As if in a trance, I leaned into him. And was shocked when his hand lowered to my waist, and instinctively pulled me close, pressing my chest to his.
“Safah, Starling. Don’t start any fires if you’re going to put them out. I won’t be robbed of my fun.”
Our proximity finally clicked in my mind. Quazar’s arm was locked around my waist, the other lost…in my hair? And my arms were around his neck.
Wait.
When did that happen? The corners of his lips curled as his eyes danced.
I opened my mouth to say something, my hearts still racing wildly, as the water of the pool grew to a still. I turned and saw all eight Iris, bare feet, walking along the surface of the pool. They didn’t make a single ripple, as they elegantly walked over to the center where Quazar and I remained entangled.
Each Iris held in their hands an angel lamp, curved at the neck with a wing-shaped handle, full to the brim with oil. When the Iris reached us, I wanted to look up at them. Instead I felt compelled to keep looking up into Quazar’s eyes.
This close to him, I could see how rich the emerald was, much like the stone itself. Deep within, when I looked hard enough, I saw his irises had circlets of gold around them. A strand of black hair fell into his eyes. Without thinking, I brushed it away, lost in the spell of this male I was supposed to hate.
The Iris began chanting prettily, almost as if they were singing a song. I’d heard some of the words before in old songs Papi would sing to me at twinight so I could fall asleep. Most of what he sang came from our Saccrent, the holy verses. What the Iris were praying now sounded older.
A cool breeze seeped into the Purification chamber, rustling the watery surface of the pool. Without thinking, I leaned into Quazar, resting both hands on his chest before letting my eyes flutter closed. His grip on my waist tightened, sending a flood of heat through my body.
Then the oil began to pour. There was so much. Oil lamp after oil lamp was tipped over our heads. I was coated entirely in the holy oil from head to foot as it slipped down my body all the way to my feet beneath the water. When the Iris finished their singing, I opened my eyes.
Quazar was as soaked as I was in oil. He quirked the smallest of smiles. The sight made my hearts jump. For a moment, I forgot about the fact that he was the Fallen Prince, and I was the fifi of the Farasee he’d gotten killed by helping Fallen breach the realm gates.
In this moment, he simply looked like a handsome male with eyes full of mischief. Then Quazar’s eyes grew cold. Hateful. Angry.
I froze.
Every ounce of warmth I’d just felt towards him withered. I tried to pull away from him, but he kept his arm locked tight around me like a vise. I was disgusted with myself for being stupid enough to think any good about him.
Without looking up at the Iris, eyes still piercing into me, he asked, “Are we done here?”
Acid slithered in my gut. I felt as if I’d been cut through with a knife. I curled my lips at him, ripping my hands away.
“No. The sacred cup remains. Take. And drink.”
I was given the cup first. It was a gilded goblet with a drink that looked much like angel wine. Without questioning it, I downed the entire thing.
The goblet refilled on its own. I shoved it at Quazar, letting it go so he was forced to catch it without being able to touch me. When he finished, the goblet vanished.
“Your Purification has ended. You may leave with our blessing.”
Before Quazar could turn away first, I was already rushing out of the pool, and up the steps after snatching my gown and sandals. The moment I was no longer in the pool waters, the oil seeped into my skin, fusing into my blood with a warm hum. I bent over and gasped.
I didn’t feel any pain.
I stretched from side to side. Pulled my wings in front of me. Mended. I was completely mended.
My wings were back in perfect shape. My bruises were gone. I’d been made whole in the purification pool. I threw a silent prayer at the Infinite, beyond grateful at my injuries being removed before they could get worse and get infected.
I ignored Quazar completely, flooding the veil between our bond with my starfire, sealing it shut, and kicking him out of my mind entirely. I dressed swiftly, clasping my gown and donning my sandals.
“Thank you—” I whipped around to thank the Iris.
But they were already gone.
Without waiting for Quazar, I spun around, spread my wings, and shot away. Instead of the long walk, I flew over the elongated trail of stairs through the cloudy billows.
My eyes stung with hot tears. I bit them back. I would never shed a tear for that cold, cruel, heartless thing called a Fallen Prince.
