Page 8 of Rising Out of the Darkness
“Alright, I think that’s enough introspection for now.” Bri laid the mirror flat on the desk. “We’ll save that for the grand reveal.” She hummed away as she began to fuss over my hair. Bri settled on leaving most of my long waves to fall down my back, pulling up pieces from the sides of my head into intricate braids that she fastened together with pins at the back of my head. Her fingers tickled against my cheek as she tugged a few strands out, letting them fall to frame my face.
Fear began to build pressure in my chest as she perused the small jars of different-colored pastes. We didn’t have access to delicate powders for our faces, like in the city, so my mother and Bri used to make their own from a variety of ingredients we grew, like flowers and berries. Neither of them wore makeup often, but I did remember a few special nights where they would apply them, and I would watch excitedly.
Brushes swirled over the tops of my cheeks and swept over my eyelids. My posture was enough to make any proper lady shudder as I slouched down into the chair. Truly, I was amazed by the patience of women who did this regularly.
Finally, Bri picked up a smaller brush and dipped it into the softest shade of peach I had ever seen. A thin layer of the paint was smoothed over my lips. The shade reminded me of the gerberas my father had once bought for my mother, after coming home from a long trip helping the surrounding villages. They had taken her breath away. A smile warmed my face as I recalled her determination to keep them alive for as long as she possibly could.
Rustling brought me back to the present, and I opened my eyes to notice that Bri had placed the mirror before me.Gods.My mouth hung open as I stared at the stranger in the reflection. Gone were the puffy, discolored circles under my eyes. There were no more crease lines or discolored pigments in my face. Each freckle remained but covered so delicately that theycomplemented the rest of my features more than ever before. Charcoal lined the tops of my eyes, making them look larger and more striking. Brietta should really be a High Priestess, because this woman could turn a mule into a stallion if she wanted to.
“You look beautiful, Lena.” She set down the brush she’d been using on the desk.
Even though she smiled, there was no hiding the tears that welled in her eyes. Rising from my chair, I pulled her into my arms, squeezing tight.
“Thank you so much, Brietta.” I tugged on the necklace around my neck as I struggled to find the right words. “You’ve always been there for me, especially after Mother—” I paused, swallowing down the sob that threatened to break free. “There’s not a day that passes that I don’t wonder if I would have made it through without your guiding light.”
Her embrace tightened as she sniffled. “I would do anything and everything for you and your family. You and your father are all I have left.”
Before we both melted into a sobbing mess, Bri herded me towards the door. “Okay, no more of this. We mustn’t ruin all my efforts before anyone gets a chance to see.”
I reached for the door, but with a squeal she slapped her hand over her forehead. “Oh, gracious me, how could I forget the most important part! Sorry Elena, my mind has been everywhere else but where it needs to be today.”
She made her way to a simple wooden chest and pulled out a plain white corset dress from inside. As was tradition in sacred ceremonies like the Ascension, we must wear white. It was believed that we should stand in front of the gods, clean and pure.
She placed the dress into my hands and helped me into it. The hem tickled the top of my knees. I was a lot taller than everyone in my town, even some of the men. Where this dresscovered most of Bri’s calves, it was considerably shorter on my long legs. Fortunately, it was still modest enough for today’s ceremony.
She finished lacing the back of the corset and ran her fingers over my hair. As I thanked her once more, my body trembled. It was like it knew the ceremony was approaching.
Brietta’s voice echoed after me as I walked through her door. “Promise me, no matter what happens later this afternoon, you will never forget how truly strong you are.”
“Of course, Bri. I’ll try the best that I can.” When I turned back for one last glance, her smile was bright, but her eyes were still full of worry. With a heavy sigh, I let my feet carry me outside to wait for Will.
Chapter 4
Elena
Outside, the frigid air had begun to warm, and I paused to let the sunlight melt through me. The warmth of the sun against my face could wash away even the darkest of worries.
As I made my way around the back of the temple to wait for Will, muttered whispers and laughter followed from a group of men behind me. Once hidden behind the back wall, I leaned against the cool white stone and ran my hand over my reddened cheeks.
Wilton Stewart, Will to those closest to him, had been my friend since he’d come to our town when I was fourteen. Will had arrived with his mother and sister after their encampment had been attacked and his father had died during a Nightshade raid.
He was the first boy in my town to be kind to me and not treat me like some sort of oddity. If I was being honest, Will was the only friend I’d ever really had.
Our bond grew closer a few years ago after he found me sobbing in a pathetic heap on the ground after school one day. The same group of boys I’d passed by just a few moments ago had decided that their wicked taunts weren’t enough to embarrass me, so they added rocks to their brutality.
Thankfully, Will happened to turn around the corner just as they hammered against my flesh. Observing the bruises and cuts forming, he had made quick work of providing the rest of the boys with matching marks. All boys in the town stayed at least ten paces away from me from then on, which honestly, I didn’t mind.
Shortly after that, the two of us became inseparable, wreaking havoc throughout the town everywhere we went. Eventually, I insisted that my father let him train with us a few mornings each week.
Father had been training me since I was young, always saying that he wanted me to know how to protect myself from the darkness of the world. Girls did not receive training in combat, and it was frowned upon to allow them to own weapons. It wasn’t considered proper.
Naturally, that meant we had to train early in the morning before the rest of the town awoke. I was already a pariah in my town, and people knowing I was training in combat would only further ignite their distaste for me.
Heavy booted footsteps and the clang of metal arose from behind me, jarring me out of my thoughts. The Royal Guards.
They came every Ascension to make sure that all Elysians who were of age went through the ceremony. It was also an opportunity to keep an eye on those of us outside of the capital city’s walls.
Years ago, the king had deemed our town “Rebellion-free,” and had this small stone temple built for us. Though we appreciated this sacred place, it was also a constant reminder that no matter how far away we lived, we couldn’t escape the eye of the king.
