Conical breasts glinted at my eye-level. The stones at the edge of the fountain dug into my knees. Beams of sunlight beat on my back, and sweat trickled from my tight curls down my neck and spine. I inclined my head and murmured into my clasped hands.

"Goddess Rashika, please guide me in your ways and protect my heart from the whispers of Fallen and Lesser Gods. Bless me with the strength and will to defend my Kingdom against all threats, even those..."

A dark, enchanting stare filled my mind, and a phantom touch tingled on my palm.

Even those from within.

"Epsa! You're still alive!"

I startled, and one knee slipped off the fountain edge and dunked into the shallow pool of water swirling around the Goddess's feet. Scowling, I clambered to my feet and whipped toward the unwelcome intruder.

"You can't sneak up on me when I am praying, Pim."

His massive shoulders shook with violent snorts of laughter. "Admit it—you were just ogling the sacred tits."

"That is no way to speak of the one supreme Goddess."

Pim clasped his hands in front of his face and bowed to the gleaming statue. "Forgive me, Goddess Rashika. Your bountiful bosom is truly worthy of praise." Then he swung toward me. "Now, speaking of a bountiful bosom... how did it go with the infamous Izra?"

"It didn't go." I swiped excess water from the sopping knee of my trousers. "She turned me down."

"No! I can't believe it. Seven hells, even I wouldn't be able to turn you down, and my preferences are extremely defined."

"You mean your preference for Prince Makandi."

His gaze flicked toward the arched door from the courtyard to the palace. "First, don't say that so loudly, and second, I moved on from that years ago." He chewed his lip, eyes still locked on the door. "Though... how is he?"

"Pim, he has a wife and son."

His broad shoulders scrunched to his ears. "Eh, I still think he prefers men."

I swept my eyes skyward and folded my arms over my chest. "Alright, now your turn. How did your mission go?"

Feathery blonde eyebrows crept up the bulge of his forehead. "I don't believe it."

"What?"

"You are asking for a story!"

"I'm asking for a report on your battle with the Trogolese."

"Still counts." With a grin, Pim plopped down right where he stood, folded his long legs in front of him, and wiggled side-to-side to settle in. "Alright, so the Kingdom learns that an enemy ship sails our way, and the valiant Royal Guard sets out to face the Trogolese at... would you stop pacing, please?"

"I know this part."

"One cannot start in the middle of a story."

I perched on the stone ridge of the fountain beside him. "Continue."

"Out at sea, these strapping young warriors spot the blue flag of Trog on a giant warship. They swing onboard and begin to cut down those fur-faced—Epsa, what are you doing?"

My hand froze, palm hovering one inch above a furry black spider on the stone beside me. "Eliminating a pest. Is that a problem?"

"Maybe he came to hear the story. Spare the little bugger, eh?"

I slid my hand back into my lap. "You're lucky I missed you."

He cleared his throat. "Though massive and remarkably hideous, the Trogolese prove no match for King Makapu's Royal Guard. Within minutes, the rest of the brutes run away with their tails between their legs, and..." He jerked up alternating shoulders with each syllable: "Happ-y for-ev-er more!"

"They ran away? I thought you were on a ship?"

Pim pushed his cheek out with his tongue, causing the long pink scar to wriggle. "Well, they sailed away—on a bunch of little lifeboats."

"Lifeboats headed where?"

He curled his hand over his mouth and coughed a word.

I stiffened. "Pim, did you just say Rakim? This is the worst story I have ever heard!"

"Well, it's really more of a saga."

"Merciful Goddess, what if they attack a Rakim village?" I propped my elbows on my knees and dropped my face into my hands. "This is just like twenty years ago."

"No." His voice grew soft, and a giant hand settled over my knee. "What happened to your mother will not happen to anyone else, Epsa. We already found a few lifeboats along the shoreline between Fooja and Rakim. As soon as King Makapu gives the order, we'll enter the forest to hunt them all down. And now that Izra turned you down, maybe the King will let you help us! You could even find the one with wooden teeth, eh?"

