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at her. Annotations for Chapter 3 Four Annotations for Chapter 4 Siri’s carriage rolled to a stop outside of T’Telir, capital of Hallandren. She stared out the window and realized something very, very intimidating: Her people had no idea what it meant to be ostentatious. Flowers weren’t ostentatious. Ten soldiers prote...
thought. They look like men! She’d imagined Lifeless as skeletal creatures, the ﬂesh rotting and falling from the bones. They were, after all, men who had died, then been brought back to life as mindless soldiers. But these that she passed looked so human. There was nothing to distinguish them save for their lack of co...
was a good king with good instincts. What if—after twenty years of raising and training Vivenna—he had come to the conclusion that she wasn’t the right one to help Idris? Was that why, for the first time in their lives, Father had chosen Siri over Vivenna? But, if that’s true, what am I supposed to do? She knew that he...
Austre was all that pleased with her outbursts, and most days she even had trouble naming the five Visions. But he’d watch over her for the sake of her people, wouldn’t he? The procession pulled to a stop at the base of the enormous triangular building. Siri looked up through the carriage window at the shelves and knob...
the fabric, Vasher could see outlines of muscles and even veins. There was no need for them; the Breath animated the fabric, and no muscles were necessary for it to move. The tapestry carefully carried Vasher down, pinching him by one shoulder, placing his feet on the street. “Your Breath to mine,” Vasher Commanded. Th...
of his letting go of it. Vasher ignored the thievery, thoughtful as the waiter brought him a warm cup of citrus tea. Vasher sipped at the sweetened liquid, sucking on the bit of rind, wondering why in the world a people who lived in a tropical lowland preferred heated teas. After a few minutes, his life sense warned hi...
spoonful of rice, mouth burning from the spices. He’d didn’t believe in letting food sit around uneaten—you never knew when you’d have to leave in a hurry. “There have been...rumors,” Bebid finally said. “This goes beyond simple court politics, Vasher—beyond games played between gods. This is something very real, and v...
ones who are pushing for war against Idris.” “I won’t help you enrage the—” “Do not presume to tell me what to do, Bebid. Just give me the information you promised, and you can be free of all this.” “Vasher,” Bebid said, leaning in even further. “I can’t help. My lady isn’t interested in these kinds of politics, and I ...
wine from one of his servants. “She’s only seventeen years old,” Llarimar said. “I can’t imagine being married to the God King at her age.” “I can’t imagine you being married to the God King at any age, Scoot,” Lightsong said. Then he pointedly cringed. “Actually, yes I can imagine it, and the dress looks painfully ine...
could bribe one of the other gods to take control of my Lifeless Commands?” “I doubt that would be wise,” Llarimar said. “It’s all part of my master plan to ensure that I become totally and redundantly useless to this city by the time I die. Again.” Llarimar cocked his head. “Redundantly useless?” “Of course. Regular u...
as he said. Sometimes, that terrified him. But not this day. He was, instead, annoyed. The queen’s arrival had somehow gotten him talking about politics—and the day had been going so well until then. “More wine,” Lightsong said, raising his cup. “You can’t get drunk, Your Grace,” Llarimar noted. “Your body is immune to...
was warm. She shivered anyway. She was forced to stand, naked, as other servants approached, bearing measuring tapes. They poked and prodded, getting various measurements, including ones around Siri’s waist, bust, shoulders, and hips. When that was finished, the women backed away, and the room fell still. The bath cont...
are you?” The man glanced at her, causing her to duck down beneath the suds a little more. Her hair was as bright a red as it had ever been. “My name is Havarseth, but everyone just calls me Bluefingers.” He held up a hand and wiggled the fingers, which were all stained dark with blue ink from writing. “I am head scrib...
children of the Idrian monarchy. Allow me to be a little more personal, and perhaps a little more direct, than I would prefer. If you speak directly to the God King, he will order you executed. Unlike your father, he is not a man of patience. “I cannot stress this point enough. I realize that you are accustomed to bein...
