Divined Read Free

hands. The scars were too tight, and if she didn’t work at it, her hands would curl in on themselves.
    “No you aren’t. Do you even care what’s happening around you? This is our chance, Clio. Our chance to break free from the Empire, from the Order.”
    Clio remained silent.
    “But you’re too selfish to care, aren’t you?”
    “I’m too selfish to start another war and cause the deaths of thousands of your people, yes,” Clio answered. She didn’t want to get upset. Vazuil was already back, gnawing at the edge of her mind.
    “Too cowardly then,” Zarae said with disgust.
    “Zarae, what do you expect me to do for you? I promised I would use my Sight to help the Corner. But everything I was ever Shown was a lie. I’m sorry. You made a deal with the Oracle, but the Oracle is gone now.”
    “At least come back with me to Sheehan. There are changes happening in Morek that you need to be aware of. It involves you as much as it does the Corner.”
    “No.”
    “No?” Zarae asked, surprise rounding her delicate mouth.
    “No,” Clio repeated.
    “So that’s your plan? To hide here forever and pretend there’s nothing you can do to help?” Zarae asked, her eyes cold.
    “That’s the plan. Have a good journey back to Sheehan,” Clio said, walking Zarae back to the entrance.
    “I’m sorry to hear you say that.” Zarae stopped and turned back to Clio. “Do you have a message you would like me to convey to our dear commander?” she asked, pulling her hood back over her head.
    “I’m just as able as you to get a message to Riece,” Clio answered. Zarae was concealing something, Clio felt it.
    “Are you? Funny. I’m headed to see him now. He asked if I would bring you with me to the palace, but now that I know you would rather be left alone, I’ll be happy to make him aware of your change of heart.”
    “You’re lying.”
    The princess shrugged. “Am I? Have a good day, Clio.”
    Clio took a step outside and sighed in frustration. “He’s still in the Corner.”
    “He returned in the middle of the night. It’s why I came to Sheehan. To meet him. I thought you knew.” Zarae continued to the dirt road.
    “And he sent you to come fetch me? I find that unlikely.”
    “He’s a busy man. And between us, he’s not exactly thrilled with you at the moment either. Something about you promising to stay in the safety of the palace while he was away—I’m not sure. I care very little.”
    “Why is he back early, Zarae?”
    “Come to Sheehan and find out. But as you made perfectly clear, I have nothing more to say to you.” She walked down the road, her cloak whipping out behind her.
    The throbbing in Clio’s head grew as she watched the princess. Clio didn’t want to go. She didn’t want to hear about the Empire or the Order or any of the evils she no longer had the power to combat. But if Riece had returned and had chosen to send Zarae to fetch Clio rather than coming himself then he was planning something.
    Aren’t you curious why the boy came back early? Vazuil asked, his voice splintering through her thoughts.
    “Ashira!” Clio called, rubbing the heels of her hands into her eyes and wishing for blindness.
    Her Vessel emerged from behind the hut where they did their washing in a small ground spring. “What is it?” Ashira asked, worry in her creased brow.
    “Get the draught and find Ixie. We’re going into Sheehan.”

CHAPTER THREE

    They caught up to Zarae before crossing through the trader’s gate into the city. Another swallow of the draught had made Clio sluggish, and she’d needed to lean on Ashira for the last leg of the journey. When Ixie saw, she shook her head but kept her mouth closed, opting instead to run ahead and walk with the princess. Clio was too out of breath to object and focused all her strength on staying on her feet.
    Even so, she’d had to stop and ask Ashira to fetch some water before they made it to the palace.
    “How bad do I look at the moment?” Clio