I stared at the packed dirt between the gaps in my fingers. "King Makapu wants me to try again with Izra this Darkday."

"But this Darkday is the Day of Blessings. Isn't that when you had that... episode?"

The humiliating memory rapped on the door to my mind, but I denied entrance. "That was five years ago."

"Still, King Makapu knows this is a difficult time of year for you to be out among people."

I lifted my head and dropped my hand to grip the stone ridge. "King Makapu knows I am strong."

* * *

By the time Chief Taroom's family arrived, Makandi was already drunk.

Around the dining room table, a gold chalice of prak perched at the corner of each gold-embroidered placemat next to porcelain platters rimmed in gold. King Makapu sat at the head of the table, with Queen Romalda to his right, followed by Princess Paranil, Prince Makandi and me. 

The silky fabric of another gown borrowed from Paranila slipped between my thighs and fluttered around my feet, and my scalp itched from the plaited braids that twisted back to a puff at the nape of my neck.

I sideglanced Makandi as he guzzled from the chalice. "Makandi, perhaps you should slow down."

He twisted toward me, dark eyes shiny. "What's this, Epsa? You are actually speaking to me?"

I hummed a sigh. "I think you drink more than Pim, and he must be twice your weight."

He plunked the chalice on the table and raised his eyebrows. "Who is Pim?"

Indignance pricked my chest on Pim's behalf, but I kept my voice neutral. "The Royal Guard member I always practice with. Remember, you used to practice with us sometimes, before..."

Before you changed.

He clucked and snapped a finger at me. "Oh! The colorless barbarian who was always telling terrible stories?"

"Ah... yes. That would be Pim."

Muffled voices carried from the entryway, and King Makapu rose from his chair. As he strode toward the door, his embroidered gold frock hugged his muscles and swished over his knees. Chief Taroom met him in the archway, escorted by two Fooja guards. A royal blue vest stretched over the Chief's broad chest, straining the copper buttons. His thinning brown hair parted at one side.

"King Makapu!" Chief Taroom's chocolate eyes warmed with his smile. "It has been a while. Such a pleasure to see you again, Your Majesty."

Like all of our visitors from Fooja, the Chief spoke a little too loudly and articulated each syllable as though for a half-wit. Of the five chiefs who ruled a tribal state under the command of the King, Chief Taroom of Fooja irked me most. But the Fooja peninsula provided crucial support in our battles against Trog, and anyway, it was not my place to form opinions. I was lucky to be given a seat at the table with the Royal Family.

King Makapu stretched out a hand to shake the Chief's. "The pleasure is all mine." In contrast to the Chief's blunt delivery, the King's smooth bass slid over his words with a refined elegance. "I am delighted you have invited yourself to our home once again."

While Chief Taroom folded himself into the chair to the left of the table's head, his family sidled through the archway. 

They appeared as I remembered, minus a few changes. Silver now streaked the long brunette hair of the Chief's wife, Ellavy. Their son, Joop, filled out his clothing better than before. However, the most significant change was the addition of a tiny boy wrapped in the arms of Joop's pale wife, Venn. He had inherited Joop's thick chestnut hair rather than Venn's limp blond locks, but his faded gray eyes betrayed his mother's northern heritage.

As Ellavy, Venn, and Joop took the seats across from the Royal Family, Chief Taroom swung a hand toward the child still in Venn's arm. "Meet my grandson, Karoo. We just celebrated his first birthday. Isn't he a handsome little fellow?"

Princess Paranila's lips strained in a twitchy imitation of a smile. "I suppose anyone who loves children would adore him."

Venn nuzzled the top of the boy's head. "Sweetheart, can you say hello?"

Karoo gave one long blink as his head swiveled to take in all the eyes. Then he ducked his face into his mother's armpit. Venn stroked his hair fondly, and Joop, Ellavy, and Taroom all chuckled as though the child had done something remarkable.

When their chuckles died out, an awkward silence hung in the air.

