A shiver runs down my spine when I dip the toes of one foot into hot water. It feels so wonderful. I waste no time and submerge my whole body in the silky smooth water, letting it envelop me like a comforting blanket.
I rest my head against the tub and close my eyes. I have no clue how long I remain in the bath. But the water grows cold, and my fingertips wrinkle so bad they look like prunes. Only then do I force myself out, and as Vera ordered, I lather my damp skin and hair with the three different oils.
My skin’s supple and dewy by the time I’m done. I slip into a white silk dress that’s so long the excess material pools under my feet. Even the sleeves are too long, reaching all the way to the tips of my fingers.
I catch sight of myself in the mirror. It’s as if I’m looking at the image of my mom when she was young. What would she say about my relationship with Daegel? About him murdering someone to keep a secret about us safe?
Dad was always protective of her; he called her the love of his life often. He would have taken an arrow in his heart for her. Would he have killed someone to protect her?
A ball lodges in my throat. I breath through the turmoil of emotions that rise within me. Then, I clear my throat, and with one last glance at the stranger staring back at me in the mirror, I head downstairs to Vera’s back gardens.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
PHOENIX
For the Starless Night, the whole city is in a chaotic frenzy for one night. Not a single street isn’t occupied with food and drink stalls. People are dressed in their finest silks, and their faces are covered with colorful paints and masks impersonating the spirits of the gods.
It’s quite a sight.
Vera, Jax, and I make our way through the crowd to the bazaar situated around the perimeter of the Ezkai Castle grounds. Vera says it’s once-in-a-lifetime event that people of Jaakii come together to celebrate in the streets as equals.
It’s been a few days since the Cleansing, and after seeing Daegel, I don’t feel so cold anymore. I can tell something is different within me. What exactly, I don’t know. But my senses are back to normal and none of the emotions from the people around me seep through. My mind and body are just my own.
“So, I was thinking we need a name for our troupe,” Jax says.
I frown, looking over at him. “We’re not a troupe.”
Since Jax helped us steal the gift for Kazh, he’s been around at the studio. A lot. It’s surprising how naturally he fits in with the crew. I would almost miss it if he were to leave us.Almost.
Unfortunately, Jax doesn’t know much about the enemy. Or he’s not willing to reveal anything he knows. I think it’s the latter. But Vera disagrees.
“Oh, but yes we are,” he insists.
Vera rolls her eyes. “Why would we need a name?”
“Because that’s how it goes. Every famous gang working together to achieve something has a name!”
“We’re not a gang,” I tell him.
Jax ignores me. “How about a Cursed Trio?”
Vera arches an eyebrow. “Cursed Trio?Not a name that inspires confidence if you ask me.”
Jax shrugs. “It sounds badass. Plus, all of us are cursed in our own way, so it fits.”
I snort. “I don’t think calling ourselves Cursed Trio brings much luck.”
“Think on it,” Jax says. “We’re just brainstorming here. If you have any better ideas, do share them, ladies.”
“I’ll make sure to do so,” I say sarcastically. I look at Vera. “So, what are we aiming to achieve tonight, again?”
“On the high level, the Starless Night is all about appeasing the spirits of the gods and celebrating them so they bring luck to all the participants,” Vera says. “But the reason why we’re here is that you, as my chosen champion, need to show up as a functioning part of the society, as someone who respects tradition and partakes in it.”
I nod, looking around. “Got it.”
We round the corner. In front of us is a huge float with a band following in its wake. On top of it, a group of people dressed in black silk gowns barely covering their bodies are dancing to the rhythm of the music. The dancers have dozens of silver braceletsdangling from their wrists that all chime with each graceful move, and the noise somehow adds to the harmony of the music the moving band plays.
Ekions do know how to party and celebrate. I’ll give them that.
