The clear peal of bells echoed through the air. Michelle’s eyes lightened. “Will you be joining us for mass?”
Relief seeped into Amaia’s bones. “No, sorry, but I must be getting home. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Maybe I’ll join you here more permanently in the future.” Amaia was delighted to have such an easy out. She didn’t care that it probably seemed odd for a woman curious about the sisterhood to decline mass, but it was only a fraction of the absurdity of Amaia taking part in a religious service. She didn’t trust herself to keep a straight face, and she didn’t want to be rude to Michelle. Secretly, she suspected that if she stayed with Michelle long enough, the woman would be able to convert her. Michael had always been able to turn her around to his way of thinking. It’s what had caused their problems in the first place. She should have known not to let him convince her to accept his marriage proposal.
When the sisters were all tucked away in the chapel, Amaia descended the cliff, jumping from one outcropping of rock to the next. Michael was a woman, a devout nun no less, and Amaia was a kill-hungry vampire who wanted nothing more than to spend each day Michelle had left getting to know her, listening to every bit of religious nonsense that came from her mouth. Jumping off cliffs was the most sensible part of her day.
Chapter 23
Dresden, December 1697
Distractions abounded for Amaia at the court of King Augustus in Dresden. Plenty of art and beautiful people. Dresden Castle lived up to its reputation of housing one of the most extravagant courts in the world. Plenty of distractions, but none that could draw her mind away from a Greek nunnery, a place the exact opposite of where she stood. All around her were men and women, drinking, laughing, dancing, covered in jewels, silks, and furs, and Amaia longed for a woman in a simple habit who, if history proved true, would be dead by the end of the night.
Amaia told herself the distraction served a purpose, that she was choosing to stay away, but it wasn’t true. Zenas insisted Amaia be in Dresden. They had left Warsaw not long after she returned from seeing Michelle. When King John III Sobieski died, the Polish court in Warsaw dissolved, and the power moved to Dresden with the crowning of King Augustus II. They had only remained in Warsaw as long as they did to see the birth of a son to one of Lawrence’s pairings. The boy’s energy was markedly stronger than his parents, a firm success. After his birth, they awaited an invitation from Augustus to court, having heard that the new king had exhibited an interest in Amaia.
King John had been a great man, easy for Amaia to like. She didn’t yet know her feelings toward Augustus. While he boasted his own strength, Amaia didn’t yet know if he possessed the power to rule effectively. However, she appreciated his love for the arts. It would certainly make her time in his court more pleasurable.
Currently, she was trying to remain interested in a performance of The Provoked Wife at the castle. It was an interesting play, just not nearly as interesting as Amaia’s murdered betrothed coming back as a nun who would die this very night. No fault of the playwright, of course.
Laughter pulled Amaia into the moment. The king leaned over and whispered in her ear, “Do you not find the play funny, Adela?”
She revealed her widest smile and let a little giggle escape. “Of course, Your Majesty. It’s very witty.”
The king matched her smile. “Good. I want to make sure we are entertaining you.”
It was important to Augustus for his court to be seen as the most lavish in the world. That was why he had gone to the expense of importing The Provoked Wife from England, where it had debuted less than a year ago.
Amaia strove to keep more of her attention on the play, at least enough to laugh and clap at the appropriate times. Her thoughts had no reason to be anywhere else. Even if she left straightaway, there was no possibility of her reaching Michelle before she died. Still, Amaia wouldn’t be able to relax until Michelle’s energy ceased.
The second act drew to a close. Amidst the applause, it happened. Michelle’s energy twisted painfully. Amaia felt a terrible wrenching and then nothing. It was done. Amaia joined in the applause and settled back in her seat to enjoy the third act.
***