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Lyros gave Lio a wrist clasp. “I wish I could say the same for your Summit.”
Kia shook her head. “Their lack of support will make many wonder whether the Summit is worth supporting at all.”
Nodora’s eyes were full of regret. “And it won’t end there. I don’t think Epodos claimed he’s writing a ballad just to cover his absence. That was a threat. He’s going to tell Konstantina’s interpretation of events.”
“Yes,” Lio said, “I think this is the moment when I am supposed to feel their slap in my face.”
“Don’t let it sting.” Cassia caressed his cheek and spoke with far more confidence than she felt. “It’s not over yet, and we aren’t finished telling our version of the Summit.”
HEDGE MAZE
If Laskara felt anounce of shame, it was not apparent. Cassia did not know how any person could come through a persuasion by Apollon and still appear so composed, especially when he was prowling the gardens a step behind her. But Lyros’s eldest sister was all graciousness before the crowd of Hesperines and mortals who attended the sculpture walk. Timarete walked alongside her daughter with every appearance of approval, regardless of what her private reaction had been when Lyros had told her about Laskara’s plans.
Laskara guided the embassy through manicured gardens she had populated with legends, heroes, and embodied virtues. Her comments were erudite, but understandable. Her modesty was no affectation. She looked on every sculpture with pride and pointed out half a dozen features of it she wished she had done better. Her arms were muscular and strong from working stone; her face did not conform to the standards of beauty, and neither did her works. Cassia found the renowned sculptor unbearable, because she longed to admire her, but they must be opponents.
Lyros spent the entire walk constantly on the move through the crowd, engaging Tenebrans in discussion, explaining anything that didn’t make sense, and helping those who fell behind to keep up. Cassia’s heart went out to him. He was working so hard to make up for a dishonor committed by someone of his own blood.
When the fair’s finale was finally at an end, Hesperines gathered round to continue the discussion with Laskara and Timarete, Komnena and Apollon among them. The Tenebrans began to drift away. Cassia should go to the front and drag as many Tenebrans as she could along with her. She must not allow the Hesperine and mortal crowds to split.
Lio took her arm. Benedict wandered off with her illusion again, Knight at his heels, while Lio drew her away into the garden.
“Is Skleros still following me?” she asked.
Basir and Kumeta stood on either side of an arbor that led into a hedge maze.
“Never mind Skleros,” said Kumeta.
Basir’s mouth twitched. “As one who recently had occasion to appreciate the value of leave, I suggest you and Lio take some now.”
“You’ve done enough,” Lio said. “We’ve all done enough for tonight.”
She let her thanks fill the Blood Union and left her protests behind. Clutching her cloak about her with one hand, she took off with Lio between the hedges that towered above their heads.
He looked back over his shoulder. For the first time in hours, she saw a smile on his face.
Veils and wards must cover the maze, for no other voices reached her ears through the garden. She could only hear Lio’s and her shoes rushing over the gravel paths and her own breathing and his laughter. They passed through stretches of deep shadow, but with Lio to guide her, she did not become lost. Every time, he led her through into another alcove lit with spell light or an aisle that let in the light of the moons and stars.
“You must know your way through the maze well,” she panted.
He gave her a half smile. “I grew up with Lyros, but I still have no idea how to get through the labyrinth. It’s bespelled to change every time you enter.”
“What?” She let out a reckless laugh.
He halted, and she ran into his chest.
“Don’t worry.” His deep voice seemed to fill the twists and turns of the maze. “If we get lost, I’ll levitate us out.”
“The spells don’t prevent levitation? That makes it rather easy to escape.”
“The point isn’t to escape from the maze,” he said. “It’s to escape into it.”
“Take me away, Lio.”
They raced together through the labyrinth, she cared not where. They came to a ring of hedges with a statue at the center. Cassia’s face flushed, and she was sure her heartbeat sounded thunderous in the silence, especially to a Hesperine’s ears.
“This statue wasn’t on the tour,” she said.
“The passionate silkworms had already worn out our guests’ tolerance,” Lio replied.
