Anara picks up a small brush. “No, I am not his sister. I am … it doesn’t matter. Let’s get you ready. What do you think of Prince Ereon?”
She dabs the brush in malachite before turning to me. “Close your eyes.” She softly touches my eyelids, adding the green to the creases.
“I don’t know. I remember little before arriving here.”
“My apologies for that.”
“For me falling off my horse and hitting my head? I don’t think that you had a part in my clumsy self.”
She tilts her head to look at me. “Is that what you all believe?”
Kyaw speaks from behind me, startling me, “Enough chatter, Anara. I told you the rules if you were going to stay here. If not, return to where you came from.”
Anara nods and puts kohl on the edged brush she holds in her hand before applying the dark liner on my top and bottom lashes.
We don’t speak as she finishes powdering my face and adds something shiny to my lips. Kyaw stands, clutching a dress that I can only assume is what I’m expected to wear for this ceremony.
She holds it and several women come to help me put it on. It’s puffy — the bottom skirt full of tulle with a satin top layer. The top is a corset that has gold embellishments around my waist before going up my stomach and between my breasts. The sleeves are a transparent gauze and attach to my wrist with blue lapis lazuli stones. I smile at the stones — they are a reminder of my home and I must thank the dressmaker. The garish black band on my wrist remains tethered. I tried to remove it earlier and couldn’t find a clasp. The ladies pull my dress over it, they must expect it to stay on. I wonder at its significance.
My fingers graze the gold stitching that lines the top of the corset. “It’s beautiful.”
Anara looks at the mirror from behind me. “It is. Kyaw was happy to have found it in your belongings. Nothing in Shaston could match it.”
“I brought it with me?” I look at the mirror again, taking in all the details as Simla lifts my foot to attach a gold heel with a strap in the form of a snake that looks as though it slithers around my ankle.
“I believe so. Enjoy it. If Atlas was to pick out your ceremonial attire, you would wear a rug and have your face covered. This will be the last time you can wear something from your home without fear of punishment.” She picks up a necklace with a gold stone in the middle of a black chain.
I shake my head. “No, my neck must be bare for theNoko Maki.”
Anara places the necklace back from where it came. “Princess, you need to know … after theNle Shom, fortheplal ryowyou’ll be required to let Ereon br —” Siphonie’s screams from behind my door cut her words short.
My door bursts open and Siphonie stands in front ofShacheAtaiun.
“I told you I don’t give akosæwhat your traditions are. We Antalians have ours as well and I refuse to let her get ready without my assistance, or at the very least, I will be her escort to the throne room for the ceremony!”
ShacheAtaiun licks his lips before answering, “Good. She’s ready. We will head to the throne room now.BêlitSiphonie, your husband should whip you for the lack of respect you have given aShache.”
Siphonie turns toward him. “Go take it up with him then, and shuck a shell while you do.” She slams the door in his face beforeturning to me and her eyes fill with tears as she rushes to hug me. A gasp escapes my lips, mirroring the shock that ripples through the room. “You’re beautiful, Naxa!”
I release Siphonie and look around for Anara but don’t see her, she must have left. Kyaw walks up to me before placing a black gauzy veil over my hair while another woman has my mother’s crown in her hands. Sapphires and pearls are scattered across the shells of silver that reach up toward the sky. A wide smile spreads across my face as I realize the importance of having it with me today.
Siphonie takes it from the woman’s hands and walks in front of me. “You may only be aSu Kechniuntil your father passes, but then you’ll be ourTelae,our queen— regardless of what they call you here. We Antalians know you are our queen and we will honor you.” She places my mother’s heavy crown on my head, atop the veil, and kisses my cheek.
“Neshæ Pekæ Ra, Lengo Ra, Noko Ra.” Siphonie steps away from me as she repeats, “Watch over her, guide her, love her.”
eleven
Thylas
My surroundings appear hazy and indistinct as I strain my eyes to focus. I lift myself from the bed I’m in. I’m still in Siphonie and Rhenor’s room. They must have moved me from where I fell on my face when I realized ... I’m the one who is to blame for Carnaxa’s lack of memory. It’s the only answer. With a swift motion my feet connect with the floor, causing a resounding thump to echo around the room.
I’m the one who made the stupid oath and I’m the one who forgot about it when it mattered. I made an oath, a single oath like I’ve beenmaking all my life. I’ve pledged so many oaths across my arms, reflecting so many things. I thought nothing of it.
Rhenor walks in from the bathing chamber, wiping his hands with a rag.
“How are you doing?” He tosses the rag to the corner of the room, missing the basket that is set there to catch it.
I roll my eyes at him. “My head feels like it’s been in akhind’s mouth.”
