Page 26 of The Cerulean Sister
99 looks a little surprised when I continue to hold his hand as we walk through the courtyard where some commanders still train into the evening. Normally, we save most of our affection for when we are alone, but I cannot bring myself to let go of his strong palm.
I notice his chest puff out a little more, like he is honored to be walking with me. His gaze trails up my arm from our conjoined hands, and he gives my hand a double squeeze. I lean into it, a wave of anticipation making me antsy the closer we get to being alone.
We both stride a little faster than normal, probably obvious as we cross through the center of the capital building toward our chambers.
A regal woman I have seen before but cannot place walks toward us like she is trying to get our attention. Her clothes are expertly made, and her plum-painted lips curl up in a devastating smile as she crosses our path.
"99th Commander, Priestess Ferren." Her eyes land on me in an expectant look.
She holds her own wrist at the front of her dress in a poised but casual way, and suddenly I remember her. She fitted me forclothing when I first landed on Viathan and I had no possessions or gowns other than the tattered one I came in.
99 had her make clothes of various styles. He even gave her my torn temple gown, commissioning her to make one exactly like it in case I wanted to wear something familiar. But I never wore it. It never felt right. Instead, I have only worn the simple gowns she tailored in all black.
Lady . . . Anne, I remember now.
I can feel 99's forearm go stiff as we greet her. I have more dresses than I will ever need, so I am not sure why she is stopping us. But from the way 99 is reacting, I can tell he may have an idea.
"You look well, Priestess." She smiles and inspects my gown and even my hair, as if it's a habitual act. "99th Commander, I had the item you requested sent to your room some days ago. Did you not receive it?" She checks my hair again for some reason.
"Ourchamberis in the south wing. When was it sent?" he asks, agitated.
"Apologies then, it was left in your private room." She emphasizes the last two words in a way that makes me want to pluck her eyes out with my light.
Private. Room.
Separate, private room?
I am too stunned to interrupt for clarification. I just observe them speak back and forth, my brow so furrowed it starts to hurt.
"I left instructions," 99 says.
"Let me retrieve it for you, 99th Commander, and bring it to the correct location."
"No," he refuses harshly, and her face pales as she does an odd, little bow and leaves.
I watch as she rushes away, then slowly look to 99, only to find him already watching me, waiting for me to say something about the strange interaction.
"You have a private room?" I ask, turning with my hands on my hips.
99 rubs the back of his neck, looking more uncomfortable than I have ever seen him.
"What was Lady Anne speaking about?"
He tilts his head like I've said something perplexing. If anything, it calms any territorial jealousy I felt toward Lady Anne when I realize he might not even know her name.
"My tenement was not suitable for you."
"You lived in a different place before?"
He nods, ducking his head a little. "I was granted chambers in the capital building when I took my current rank, but I never . . . I prefer the smaller of the two." He looks so nervous, waiting for me to say something, it makes me regret glaring so harshly.
Of course he thought I would be more comfortable in a larger room with fine furnishings like my temporary one in the Estate. He has no idea how small and simple my actual room was in the lesser priestess wing.
Even though we are so closely linked, there are tiny details we are still learning about each other. It is always 99's intention to make me feel welcome and loved, and this is just a more extreme example.
"I would like to see where you lived." I place my hand on his chest, trying to soothe the frenzy of doubt I can hear rattling around in his mind.
99 takes us to the far side of the capital building, out into the main courtyard where the greenhouse is still being repaired and through a hidden alley entrance.
