The Chamber of Confessions was a spacious room built on a trapezoidal plan. Its main element was a table in the shape of a wide-open circle, at which several dozen people could be seated. In its central place was a woman with black hair pinned up in an elegant bun.
Bastet placed the document she was reading back in a folder. When Lannahi stopped a step away, the Arbiter asked politely, “How can I help you?”
“I wish to issue a Challenge.”
Without showing the slightest sign of surprise, Bastet gestured at an empty chair. “Have a seat, please.”
The coppery flash of the fountain pen in Bastet’s hand evoked the image of a knife, but Lannahi quelled the rise of panic. The Chamber of Confessions was likely the safest place in the building.
Though the Arbiter’s face was smooth, one look into her dark eyes was enough for Lannahi to know that she was dealing with an aged fae. Only they looked at the world with such boredom.
“Your name?” Bastet asked.
“Lannahi, daughter of Sarkal and Asirri.”
The Arbiter froze, then raised her gaze and scrutinized Lannahi as if she had only now noticed her.
“Whom do you want to Challenge, Sarkal’s daughter?”
“Lizaar, Queen of Goldfrost.”
The flicker of Bastet’s eyelids was barely discernible, but Lannahi was trained in careful observation.
Have I interested you?she thought ironically.
The Arbiter lowered her gaze to the sheet of paper that lay before her and after a brief pause, put her pen to it. Her movements were precise… too precise.
I’ve definitely interested you.
Lannahi restrained her bitterness. She knew from the beginning that she would be making a spectacle of herself. There was no point in becoming irritated.
When Bastet finished writing, Lannahi politely bid her farewell and left the chamber. She pretended that she didn’t feel the weight of what she had just done.
When she closed the door behind her, the guard asked, “Will something interesting happen soon?”
She forced a smile. “We will see.”
Lannahi started along the corridor, mentally preparing herself to return to the Main Hall. The space was quickly becoming crowded. She guessed that the Dance Tournament was over and quickened her pace. She didn’t want to arouse suspicion.
The sudden appearance of Letiri gave her heart a violent lurch. The thought that it could have been Nihhal triggered another.
“Lannahi.” Her sister’s voice was dripping with sweetness. “You missed all the dance performances. Father is displeased.”
Instead of stopping Letiri from entering her personal space, Lannahi pushed aside the association of a snake wrapping its length around its prey and allowed her sister to take her arm.
To avoid attracting attention, Letiri leaned in and whispered, “Don’t be shy, Lannahi. Father may be unhappy that you disappeared for so long, but the compliments he has received on your behalf fills him with pride. I’m sure he’ll forgive your… minor delay.”
Lannahi knew that her sister wanted to say “moment of weakness,” but she ignored it. The conclusion that she needed a moment to cool down after the performance was not only true but also saved Lannahi from difficult questions.
“I didn’t want to cause confusion,” Lannahi said in a tone that suggested it wasn’t exactly an excuse.
Letiri smiled lightly. “Tell that to our brother. Maybe he will listen to you.”
Lannahi let the wave of anger crash over the shore of her determination. She said nothing.
They reached the entrance hall and climbed the stairs. Letiri quickly located their parents and directed Lannahi toward the table where they stood sipping nectar in the company of King Allil.
“Here is your lost treasure,” Allil told Sarkal when they approached.
