Page 143 of The Cerulean Sister
"Thank you, 99. I know we never expected her to want to leave on her own—" I start.
"You are right, Ferren. If the temple has an issue with a woman wanting to leave, it is only more damning evidence against them. I will include that point in my briefing. I will send a message tonight. The fleet arrives in the morning."
The pit in my stomach deepens.
"Conjunction makes travel between worlds faster every day." August rounds the table and scoops himself a bowl of food from the kitchen.
"We can use the chaos of their arrival to our advantage," 99 says.
"Crixa has asked me to join the rest of the priestess order to greet the fleet when it arrives," I inform them all of that possible complication.
Selene shakes her head. "I did not think I would ever see Viathans and priestesses fighting together in my lifetime. Crixa asks you to fight for the Estate because she knows how strong your gifts are, so she means to tame you. I would not be surprised if she was worried you would be more powerful than her one day. Her position as the highest priestess is finite."
I gape at her, agreeing with the first part but never considering the second. Selene did not deliver the words like a compliment; she said them as if it's written fact of the three worlds. I have no idea how to respond to that and neither does anyone else by the silence in the room.
99 leans forward, capturing my attention again and steering us back from Selene's shocking ramble. "Attend the fleet arrival with the priestess order so you do not raise suspicion. When will you have access to Leema again?"
"After the fleet arrives, there will be a temple service. I told her to find me." I blink away any other thought but what is important in this moment.
"Good."
"Calliape, can I call out to you? I can tell her it is time to leave right then, as soon as we are alone."
"I will fold the distance and bring her here if she is ready, then I can come right back for you."
"Not to the Estate temple," Selene snaps.
"Ferren needs our family right now and all of us will do our part." Calliape looks defiant as she stands her ground.
"I can make sure she is ready as much as possible."
"I will protect your sister as if she were my own," Calliape tells me.
"She is, because you are mine," I say plainly and squeeze her hand. This woman truly does not know how dear I hold her.
99 observes the little exchange then stands, ready to leave and put the plan in motion. "Ferren, you can never go back to the Estate after this."
I stand and smooth the front of my gown, allowing a moment to let the reality of what is now transpiring soak in. I feel a sort of resistance to agree to something so final but nod anyway.
"It will not take long to send Lord General a message from August’s ship."
"Should I have Calliape take me back for the night?" I ask, assuming our previous plan for me to stay here has changed.
He guides me out of the dining space and away from the others, needing a private moment. His knuckle runs over my cheek as he shakes his head slowly. "No. No, Ferren, you are meant to stay with me tonight."
I nod while he holds my chin tenderly, once again agreeing to wait for him here. And when he leaves, I stand in the threshold and watch his powerful form cut across the hangar to August's ship parked on the other side.
"Calliape?" I call out to her.
She comes to stand next to me, peeking out at the view of 99 striding away from us.
"Yes?"
"Do you think that ward spell of yours would work to protect me and 99's tether from being noticed?"
She smiles. "I think so, yes."
"I need you to show me how to put up one of my own. "