Chief Taroom cleared his throat. "Prince Makandi, your son must be growing big now and partaking in all kinds of new activities!"

Prince Makandi lifted a finger to flag down a servant and pointed to his empty chalice. As the servant trotted around the table toward him, Makandi obliged Chief Taroom with a wry smile.

"Makari is certainly increasing in size, as children are so adept at doing."

I remembered Makari flinching in my arms a few days prior upon overhearing the argument between his grandfather and father. You refuse to act like a father for Makari. My eyes flitted to Karoo, whose head still nestled in Venn's shoulder as her hand rubbed his back, and I bit my tongue over advice I knew I could not give, at least not in front of visitors.

See, Makandi? That is how children should be treated. That is the love Makari needs.

Fortunately, King Makapu delivered the scolding I could not, emitting a low sound almost like a growl and searing Makandi with a thin-lipped smile. "Prince Makari is a lovely child. He is in the nursery at the moment, but perhaps he can play with little Karoo another day. Now then, let us get started with a prayer before dinner."

In unison, heads bowed around the table, and I lifted folded hands to my face and dropped my forehead to brush my knuckles. After a moment of silence, King Makapu spoke.

"Goddess Rashika, despite all you have done for us, there are those who refuse to obey you. Twenty years ago on this very day, the Trogolese who worship the Paksha Sea Monster launched a brutal attack on Rakim civilians along the shore."

A distant repressed memory tickled my chest like coarse wool, but I quickly brushed it aside. This was a day for praising the Goddess, not a day for wallowing in memories. 

And I was stronger than wool.

The King continued. "Then ten years ago, the heathens who worship the Lesser Gods burned down Rashika's Refuge, an orphanage founded in your name. And now Rashika's Resistance openly defies you. Dear Goddess, guide us in rooting out those who spit upon your name, and we will create a kingdom in your image once more."

Then he rang the petite golden bell at the side of his table mat, and more servants bustled into the room from both doors. Platters of poached salmon sizzled, broccoli florets peaked between slabs like flowers on a lilac bush, and the aroma of the buttered garlic potatoes wafted through the air.

As the platters decorated the tables and more prak filled the chalices, Chief Taroom addressed the King.

"Your Majesty, since you mentioned those who worship Lesser Gods... I have heard you are capturing and imprisoning some civilians simply for bowing to Acrador or praying for Valavira's blessing."

King Makapu frowned and tapped his lower lip with one finger. "Chief Taroom, those we invite into our prisons are already held captive by false gods. We show them the light and then free them."

"Ah, yes," said Taroom. "I do understand that, but... you see, most of those in Busk and Bund still worship the Lesser Gods."

"Well, I do hope to eventually purge the whole nation, but the northern barbarians will come last. Right now, the Kingdom is our priority."

The Chief swallowed. "That's not... quite what I meant to suggest."

The King arched an eyebrow, and one silver strand poked free from the thick black line. "Oh? Do explain."

Chief Taroom flushed crimson.

Ellavy took over.

"You see, Your Majesty, our own sweet daughter-in-law is from Bund."

"Ah." The King gave a slow nod and then raised a palm to gesture at Venn. "Tell me, dear... do you worship the Lesser Gods?"

Chief Taroom and Ellavy both stiffened, eyes flicking between King Makapu and Venn. Joop clasped Venn's hand and squeezed tightly enough that his knuckles whitened to match her skin, and Karoo buried his face deeper in Venn's shoulder.

Finally, Venn released a shaky laugh. "Of course not, Your Majesty. I worship only the one true Goddess."

King Makapu's gaze returned to the Chief. "Then I really don't see what the problem is."

Chief Taroom worried one corner of his lower lip and glanced at Ellavy to his left. Ellavy turned to Queen Romalda, who sat stiff as a corpse on King Makapu's right.

"Queen Romalda, you have been awfully quiet. Have you ever considered whether a queen might guide her husband on matters of compassion?"