Siri blushed, imagining anyone—male or female—rubbing her body with perfume. “This will be fine,” she said, climbing down into the water. It was lukewarm, and the ﬂoral scents were so strong that she had to breathe through her mouth. The women motioned downward, and—sighing—Siri dunked beneath the scented water. After ...
closed her eyes and focused again. The hair had been shoulder length, but she extended it for several minutes, making it grow until it would reach all the way down her back once she stood. Siri opened her eyes. “Beautiful,” one of the younger serving women whispered, then ﬂushed, immediately returning to her work on Si...
lying down to continue what was proving to be the most embarrassing day of her life. It will only get worse, she thought as the doctor did his examination. Susebron, the God King. Awesome, terrible, holy, majestic. He had been stillborn, but had Returned. What did that do to a man? Would he even be human, or would he b...
fabric was amazingly soft on her skin, the velvet smooth as petals from a highland ﬂower. As the women adjusted it on her, she noticed that—oddly—it laced up the side instead of the back. It had an extremely long train and sleeves that were so long that if she put her arms down at the sides, the cuffs hung a good foot ...
post, and you may look up. He will then wave you forward.” She nodded. “Just...try not to touch him too much.” Siri frowned, clenching and unclenching her increasingly nervous hands. “How exactly am I going to manage that? We’re going to have sex, aren’t we?” Bluefingers ﬂushed. “Yes, I guess you are. This is new groun...
white fabric was throwing out a spectrum of colors, like light bent by a prism. She regarded this with shock, wondering what was causing the strange effect. It didn’t matter. She was too nervous to think about that. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to pull off her undershift, leaving her naked. She quickly knelt ...
time passed. How long had she been kneeling? An hour, maybe longer. And still, there wasn’t a hint of sound—no knock, no cough, not even a shufﬂe from the God King. Perhaps it was a test to see how long she would remain as she was. Perhaps she was just reading too much into things. Either way, she forced herself to rem...
“Scoot?” Lightsong asked, sitting up. “Your Grace,” Llarimar said, bowing. “Are you enjoying the festivities?” “Certainly. You might say I’m positively infested. But what are you doing here in the court? You should be out with your family.” “I just wanted to make certain everything was to your liking.” Lightsong rubbed...
that makeup on your thighs?” She smiled, biting into a grape. “It’s a kind of paint. The designs were drawn by some of the most talented artists in my priesthood.” “My compliments to them,” Lightsong said. “Regardless, you ask why I did not greet you. Well, let us assume that I had acted as you suggest I should. Upon y...
shoulder blades. “So, then. You admit that I’m stunning and beautiful. Would you then care to retire from the festivities this evening? find...other entertainments?” Lightsong hesitated. Being unable to bear children didn’t stop the gods from seeking intimacy, particularly with other Returned. In fact, from what Lights...
actions. Actions make you tired. I have this on rather good authority from someone who once read it in a book.” Blushweaver sighed. “You avoid thinking, you avoid me, you avoid effort...is there anything you don’t avoid?” “Breakfast.” Blushweaver didn’t react to this, which Lightsong found disappointing. She was too fo...
Lightsong. You can join us, if you wish.” “Politics, my dear,” he said with a sigh. “You know how I loathe it.” “You’re the god of bravery. We could use your confidence.” “At this point, I’m only confident that I’ll be of no use to you.” Her face stiffened as she tried not to show her frustration. Eventually, she sighe...
she wasn’t supposed to look at the God King. And he hadn’t ordered her executed. Bluefingers had made her worry that the God King was volatile and quick to anger, yet if that was the case, then he had held his temper with her. What else was he going to do? The Hallandren had waited for decades to get a royal princess t...
up, heads bowed, and walked into the room. Siri backed up, cocking her head when she noticed that several of the women carried in large chests. They’re dressed in different colors from yesterday, Siri thought. The cut was the same—divided skirts, like ﬂowing trousers, topped with sleeveless blouses and small caps, thei...
what she was feeling. “Do you know...what I’m supposed to do?” “Do, Vessel?” the scribe asked. “You mean, in regards to...” He glanced at the bed. Siri ﬂushed. “No, not that. I mean with my time. What are my duties? What is expected of me?” “To provide an heir.” “Beyond that.” Bluefingers frowned. “I...well, to be hone...
