Page 15 of Bound By Stardust
I clasped my hands together, still finding it hard to believe this was actually happening. Everything felt surreal, like a dream, the sun a bit too bright, the air a bit too cold, and the glitter of gold a bit too harsh on my eyes. Regardless, I followed the Masters up the shimmering steps, eager to see the inside of the palace.
But I did not get far.
One of the masked females took my hand and guided me into a large room. A fire roared in the hearth, which took up one wall, and white robes hung in a line. I turned, seeing that the other young women from Terrin were with me.
I’d been warned, but I was still stunned when one of the masked females took my cloak from around my shoulders and tossed it into the fire. My chest squeezed at the waste, and then I saw they were doing the same to the others, throwing away their clothing from Terrin, undoing their braids and brushing their hair.
One of the women, Sari I thought, let out a squeal as a necklace was snatched from her neck. She lunged for it. “Please! Not that.”
A slap came, loud and striking. Sari stepped back, hand to her face as one of the fully-masked Masters stepped away. He snatched the necklace and tossed it in the fire. “Nothing from down below remains here.”
I wrapped my hands around my bare shoulders, suddenly disconcerted not only with how he’d treated Sari, but that he was in the room while the females dressed us. With his mask, it was impossible to tell if he was staring at our naked bodies or not.
Regardless, I turned my back to him as the masked female assisting me pulled a white gown over my head. It was simple and fell to my ankles, the material no different from my clothes in Terrin; in fact, it was slightly scratchy. Disappointing. I expected the richest silks. The dress, like the robes the Masters wore, hung loosely on my body. Would I be expected to wear this every day?
I glanced again at Sari, whose eyes were glassy, unfocused, as her hair was brushed. A niggling went down my spine. What, exactly, did the Masters want with us in their kingdom? I’d always assumed it was for some noble reason, some high honor…but now?
Once we were dressed, our hair hanging down our backs, the masked females ushered us out of the room, and we followed one of the Masters deeper into the palace.
I titled my head back, taking in the tall, white columns and the crisscross of patterns covering them. Floor-to-ceiling windows let in an abundance of light, many of the panes painted in various colors, forming pictures. I strained to see them but eventually gave up, for it was impossible to see everything.
Rich carpets covered the stone floor, warm against my now-bare feet. Crystals hung from the ceiling, and when the windows disappeared, carved statues took their place.
All too quickly, we came to a stop. The masked females flitted away, leaving myself and the four other women standing at the top of a flight of stairs in front of an audience, perhaps the entire assembly of Masters.
Dumbly, I stared down at the stairs. Instead of leading into the hall where the Masters waited, the stairs led into a pool of water, dividing us from the Masters.
The Master had mentioned the ceremony, but I didn’t believe he’d actually have us bathe in front of everyone. Suddenly, I understood the simpleness of the gown. Still, it was unnerving to have hundreds of golden masks pointed in my direction, the Masters watching, their emotions hidden.
My arms trembled, and I thought of Drazhan’s words and my grandmother’s warning about fae and Masters. An eerie sense of foreboding came over me, and I sniffed.
An odd tang hung in the air. It was a distinct odor, similar to the scent of a festering wound. Yet it was only an undercurrent, for most of the air was perfumed with a lilac scent.
I pinched my thigh. My nerves were making me imagine things when I needed to focus on the honor being bestowed upon myself and the other women. I didn’t see any sign of the young men – were they not part of the ceremony?
A low chant began, and one of the Masters moved to a corner, where a jug and goblets sat. He poured five goblets and handed each of us one, murmuring, “May your spirits be renewed as you drink.”
The goblet was heavy in my hands, and the drink looked like dark red wine. I paused, Drazhan’s words ringing in my ears.
Never, ever eat or drink anything they give you.
Why? What could be so wrong with a drink?
Noticing my hesitation, the Master paused before me, tipping the goblet toward my lips. “Drink,” he encouraged.
This was my new life; I should face it without fear.
I put the goblet to my lips and drank. Deeply.
It tasted like wine, except sweeter than any kind I’d ever had. Then, the aftertaste rang back, bold, deep, and bitter.
My lips tingled, and then my fingers and toes. A few moments passed, and then a sense of euphoria came over me, as though I were floating, and a haze of gold appeared in front of me.
Dimly, I heard the instructions of the Masters.
“Go down the steps, enter the water, and walk out the other side, clean and ready for your mate.”
Mate. Funny, they used that word as though I was about to be married.
