Scheming Against Devotion (Book 2 of The Transition of Pinn)

Ivy:

The market square is buzzing with activity. Market day is here again, a time for Pinns to meet and gossip, shop, and eat. A happy day, full of sunshine and the smell of slowly burning meat from one of the stands. Vendors shout out their prices to passersby, eager to feel the cold metal of coins lacing their palms.

All in the same place where they murdered a woman not a week and a half ago.

It’s surreal and distracting like I’m floating in an alternative reality.

I had to choose a chair at the café facing away from the goddess’ temple just to stop starring at it- examining it from afar as though from this distance I can see any remnants of those horrid events.

I shouldn’t have agreed to lunch with Linda, but I couldn’t stand being in my room for one more day. I couldn’t hang around the house without the risk of running into Giddean and I needed to get out. And, well, with my relationship with Elena on the rocks and a lack of desire to step foot into the Female Center ever again, my options were limited.

Linda makes her small talk as I have begun to recognize is her signature conversations- the weather, the arrival of a new chosen, some fancy dinner, or another. Well, that and asking about the potential arrival of grandsons, a subject I would very much like to avoid.

Giddean and I won’t be doing anything that would bring her grandsons is a very long time.

I have been considering escape again- or still, perhaps. Yesterday, I waited until Giddean was out of the house before sneaking out of my room to ask James about when the Captain might be returning. James gave me a look that means so much and so little at the same time. Sadly, he doesn’t know when the Captain will be back…

It’s like they all know I’m a flight risk and I feel that despite the fact I have been hiding in my room that they are watching me. Even now, Sean stands next to Linda’s favorite café watching me like I about to take off despite the stink eye Linda keeps giving him. Perhaps he is waiting for me to make a misstep and then bring me back into the fold. Or maybe not? I have been warned often enough to keep Giddean happy. What if he isn’t happy now?

I have to be realistic. If I can’t escape I have to make up with Giddean. If one thing has been made clear to me, it’s that my life lies relies upon his happiness. Not that Giddean has ever said anything, but how long can I avoid him before he sends me away? Or even, how long will he wait for me to give him a son before he gives up? No, I have to make a move soon, whether it’s something I want or not.

At least he is good looking.

We finished our lunch a while ago and are just lingering. Perhaps I should be happy that Linda is so willing to keep the conversation going by herself because I think I haven’t been contributing my fair share. I can’t. I still too upset. I can’t really remember what I just ate….

Suddenly in the corner of my eye, I see Elena. I turn my head towards her, sitting up straighter. I feel butterflies in my stomach. She is alone walking into the café, not paying attention to anyone left or right. I attempt to give her a little wave, just to see if she will acknowledge me or if she is still mad over what happened to her son, but she continues to walk into the café without looking my way.

Disappointed, I slouch back into my chair in an attempt to hide from any gossipers waiting to pounce on my misfortune.

“Such an embarrassment” I feel a twinge of shame before I look over to see Linda watching at Elena, “To act like that. Has she apologized?”

I shake my head in confusion, “Sorry?”

“Mrs. Senator Brawn.” Linda waves in Elena’s direction, “I heard all about her ridiculous overreaction at the Female Center”

I twist my fingers in my lap, shame filling me. “Her son was hurt” I defend Elena quietly.

Linda snorts in disagreement, “It was just the Splitting. All Pinn boys go through it and Elena knows this.”

“I’ve never heard of it”

“You will once you are pregnant. It’s one of the things the doctor talks to you about” Linda explains.

“It was quite scary”

Linda waves her hand again as if to say it’s unimportant, “The boy will be fine in a few weeks. I remember when Giddean went through it- he was inconsolable, but he was right as rain in a few weeks.”

“Oh?”

“It’s just some medical thing, dear. Think of it as teething on Pinn”

I nod. God, that was a natural process? It was horrible. My mind flashes to the screams of the little boy in such pain.

“Shall we head out? I have to get ready; Jona is bringing the Lord Mayor over for dinner”

“Oh, of course” I stand pushing my chair back.

Together we walk over to where Sean is standing watch.

“We will have to have you and Giddi over for dinner sometime soon. I know Jona gets to see him all the time at work, but I would like to see my son in person sometime”

I smile at her, “Of course, we would be happy to come for dinner”

Sean gives me a look of disbelief, but what did he think I was going to say to the man’s mother? I wasn’t going to let her know that we weren’t exactly on speaking terms.

As Linda takes her leave, I turn to Sean who is giving me weird looks.

“I want to do something before we head home”

Sean grunts in response and I have to prevent myself from rolling my eyes.

I walk into the busy market, people giving me more space than last time with my large bodyguard trailing closely behind me. Perhaps there are some advantages to having Sean around.

I stop in front of the stand I was looking for. The sweet scent of flowers pervasive in the air, water puddling on the ground.

“How much for a bouquet of the roses?” I point to the brightly colored flowers in the bucket on the corner of the stand before me.

“For you, only 100 harrings” the middle-aged man behind the table responds.

“I’ll take it”

“Giddean prefers the jinons” my silent guard speaks pointing to a violet leafy plant on the table.

“Mmmm” I say ignoring him, “Can I have two rose bouquets?”

“Yes, yes!” the vendor replies grabbing bunches of the flowers and wrapping them together using what looks like a green twine.

I fish the needed coins out of my pouch and hand them over to the vendor who looks down at them with glee before handing me my two bouquets.

“Come on, Sean” I call before walking away from the stand and towards the far side of the market.

I feel brave, determined even, as I walk through the market my head held high.

I approach the dreaded spot. The steps of the temple shine bright white under the sun, no traces of blood mare the glistening stone.

On these crisp white steps, I place one of my bouquets. The bright colors contrast with the steps. It marks them as the place of her death rather than the grand steps of the temple. It looks better this way. At least there is something-something to signify what happened here.

The Pinns have forgotten about her, but I have not.