“My Safah,” she breathed again as I struggled to rein in my tears. “Welcome to the beginning of your life.”
I shook with tears. Those dawns of Sifting hadn’t been enough. The sheer terror and madness of the Starfellien Ascent was catching up to me now that Granmanmi held me. The auditorium watched on. I didn’t care. She wasmyGranmanmi. And I had every right.
“Want to know a secret?” She pulled back her head and spoke only for me to hear. “I think that Zamarien fool will reconsider before approaching you again.”
I snorted, bursting into laughter. I wasn’t so sure about that, but I had to admit, it was good knowing she was aware not only that he came after me, but also that I evaded him and won our not-so-silent war. If Granmanmi knew, then any other Zamarien in the temple would find out, too.
“Amaryss would be so proud,” she said, caressing my cheek. My throat instantly swelled again. “Look at you. Carrying the torch.” Her eyes shone bright. Pride swelled in my hearts. “We are holy…”
She waited expectantly for me to finish. I lifted my chin, finishing in a strong whisper.
“To whatever end.”
“Towhateverend, my sweet star. Never forget it.”
She kissed my forehead, more than once, and tucked me to her chest again in a deep embrace. Then someone started coughing. Loud.
“Safah,move. You’ve been hogging her long enough. It’s my turn!”
Laughing out loud I scooted out of the way. I’d barely left Granmanmi Asarah’s arms before Ellabeth charged her at full speed in a wide and warm embrace. Granmanmi held Ellabeth like she held me. The same way she had since we were both big enough to fight but still too small to talk.
“My sweet Ellie. Our jewel of the sea.”
Ellabeth blushed, squeezing Granmanmi tight. I smiled wide. Ellabeth and I had always been like sisters. Our families were extremely close, as if we’d been one big family for several millennia.
When Ellabeth released Granmanmi, she flew to my side and linked our arms. “Way to show that Zamarien monkey how to fight for his bananas.”
I snorted. Loud. Failing to cover my mouth as I burst out laughing.
“We love you, Granmanmi,” Ellabeth said to Granmanmi Asarah.
I grinned, nodding in agreement. We flew to either side of her, giving her a massive kiss on both her cheeks in tandem, leaving Granmanmi beaming, her eyes bright and tinged with the kindness of all the Elledelle realms.
“Now,” Ellabeth said. “I have a few friendsyouneed to meet.”
I noticed a fading bruise beneath her eye and the dip in three of her wings.
“One of the males got you during the Ascent, too?”
Her sharp eyes assessed herself then she snorted.
“Some backscratcher named Tavax.” Ellabeth shrugged. “Tavax Branai, I think. I got him, too. But he got me worse. I’m fine. Come on.”
Ellabeth grabbed my hand, dragging me through the watching Ascendants. They were quiet, looking between me and Granmanmi Asarah. Then they looked between Ellabeth and Granmanmi. Then Ellabeth and me. Too many watched us, calculating if we’d be better as their allies or enemies. I preferred neither.
Floating after Ellabeth, we reached a group clustered to the back of the auditorium on the opposite end of the entrance. Ellabeth beamed, excited to introduce me to the group. Then a voice, clapping like thunder, spoke out in the quiet.
“Tharic, my bibi! There you are. I knew you’d Ascend.”
Ellabeth and I shared a look before turning around.
The majority of the room frowned when the new angel surfaced. My stomach churned, twisting with acid as I watched the golden-haired beast—dripping in Farasee ivory—glide to Tharic. Tharic floated like a king—head raised, shoulders back, poised expression.
“Farasee,” Tharic bowed his head, “I told you I’d see you again.Inthe temple of course.” A pause. “Isn’t that right, Papi Kaelthos?”
Chapter 9
“So we get the sunfire ashratandhis dead-beat Papi,” Ellabeth grumbled. “Just wonderful. As ifoneZamarien wasn’t enough.”
