more than a passing interest in her. It made her want to bury her head in her arms and forget his existence for a while. Him and the world around her.
Instead, she looked out past her dining companions and sought her brother’s table to find him watching her. He’d barely touched his meal either, the surest indication he was upset. Few things could so distract him from the promotion banquet. Her entire being cried out to seek his protection and comfort, but the whirlwind of the celebration had kept them separate so far.
Beside her, Collin spoke again. Kyrin tried to appear busy with her food as he went on about what it would be like to serve the emperor together, and what an honor they’d received. She only half-listened and nodded every so often. The tight ache at the back of her head slowly consumed her attention. Please, let this end.
Not until everyone stuffed themselves to the point of bursting did the feast conclude and the dining room empty. Through the commotion, Kyrin caught sight of Kaden in the crowd. He tipped his head toward the Hall’s entrance. She followed, but had to pause several times to accept congratulations, even from some of the students who had been less than kind over the years. She tried to treat everyone nicely, but the now-raging headache left her nearly incapacitated. The moment she broke away, she hurried after her brother.
Her footsteps quickened almost to a run, and she left behind the buzz of conversation and outbursts of laughter. At the entrance to the Hall, she slipped outside. The cool night breeze instantly refreshed her and helped the headache. In the light of Aertus and Vilai rising above the wall, she found Kaden waiting at the side of the stairs. At first, they only looked at each other, but then she stepped into his arms, and he hugged her tightly. Face buried in his shoulder, she struggled not to cry, but the tears leaked out. Kaden’s heavy breathing echoed in her ear. She gripped him more tightly and never wanted to let go. He was always so big and strong, jumping in to protect and defend her in a heartbeat, listening, sharing, comforting, and encouraging through all the years of their crazy childhood. But soon, that would be gone.
“Oh, Kaden, what happened?”
“I don’t know.” He pulled away, but his hands remained on her shoulders. “Come on, let’s go see Sam.”
She followed him across the courtyard to the library, desperate to find comfort there as she usually did. Inside, Sam met them. His golden eyes were warm with understanding.
“I knew you’d be here tonight.”
Kyrin gave him a weak smile, but her lips wobbled in the attempt to hold it. “I guess I’m awfully predictable.”
Tears needled her eyes again, and she fought them. She was stronger than this…wasn’t she? Despite her best defenses, a rebel tear escaped and made way for others.
“Sam,” she breathed in barely more than a whimper.
He closed the distance between them in less than a stride and wrapped her in his powerful yet gentle embrace, holding her like a frightened child. And that was just how she felt—just like the scared little girl who had hugged her father once more before leaving home behind. All those emotions stored in her memory returned at the thought of once again having to leave the familiar.
She buried her face in the soft suede of Sam’s jerkin, and her shoulders shook with quiet sobs. He allowed her to cry and release the pent-up tension and stress that had built throughout the day. After several minutes, she pulled away and used her sleeves to wipe her face.
“I’m sorry.”
“No. Sometimes tears are the best thing.” His deep voice soothed her.
“I just don’t understand.”
The talcrin took her gently by the arm and led her to their usual seating. Kyrin sank into the soft cushions of the couch, resting her throbbing head back. Kaden sat beside her.
“I can’t believe this has happened,” Kyrin continued as Sam took his seat. “I thought…I thought I was safe for another couple of years.”
“I know,” Sam said. “It came as a shock to me as well.”
Kyrin wiped her face again. “I don’t like it here at Tarvin Hall, but at least it’s familiar and Kaden’s here, but now…” She gulped, and her heart raced. “I leave for the palace in the morning. I’ll be serving the emperor, and not from some faraway city or town, but directly. I don’t want to do this.”
“We’ll get you out of it,” Kaden said suddenly
.
“But how? What could we do?”
“Leave. Run away from Valcré.”
Sam’s voice lowered in warning. “You’d be fugitives, hunted by the emperor’s men.”
“So? They can’t search all of Ilyon. We could hide somewhere. We could even go to Dorland, or Samara. We’d find somewhere safe.”
“We can’t, Kaden,” Kyrin said quietly.
Her brother frowned. “Why not?”
“We would never be able to see our family again. Never see Father, never see our brothers, never see anyone,” Kyrin stressed. “And what would that do to our reputation? We don’t care how it affects us, but what about Father and the others? We just can’t do that to them.”
