I took the chair in front of her, and without fanfare, she trimmed off nearly a foot of my thick, sandy brown hair. It was a utilitarian cut by necessity, and I was sure that Elex would miss the tickling of my hair as I rode him in bed.
What a terrible moment to think about sex.
All I wanted to do was to find Elex and spend the day fucking each other’s brains out.
Damn it.
“Pick an outfit, Kimber. One that’s not you. After you are done here, don’t walk. Get a carriage or horse and have them take you close to where you’re going. Don’t walk. That’s what acolytes do.”
I studied the outfits.
One was very much me. A simple white shift skirt and blouse. I wanted the comfort of it, but I couldn’t.
I was running for my life.
I picked a bright green outfit with pants and a shirt that had a crazy green, yellow, and black pattern on it.
Not anything I would ever wear.
I held the shirt against myself and turned to the mirror.
“I don’t think I can call myself an acolyte anymore.”
Jennila looked over my shoulder at the reflection and nodded her approval.
“Definitely not you. Good choice.”
I quickly doffed the robe and pulled on some undergarments and then the pants and shirt.
Studying me, Jennila nodded again. She hesitated on some words but finally got them out.
“What would you call yourself now, Lady Raven?”
With a glance at myself in the mirror, I let out a slow breath, taking in the wild-eyed, short-haired woman staring back at me.
It was time to admit my place in S’Kir.
“Breaker of the Spine.”
* * *
The horse was from a local livery, but I liked her.
Steady and strong, even some of the louder noises and utter insanity of the city didn’t faze her.
The news of the broken temple spread quickly. Almost on my heels.
So did the news that I was missing and Mistress Danai was dead.
I choked back the sorrow I felt.
She’d been the first of the temple masters to genuinely try to get to know me. She’d driven me hard with the etiquette and had worked to celebrate our world.
Now was not the time for mourning.
I’d have to do that later when Elex and I were once again together and safe.
I cantered the big bay mare into the Stadia district. There was no one around before supper, and probably wouldn’t have anyone around later, either.
