Page 11 of Wicked Prince of Curses
They felt familiar to me. I couldn’t dishonor them by simply flying by them.
I finally lifted my head and found the seven sunlions with their heads lowered, as they blinked at me. My jawdropped. Each sunlion had the brightest and most beautiful lavender eyes. Just like me. It was like looking into a mirror.
“Wings high,” I whispered to them all, looking each in turn in their eyes.
Stars bless me! All of their eyes twinkled, glittering in the dimming sunlight as they looked back.
“Star of the Age. We are waiting for you.”
I blinked. “Don’t you mean‘We have been waiting’?”
“No. We still are.”
My throat clenched, emotion filling my chest. As one, each sunlion tilted back their head, their ivory fur gleaming beneath the seven suns, and roared. It sounded like a clarion call. Like a summons. Like the ringing of bells to signal someone was home.
The gates behind themwidened.
I felt a tug, an urge, to fly through.
So I did.
I was mesmerized at this invisible force that called me forward. Pulled me ahead and through the gates. The moment I crossed, they sealed shut. I kept flying, as if in a daze. I flew up the numerous steps to the temple doors. My chest squeezed as I neared the entrance. Then I crossed inside.
The moment my feet crossed the threshold, the sunlions stopped roaring. Then the temple doors slammed shut.
Chapter 6
Ibeamed from ear to ear when my feet landed on plush ivory rugs in a pristinely designed foyer. It was long rather than wide. The foyer spanned endless wingspans, brilliantly lit even though twinight would start rising outside of the temple soon.
My excitement quickly evaporated when I noticed there wasn’t a single Ascendant here.
Where was everyone? Why was I alone?
I surveyed the vast hall, unsure of what to do. Every direction I turned was drenched in marble. The floors were carved from ivory slabs with golden patterns intricately woven into them. Overhead had an arched ceiling with different designs, all carved out of ivory stone slabs and gilded tiles.
Wide pillars lined the long foyer on both sides. Each was a uniquely carved angel, sculpted with such detail they seemed to be alive. Golden fire boxes upheld the angelic statues, with iridescent flame burning within. At the top of the pillars were feathered designs that seemed to be welded into the molding above.
Grand floor-to-ceiling windows lined the walls between the pillars, overlooking the outdoors. I squinted, trying to see whatlay beyond, but for some reason, nothing came to view. It was like looking through a glass dimly.
“Hello?” I called out.
“Hello, Ascendant Safah.”
I yelped, whipping around. Three females stood by the temple doors. They were…smaller. Not like a youngling, but in stature. I wasn’t extremely tall for a female, and yet I somehow found myself towering over these three. Each had perfect posture, and kept their shoulders squared, but their eyes remained low. They wouldn’t look at me.
Noting the lack of wings, rank markings, and winged ears, it didn’t take much guesswork to see all three were goddesses. It helped that I knew enough about the gods, even though in my family home, Manmi and Papi led a different life than most. We had Keepers, but never slaves. I’d heard stories of the gods enslaved by the angels. Bound to serve endlessly, never managing to gain their freedom.
“Good twinight,” I said. “Well, at least it will be soon. And you all are?”
The goddesses were unmoving. They didn’t budge an inch. They kept their heads bowed. But the goddess in the center responded.
“We’re the goddesses of Temple Efysis. We belong to the temple. To the Farasees of the Order. We’re here to guide you to your Sifting chamber, before you can continue your Ascension.”
I nodded. That made sense. Manmi had told me about this part ample time. If I made it, I would first be Sifted. I needed to clean up. Physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
The physical part always made sense. Now having survived Tharic Zamarien, the spiritual and emotional parts made sense, too. My spirit had to be cleansed from all I endured this dawn before I dove into any holy temple activities.
“What are your names? If I may ask.”