“But how can we do this?”
“I know this is difficult,” Sam said, “and frightening for you, Kyrin, especially in light of how we believe, but there’s one thing you’re forgetting. What has happened today is no mistake. King Elôm has complete control in this, and I can only believe He has a plan for you. It’s certainly no accident. He wants you at the palace. And if He wants you there, you can know He will guide you and take care of you. He doesn’t expect you to face this on your own.”
Sam was right, of course, but fear still fought to overwhelm her in the face of all the changes she would be required to confront come morning.
Kyrin shivered despite the warmth of the Hall. Her empty stomach gave an agitated gurgle, and she rubbed it. She’d skipped breakfast, not sure she could keep anything down. She never did get to sleep either. While her roommates had slept off their giant meal, she’d stared up at the bottom of the next bunk and prayed for some sort of intervention to keep this time from arriving. But it had come anyway.
She knelt down in front of Meredith. Tears pooled in the little girl’s stormy blue eyes, and her voice quivered.
“I wish you didn’t have to go.”
“So do I.”
“Will I ever see you again?”
Kyrin shook her head. “I don’t know.”
Meredith’s face fell. She’d only just arrived at Tarvin Hall, and now she would lose her closest friend and protector. Kyrin squeezed the girl’s thin shoulders. “Meredith, whenever anyone says mean things to you, don’t listen to them. Just because they say it doesn’t mean it’s true, all right?”
The girl gave a weak nod, and Kyrin pulled her trembling little body into her arms. Meredith was as close to a sister as she had.
“Goodbye, Meredith. I love you.”
“I love you too,” Meredith choked out with a muffled sob.
Kyrin held her and rubbed her back before she rose. Her escort waited, and she still had goodbyes to say. She gave Meredith the best smile she could manage and turned away. With a silent plea to Elôm, she faced Kaden. His eyes were tired and bloodshot. He surely hadn’t slept either, and he still wore yesterday’s wrinkled uniform. Without speaking, they hugged tightly. Kyrin fought to stay strong. If she cried, it would make it that much harder for Kaden. She couldn’t do that to him, even though she wanted to stand there and bawl like a child.
“I’m only going to the palace,” she said, somehow keeping her voice light. “It’s just up the hill. I’m sure we’ll be able to see each other.”
They parted, and Kaden forced a smile. “We’ll make it happen. They can’t always keep us apart.”
Kyrin wasn’t so sure this time, but she had no other hope to hold on to. She couldn’t allow herself to contemplate not seeing him for months, maybe years. That would surely send her into a downward spiral that she wouldn’t be able to control.
She filled her tightened lungs and gathered her fortitude. “Goodbye, Kaden.”
He struggled for a moment to reply, his voice deeper than normal. “Goodbye, Kyrin.”
Once more, they hugged, but goodbye felt so wrong. They hadn’t spoken such words to each other in over ten years.
Before pulling away, Kyrin said, “Please take care of Meredith for me.”
“I will,” he promised.
That was all the time they were given.
“Come along now,” Master Zocar cut in. “They’re waiting for you at the palace.”
Drawn by habitual obedience, she followed him toward the entrance, but then looked back. Kaden and Meredith stood side by side, watching her go. Tears seared her eyes and nose. Her limbs almost seized up as her heart tried to drag her back to them. An outcry to run pulsed at her core. Perhaps they should have escaped when Kaden suggested it last night. She and Master Zocar rounded a corner, and her brother disappeared. Kyrin gave a short gasp. Help me be strong!
Just outside the Hall, they met Sam—a timely distraction. He smiled at her. Zocar would think it to be in congratulation, but Kyrin saw the deeper sentiments hidden behind it—both his sympathy and his encouragement.
“I came to wish you the best,” he said. “You’re a very strong and capable young woman. I have no doubt you’ll do well.”
Though hard to believe that completely, a smile finally tugged at Kyrin’s lips, and she stepped forward to hug him. It might have been odd to show such affection for one of the instructors, but she couldn’t leave without it, and he didn’t hesitate to embrace her in return. So quietly that she could barely hear, he whispered, “You’ll be in my prayers.”
Her smile resurfaced as they parted, though her vision turned watery. “Thank you.”
