I looked back at Serafina, whose brown cheeks were coloring red as she struggled to stifle her laughter. “You really are…different, Ascendant,” she managed after a while.
I snorted.
“Please. If you three ran into Ellabeth, you’d realize I’m notthatdifferent.”
“Ellabeth Riventhelle?” Natalie blurted out, her light blue eyes going wide. Her sandy cheeks flushed as she gaped. “You know her?”
“Know her?” I laughed. “Ellie is my best friend in all the realms. We’ve known each other since before we could talk.”
“So much makes sense now,” Natalie whispered. “You two have the same…mannerisms.”
I grinned wide, showing my teeth.
Serafina chuckled. “Come, Ascendant.”
I followed the goddesses as they walked down the steps and made their way to the glass tower. It was only when we’d started crossing the walkway that I noticed all three were barefoot. And they were adorned in pitiful excuses for a gown.
The dress was nothing more than endless chain links looped together to cover most of their bodies. Not that it did anything. Nothing of their curvy frames was left to the imagination. In a temple full of Farasees who were mostly male.
Hot anger ignited my blood.
After going through a series of halls—that looked more like portals into the stars, then walls in a temple—Serafina, Natalie, and Caliana finally brought me to an empty chamber. The door opened on instinct, letting me inside. The first thing I saw was the peek of a washbasin in a small, adjoined chamber. The next thing my eyes found was the bedcloud.
I nearly fainted with relief. I stretched, yawning again. My limbs were on fire. I need to wash, to rest, then I could focus on letting my body self-heal.
“Come Ascendant,” Serafina said. Her kind eyes made this new environment feel less awkward. Overwhelming. “We will help you cleanse yourself. Then you can rest.”
I let the goddesses lead me into the washbasin. I said nothing as I was stripped bare and led into the tub. Serafina said something to me, but I didn’t hear a word.
The moment I slid into the warm water, wings and all, I laid my head on the edge of the tub and fell into a dreamless sleep.
Chapter 7
After spending twenty-one dawns locked in the Sifting chamber, I was ready to get out. I’d gotten ample rest, spending most of the dawns sleeping so my body could heal on its own. When I was awake, I recited the passages of the Saccrent all angels said at the start of each dawn. Then I stretched. My limbs, my wings, everywhere I was sore and still feeling the effects of having to outlive Tharic’s violence.
I frowned. I wasn’t looking forward to enduring anymore of his assaults. He had an unleashed temper and I had a growing suspicion no one was going to put it in check.
“Ascendant Safah? It’s time.”
I shot out of the bedcloud, grinning. It was a bright and brand new dawn. I was ready to engage in temple activities,finally. Serafina stood by the door of the Sifting chamber. This time she was alone. Natalie and Caliana didn’t come. I frowned.
“Where are?—”
“The Farasees have requested only I bring you to the auditorium for your inauguration. The goddesses would have come with me if given the permission.”
Serafina’s eyes were grieved. I looked around. We were alone. I slipped closer, lowering my voice.
“Are you okay? You know you can tell me and I’ll keep the truth close to chest. What happened, Serafina?”
She opened her mouth, about to answer. Then something dark flashed across her eyes. She jerked, as if being yanked on an invisible chain. Then she cleared her head, smiling as if nothing happened.
“Ascendant Safah, please. Follow me.”
“Serafina, talk to me?—”
“Please, Ascendant. Stay close.”
Without another word, Serafina led me out of the Sifting towers, and across the temple grounds, until she deposited me at the entrance of a massive cathedral.