sit on the assembly itself, of course, but you will certainly be allowed to attend, once the Jubilation is over. If none of this suits you, you may request an artist of the God King’s priesthood to attend you. His priests include devout and accomplished artists from all genres: music, painting, dance, poetry, sculpture...
up, determined to examine her new home. She left the overly black room, poking her head out into the hallway. She turned back to her servants, who stood obediently in a line behind her. “Is there any place I’m forbidden to go?” she asked. The one she was addressing shook her head. Fine, then, she thought. I’d better no...
tried several times to draw them into conversation, but she managed to get only terse replies. She chewed on a spiced caper. Is this what my life is to be from now on? she thought. A night spent feeling half-used, half-ignored by my husband, then days spent surrounded by people, yet somehow still alone? She shivered, h...
to do but wait. She glanced up at the statue beside her; it was one of the famous D’Denir Celabrin. Most of the statues depicted warriors. They stood in every imaginable pose all across the entire city, armed with weapons and often dressed in colorful clothing. According to her lessons, the people of T’Telir found dres...
knees—some women even wore trousers, just like men. “What did you discover in the market?” she asked, drawing his attention back. “There are a lot of Idrians here,” he said. “What?” Vivenna said, forgetting herself and showing her shock. “Idrians,” Parlin said. “In the market. Some were trading goods; many looked like ...
been the one who smiled when others were down. She was the one who brought gifts when nobody was expecting them. She was infuriating, but also innocent. She was Vivenna’s baby sister, and someone had to look out for her. The God King would demand an heir. That was to have been Vivenna’s duty—her sacrifice for her peopl...
way. The first step was to find Lemex, her father’s chief spy in Hallandren. Vivenna had corresponded with him on several occasions. Her father had wanted her to be familiar with his best intelligence agent in T’Telir, and his foresight would work against him. Lemex knew Vivenna, and had been told to take orders from h...
to feed not travelers, but the locals who couldn’t be bothered to prepare their own food and dine at their own homes. Parlin didn’t sit, but remained standing beside her chair, watching the room. He looked as tense as she felt. “Vivenna,” he said softly, leaning down. “Your hair.” She started, realizing that her hair h...
sneak her sister out. How would one accomplish something so audacious? Surely the Court of Gods would be well guarded. Lemex will have ideas, she told herself. We don’t have to do anything yet. I’m— A man sat down at her table. Less colorfully dressed than most Hallandren, he wore an outfit made mostly of brown leather...
them from quivering. They know who I am, she thought, forcing herself to think logically. Either they recognize me, or... “You work for Lemex,” she said. Denth smiled widely. “See, Tonk? He said she was a clever one.” “Guess that’s why she’s a princess and we’re just mercenaries,” Tonk Fah said. Vivenna frowned. Are th...
hands in her lap. The two mercenaries waited with Parlin at the back of the room. The only other person present was a solemn nurse—the same woman who had informed Vivenna in a quiet voice that nothing more could be done. Lemex was dying. It was unlikely that he would last the day. This was the first Vivenna had seen Le...
hundred Breaths, I’d guess.” “That’s impossible,” Vivenna said. “He’s Idrian. He’d never accept Breath.” Denth shot a look at Tonk Fah, who was scratching his parrot’s neck. The bulky soldier just shrugged. Another wave of color came from Lemex. “He’s dying, Princess,” Denth said. “His Breath is going irregular.” Viven...
him. Yet without Lemex, she would have no help in the city, no one to guide her and provide refuge for her. She’d barely brought along enough money to cover lodging and meals, let alone bribes or supplies. She told herself that taking the Breath would be like using goods one had found in a bandit’s cavern. Did you thro...
vibrant cloud of shifting, iridescent air burst from his mouth, puffing toward her. Vivenna closed her mouth, eyes wide, hair white. She ripped her arm free from Lemex’s grip, even as his face grew dull, his eyes losing their luster, the colors around him fading. The Breath shot toward her. Her closed mouth had no effe...
