Page 91 of A Tribute of Fire

Maia was saying the goddess could read minds. A strange, sickly flapping started in my stomach. If the intent of my heart was to steal and leave, did the goddess already know that? I had spoken my vows aloud, so would I be condemned for saying one thing while plotting another?

Should I try to explain myself to the goddess?

“It seems like something is troubling you,” Maia said.

“I ... I don’t know how to talk to the goddess. To pray. Io did it last night before our meal.”

“That’s simple enough.” She beamed at me, as if proud that I was taking our instruction seriously. “The first is that you must call on the goddess. You may mention how you have served or worshipped her before. You can thank her and petition her for things that you need. If you have made her an offering or sacrifice, you can remind her of that so she will look more favorably upon your request. And then you promise to remember her in your words and actions. But I think anything that you say out loud to her, with real intent, will make it through even if you don’t follow the format.”

I nodded.

She added, “The important thing to remember is that you must turn your will over to the goddess. Let her decide and take comfort in her wisdom.”

“How will I know what she wants?” What if what I was going to do was contrary to her wishes?

“There are many ways. The high priestess can speak for her. Sometimes the goddess will speak words to you, but that is rare for most. Some priestesses and acolytes have reported the goddess communicating through their dreams—telling them things that we wouldn’t hear when we’re awake.”

Since I’d gotten on that ship, my dreams had been primarily about Jason. Were those supposed to be messages? If so, what did they mean?

Or did they only represent a longing for something that I now knew I could never have?

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

But given the vows both Maia and I had taken, it seemed inappropriate to ask her to interpret my dreams for me. Instead I asked if any of the priestesses had magic, even though I knew what the answer would be.

“Only men wield magic,” Maia said.

Honestly, I had hoped that there would be one or two women at the temple who would be life mages. It would have made it much easier for me to find someone to bring back with me to Locris. I had no idea where the life mages were located in Troas or if they could be bribed.

Ignoring my disappointment, I asked, “Then why do only women serve in the temple?”

Discomfort flitted across her face and I wasn’t sure why. Was it because she didn’t have the answer, or was the answer the same as always—because of the crime Ajax the Locrian had committed?

“You should return to your room.” She handed me a small bundle. “There’s breakfast in there, so eat on your way back. Io will meet you there to show you where your classes will be.”

“Classes?” I repeated. “Like a school?”

“This is so much more than school. I think there are going to be a lot of surprises for you today. Will you be able to find your way to the dormitory?”

I nodded because I had committed this place to memory during my tour with Io.

Maia promised to see me later, and I took the bundle she offered. Once I was outside the building, I opened it to find honeyed bars of dried fruit. This was like dessert in Locris, and they just served it as breakfast here. I didn’t know if I would ever get used to having such a variety of food.

When I returned to my room, the door was slightly ajar and I heard the sound of a wooden stool being knocked over.

I pushed the door all the way open to find Suri alone. She was trying to put on one of her cloth bands, but I could see that it was slipping. Frustration was etched onto her face as it fell from her grasp and onto the floor.

Hurrying over, I picked up the band and held it out to her. “Can I help you?”

Suri looked panicked, hiding her bare right arm behind her body.

Something very important was happening in this moment, and I didn’t know what it was. I let the bundle I carried drop onto her bed. “We’re sisters now, remember? I will stay quiet if that is your wish.”

Her indecision was obvious as she fidgeted for several moments before finally offering me her arm.

Old, deep scars covered all of her skin. “Did someone do this to you?” I demanded.

She shook her head.

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