Chief Taroom turned to whisper to Ellavy, words still loud enough to carry through the room. "Ellavy, sweetheart, Queen Romalda is not in good health. And anyway, I'm sure she wishes to support her husband in all matters."

Queen Romalda coughed delicately. "Oh, please. Do not mistake my silence for support."

Ellavy's mouth dropped slightly ajar, and she raised her eyebrows at the Queen. "Then perhaps you see some validity in our concerns, Your Majesty?"

The Queen flicked a bony wrist. "Frankly, dear, I just don't care."

A silence followed, broken only by Makandi swigging from his chalice. Then King Makapu clapped his hands together.

"Well," said the King, "Now that we've settled that, let's begin eating."

For the next twenty minutes, forks scratched plates, chalices met lips, and servants and guards shifted from foot to foot in both doorways. When Chief Taroom's booming voice broke the trance, I jolted in my seat.

"Epsa, wasn't your mother one of the victims from that attack twenty years back? You must miss your home."

Against my will, my eyes drifted to Karoo again, and my lungs burned as though I had inhaled a pin cushion. Someone once loved me like that. 

I forced the thought aside. I was stronger than needles.

"This is my home now, sir. I am forever grateful to King Makapu for rescuing me and providing refuge."

"Hmm." The Chief brought another forkful of fish to his mouth and nodded as he chewed. When he swallowed and set down his fork, he said, "An honor indeed that the King himself found the time to rescue you."

Princess Paranila's tongue parted from the roof of her mouth with a wet cluck. "Chief, our dear King cares deeply for his people—even the lowest among us."

Makandi snorted into his chalice.

King Makapu laid his fork down beside his plate. "What was that, Makandi? Did you have something to say?"

"No, Father." Makandi leaned back and kicked his right leg up to plant his shoe on the table beside his plate. His left leg crossed over his right knee, pointed gold toe bobbing in the air. "Do tell us more about how much you care for the people."

King Makapu's eyes locked on the bobbing toe for several seconds before swinging toward Joop. "Joop, I hear you are working very hard these days to balance all of your duties."

"Yes, Your Majesty," said Joop. "I know I must help my father rule Fooja and prepare for the day I become Chief, but I sometimes wish I could spend all day with Venn and Karoo."

The King smiled and nodded. "You know, Chief Taroom, many fathers must wish their own sons were more like Joop."

Makandi stiffened. The chalice slowly lowered to rest beside his plate, and then he slid one foot at a time off of the table.

"Quite right," said Chief Taroom with a smile. "I'm so very proud of him."

Makandi jerked up to standing and left the room.

I almost pitied Makandi for a moment before reminding myself he had more than earned this reproval. The King, as always, acted with exemplary justification.

In the silence that followed, Queen Romalda dug out the vial from her pouch and lifted it unnecessarily high over her chalice, tipping it just far enough that each drop of clear sleep medicine splashed the prak in a distinct plip. Then she tucked the vial away once more and drew the chalice in a small circle on the table, a quiet scritch of gold against marble.

Joop eyed the door where Makandi had exited and furrowed his brow. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, dear boy," said King Makapu. "I am sure you never say anything wrong. Now why don't we finish this meal with some cinnamon cake crisps?"

A cold stone expanded in my stomach. Though years had passed since my last cinnamon crisp, I still recalled the sweet crumble disintegrating to rotten slime at the back of my throat. Disintegrating as quickly as my life had.

"Your Majesty." My voice cracked slightly. "Perhaps it is time for me to attend the Coupling?"

The King's eyes held mine for a moment, and his analytical gaze penetrated my barriers. "Epsa... I know the Day of Blessings is a hard time for you. That means this is a chance for you to prove yourself. How strong are you?"

For a moment, my mother's face flashed before my eyes, beautiful dark eyes twinkling as she cradled me in her arms. The stone in my gut shoved up against my diaphragm. Then I seized back control, took a deep breath, and pushed to my feet.

"I am strong enough, Your Majesty."

Stronger than stone.