The Glittering Court (The Glittering Court, #1)(35)

“It’s not something I can just stop being. It’s part of me.”

“They could kill you if you’re caught!”

“I know. Believe me, I’m well aware of that. And it’s something I’ve long come to terms with.” I shivered as another icy wind passed over us. He looked me over, his face turning incredulous. “Come on, let’s talk somewhere warmer before you get hypothermia.”

“Like the drawing room?” I asked. “I’m sure your dangerous and illegal beliefs will make compelling conversation back at the party! We’re not going anywhere until I understand what’s going on. I’m fine. I put on a cloak.”

“Then why are you turning blue?”

“You can’t see that well out here!”

“I can see that cloak is just meant to cover you going from a carriage to a party. Not prancing around on the longest night of the year. If you won’t go inside, then go over there at least.” Off to the side of the clearing was a small lean-to, open on two sides, used to store tools and wood. I squeezed inside it and found it blocked some of the wind. Cedric joined me, and I started to cringe as he approached, still frightened by the memory of him in the firelit diamond, living out the tales of horror I’d heard.

To my surprise, he unbuttoned his scarlet greatcoat and pulled me toward him, enveloping me in the folds of the heavy fabric. The warmth it offered dampened my fear. I smelled the familiar cologne I liked so much and could make out nearly every detail of his face in the moonlight now that we were closer. Out of necessity, I moved closer to the warmth he offered and realized what he’d said was true. It was just him, the same Cedric I’d known for nearly a year. And that made the situation even more terrifying.

“They could kill you,” I repeated, the full weight of that hitting me.

The Osfridian ecclesiastical courts sometimes offered soft sentences to women or foreigners caught practicing the Alanzan faith. Imprisonment. Fines. But an Osfridian citizen—a man? That could—and often did—result in execution. The priests were getting zealous about keeping Osfrid pure. And the king was uneasy about a religion that advocated every member having a voice instead of one all-powerful leader.

“And that’s why you need to go to Adoria,” I suddenly realized, speaking my thoughts aloud. “It’s why you fought for all of this with your father and put your classes on hold, isn’t it? So you can practice safely in Cape Triumph.” Although the Osfridian colonies still fell under the crown’s law, a number of them had charters allowing for certain exceptions and liberties. Religion was one that came up a lot. Shipping heretics across the sea was easier than trying to stamp them out in the motherland, so long as it resulted in taxes and trade goods being sent back.

“It’s not legal in Cape Triumph,” he said. “No colonies sanction Alanzan worship. Not yet.”

I tilted my head, having to do some complicated maneuvering to look him in the eye while still staying in the protection of his greatcoat. I understood now why these coats were so popular in the rugged conditions of Adoria.

“Is there going to be one?” I asked.

“Well, not strictly Alanzan. But there’s a charter being drawn up for a colony called Westhaven that would allow freedom of religion to all who lived there. Us. The errant priests. And the Heirs of Uros—those who haven’t already gone north, at least.”

“So you can go there and be safe,” I said, surprised to feel relief on his part.

“It’s in the very early stages.” Some of that earlier melancholy underscored his words. “The boundaries and laws are still being established. It’s not open to all settlers yet—only those who buy a stake in the company’s initial charter. It’s a great opportunity to be one of the early investors—lots of potential for leadership and immediate safety if you can get that membership. But it’s not cheap.”

“And that’s why you procured, isn’t it?” I asked. “It wasn’t enough to simply get passage to Adoria on family business. You needed money of your own.”

“Yes. But I’m going to come up short.”

I winced. “Because you recruited a Sirminican and an imposter who are going to get you mediocre commissions.”

“You’re only an imposter when it comes to sewing and ‘bleaching’ vegetables.”

I smacked his chest, too annoyed to wonder how he’d heard about the asparagus incident. “This is serious! You need to get out of Osfrid. You need to get to this safe place . . . if there is such a thing for someone like you.”

I couldn’t say for sure, but it seemed as though he flinched at someone like you. “It’s not just about safety. It’s about freedom. Freedom to be who I am without putting on a show for everyone else.” He gestured back at the diamond. “Without having to sneak around.”

His words echoed my own, spoken months ago when I’d begged him to keep my cover. I understood his longing for freedom, even if I didn’t understand the motivation behind it. I’d fought hard to get on a path that would let me seize control of my life, and it had been with his help.

“Well, you don’t have that freedom yet. So why worship right on the Glittering Court’s grounds?”

“I didn’t expect anyone to be out here,” he said pointedly. “If it had been up to me, I wouldn’t have come to the manor at all today—I’d be off worshipping with others instead of doing a solitary ritual. You’re celebrating the end of exams, but for me, this is one of the holiest nights of the year. I had to come offer praise before your party started.”