Page 7 of The Obsidian Curse

“Yes. And it was intelligent, almost cultured, like it had been educated. I don’t think it’s the feral creature that we’ve assumed. I believe we need to try to parlay with it. Perhaps it can tell us why I can hear it and others can’t. Or maybe it’s just that no one else has listened.”

Amal drummed his fingers on his thickly muscled thigh,gaze never leaving my face. “Thank you for bringing this to me, Niara. You’ve spoken to Valya already?”

I shook my head. “She’s been so burdened by the extra pull of maintaining the cage and performing all the rituals. I didn’t want to bother her with it. Since it’s a security matter, I thought it best to bring it to you.”

“Very wise.” He moved his hand to pat my thigh in a comforting manner. “And compassionate of you. I must say, though, I think we should keep this between us for now.”

“Really?”

His expression turned solemn. “You have one more acolyte trial remaining, is that correct?”

I dropped my head. An acolyte had only six times in which to undergo the trials to become a priest or priestess. After my fifth failure, Valya had installed me as the First Tidemaiden so that I could increase my skills over the solar revolution of service and attack the next test with more confidence. I had no idea if passing at this point was even possible; it seemed my magecraft grew worse and worse the more I tried. I had not totally given up on the dream, but it was near death.

Amal squeezed my thigh gently. “You cannot predict who will be a judge at the trials, and I would hate for anyone who hears of this unusual connection you have to the fire beast to have any cause for concern about you.”

My shoulders tensed. I hadn’t thought of it like that.

“For the sake of your future, I’m glad that you kept this with me. And I will keep your confidentiality. I hope you know I have the highest regard for you, Niara.”

My cheeks heated. Under his hand, my thigh grewwarmer as well. “Why?” I couldn’t help but asking. “I’m no one and nothing.”

“That isn’t true, Niara, and you know it. Your compassion is a credit to Morros. You are deeply loyal, effortlessly kind, and generous.”

I wanted to add to his list the stream of complaints I usually heard about my personality—how my temper was too spirited, my anger unruly. I’d been working so hard on keeping these undesirable qualities under wraps, but they bubbled below the surface, never fully cleansed. It was part of the reason why my trials had failed.

“I have great admiration for you,” Amal continued. “As I hope I have communicated. It is my most ardent hope that we can deepen our acquaintance.” His hand slowly stroked my leg as he spoke. The sensation wasn’t unpleasant, and a tremulous ache in my chest punctuated his movement. Dark eyes were fixed on me, a seductive quality to his gaze.

“I’m... incredibly flattered,” I said, suddenly finding it hard to breathe. “But it’s nearly luncheon, and I had better go and see to the High Priestess.”

He nodded serenely and removed his hand from me. “Until we meet again.”

I stood, trying not to appear flustered or like I was escaping. Instead, I effected a sedate pace as I retreated, his inviting expression lingering in my mind, my skin where he’d touched me through my skirt prickling with cold.

7

niara

The fourth dayof the Holy Convergence included only a half day of travel since the eclipse of the sun Lyra by the moon Aurelia would happen near noon. The ritual celebrating the patience and forbearance represented by Aurelia as he continually chased the daughter sun was also a brief one, though it required the most preparation.

The location of the ceremony where the eclipse would be visible was a rocky outcropping overlooking the Aurelian Sea. Getting to the overlook required an hour’s hike uphill. My job was to carry the case bearing High Priestess Valya’s ceremonial chalice, as well as the robe and headdress she would don. The headdress itself weighed nearly a stone, and the chest protecting it along with the chalice’s container were bulky and difficult to manage on the walk.

We were halfway up the hill when I slipped on some slick stones, wet by a trickle of water flowing downhill, andlanded hard on my knee. “Ouch!” I cried, only to hear a snicker. Ylena and another priestess were composing their faces, trying to hide their obvious mirth.

“Perhaps in your next prayer to Morros, you can request agility and grace,” Ylena said, as the two picked their way around me.

I took a deep breath, tamping down the vexation building within me.Don’t respond. Don’t respond.The first tenet of the Order was to be like the water that shapes itself to any vessel. Even if priestesses like Ylena didn’t embody the principles all the time, I could still try.

The geyser of emotion that threatened to burst from me began to die down. I steadied myself and rose painfully, looking down at the tear in my skirt. Blood was seeping through it from my knee. Fortunately, I could still bear weight on the leg, but it wouldn’t make getting up the hill any easier.

Priests, priestesses, wardens, and curators streamed by me as I tried to find a better position for the cases I carried. Suddenly, the headdress chest was plucked from my grasp.

Safina was at my side and hefted the case easily, making it look as if it weighed nothing.

“Did you speak to Amal?” she asked.

“Yes, yesterday.” I lowered my voice, though no one seemed to be paying attention. “He told me to keep the information to myself, that it wouldn’t look good for me to have any sort of association with the fire beast, considering my history.”

Safina’s forehead crinkled. “Really? I don’t see how anyone could blame you for this.”

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