Temperance Read Free

 
    They were standing before greatness. Before a being who had seen a hundred more years than each of the siblings combined. They were standing before the Hierophant.
    Maeve lowered her head as she knew was custom and waited to be addressed. Then she heard her three siblings take their places directly behind her, and the palace became so quiet that she could have sworn no one was inside.  
    “Maeve, firstborn to Iona, last Empress of Arcania. Please step forward.” The voice that filled the silent space was commanding and hypnotic as he beckoned her to do as he instructed.
    She gathered her skirt in her hands and took one step forward, keeping her eyes on her feet as she did so. Once she was in place, she dropped the gown and clasped her hands together in front of herself.
    “Tonight, as you reach your twenty-fifth year, you will be crowned the new Empress of Arcania, and your Emperor shall be named.”
    Maeve closed her eyes and prayed to the Guardians that she would be happy with whomever was chosen—and that he be pleased with her. But she knew it was for naught, as her fate had already been decided. Once he was named, the connection would already be solidified.
    She could hear the hushed whispers from the spectators below who'd come to watch their new Empress be betrothed and their Emperor be named.  
    “Raise your eyes to me, child.”
    Maeve lifted her head and let her eyes finally meet those of the most powerful being in all of Arcania. It was said that he was over one thousand years in age, but no one knew the exact number.  
    His face was flawless, with porcelain-like skin and pale-blond hair. He had light-blue eyes that seemed to be the oldest thing about him, and when he looked down upon her, Maeve felt her entire body relax as he put it at ease.
    “Tonight is the beginning of a new era. The throne is to be taken over once again by a daughter of pure blood, one who will rule the land and all that inhabits it.”
    Maeve kept her eyes fixed on the ones regarding her.  
    “Once the crown is upon your head and your ayon is named, you will be given the amulet, and the keys to the Tower will be passed to you and your siblings. With these, you shall have access to all that is needed to rule Arcania.”
    Maeve remained silent as his words penetrated her mind and sank into her subconscious.
    “Step forward and kneel in place before me while I seek the oath of witness from your siblings.”
    Whispered words were muttered throughout the palace as Maeve took one step up to where he stood and knelt upon the second. As he moved behind her to her siblings, she didn’t dare look at him, the air around her vibrating with his power.  
    He was handing over the Keys of Knowledge.  
    Each of them would hold a key to the Tower, but it was only she who would possess the amulet. She waited silently as he spoke first to Seraphine.  
    “Seraphine…”  
    When her sister’s name was spoken, the voice that had seemed unshakable only seconds ago took pause. Several seconds passed before he started again.  
    “Seraphine, second daughter of Iona, last Empress of Arcania. Do you assent to bearing witness for your eldest sister, Maeve?”  
    “I do,” Sera answered clearly and precisely.  
    All remained silent as the key was handed over, and she felt the air change in the room as if an icy breeze had somehow shifted inside. She shivered where she was kneeling, and then she heard the shuffling of feet, realizing the Hierophant was moving on to Li’Am.
    “Li’Am, only son of Iona, last Empress of Arcania. Do you assent to bearing witness for your eldest sister, Maeve?”
    Maeve wished she could turn. She wanted to see the pride she knew would have been on Li’Am’s face as he replied, “I do.”
    But this time when the key was handed over, a bright light illuminated the entire palace—as if lightning had struck. Maeve’s breath left her on a gasp as she wondered, Is that normal?
    Once the thought had entered her