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31
ANYA
When Silas left,I remained in Trydan's room for a long time. There was no saving us now. Not after I had lied to him about something so important.
Distraught, I went to Trydan's bed and sat down, dropping my head into my hands and sobbing. I made no effort to quiet my tears, even as people flowed back and forth through the hall outside. I should be out there. I should be helping. But it didn't matter because saving every last soul in the palace couldn't take away the defeat in my heart.
Everything in here felt corrupted in some way, down to the very bedding I was resting on. My unease was compounded when I spotted a small, ornate chest sitting up on a shelf, nearly hidden from view, with a note resting in front of it.
I went to it and lifted it down, slid my finger under Trydan's seal and opened the note.
The letter was scrawled by a hasty hand, blobs of ink bleeding and making the words illegible. But it was the first three that caught my attention and made me suck in a sharp breath.
* * *
"My dearest Tatyanna..."
* * *
I scanned the letter.There was no signature. I could hardly imagine Imrys writing something so personal.
I set it aside and opened the chest to peer inside.
My breath caught in my throat, and I gasped as I took in the beautiful diamond necklace that hung in strands and layers like a chandelier in the box. It picked up even the weakest light and threw it around the room.
I looked from the necklace to the note and back again, running a hand through my hair. Was it a gift? A way of saying goodbye? Question after question bubbled up to the surface of my mind, chasing away the one before it.
I closed the box and stared at it, chewing my lip as I tried to decide what to do. Hide it? Tell Tatyanna?
Every option seemed equally dangerous and likely to get me in bigger trouble. But there was something about the note. The words were so raw.
Folding the note carefully and tucking it into my robe, I took the box and tucked it behind a few of Trydan's books. I wiped away the last of the tears from my cheeks and counted to three before climbing back through the shattered door and heading for the sanctuary.
I wanted to go straight to Tatyanna, but I didn't want to draw attention to either of us. Instead, I made a loop of the room, stopping to check on the residents I could, and making conversation. I was surprised to find that many of them were sitting up and talking animatedly, in apparently good spirits.
"Why don't you go upstairs?" I asked, nodding toward the open passage. "There's more food and comfortable beds up there. The palace is no longer in danger."
They gave me doubtful looks and shook their heads.
"We are waiting for word from the High Priest. We must know what Re'Utu wants from us. We cannot just go back to ignoring Re'Utu's will."
“Kiango has taken a Wife for himself, and it has upset Re'Utu. You cannot ignore what is obvious to the rest of us."
I blinked several times, shaking my head in wonder. A short while ago, the people had cheered for Ember when she completed her rituals, and sat to feast with her. No words I could offer would convince them that it was not Kiango, but Imrys and Trydan who had brought this terrible day upon us.
Irritated, I nodded to the woman and wished her well before going to Tatyanna, at last. As soon as she saw me coming, I saw her roll her eyes and curse under her breath.
"What do you want?" she asked. "Recruiting for your little army of do-gooders?"
"We need to talk," I answered, fighting not to rise to her insult. "In private."
She laughed, letting her head fall back.
"You don't tell me what to do, servant."
Silently, I withdrew my hand from my robe and revealed the note. She let out a little squeak and reached for it, but I shoved my hand back into my robe hastily. She sneered at me, but a moment later, as I turned to walk away, I heard her getting to her feet and following after me.
I was mindful of the many prying eyes that were upon us as we walked, but I smiled kindly at the people and led Tatyanna away without a word.
