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Ace had heard this particular rant about a thousand times over. It was the first discussion the gods had had inside of her brain when she'd awoken from death. The queens had done something wrong and the gods were pissed. That's why Ace even existed as she was at all. To right this wrong.
Over time the rant had become less enthusiastic. But the gods were stubborn and would never forget. As they had said, nature was unbalanced.
But what happened afterward if she fixed their mistake? What happened when she completed the task asked of her by the gods? What then? She’d take the throne by force? She’d run the country? No, she couldn't,wouldn’t, imagine that. Ace was not a leader, she told herself again. Someone else would step up within the ranks.
She blinked away the fear inside of her, the uncertainty that plagued her daily since she'd been born to a new life, and quickly read through the announcement. There it all was, laid out on the page, the dates and times of numerous events for which the queens would be allowing guests onto the castle grounds. These parties would allow men from all over the kingdom their chance to court the queen and claim the title of king. Not that she thought that would give them a whole lot of power, but their children, their future family line, that would be where the power was given.
All of Pasia had been itching for a king to balance out the four queens. They had quickly proven themselves to be wicked after The Battle of Patruger removed the Fae king from his throne.
Fae were vile creatures that could infect your mind and turn you into a shell of a human being. That's what the queens had fought against. And they'd won but only after making a deal with the gods who granted them each a staff with more magic than any warlock could ever obtain. They didn't hold up their end of the deal.
Their debt to the gods remained, which was unfortunate for Ace because now the gods had made that her problem.
Ace didn't want to do the gods' dirty work. She only wanted a simple quiet life; she always had. Perhaps that's why she'd been so soft, maybe that's why she’d died in the first place. Avoiding conflict, trying to constantly find peace, all of it had been a dream that led to an early grave.
She grabbed the loaf, dunking the whole thing in the honey, not caring about the residue she left on her face when she took a bite. Her fingertip skimmed over the paper as she traced the dates. Queen Sienna would go first, then the festivities would continue to the other territories and other queens.
Tomorrow Queen Sienna would be hosting her first party. No wonder the streets were so crowded and people couldn't stop praying.
Go,Greshta encouraged.
Fix the balance,Sylik echoed.
"I'm not going to some stupid party. I don't want the throne." Ace growled through the food in her mouth.
You may not want it but you are destined for it. In time, you will grow into the power.Sometimes Greshta made her want to scream. She was the most persistent of the gods about this particular plan.
“I can’t just kill the queen at her own party. The event will be crawling with guardsmen.”
It wouldn’t hurt to look around,Greshta said. Ace couldn’t see the goddess but she somehow knew she was shrugging her shoulders and giving her a sly smile.
"If I go…" she mused aloud, "will you shut up?" It was just a thought. A whim she doubted the gods would honor.
Maybe for a day,Sylik answered, but it was more pointed to Greshta, Ace could tell. Gods were surprisingly well versed in sarcasm.
I will give you one sun and one moon of silence if you go. See for yourself how bad it is. Contemplate this life that we've so graciously given you. Find a way. Kill the queen. Kill them all. Then not only will you have been given new life but more power than you might imagine,Greshta confirmed.
Maybe this was more than a thought. Ace could weasel her way into an entire day of silence! Now that would be a true miracle.
“Cross your heart and hope to die?”
You know we can not die,Greshta scoffed.
She’s asking for a promise you cretin,Sylik butted in.
Do not call me a cretin, you—
“Would you do it just because it’s my not so celebrated re-born-day?” There really wasn’t a good name for it. “Like a gift?”
Your life was already gift enough,Greshta said.
Ace sighed. She might want to re-gift that particular present then. Or maybe just give it back altogether. “I’ll do it.” But she wasn’t happy about it. Not really.
You’ll do it.Greshta’s voice turned to silk.She’ll do it, Sylik.
The god of wealth and fortune stayed quiet. The idea of silence held enough reward that Ace reluctantly agreed.
“As long as you give me a day of peace.” Ace looked up and lifted the bread in her hand toward the heavens. “I’ve been sick of your voices since the moment I woke up.”
