“Dead chain isn’t the velebond, my dear,” the old woman, Edne, remarked with a grin, her wrinkles deepening with the gesture. Despite missing several teeth, her smile remained radiant and welcoming.
I stole a glance at Sainte for help. He inclined his head to Edne, ignoring me.
“We have not had a royal take a Valahant in generations,” the priest said softly.
“Even I’ve never seen a velebond!” She spoke around her cackling laughter. “What a blessing! Togamar foretold that I would live to see this day.”
“Edne will show you to the chamber. She’s the oldest that has been schooled in the ritual,” he said with a nod, then hurried off, calling out to another priestess.
“Ritual?” I asked.
Sainte didn’t meet my eyes—definitely ignoring me.
“This way, Princess,” Edne beckoned, her voice echoing in the temple’s vastness.
With a turn, she hobbled through the ancient corridors, her weathered walking stick tapping against the mosaic floor. We trailed behind, drawn to the warmth emanating from the open doors ahead, leading us deeper into the temple’s heart.
My questions caught in my throat as she struggled down the worn stone steps. The staircase descended into a dimly lit cavern, bathed in a mystical blue glow that danced across the rough-hewn walls.
“Need a hand?” I offered, wincing as she faltered, her fingers clinging to the railing for support.
“Oh, if I fall down these stairs, I will gladly meet my death.”
I froze, horrified.
“Togamar has blessed my life indeed by bringing you to see me in my last days,” she continued.
“I should help you.” I stepped in front of Sainte and placed her hand on the crook of my elbow, our steps measured and deliberate as we descended the ancient staircase.
“She told me you would be fire and honey,” she remarked, joy lightening her tone. “Fire to purify the wound. Honey to soothe it.”
“How… how does she talk to you?” I asked, forming my words with an air of caution.
“I dream of her,” Edne stated, nodding along.
My shoulders sagged in relief. “Oh, a dream,” I murmured.
Her thin hand tightened to a bruising grip, and I yelped. Her cloudy blue eyes were deathly serious as she pulled me down to her hunched height. “Some dreams,” she said, her voice eerily calm, “are not merely dreams, but messages from the gods.”
I searched her gaze, unsure how to respond. Then she released me and descended the last of the stairs without my support. She hummed as she went, as if she hadn’t just pulled me down with a strength beyond her years to warn me. At least it seemed like a warning.
“Couldn’t have helped there?” I hissed, leaning close to Sainte. “You’re supposed to be my protector now.”
“Protect you from the little old priestess?” he asked, lifting a single eyebrow.
At the base of the stairs, the room opened into a vast natural cave beneath the temple. Dark yet warm, it featured a few lanterns along the rough stone walls. The air smelled faintly of damp earth, and the soft sound of dripping water echoed through the cavern.
At the center, a pool radiated an unearthly blue light. Its surface shimmered, casting delicate reflections, creating an ethereal atmosphere. I had seen clear shores before, but this was unique. Its glow was self-sustained, needing no sunlight to reveal its mesmerizing color.
I doubted it was safe.
Edne made her way to the shallow end of the pool, leaning on her cane as we trailed behind, her figure silhouetted against the radiance. I crouched beside her, peering into the depths. This close, it was clear the water itself wasn’t emitting the light, but something along the bottom—a strange, luminescent plant or…creature.
My nose wrinkled with dread. “Don’t tell me we have to drink it.”
“Oh, no dear!” Her mouth spread into a mirthful grin. “You two must bathe in it!”
I lost my balance and fell on my rear, gawking at the woman. She peered down at me, a twinkle in her eye. I glanced at Sainte, who promptly averted his gaze.
