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"He's a lot more complicated than he looks," I warned.
"He's also hot. Kinda like an ego boost to know you could've had that and ended up with me."
"Will have," I corrected. "Probably in front of you. Definitely in front of Wraythe. And so you know, Wraythe makes Eladehl look harmless."
Talin actually laughed at that. "Point taken. So what about us?"
"I don't know, and I'm not saying that because I'm scared of my men getting hurt. I'm saying that because I do not know you, Talin. This? It was a little glimpse of who you are, but it was nothing like the man I held in the dark. So how about we figure it out? Maybe get to know each other a bit? Because the last boy I thought would be standing with us? He was nothing like you, and he faded away."
"I'm not going anywhere," Talin said. "You can't chase me off. Your men can't beat me down. See, all my life, I've had everything handed to me, and I fucking hated it. I want to earn my place on my own."
"Then start earning," I said, pulling myself away from the door just to reach for the handle.
"Nari?" he asked, stopping me. "I won't promise to be easy. I will promise to protect you. Even from the things you don't know you need to be protected from."
"Such as?" I asked, glancing back.
He watched me for a moment before answering. "The Temple of Temptation isn't run by Zeal. There are a lot of people who won't like what you've just become."
"Not really worried about that," I assured him.
"You should be."
Chapter 42
Nariana
New initiates were supposed to be given a week off after our Choosing to sort everything out. Then, we'd have orientation, and one more week to prepare. The time was similar to our break between years as students. It gave us the chance to move our things, find new mentors, and meet the people we'd be studying with. Unfortunately, I had no idea whatmyeducation would look like. All I knew was that Amerlee had spent hours each day with Saval and the High Priest, trying to figure it out.
Wraythe and Talin still weren't ready to leave their rooms, so Eladehl and I had been taking our meals with Jamik and Irila. It seemed my idea about mentors had been right, and Amerlee - being a Priestess of the Body - was allowed to mentor me again. Shalsa had quickly claimed Eladehl. Jamik said he'd take care of Wraythe, because he honestly liked the guy. Irila decided that she might as well claim Talin. We still had to fill out the paperwork, but the agreement was as good as done.
On the evening of the second day, Eladehl and I decided to check out the initiate dining hall. Unfortunately, being an initiate was an awful lot like being a student, just with more benefits. Our dining hall was nicer, for one. Instead of the rows of long tables, this one had multiple smaller ones. Each had four chairs around it, which made sense. Two partners and their guardians. There was also a menu instead of a universal meal for everyone. Then there was the bar.
While we weren't encouraged to drink, as adults, we were allowed to. As Priests of the Body, we were also expected to have well-schooled palates. Then there was the fact that some people needed a crutch while they came to terms with their new Path.
When we walked in, there was one guy sitting in the corner with two empty bottles in front of him. A group I vaguely recognized from our year were on the other side, laughing over half-full glasses. Eladehl and I shared a look and headed for the food table. A Priest of Obligation waited behind it, asking us what we'd care to have.
When we both had full plates, we found an empty table and dug in. The pair of us looked around, getting used to our new surroundings. Evidently, this was the dining area for the Priests of the Body and those on the Path of Protection. Word and Action shared another one near their wing of rooms. Obligation was in the basement.
In other words, these were the people we'd be working with. Not all of them were initiates. Disciples, adepts, and the rare diviner also came here for their meals. I still hadn't learned how rank was assigned above disciple. We'd earn that title when we completed our post-Choosing education. Amerlee was an adept, as was Jamik, but Irila was only a disciple. I honestly didn't know Shalsa's rank. It also didn't really seem to matter, except for assignments.
"Hey," Eladehl said, breaking through my thoughts. "Is that Tishlie?"
I turned to see the girl my former best friend had left me for wandering into the hall. She saw me looking and offered a weak smile, then lifted her hand. I waved back, which made her head our way.
"You didn't," Eladehl groaned.
"I have questions," I hissed before she got close enough to hear. Then, "Hey, Tishlie. So you got the Path of the Body?"
"I did. I didn't expect you would, though."
I just nodded, deciding not to get into thatagain."Have you met your guardian?"
She bit her lip. "Anver. Um. He didn't want to come, so can I eat with you two?"
"Sure," Eladehl said, sounding like it was a brilliant idea. "Food table's over there, and the priest will get you a plate of whatever you want. We get options now."
"Thanks!" She hurried off that way.
