Page 124 of The Cerulean Sister
"I am grateful that I was given an opportunity to show it." I sound ridiculous but still know exactly how she expects to be spoken too.
"I would like to know the full scope of these unrefined gifts and see them put to good use until the conjunction is over. You may train with your high priestess sisters in the west courtyard."
"Thank you, Highest Priestess. I am honored."
"I hope this newfound obedience does not fade away with my leniency."
"My bouts of disobedience never served me well, Highest."
"I will have your guards escort you back to your chambers." She dismisses me with a tight smile.
I want so badly to stay, to wait and watch 99, but she urges me toward the doors. My two Estate guards fall in line behind me in an almost laughable protective formation.
The moment I get to my chambers, I slam the door, locking it quickly behind me. Even in the stillness of my room, I am pulled in too many directions, too many things happening at once.
I have so successfully tricked the people here that I am back to the way I was. Even now, the lines are becoming blurred. The thought of losing myself to this place is terrifying. I can feel the weaker, damaged part of me basking in the joy of Crixa's attention, of being recognized as a powerful temple member.
I rip at the veil pinned in my hair, hoping to snap myself back. I need to focus.
Selene could tell right away I was at risk of getting lost in this place again. Her foresight is more annoying when she is right, but even I underestimated the emotions that would manifest when I assimilated back into the priestess order.
When handmaids knock at my door, they bring buckets to fill my bathtub with steamy water and lay out food. The moment they leave, I climb into the hot water, unpinning my hair and letting it fall around me. The ends of it kiss the surface, looking like black-water plants from Frith.
Calliape will not come until much later in the night, so I stay in the bath until the water is cold and no longer soothes my muscles.
Once dressed and ready for her, I sit on the edge of my bed, waiting for time to pass, too exhausted to replay the day's events and too afraid my body will react to the memories.
A loud knock on my door reminds me there are guards still posted outside, even if they did little for me in the temple. Now, one knocks on my door, failing to announce himself.
I wrap a robe around me to hide that I have changed into another dress and not a nightgown.
But as I open my door, I am met with a group of Viathan commanders instead. 99 stands in front, taking up the entire frame with his shoulders. I step backward, letting him enter.
He is slow and deliberate, shutting the door carefully and locking us in. I sit on the edge of the bed and watch him cross the room to peer into the adjoining one, as if checking if anyone else is present, a habit he cannot break.
"The commanders will stay outside your room. Your Estate guards have been reassigned."
"How is that possible?"
He does not greet me with affection like I had hoped, speaking as if he is updating someone on commander rotation, briefing me on current events.
"I spoke with the emperor. You will have armed commanders posted outside your door. You should be able to move around freely now. More Commanders will be posted in the Estate."
"Alright."
"I recommended a few other temple members to be guarded as well. But you are a target, Ferren. You have been since Frith."
"I think the stones were the target," I say, not appreciating his tone at all.
"This is serious."
"Yes, I know, 99."
His body is stiff as he looks down at me.
"Should you even be in here?" I ask.
"Emperor Matthias is allowing Viathan full use of the Estate. The lord general and the highest priestess are in a meeting now to discuss another incoming attack. As I said, this is serious."
