Page 47 of Spirit Rites
“It’s a while, isn’t it?” I ask.
“Yes, but keep using that salve; that will really help.”
“Why does it burn for so long?” I ask.
The smile finally drops from her face, and I feel bad about it. “The guivres never lost their dragon fire, and there’s nothing more painful than dragon fire. It incinerates anything it touches because it’s so hot. Or in your case, just a brush of it can burn horribly. That’s because dragon fire never stops burning technically.”
Panic shoots through me. “It never stops burning?”
“It didn’t touch you, though, remember? It just brushed you; that’s different. I don’t really know how long it will take, but itwillheal...I think.”
Harper mumbles something under her breath and shakes her head. “You’re a treasure, Mae.”
Maelin glances at me, her expression flat. “Great. She likes me just as much as she does Sryena.”
“Don’t worry about it. Harper doesn’t like anybody,” I tell her.
“She likes you,” Mae points out.
“Only on certain days,” I say in response, earning a small smile from her. I walk back over to where Veyra is still sitting on the floor, and I slide down to sit next to her. Wanting a distraction from the pain, I focus on Maelin. “Mae, what wereyou talking about earlier when you said I needed to stand before the assembly?”
I watch as she instantly becomes flustered. “Oh, I don't know what I was spouting off earlier.”
“Yes, you do,” I argue. “Why were you saying I would have to stand before an assembly? An assembly for what?”
She looks pained. “Taren told me not to say anything.”
“Is Taren here now?” Harper asks.
Mae swallows. “No, but he—”
“Is not in charge,” Harper interrupts.
Mae lifts a shoulder. “Well, he’s pretty high up in the chain of command.”
I appeal to her gentle side. “Mae, I’m new here; I don’t know anything. I’m just trying to prepare myself for what’s to come. Any help you can give me would be so appreciated.”
She glances towards the open door and then finally turns to me. “What do you know about jade?”
I frown. “Like the color?”
“Like the gemstone,” she says.
I shrug. “Nothing.”
“Jade is the color of our kingdom, but it’s more than a color. It’s a representation of our kingdom. It represents wisdom, justice, and worthiness.”
“Okay. What’s that got to do with me?” I ask.
“Well, before you are accepted as Kaldar’s mate, you will be tested in each of those areas to see if you are an acceptable mate and queen.”
I stare at her. “You have got to be kidding me! The Spirit Rites weren’t enough? I thought those were to prove my worthiness.” My voice is not nearly as calm as I wanted it to be. “What do I have to do this time?”
Mae’s eyes widen. “Oh, no. You don’t have to do anything but be tested this time.”
I try to hang on to my patience, but it’s not working. “Mae, just tell me what I have to do.”
“Okay. It’s really easy. All you have to do is stand before the assembly and hold imbued jade in both hands.”
