The Wings of Ashtaroth

Chapter 18: Saviours: Section I: Iridescia

Iridescia: The Palace: Ipsis: Indas

Iridescia skidded to a stop at the sound of voices. She pressed herself as flat as she could against the palace wall. Sharp corners of carved faces dug into her back from an ancient relief, but she held still, bathed in shadow as two courtiers gossiped their way down the corridor.

"—seemed surprised that Marianus is alive."

"You think he was sick?"

As soon as the courtiers turned down another hallway, Iridescia bolted for the servants' passage she'd used months ago.

She had to reach Liberio's rooms.

Roewyn had been in Star's clutches almost a week to the day, and Iridescia had spent every minute of each of those days trapped in her room and imagining ways to rescue her. All Iridescia's guests had been pre-approved, and she'd only been allowed to see Liberio when Star herself was present. Last time, Liberio had slipped Iridescia a message on a scrap of papyrus.

Hadrianus's troops march east two days from now.

Guards from all over the palace had been commandeered to attend Hadrianus's grand speech, including the guards responsible for watching Iridescia's door. But locks couldn't bar supple fingers, and Iridescia had made short work of hers.

Iridescia couldn't free Roewyn alone. She didn't even know how to get to her. If she could get to Liberio, the two of them could escape the palace and make a plan.

Two slaves carrying bowls of water entered the narrow corridor from a hidden doorway and Iridescia lowered her head. With her braids tucked under a plain white headscarf and her stola traded for a pale brown tunic, hopefully they'd think her one of their own.

"Sorry," one of the slaves said as she squeezed past Iridescia.

Iridescia flattened herself against the wall to let them pass and nodded after them. Neither of the slaves paid her any mind, focused on balancing the water. Before they could take a second look, Iridescia scampered off. She kept her head down all the way to the stairs leading to Liberio's rooms. None of the other slaves she passed took any notice.

Alone now, Iridescia hesitated before the steps.

The passage upwards was dark, the sconces that should have born light-giving torches left empty. In the darkness, the stone steps seemed steeper and harder to climb—a cave mouth ready to swallow her whole.

Roewyn needed her.

Iridescia ran straight up the stairs without looking back and beat her fists against the door.

There was a latch on Iridescia's side. She slid the latch open, but the door wouldn't push inwards—it was locked from Liberio's side. She banged on the door again.

From within came the sound of a chair scraping stone, then footsteps.

Star. It could easily be Star inside and not Liberio at all—or maybe they were both inside. They'd open the door and Star would grab Iridescia and—

Iridescia took two steps back, fists clenched, ready to run.

"Hello?" Liberio called. "Meri?"

Iridescia froze. Meri must be one of his slaves. Hopefully Liberio liked Meri because there was no way for Iridescia to tell him otherwise.

There was a thump and a clink as Liberio slid the key into the lock and unbolted the door. It opened with a creak.

Iridescia held her breath. Star could still be inside, though Liberio's tone suggested otherwise. She braced herself against the wall just in case the door opened on Star's evil face and Star tried to push her down the stairs.