The Shadowed Throne by K. J. Taylor Read Free Book Online Page A

man, grouped around the altar and the statue that stood over it.
    Saeddryn took it all in and smiled to herself.
    â€œTruly, it is astonishing what humans make,” Aenae said quietly.
    â€œAye, it is.” Saeddryn walked on toward the altar, savouring the fact that all this beauty belonged to her.
    The Temple was deserted, except for a young novice priestess who was sweeping the floor around the standing stones. She wore the silver robe of any Temple initiate but cut less finely than that of a full-fledged priestess, and she looked up nervously when Saeddryn arrived.
    â€œMilady, I wasn’t expecting—sorry—”
    â€œGet away, Teressa,” Saeddryn snapped back, impatiently waving the girl away.
    The novice took the hint and hurried off.
    Left with only Aenae for company, Saeddryn went to the altar, her single eye fixed on the statue that stood over it.
    It was of a woman, carved out of white marble. She wasn’t much taller than Saeddryn, but still imposing, her stone face stern and cold. She had been carved with almost no clothing at all—a mantle of some kind hung over her shoulders, leaving her nearly naked, with her breasts exposed. Some had protested over that, but Arenadd had insisted.
    â€œThat’s what she looks like,” he had said, and nobody argued.
    For herself, Saeddryn liked the way the statue looked. It reminded her of her mother, Arddryn, and even of herself. Because, like her, the Night God only had one eye. A black gemstone had been set into the statue to represent it, while the other was a silver disc, representing the full moon.
    Saeddryn smiled up at the statue and tapped the patch that covered her own missing eye. Then she knelt.
    In front of her, the altar was carved from a single block of grey stone. A sharp silver knife lay on it, and now Saeddryn picked it up. She stabbed the point into her thumb and smeared the blood onto the altar, murmuring the ritual words.
    â€œWith this offering of true Northern blood, I call to ye.”
    She waited for a long moment after that, calming her mind and collecting her thoughts. Then, when she felt ready, she took a deep breath to begin her prayer.
    â€œSaeddryn!”
    The voice cut across her, instantly breaking the spell of the Temple.
    Saeddryn’s eye narrowed, but she ignored it and breathed deeply again. This was more important.
    â€œSaeddryn.”
Footsteps came up behind her, and the voice grew louder.
    Saeddryn stood up sharply, and turned. “Can’t ye see I’m trying to pray here?” she snapped.
    The intruder hesitated. “I’m sorry, but it’s important.”
    Saeddryn sighed. “Fine. What is it, Torc?”
    Her husband rubbed a hand through his hair. “It’s not like you to pray in the daytime.”
    â€œI’ve got plenty to pray for right now if ye hadn’t guessed,” said Saeddryn. She eyed him with a hint of caution—it wasn’t like him to come into the Temple at all. It had always seemed to make him uneasy.
    â€œI know you do,” said Torc. “Saeddryn . . .”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’ve got to stop this,” said Torc. “Stop antagonising the Queen. You’re going to get yourself into trouble. You’ll get
all
of us into trouble.”
    â€œWe’re already in trouble,” Saeddryn growled back. “In case ye hadn’t noticed. We’re in deep trouble. Not just ye and me, but our children as well. The whole North is in trouble, for that matter—what did ye think I was prayin’ for?”
    â€œIt doesn’t have to be,” said Torc. “Yes, Arenadd’s gone, but we’re still here, and we can keep protecting our people. But this—what you’re doing isn’t the way to do that.”
    â€œIt’s exactly what I have to do,” said Saeddryn. She curled her lip at him. “D’ye think a real Taranisäii is going to take orders from a