Servant of the Gods by Valerie Douglas

Author:Valerie Douglas [Douglas, Valerie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Fantasy
Publisher: Valerie Douglas Books
Published: 2011-10-19T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Secure in their tent, Banafrit eyed Irisi curiously as they prepared their dinner together. The scent of lentils, vegetables and spices cooking was soothing, almost homey, easing their fears somewhat with the familiar aromas and tasks. There was no better time than now for her to speak.

“What is this between you and General Khai?” she asked, gently, and was stunned by Irisi’s reaction.

A look of utter shock and horror kindled in Irisi’s eyes, her face going nearly white, although she covered it quickly.

For all that, Irisi’s voice was even, although Banafrit could sense the struggle within her.

“Nothing,” Irisi said, firmly. “There’s nothing. Leave it be, my Lady. Please.”

Fear clutched at Irisi’s heart as it hadn’t on the battlefield. She remembered Kamenwati’s threat. Nothing that Khai could face squarely, an honorable risk with an even chance at survival, but a sly and secretive assault? Khai was safe against dark magic, but against poison or an assassin…?

If Banafrit had noticed, who else had?

Irisi’s vehemence was startling.

Nothing? Banafrit thought.

It wasn’t nothing. Banafrit had seen what was in their eyes. General Khai was a handsome man, capable, and it was clear there was something between them. He wasn’t married, so there was no dishonor there.

Leave it be, Irisi asked.

Why? It made no sense, no more than her fear did. Banafrit sat back and looked at the girl. She couldn’t leave it be.

“Perhaps it would be best if you’d tell me what it is you fear,” Banafrit said, gently.

From the look in Banafrit’s eyes it was obvious to Irisi that her friend, her priestess and High Priestess wouldn’t let it alone.

Nor could it be left alone, not now.

“What did you see?” Irisi asked, worriedly.

“Enough,” Banafrit said, gently and reassuringly. She took Irisi’s cold hands in her own. “I’m Priestess to the Goddess of women, love, magic and mothers. She’s given it to me to see such things with clearer eyes than many. As she will you when it’s your time. Tell me, Irisi. There can be no secrets between us. I’ve made it clear you’ll be High Priestess after me. You earned it. No one, not even Saini, knows the worship of our Lady better, no one can recite the Book of Emerging into Daytime or the Book of Life better than you, but there is this…So… Tell me. Talk to me, Irisi. You shouldn’t deny yourself what you and he both so clearly desire.”

Irisi’s breath caught at the thought.

You and he… It hadn’t been just her imagination, then, her own wishful thinking... The ache in her heart returned.

Lifting her eyes to meet Banafrit’s level gaze, Irisi let out a breath.

“Shortly after I was initiated, the Grand Vizier Kamenwati came to me in the market. He was angry. He made me a vow. He said I was his by right, that he’d bought me and if he couldn’t have me then no other would. There would never be another in my life. If there was, that one would die, by assassin, magic or poison, but they would die.

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