She stands, wiping her hands on a towel as she pins me with a sympathetic look.
“Wow, that’s just fucking great.” I throw my hands in the air. “I get to be naked in front of a bunch of people including my dad, my best friend, my cousin, my lover who is already on edge over this, and his entire family. Awesome, just awesome.”
“Like I said, the body is a vessel. It is to be celebrated as it gives new life, and it hosts the soul, but it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things. Nudity is commonplace in our world and not something to be ashamed of.”
“Right. Got it.” Sarcasm drips through my tone.
“You have always seemed comfortable and body confident. I didn’t think this part would be an issue for you.”
“I’m not ashamed of my body, Mom, but I’d challenge anyone to parade around naked in front of their parents and a bunch of strangers and not find it uncomfortable.” But by God, will they not know it. I willownmy body in front of them, especially Julia. She willneverknow I’m uncomfortable.
“It will all be over in a couple of hours.”
“What’s with the oil?” I ask as she leads me to the sink. She works some cream into my face and dabs something under my shadowed eyes before handing me a toothbrush and toothpaste.
“It’s just part of the ritual,” she says, watching as I clean my teeth. When I’m done, she applies a sweet-smelling salve to my lips. Then she rubs her finger against my skin, testing whether the oil has seeped in.
I cast a glance at my reflection in the mirror. My skin has a slight golden hue, and it shimmers when I move my body. It compliments my lustrous blonde locks. My face is glowing, all trace of my sleep-deprived state eradicated. I’ve got to admit I look pretty spectacular. Like a goddess the ancestors would have worshipped, no doubt, but it doesn’t disguise the fact I’ll be completely naked. I can already see Julia’s sneering expression in my mind’s eye.
I make a vow to purposely ignore her. That will infuriate her. I’ll focus my attention on Jase and Bree. Their silent support will help to get me through this ordeal.
I notice a circle of clean non-oiled skin just over my heart and at the top of my upper arm, which is obviously for the brandings.
Since Ares came into my life, and more recently when Chad got inked, I have considered getting a tattoo. I hate that the first markings on my skin will be these. That this choice has been denied me too.
Mom sprays a light body mist over my skin before helping me into my cloak. At least I don’t have to enter naked. I’m grateful for small mercies.
A knock on the door startles me. “It’s just me, Pamela,” my dad says. Air whooshes out of my mouth in relief.
She opens the door quickly, pulling him in.
“Princess.” Dad stalks toward me, wearing a black cloak, immediately pulling me into his arms. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” I lie.
He tilts my face up to his. “I hate this. I hate this so fucking much. I want to kill every motherfucker out there, but this is about survival now. Get through the ceremony and this week, and then we’ll figure it out.” He presses a kiss to the top of my cloaked head. “Keeping you safe and protected is our main goal.”
“What’s happening this week?” I ask, eyeballing my mother.
“After the ceremony, you’ll be taken up to the main compound for training. It will mostly consist of attending lectures and a few meetings with The Luminaries.”
“What?” I screech. “Why am I only hearing about this now?”
“Honey.” She clasps my face over my hood, careful not to mess up her work. “I’m telling you what you need to know to get through this.” She levels a soft glare at my father. “If I told you everything in advance, you would only worry, so I’m relaying information in a piecemeal fashion. I was just about to tell you this.”
“What else haven’t you told me about?”
My parents share a look, and an involuntary shiver fingers up my spine.
“What is it?” I ask in a low voice, my nerves jangling on all sides.
“The last part of the ceremony involves—”
ChapterThirty-Three
Ashley
The door swings open, cutting Mom off mid-sentence.
