First, an hour-long soak in a copper claw-foot tub. Then came the hair. And cosmetics. And the gown. I’d never experienced such finery. Somehow tailored to my curves, as if Yazmin had known all along I’d accept her offer, the blush chiffon dress was near see-through and backless. Silver beads and sequins were stitched in the shapes of trees and leaves, stretching from my midsection to cover my breasts. The hems of my sleeves were drenched in pewter crystals, and the fabric ghosted over the length of my arms.
If only Noc could see me.We’d never done anything together that required more formal attire. There simply hadn’t been time. We’d been robbed of so much: a real courtship, peaceful outings together, even the sacred ceremony ofanam-cara—something I’d yet to broach with him. Wilheim traditions for pair bonds were unknown to me, but when Charmers announced theiranam-cara, customs dictated a three-night celebration. It wasn’t exactly required—the bond stood regardless of public acknowledgment—but choosing ananam-carawas so revered that everyone felt the need to rejoice.
I rolled the lip of my sleeve between my fingers, and the crystals left an icy kiss across my skin, like Noc’s shadows.
When this is over, we’ll celebrate. In our own way, with Cruor and our family.
With hope once again surging in my chest, I made my way to the throne room just as dusk tinged the sky and welcomed the first glimpse of the waxing moon. The ground had been coated in a layer of pale-pink petals, and they whooshed in soft circles as my gown swished against the floor.
Rather than reclining in their thrones, each member stood in a half circle and held a flickering ivory candle. Their mercury cloaks were fastened shut, hoods pulled low over their faces and casting their expressions in shadow. The teasing candlelight would illuminate a feature here and there—a flash of steel-blue eyes from Gaige, a glimmer of pale skin from Kaori, Tristan’s unruly hair flaring from beneath the lip of his cloak. Eilan’s molten-gold eyes burned without the help of his candle. Which meant the woman beside him… Raven’s flame wavered, and a wisp of coppery hair snaked across her forehead.
“Welcome, Leena.” Yazmin stood in the center with her hands clasped together. She was the only one without a candle, and the only one with her hood pulled back.
I dipped my chin in a show of respect. “Crown.”
Yazmin’s smile was warm. “Shall we?”
“I’m ready.”
Pressing her palms together and bringing her thumbs flush with her sternum, she closed her eyes. “By the goddess who has granted us beasts, we offer our devotion.” Imbued with power, Yazmin’s voice hung in the air as she slipped into the ancient tongue our people used for ceremonies. The elongated vowels rolled through me with the force of the ocean, and faint movement caught in the corner of my eye. Tilting my head up, I studied the statue of Ocnolog and Celeste. The beast’s ruby eyes flared to life behind Yazmin’s head. My breath caught in my chest.
What’s happening?I cast a quick glance around the circle to find everyone’s eyes had closed in prayer.
“By the Charmers who have made Hireath a sanctuary, we offer our protection.”
Ocnolog’s scales shuddered in a guttural breath, and he leveled me with a threatening stare. I pressed my hand to my chest and felt a jolt straight to my heart.This must be part of the ritual.
Yazmin continued without pausing. “By the beasts who have enriched our lives, we offer our love. It is in your honor that we welcome Leena Edenfrell to the Council of Charmers, protectors of Hireath and followers of Celeste.”
The candle flames shot to the ceilings like torches, but their warmth couldn’t touch the cooking sheen of heat glistening before Ocnolog’s maw. And then came a hand, so delicate and tender. The stone carving of Celeste sighed, and her fingers trailed the length of his face, from nostrils to the crown of spikes at the base of his skull. The heat wave faltered.
“What say you, Leena?”
Yazmin’s words rattled my rib cage. Or maybe that was Celeste’s stare. She’d riveted her gaze on me, and the slightest of curls tugged at the corner of her lips. The perpetual wind toying with her hair and cloak sailed around her, and she gripped her harp tighter.
I sank to the floor, the sheer fabric of my gown doing nothing to fight off the stinging cold. Such a stark contrast to the heat of the candles and Ocnolog’s magic. I stared right past the Council, into Celeste’s waiting gaze, and opened my palms to the heavens. To the beast realm. To everything that made me, me.
“I humbly accept your offer, and pledge to follow in the footsteps of our goddess.”
Nothing could have prepared me for the rush of energy vibrating through my bones. A flood of pale, soft light tinged the edges of my vision, erasing the concrete world and narrowing my focus to the stone representation of Celeste.
Gaze downcast and heavy, she shook my existence with a lyrical whisper that echoed through my mind.She who offers devotion, protection, and love. Will she also offer her heart?
Her heart? What do you mean?I strained to push my thoughts toward her, to understand exactly what she was asking, but the endless expanse of her power had a dizzying effect that made the room spin.
And then Yazmin clapped her hands and the magic of the ceremony rushed out in a flood, leaving the air biting cold and my skin raw. Gone were the heat of the statue and the eyes of my goddess. Her upturned face was normal, body unmoved. And Ocnolog slumbered on, completely still.
Yazmin approached me as the Council removed their hoods. Extending her hand, she offered me a warm smile and dropped the formality of our ancient language. “We’re fortunate to have you.”
Taking her hand, I stood before brushing dirt off the knees of my gown. “I’m fortunate to be here.” Quiet murmurings sounded from the Council as they grouped together, exchanging smiles and pleasantries. Kaori gave a quick wave before mumbling something to Gaige and retreating down a corridor. Back to Calem, I hoped.
Jitters claimed my muscles, and I let out a steadying breath. “What now?”
Raven tilted her head in my direction, a wave of unruly copper hair skating along the sandy skin of her exposed neck. Muted-yellow eyes devoid of emotion. No upward curl to her lips. She seemed wholly uninterested. As she cupped the side of her face and turned her attention back to Eilan, her reddish symbol dominated my vision.
Yazmin followed my gaze to the group. “Normally, we’d ask you to remain in Hireath with us for at least a few weeks, but I know you’re eager to find a cure for Noc.” She slipped a hand into one of the many thick folds of her mercury robe and pulled out a folded piece of parchment. “Which, I believe, I’ve found.”
“You did?” All thoughts of Raven fled my mind.