He coaxed her forward. At the bottom of the stairs, two escorts waited with Collin, who grinned at her. But today she had no desire to return the grin.
Here they stopped again, and Master Zocar turned to her. He too gave her a wide smile.
“You’ve done your family and Tarvin Hall proud, Kyrin,” he said in a kinder voice than usual.
Now that it came down to it, she just might miss him.
“Go on now, and serve the emperor well,” he told her.
She managed a brief smile. If Elôm required this of her, she would try her best.
She fell in with Collin behind the escorts. The two of them followed the officials out of Tarvin Hall, no longer students. All their study and training had brought them to this moment. They made the uphill march toward the palace. Kyrin’s pulse outpaced her dragging feet. She took no notice of the familiar scenery, her head bent until they passed through the palace gate and entered the expansive courtyard. At the foot of the palace, she looked up and stumbled to a halt. She had seen the palace many times from just outside the gate, but never so close. She craned her head back to take in the magnificent splendor of Auréa—four stories tall and with towers even higher. How could it look so infinitely larger and more intimidating here than from outside the courtyard? A cold sweat prickled her body.
“Come along, please,” one of her escorts urged.
Kyrin’s joints fused. The immense palace doors loomed before them. To pass would be to enter the unknown. An entirely new way of life she wasn’t ready to face.
“Come on, it’s not some monster waiting to swallow you up.”
Her eyes snapped to Collin and that ridiculous grin of his. That’s what you think. But his calm managed to break the icy bonds that had laid hold of her, and she let out a strangled laugh. She pulled her shoulders back and took the steps one at a time.
Collin nodded. “I knew you were braver than that.”
Kyrin glanced sidelong at him. Brave? She wished. She could do with some courage right now. Her thudding heart seemed likely to fail her.
The palace doors swung inward, and they crossed the threshold. Kyrin’s mouth fell open as her eyes traveled up one of the many ornate marble columns to the towering ceiling of the foyer. Dizzied, she dropped her gaze back to the floor. But the high polish of the geometric black and gold tiles reflecting the hundreds of candles glittering from their chandeliers didn’t help. She squeezed her eyes closed to let her senses right themselves.
The escorts prompted her forward without allowing her time to grow accustomed to her new residence. She opened her eyes and let her gaze settle
on two women who stood at the foot of a wide, scarlet-carpeted staircase. The younger woman, who was not too much older than Kyrin, wore a servant’s uniform—a simple gray linen gown and crisp white overdress. Despite a pretty, freckle-sprinkled face and cinnamon-colored hair, she completely faded into the background next to the other, middle-aged woman.
This tall lady stood with a palpable air of authority and dignity. Dressed in a deep gold gown and black bodice, she reminded Kyrin of Master Zocar, but female. Her honey-brown hair was gathered up in an impressive arrangement of curls that Kyrin could never hope to duplicate, and didn’t reveal any hint of graying with age. With a close look, she spotted the fine lines in the woman’s face, but a thick layer of cosmetics hid most of them.
“This is Lady Videlle, head mistress here at Auréa,” the escort introduced. “She will show you to your quarters and prepare you for your meeting with the emperor.”
Kyrin glanced briefly at him before her eyes went to Collin. He grinned and winked at her as the escorts led him away down the hall. She almost wished he could stay. At least she knew him. She wasn’t used to meeting strangers without Kaden.
With a convulsive swallow, she raised her eyes back to the tall, commanding woman in front of her. Lady Videlle had rigid features, yet not as harsh as the head mistress at Tarvin Hall. One blessing to be thankful for.
“Come with me,” she said, her voice crisp, though not unkind.
She swept off and practically glided across the polished floor. How could she be so graceful? The only thing to prove she wasn’t floating was the sharp click of her heels on the tile. Kyrin’s own steps felt clumsy in comparison. She glanced over her shoulder. The servant girl followed a few yards behind with her eyes down. Kyrin’s attention swung back to Lady Videlle at the clear ring of her refined voice.
“As you can see, Auréa Palace is large and can be confusing to navigate, but given your abilities, you should have no difficulty once you’ve been shown around.”
Just how much did these people know about her?
“The stairs to the servants’ quarters and the kitchen are down that hall, but you’ll have no need to go there.” She waved her hand as they passed. “Your quarters are in the advisors’ wing, along with mine and the other members of the emperor’s cabinet.”