Page 138 of The Cerulean Sister
I stumble over my words, looking back from her to the temple entrance again when I see Crixa inside. Her hands are clasped, and she is nodding as she chats with a very pregnant high priestess.
"The highest is inside," I accidentally say aloud.
Leema glances back. "Yes, she comes often." Her tone is as if everyone but me in the three worlds knows this.
"I am not sure I am permitted."
"Please, Ferren, just come into the temple. I need to speak with you."
Leema’s tone is odd, her behavior since we left the training courtyard enough to make me realize something is very wrong.
I nod and follow her, praying to First Mother that Crixa doesn’t notice me. Leema invited me here, but I'm not sure how she will react if she sees us together.
Leema’s white gown drags behind her as she floats through the airy space, the room dreamy and elegant. I imagine it’s very beautiful when the sun can shine through the large windows lining the tops of the walls. But now it looks haunting, casting strange shadows on the impossibly tall strips of white fabric attached to the ceiling and creating organic rooms within the space. The atmosphere is peaceful, like no one here can be disturbed by the outside world.
"High Priestess!" Crixa’s voice spears me from across the room. "What a surprise to see you in the company of your sister this day!"
Leema's expression falls, a faux radiant smile plastered over the worry I saw glimpses of on our walk.
I bow my head, cursing to myself as Crixa glides over to us. "Highest Priestess, blessed morning."
Leema repeats the greeting, her body still angled in the direction of the sitting area we were heading toward.
"Yes, blessed but truly a sad day. Such loss the priestess order has seen. Any priestess slain is a tragedy, but a high priestess in her prime, finally coming into her full potential?" Crixa shakes her head and squeezes my bicep.
Leema's eyes track the motion. "Yes, such a tragedy. I asked my sister to spend the evening with me. I hope that is to your approval. Such days should not be spent alone." Her tone is not her natural way of speaking, and I realize she is purposefully letting Crixa know she brought me here, as if she thinks I will be dismissed and punished.
"Of course. I had meant to visit you, Ferren, in the courtyard for your training, but I was called away." Crixa clasps her hands and purses her lips in a faux pout. "And I was so happy to hear of your news, Leema."
"Thank you. It is a remarkable gift that High Priestess Evelyn can know such things before the birth."
"And may it be blessed."
"Yes." Leema smiles and holds her stomach protectively, like she did when the conjunction tremor ripped through the courtyard.
"You have heard of your sister’s triumph? She has shown the temple loyalty. Her atonement period has truly done wonders."
I wish she would just treat me like she did when I returned—glare and ignore. Even her cruelty would be welcome instead of whatever display this is. I have a hard time believing it is genuine after all this time, but that tiny childlike part of me who just wants her love screams to get free, to hear her say such things about me.
Leema smiles unnaturally and looks at me. "It was wonderful to hear."
Crixa pauses for just a moment, watching us how she thinks a mother would admire her children, but instead it comes out gritty and unnerving. "Please, dear, you should sit. I won't take much more of your time." She gestures to the nearest chair.
Leema bows and follows the instructions she has no choice but to agree to. I follow her to a little table in the corner. The seats are not chairs but tufted couches and long, cushioned lounge chairs meant to drape yourself on.
There is a tower of fruit set on the table, every shade and type available on several leveled trays. It is a beautiful space, but nightmarish things happen in the rooms below this temple and I cannot wait to see it fall.
An elder priestess comes over with another tray of fruit I have never seen before and a teapot with steam spilling out of the neck.
"Perfection," Crixa says, allowing the elder to place the tray down in front of her.
"Tea, my highest?" the elder asks.
Crixa lifts the lid of the teapot, sniffing the steam, pausing to think. "Not this one. I want you to remake this, a calming blend for Leema. We do not want her affected by the sadness of the death rituals today."
Leema looks uncomfortable but not because of her belly. She picks at the skin around her nails nervously.
Crixa grabs the ripest piece of fruit from the tower, knowing she can ignore us, and we will wait for her to speak again when she is ready. "How was your training, my dear? I trust you followed the elder’s instructions?" She looks to me with raised eyebrows, waiting to hear of my obedience.
