The coronation ceremony went about the same as the last one, except this time I numbly sang a mournful hymn that brought many to tears. Beforehand, I’d spotted mourners in black crowding the streets, facing the castle. Yesida had barely been emperor, but losing him was like losing a part of our culture, a part of our modern history, to these people. He’d been an icon to the poor, as well. For him to die so young, when he could have had hundreds of years to advance our society in ways we couldn’t imagine… It was no wonder the entire city mourned.

With my song finished, I returned to the front row of spectators. Then the priest announced Henlas as the next emperor, and he stepped forward, scowling deeply. His muscles bulged through his jacket, and he towered over the priest. His scalp was shaved, leaving scars visible, and his giant hands were thick and veiny. Good gods. If we had married today, he could have easily forced himself on me. I looked to Genet where he stood at the side of the room, and the grim look on his face confirmed that Henlas would have been the type.

I tried to slow my breathing before I got too dizzy. The wedding was only postponed. The Council would still hand me over to this man someday soon.

But when Henlas glanced my way, his eyes widened, and he quickly looked back to the priest. What had Genet done to him? Being half Henlas’s size and having a broken arm, how could he have possibly frightened this man so badly?

After the coronation, we moved to the ballroom just like we had after Yesida’s, but this time it was a somber affair. The musicians tried playing dance-worthy music, but very few guests took the bait, so they switched to playing calming pieces that faded into the background. The guests milled around muttering to each other, many of them glancing my way with curious looks as I stood near the wall.

They could stare all they liked. I had no control over my own reputation anymore, and I was beginning to wonder if it was the Council that was intent on slandering my name.

Genet stiffened beside me and took a subtle step forward. I followed his gaze to find Henlas approaching us, a nervous look on his face. He bowed slightly as he stopped a few feet away, but he didn’t seem to notice Genet even as my guard captain gave him a chilling stare. So, Genet must not have directly threatened him. Was it blackmail? Or did he have someone else do the threatening for him?

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“May we talk, Chosen?” Henlas asked.

I couldn’t exactly say no. “Of course.”

He offered a bulky arm, and I took it, feeling minuscule at his side. I’d thought I was fairly strong, at least after Yesida had started training me with knife and sword, but Henlas could probably snap my arm like a twig.

Genet moved to follow, but Henlas shooed him off with a sharp gesture. He scowled as he stayed behind.

“I wanted to apologize for the confusion around our engagement,” Henlas said as he guided me into the hallway. “It must seem like a cruel joke.”

“It’s all right. I heard you asked the Council to postpone the wedding. Thank you for that.”

“It was the least I could do.”

We walked in silence up the stairs and out onto a balcony. My nerves were rattled being so alone with him, but he wouldn’t dare hurt me—not visibly like this.

He watched me with outright fear in his eyes. “May I ask you something strange?”

“Of course.”

“Do you believe in demons?”

I certainly hadn’t expected that. I was stumped for words for a moment. “I’m not certain, to be honest. Why do you ask?”

“I haven’t spoken of it to anyone. It might sound like madness, but I had a vision of a demon. The things it showed me were…” He gulped. “I won’t speak of them. I hoped you might offer me your blessing, to hold it at bay.”

I was speechless again, but the fear in his eyes grew to panic.

He kneeled at my feet. “Please. I beg you.”

I wracked my mind for a blessing that might assuage his fears. One of the lesser gods wouldn’t do, as they ruled over very specific domains and held no power to fend off a demon. I’d never been asked to recite a blessing in Isenna’s name, but it seemed appropriate for the situation.

I placed my hand on his prickly scalp. “May Isenna guide you on a righteous path and shield you from evil. May you ever walk in her shadow.”

My arm burned, and I couldn’t move my hand. Smoke burst from my skin and transferred to Henlas, swallowing him whole for several seconds. It faded away, leaving him staring at me with wide eyes.

My hand was free, and I yanked it back. “Are you all right?”

He grabbed both my hands, nearly crushing my knuckles. “I felt her just now. Isenna. You truly are her Chosen.” Tears streamed down his face. “Thank you. Thank you.”

Black, intertwining lines crawled across his hands until they settled into a permanent marking.

“Look! Your blessing even marked me.” He launched to his feet, and I jumped back. “I must spread the word.”

“Wait!” But he was already through the door and barreling down the hallway.

He claimed the mark was a blessing, but to me, it looked far too much like a curse.