you can dedicate yourself to contemplating your new place in life. It is an ancient and worthy practice, one that shows respect for the God King and his divine monarchy.” “Yes, but this is Hallandren,” Siri said. “It’s the land of laxness and frivolity! Surely you can see your way to making an exception.” Treledees sto...
made her hesitant about choosing her daily costume. She knew that she’d likely never see any of the options again. After dressing, she was free to do as she wished, assuming she didn’t leave the palace. When night came, she was bathed, then given a choice of luxurious gowns to wear into the bedchamber. As a matter of c...
didn’t worry about such things. They had servants to remind them of appointments. Bluefingers glanced at the door, then at her. When he saw that she was watching him, he immediately turned away. As he stood, he started shufﬂing his weight from foot to foot. What does he have to be nervous about? she thought with annoya...
both, then bowed herself down into her customary posture. Her back complained, and she ruefully contemplated another uncomfortable night. The least they could do, she thought, is make certain the fire is large enough. At night in the large stone palace, it got chilly despite the Hallandren tropical climate. Particularl...
She could see his eyes reﬂecting the firelight. She couldn’t make out much of his face, but he didn’t seem angry. He just seemed cold and distant. She almost cast her eyes down again, but hesitated. If snapping at him wouldn’t provoke a reaction, then looking at him wasn’t likely to either. So she turned her chin up an...
again last night. Llarimar had found that particularly meaningful. Lightsong was just disturbed. Everyone said that if war did come, Hallandren would easily win. But if that were the case, then why did he always dream of T’Telir burning? Not some distant Idrian city, but his own home. It means nothing, he told himself....
watched her go, looking miserable yet hopeful at the same time. One more petitioner had failed. That meant they would get a chance. A chance to beg Lightsong to kill himself. Lightsong stood suddenly, grabbing the cap off his head and tossing it aside. He rushed away, throwing open a door at the back of the room. It sl...
dramatic.” “Shall I call off the rest of the petitions, Your Grace?” Llarimar gave no sign of being annoyed by the outburst. “Sure, why not,” Lightsong said, waving a hand. “They really need a lesson in theology. They should already know what a useless god I am. Send them away, tell them to come back tomorrow—assuming ...
have to concentrate long enough. You see, the great thing about madness is that it’s all in your head.” Llarimar shook his head. “I see you’ve been restored to your normal humor.” “Scoot, you wound me. My humor is anything but normal.” They stood silently for a few more minutes, Llarimar offering no chastisement or com...
find someone who deserves your Breath. Then you can continue your journey across the Iridescent Wave. Our job, as your followers, is to provide Breath for you and keep you alive until you can accomplish your goal, whatever it may be. In the meantime, we pry for auguries and blessings, which can be gleaned only from one...
looking out the window. The God King’s palace was higher than the surrounding wall, and the bedroom faced east. Out over the sea. She watched the distant waves, feeling the heat of the afternoon sun. While she was wearing the thin shift, the warmth was actually pleasant, and it was tempered by a cool breeze blowing in ...
gone to stand watch outside. “Give it away, Princess?” Denth asked. “The Breath,” Vivenna said. She sat on a kitchen stool instead of one of the overly plush chairs or couches. “We will go out and find unfortunate people who have been raped by your culture, their Breath stolen, and I will give each one a Breath.” Denth...
has this problem? Do people worry that the moment they’re done paying him, he’ll laugh maniacally and cut off their toes?” “I like cutting off toes,” Tonk Fah noted. “That’s different,” Denth said. “You wouldn’t do it simply because your contract ran out, would you?” “Nah,” Tonk Fah said. “Toes is toes.” Vivenna rolled...
parrot mimicked the whistle. “She is a princess,” Denth said. “They tend to be ambitious sorts.” “Siri isn’t ready to deal with Hallandren,” Vivenna said, leaning forward. “My father sent her in my place, but I cannot stand the thought of her serving as the God King’s wife. Unfortunately, if we simply grab her and go, ...
bodyguards. What, then, were you doing helping Lemex with ‘projects’?” The two men shared a look. “Told you she was smart,” Tonk Fah said. “Comes from not being a mercenary.” “We are bodyguards, Princess,” Denth said. “However, we’re not without certain...skills. We can make things happen.” “Things?” Vivenna asked. Den...
