The goddesses looked at each other with their heads still bowed, contemplating how to answer. As they struggled with my request, I carried on.
“Also, would you keep your head up? I would like to look into your eyes when speaking with you.”
In tandem, the goddess lifted their heads. At first, they looked past me, unable to meet my gaze head on. The one to the left trembled, terrified. She probably thought this was some test. She probably thought I wanted to hurt her.
“Please,” I said gently, raising my hands in a truce. “I don’t want to cause you harm. I simply would like to know your name. And what I need to do to get a bath and some rest. I…I’m hurt. And exhausted.”
The goddesses blinked at me. Their shoulders relaxed when they realized I meant my words. The one in the middle seemed to be braver than the other two. She gave me a small smile. Her eyes brightened, and she took a step towards me.
“I am Serafina. This is Natalie,” she gestured to the goddess who was still shaking. “And this is Caliana.”
I smiled back, thankful she was willing to make the effort to talk to me.
“It’s good to meet you, Serafina. You too, Natalie and Caliana.” I tilted my head, holding my side. My body was beginning to ache badly. “I know you know this, but, I’m Safah. Safah Anathelle. It’s such an…incredible honor tofinallybe here.”
My words trailed off into a whisper as hot tears prickled my eyes. Holy stars. I’d made it to the temple. Imade it. I was an Ascendant! All I had to do was survive the first trial, and I would officially be a Disciple of Temple Efysis.
Tears wet my cheeks as I sighed with infinite gratitude. I bounced on my feet. Serafina’s eyes sparkled, knowingly.
“You look very much like your Manmi, Amaryss. But something about you is…different than her. We look forward to your Ascension, Ashi—” She bit her lip, cutting herself off. “Ascendant Safah,” she quickly amended.
I was too tired to try and puzzle through what she meant. My mind was in shambles. I desperately needed sleep. I yawned, nodding at Serafina.
“Please, follow us.”
Serafina, followed by Natalie and Caliana, began walking down the long foyer. I tried as best as I could to take in all the immaculate details.
Butstars.
I was exhausted. By the time we made it to the other end of the foyer, my wings were dragging on the marble floors. We crossed through an open door. I found myself looking out at an elaborate courtyard, dripping in opulence. Even in my fatigue, I couldn’t help but gawk.
“What in thestars?”
I didn’t know where to look first. The tall, ivory trees. The golden blades of grass. The iridescent birds flying in the air. The endless, billowing clouds that twisted between each of the buildings.
Tall glass towers—interconnected by glass covered walkways—littered the grounds in each direction.
“What am I even looking at?”
Serafina slid her hazel gaze to me, a curious look in her eyes. “This is where you will spend the next twenty-one dawns.”
“I’m…sorry. The next…twenty-one?”
I whipped my head to the goddess, unsure if I’d heard her right.
She smiled. “Yes, Ascendant. It is the Creed of Sifting. If you don’t complete them, you will be considered Unclean. If you’reUnclean, you’re unworthy of the temple and will be forced to forfeit your Ascension.”
I raised a high brow, folding my arms as I balanced on the ivory step outside of the foyer entry.
“So I’m supposed to sit on my backside and sing kumbaya for twenty-onedawns?”
Caliana snorted, quickly smothering her laughter with a hand. Natalie’s nostrils flared. The goddess bit her lip, holding back her reaction. Serafina’s lips twitched, as she met my gaze.
“Yes, Ascendant.”
I blinked at Serafina, before looking at the towers.
“What a burning, colossal waste of my time,” I grumbled. “I swear dodging Tharic was better than this.”
