“Right,” Elena said, but the word tasted foul.
“But if the Phoenix never existed—” At this, Kruppa made the sign of the Phoenix, tapping her forehead, chest, and then mouth, and froze as they stared. “Sorry, habit. But. If She never existed, then who did Alabore seek blessings from to create Ravence? Is he a lie too? A myth?”
I have read of a deeper, darker power. This power fed visions to Alabore, led him to the desert, and tormented him into subsequent madness, her mother had written. Not for the first time, Elena wished she had shown the letter to her father. She wished she had taken his counsel, heeded his warnings.
There were many things she wished she had done, and the regret laced her throat tight like a cruel noose.
Regret immobilizes you. Makes you weak.
Samson’s voice rang through her as the gulmohar moaned, and the Eternal Fire filled the air with its ceaseless hiss. Elena stared at the priestesses, her response strangled by her own bitterness. She felt the inescapable sensation of being trapped, caught between performing as queen and her own wavering belief. Her allegiance was to Ravence, and Ravence to its Prophet. But she had once sworn to lead this kingdom in the name of the Phoenix too. She had knelt with her mother before their tiny altar. Grasped her father’s hand as they sat in the inferno. The Phoenix was more than a goddess. She was a reminder of her family, her ancestors, and the burden they carried.
Elena slowly curved her hands and summoned a flame. It rippled to life with a soft hiss as Kruppa gasped.
“You’re a prophet too?” she cried.
“If I am, of what god, then? The Phoenix?” Elena laughed ruefully. “I feel no special connection to Her, no sudden revelation. I do not know what I am, truthfully. But I am of Agni. My mother wrote that there are three types of fire. Perhaps Samson and I are two of the three. Who, then, is the third?”
She looked to Saayna, who stared at the flame in her hands. Gently, she said, “Saayna, you have studied the Phoenix for so long. What if She is real? Samson calls forth his power from the Great Serpent. Can the second god be the Phoenix?”
“But if the Prophet claims She is not real…” Kruppa shuddered. “Are there more gods?”
They both turned to Saayna then. The high priestess touched the mark on her cheek as she gazed past them, to the tips of the flames licking the sky. When she finally spoke, her voice was firm, hardened by pain.
“There is no true god other than the Great Serpent and Her Prophet,” she said.
“Saayna,” Elena began.
“I know where my allegiance lies. I have my proof,” she said, lowering her hand from her cheek. “I will give you the remaining scrolls, but I will take no part in this blasphemy. Learn what you must and learn quickly.”
Kruppa’s face was an open wound. “How can you just turn away?Youare our highest sister. You have spent suns studying the Phoenix. You know She is not a false god.”
“The Prophet has shown me otherwise.”
“But if we find proof that the Phoenix is real,” Elena interjected. “Think, Saayna. Perhaps there are more gods and power at play.”
“Have you thought of the consequences?” Saayna said, her voice like a whip. “Do you know whathewill do?”
Elena heard the panic edging in her voice then.She is afraid of Samson, she thought. But she followed Saayna’s gaze and saw that she was staring at the Eternal Fire, and a new understanding crept through her.
She is afraid of the inferno itself.Saayna had felt the fire’s teeth tear through her flesh. She knew the pain of burning.Like Yassen.
Elena remembered his fear. He had hidden it, pushed through it, and it had led to his ruin. By following her, Yassen Knight had died. And the high priestess feared the same.
“Do not ask more of me, please.” Saayna’s voice trembled. “Please.”
“I know my family has given you grief,” Elena said softly. “My father was wrong to imprison you. But you believe in Samson solely because he healed you.” She fluttered her fingers, and the flame grew, a steadfast beacon. “Here is your other proof, Saayna. I too am a god. I may not betheProphet, but I will free my kingdom. And I will call on whatever higher power to do so.”
Saayna looked down at the flame, and then at her. “Then I pray for the day when we will finally be free of you gods.”
CHAPTER 8
ELENA
The Council of the Second Continent was last called during the invasion of Seshar. Leaders attempted to persuade King Harrow of Jantar to turn back his boats. They failed, miserably. Since then, the council has not convened. Some political scholars wager the kingdoms are fearful of Jantar’s retaliation, while others believe the rulers are too ashamed of their historical precedent.
—from chapter 43 ofThe Great History of Sayon
The hoverpod skimmed over the vast and shadowed canyons as Elena thumbed through the scrolls. There were only twenty-one left after the fires, and when Elena lifted one up, she could still smell ash.