“If only we knew someone with enough BioChromatic Breaths to instantly be considered important, and therefore gain entrance to the court without being questioned.” “Ah, Denth,” Tonk Fah said. “Someone has to have at least fifty Breaths to be considered worthy! That’s a terribly high number.” Vivenna paused. “And...how ...
expressions conveying a simple message. Of course you can. Siri felt foolish, but in Idris she’d never had a choice before. She smiled, standing and letting them take off her robe and then dress her in the first of the gowns, careful not to mess up her hair. Siri inspected herself, noting that the neckline was rather l...
And what of the plants in the city? The beautiful trees—even this grass that you enjoy walking across—would die if the rain did not fall.” “Well,” Lightsong said, “I could just will them to continue living.” “And that is what you do, Your Grace,” Llarimar said. “Your soul knows that rain is best for the city, and so it...
“I strive for nothing if not mediocrity, and mediocrity is hardly different. In fact, I should say that it’s highly in fashion in court these days.” “You shouldn’t say such things,” Blushweaver said. “The people might start to believe you.” “You mistake me. That’s why I say them. I figure if I can’t do properly deific ...
we get onto this tangent, anyway?” Lightsong said. “I swear, my dear. Sometimes our conversations remind me of a broken sword.” She raised an eyebrow. “Sharp as hell,” Lightsong said, “but lacking a point.” Blushweaver snorted quietly. “You’re the one who asked to meet with me, Lightsong.” “Yes, but we both know that y...
considering her dress’s long train. She’d eventually chosen a gown far more daring than anything she’d ever worn before. The neckline was a touch low, and it had no sleeves. It also had a curious design that covered the front of her legs with a short skirt, yet was ﬂoor–length in back. She’d picked it partially for the...
only about a dozen choices each day—and no hats. After she’d refused the first few, the servants had stopped offering them. Entourage after entourage arrived bearing a different set of colors—a hue and a metallic, usually. She counted the boxes. There was room for about fifty gods, but the court had only a couple of do...
a couple had more Breaths than Vivenna, who had reached all the way to the Third Heightening and the perfect color perception it granted. She turned away from her study of the crowd. She’d been tutored about the Heightenings, but she’d never expected to experience one firsthand. She felt dirty. Perverse. Particularly b...
to see the ideal resonance. To others...well, it was just a bunch of red. They passed the red palace, approaching the arena. Entertainment was central to the lives of the Hallandren gods. After all, one couldn’t expect gods to do anything useful with their time. Often they were diverted in their palaces or on the court...
arena itself. They moved through the stone benches, choosing a place that wasn’t too crowded, and Vivenna looked urgently through the boxes set above. The building was ornate, but not really very big, and so it didn’t take her long to locate Siri. When she did, her heart sank. My...sister, Vivenna thought with a chill....
see this properly. His clothing seemed to stretch, forming a robe-shaped rainbow in a colorful aura around him. And he was young. Far younger than her shadowed meetings had suggested. He had supposedly reigned in Hallandren for decades, yet the man standing behind her appeared to be no more than twenty. She stared at h...
up—their chatter beginning again—and reseated themselves. So...he’s not going to sit with me, she thought as she rose. A part of her was relieved, though another was just as frustrated. She’d been getting over her awe of being in Hallandren and being married to a god. Now he’d gone and impressed her all over again. Tro...
one to ask, Vessel. Let me fetch one of the priests. He can answer your questions. Just give me a—” “No,” Siri said, causing him to stop. “I don’t want a priest’s opinion—I want the opinion of a regular person, like you. A typical follower.” Bluefingers frowned. “All apologies, Vessel, but I’m not a follower of the Ret...
