There were many things in Tavari that I feared, but nothing unsettled me like the Priestesses who devoted themselves to Soli. Three had comefor the ceremony, moving as if they floated across the grass like ethereal spirits garbed in flowing white robes. Swaths of golden fabric covered their hair and faces, leaving only their eyes visible. Every inch of their skin was covered besides their hands, where the branding of Soli was burned into their flesh—a flaming sun with four points. They were mesmerizing, enchanting even.
Trailing between them, no more than two steps away, were three eunuchs. They wore white robes of their own, however their faces were not covered, their throats collared with a golden band.
A bonded pair, as Bran would say. Every Priestess of Soli was assigned a eunuch when they took their vows and where they went the eunuch was never far behind. Their sole purpose in life was to protect their Priestess, to give their life to ensure no harm came to the sacred woman of Soli.
A hush fell on the crowd, not a single sound could be heard as the three Priestesses raised their hands to the sky as one.
I felt a chill rush down my spine as they spoke. "Through the darkness her light shall guide us. To cleanse and burn through our every sin, we devote this fire to you, Goddess."
Before I could blink, a flash of suffocatingly hot flame shot to a giant pyre of wood in the middle of the clearing. My eyes screwed shut, mouth opening on a scream, but no sound escaped. I choked against the insufferable heat.
A dark alleyway.
Always the alleyway.
The heat of the flame searing into my eyes.
I stumbled back, my body colliding with another as strong hands reached to steady me.
One. A breathe.
Two. Another.
Three. My eyes opened.
Four. My head turned, catching silver and green.
Roan Delmar stared back at me, his gaze searching, eyes narrowing upon the expression that I was sure displayed my terror. Quickly, I backed away, smoothing my face back into one of stone, the tension easing from my muscles.
He stepped closer, “Having a fun night so far?”
I took a long pull of the firemead.
“Better than last night.You left quite early this morning, not even a goodbye for the Potion Maker who saved your prince?”
Rena glanced between us slowly, as if studying the interaction, a sly smile curving her lips.
“It's not our fault you sleep like the dead.” His deep rumble echoed through me, tugging at something deep within my gut.
I opened my mouth but Rena interjected, laughing as she tugged my arm. “While whatever this was, has been fun,” gesturing between Roan and I, “We’re here to let loose. Our Potion Maker completed her first trial tonight, so this is acelebration,Roan.” She didn’t give him time to reply before turning to drag me away from him and towards the crowd of dancing people.
I quickly downed the rest of the firemead in my cup before Rena tossed the two empty containers at the Kinslayer with a devious grin.
Couples and friends alike danced as a group of musicians played some bawdy tune that had me laughing as my hips moved with the beat, liquid courage rushing through my veins. I lost track of time as we spun, let loose, and danced. I could feel the eyes that lingered, that trailed over us. Some were occasionally brave enough to come and pull one of us away for a dance as a new song began. I had danced with so many that I no longer bothered to learn names or faces, simply just allowing myself to get lostin the music and movements. Each partner a fun, new escape as I tilted my head back and moved my body with theirs. It had been so long since I fully let myself just feel. No thinking, no worrying, justfeeling.
Minutes, or hours, later—I had lost count—Rena was pulling me away, dragging me back to the line that held firemead. My steps were unsteady, with drink or from spinning, I wasn’t quite sure.
Familiar, comforting arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind, a chin resting upon my curled hair. Laughing, I spun, shoving Bran back gently with a look of feigned disapproval.
“You’re going to mess up my hair, Rena spent so much time on it.” Hands running over the black tresses, I fluffed them gently.
He held up his hands in surrender, dimples on display as he grinned back broadly. “Worrying about your hair?” He mused, wagging a finger in my face. “Who are you and what have you done with my boarish cousin?”
Lightly smacking his arm I turned to Rena who studied Bran with an appreciative sparkle in her eyes.
“Rena this is Bran, my cousin.” Turning back, I pulled him into a hug, my voice quiet as I added, “It’s good to see you, we need to talk soon. I have much to tell you.”
He gave a small squeeze to confirm he had heard me before pulling back like nothing had happened, that same teasing smirk on his lips. "It’s lovely to meet you Rena,” he said as he grabbed her hand, dipping low to place a kiss upon it. My eyes rolled, nose wrinkling.
