The Veridian Wars: Book 1 (The Secret Chronicles of Lost Magic 3) by Aderyn Wood

Author:Aderyn Wood [Wood, Aderyn]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-12-13T16:00:00+00:00

ARETE

Arete stood at the entrance of her sister’s centrium, frowning. The large double doors were thrown open to reveal Rhea’s ordered courtyard beyond. Arete shifted her gaze from the perfectly hedged rosemary to the guests and found the chief fiscator, Gaius Maeus Sedulus, and his wife, Lucia Maeus Clementia.

“Arete!” Lucia called as they made their way over.

“Lucia.” Arete kissed her friend’s cheeks. “I’m glad to see you both here.”

“Likewise.”

“This is the eighth harvest feast we’ve attended in as many days,” Sedulus said, tapping his middle. “My stomach can't handle much more.”

“You’ve brought your younger daughter, I see.” Arete watched Cassia, chatting with a group of other young women. She wore a startling red silk veil that set off her complexion and made her beauty even more startling.

“Yes,” Sedulus said. “We’ve made a match for our Lucilla, did you hear?”

“No… I’m afraid this is the first harvest feast I’ve attended.” A fact Arete had berated herself over. “I’ve not been privy to any gossip for some time.”

“We hope to find a match for Cassia by the end of summer,” Lucia said.

Arete stifled a laugh. It was the reason they were all here, to display their daughters like summer flowers, to the parents of potential suitors. “Both your daughters are very beautiful.” Arete returned her gaze to Cassia, who was whispering something in Martia Histera Pannas’s ear. The pair of them giggled as though colluding, ribbons shaking. There’d been a squabble at the harvest festival between Cassia, Martia and Drusa, according to Drusa at least. “And who is Lucilla betrothed to?”

Sedulus gave her a smile, making his cheeks look more like a squirrel’s with a mouth full of chestnuts. “Tacitus Callidus and I will become family. Our Lucilla will marry his second son, Veritus Callidus.”

“Oh.” Arete schooled her features. “I had thought Lucilla was determined to ascend to scholar.”

Lucia leaned closer. “Ursus’s plans are still in play. Our Lucilla will become the second woman scholarch in all the Realm.”

Arete frowned. “He will be glad to hear it. But—”

“Excuse me, Arete dear,” Lucia interjected. “I’ve just spotted Henras Tenerans and his wife. I need to speak with them before anyone else does.”

Arete nodded as she watched her friend dart off, silver earrings tinkling as she walked as quickly as magnus dignatas allowed. Arete blinked with irritation. She had considered the Ternan’s eldest son a possible match for Drusa. Arete really ought to invite Lucia for a luncheon so they could put their heads together. One needed allies in this game.

She turned her attention back to Sedulus, who stood a full head shorter than both Arete and his wife. “Tacitus permitted a long betrothal? Until Lucilla ascends?”

Sedulus nodded. “He understands Ursus’s plan and supports it. Lucilla is a beautiful young woman of the first caste. If she can ascend, it will encourage other magnus families to send their daughters.”

Arete smiled, but she couldn’t help wondering what was the use of it. Why put all the effort into becoming a scholarch to simply retire one’s black robes as soon as the marriage vows were said? It surprised her Tacitus permitted it.

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