Returned receive.” “Oh,” Siri said, sitting back, finding herself oddly disappointed by the news. Susebron was not a god, he was simply a man with far more BioChroma than normal. But...what of the Returned themselves? Siri folded her arms again, still troubled. She’d never been forced to look objectively at what she be...
staring directly at Vivenna. She normally wouldn’t have paid him any attention. He was wearing ragged brown clothing, ripped in places, his loose trousers tied at the waist by a simple rope. His facial hair was halfway between being a beard and just scruff. His hair was unkempt and came down to his shoulders. And he cr...
borders of our own kingdom!” “They keep to themselves,” Nanrovah said. “Holding lands we don’t want anyway.” “Lands we don’t want?” Blushweaver’s priestess said, sputtering. “They hold every single pass to the northern kingdoms! Every workable copper mine! They have military garrisons within striking distance of T’Teli...
been in previous generations. Not less powerful in BioChroma, just less...divine. Less benevolent, less wise. Lightsong happened to agree. It had been three years since a Returned had given up his or her life to heal someone. The people were growing impatient with their gods. “There’s more, isn’t there?” he said, glanc...
Lifeless. That’s ten thousand soldiers who don’t need to eat, who can march tirelessly. If we convince the other three with Commands to join us...” Lightsong thought for a moment, then nodded and stood. “What are you doing?” Blushweaver asked, sitting up. “I think I’ll go for a stroll,” Lightsong said. “Where?” Lightso...
“Indeed, you are the daughter of a king. I assume that you know how important it is to a government that there be a secure, stable plan for succession.” “I guess.” “Therefore,” Treledees said, “you realize that it is of no small importance that an heir be provided as quickly as possible.” Siri blushed. “We’re working o...
concerns. I’ve been in the court for far too long, he thought to himself as he smiled pleasantly at the queen. All my life, actually. She was a small thing, much younger than he had expected. Barely a woman. She looked intimidated as he nodded to her, waiting while his priests arranged furniture for him. Then he sat, a...
visitation?” he said. “I believe it has no nature, Your Majesty, other than to appear natural—at which I have already failed by staring at you for far too long while thinking to myself about your place in this mess.” The queen frowned again. Lightsong popped a grape in his mouth. “Wonderful things,” he said, holding up...
understand in this city.” This woman is no fake, Lightsong thought, staring into her youthful, confused eyes. Or, if she is, then she’s the best actress I’ve ever met. That meant something. Something important. It was possible there were mundane reasons this girl had been sent instead of her sister. Sickness on the par...
frightening truth was, should she have been sent to become the God King’s bride, she would have been nearly as ineffective and confused as poor Siri undoubtedly was. They turned a corner, Vivenna trusting in Parlin’s amazing sense of direction to get them back to Lemex’s house, and they passed under the gaze of one of ...
Just turned out to be a section of different wood, but it was important to check.” “People get really clever when it comes to hiding important stuff,” Tonk Fah said with a yawn. “You know the thing I hate most about being a mercenary?” Denth asked, holding up a hand. Vivenna raised an eyebrow. “Splinters,” he said, wig...
were penned in her father’s familiar hand. Not the hand of her father’s scribe. Her father’s own hand. That had been her first clue. He only wrote his most personal, or most secret, communications on his own. Vivenna kept her hair under control. She deliberately breathed in and out. She didn’t look out the darkened win...
far more human. Why should she be so shocked to learn that? It doesn’t matter, she told herself. None of that matters. Factions in the Hallandren government were rallying the nation for war. Reading her father’s candid words, she finally believed him completely. Hallandren troops would likely march on her homeland befo...
Those plans were convincing enough to persuade my father, and the urgency of his letters has convinced me. We are going to continue Lemex’s work and undermine Hallandren’s ability to wage war.” The room fell silent. “And...your sister?” Parlin finally asked. “We will get her out,” Vivenna said firmly. “Her rescue and s...
usual, Bluefingers stood beside her, and he was the only other one in the hallway. He scribbled on his pad, giving no indication of how he always knew when it was time for her to enter. For once, she didn’t mind the delay, nervous though she was. It gave her more time to think about what she was going to do. The day’s ...
They listen, Siri thought. Bluefingers leaned in closer. “They would never watch, Vessel,” he whispered. “Remember, the God King is their holiest of deities. Seeing him nude, watching him with his wife...no, they wouldn’t dare. However, they aren’t above listening.” She nodded. “They are very concerned about an heir.” ...
He tensed. She could see it in the edges of his eyes and around his lips. She took another step forward, the white of her garment bending further into prismatic colors. The God King didn’t do anything. He just watched as she drew closer and closer. She stopped right in front of him. Then she turned from him and climbed...
Lightsong was sure that he felt. “Leave us, please,” Llarimar said to the servants. They hesitated, uncertain. When was a god without his servants? “Please,” Llarimar repeated, though somehow his tone indicated that it was not a request. Slowly, the servants filed from the room. Llarimar moved the tray of food, then sa...
bed.” Llarimar raised an eyebrow. “You don’t honestly believe that, do you, Your Grace?” Lightsong sighed. “You’re not going to give me a lecture about how even my inaction has political effects, are you?” Llarimar hesitated. “Perhaps. Like it or not, you are a part of the workings of this kingdom—and you produce effec...
I guide you, then we gain nothing.” “Except perhaps the life of a young girl who is being used as a pawn.” Llarimar paused. “Do your best, Your Grace,” he said. “That is all I can suggest.” Great, Lightsong thought as he stood. He didn’t know what his “best” was. The truth was, he’d never bothered to find out. Annotati...
didn’t look at him. “The old man didn’t seem to care much about heathen ways,” Tonk Fah noted. “Not with the number of Breaths he held. Of course, didn’t your daddy give him the money to buy them?” Vivenna closed her eyes. You hold those same Breaths, she told herself. You’re not innocent in all of this. She hadn’t bee...
kill the things—not without drawing the rest of them down on us. But we might be able to muck up the way the creatures work.” “That sounds dangerous,” Vivenna said. Denth glanced at Tonk Fah, who opened his eyes. They shared a smile. “What?” Vivenna asked. “Hazard pay,” Tonk Fah said. “We may not steal your money, but ...
we’ll—” At that moment, the door to the building ﬂew open, slamming against the other side of the wall. Vivenna looked up. A figure stood in the doorway—a tall, bulky man with unusually large muscles and ﬂat features. It took her a moment to register the other oddity about him. His skin was grey. His eyes too. There wa...
from a dead body, obviously. I didn’t do it myself—I just paid money for someone else to.” “Too much money,” Tonk Fah added. The creature clomped back into the room. It wasn’t unnaturally tall—not like a Returned. It could have been a normal, if well-muscled, man. Only the skin coloring, mixed with the emotionless face...
‘think I know,’ Denth,” Vivenna said. “It’s what I believe. A person’s body shouldn’t be abused by making it come back to life and serve you.” “Why not?” he asked. “Your own theology says a soul leaves when the body dies. The corpse is just recycled dirt. Why not use it?” “It’s wrong,” Vivenna said. “The family of the ...
And she hadn’t expected them to endanger her soul. “I’m not going to become an Awakener, Denth,” Vivenna said quietly. “I might turn a blind eye toward that Lifeless, for now. But I will not Awaken. I expect to take these Breaths to my death so that nobody else can benefit from harvesting them. No matter what you say, ...
at Vivenna. “He’s a step ahead of us. Been tailing your princess here. She saw him watching her at the court.” “Colors!” Denth swore, snapping a dueling blade into the sheath at his waist. “Colors, Colors, Colors!” “What?” Vivenna asked, paling. “Maybe it was just a coincidence. He could have just come to watch the cou...
silly, really, nothing to bother anyone else with. Just...” “What?” she asked. “You must not bear him a child,” Bluefingers said. “That is the danger, both to yourself and to the God King himself. This all...everything here in the palace...it is not what it appears to be.” “That’s what everyone says,” she snapped. “If ...
of course, he had seen her unclothed so often that it was a ridiculous gesture. The God King stood in his dark black clothing, looking uncertain in the hearth’s wavering light. She’d never asked her servants why he wore black. One would think that he would prefer white, which he could affect so dramatically with his Bi...

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