The Alcazar (The Cerulean Duology #2) - Amy Ewing Page 0,28

they had been tethered to, nearly nine hundred years ago. That was when the High Priestess had ascended to her role—the previous High Priestess, Luille, had died on the planet. The Great Sadness was why Cerulean were not allowed to go down onto planets at all anymore. It was too dangerous, the High Priestess said. But Sera was on the planet now, and while she had seemed anxious and sad, Leela did not have the sense she was in danger. The lies were piling up and making her head hurt.

Leela had the strongest urge to run to Sera’s orange mother, to tell her everything and see if maybe she would believe her daughter was alive when Kandra would not. But she could only follow the High Priestess as she crossed the room in sweeping strides, novices and orange mothers scattering in her wake. Acolyte Endaria was hurrying across the chancel, the look on her face leaving Leela in no doubt that the news had already reached her.

“Her purple mother has been informed,” the High Priestess said without preamble. “Send Novices Belladon and Loonir to her dwelling to tell her other mothers.”

Acolyte Endaria pressed a hand to her chest and looked at Leela with confusion and pity. “Why would you break such a sacred rule, my child?” she asked.

Leela tried to appear contrite. “I . . .”

“She is young, Endaria,” the High Priestess said, sweet sympathy in her voice, but it was too honeyed for Leela’s liking. “And still grieving the loss of her friend. You remember how it was to be young and curious and sad.”

Leela could not picture Acolyte Endaria as ever being any of those things, but the acolyte nodded fervently.

“Imima has prepared the chamber of penitence,” she said.

“Excellent. The conclave will convene tomorrow at the hour of the serpent.”

“Yes, High Priestess,” Acolyte Endaria said, bowing her head.

The High Priestess turned to Leela and fixed her with a gaze so penetrating, Leela felt as if her skin was being peeled off. She forced herself to remain still, to take courage in the memory of Sera’s heartbeat and the knowledge that her friend was out there and needed her, refusing in this moment to show either true fear or fake humility. The High Priestess had lies on her side—Leela had love and truth. She could feel her love for Sera shimmering in every facet of her blood. For one thrilling, weightless moment, Leela had the sense that the High Priestess was afraid of her.

Then the High Priestess’s lips twitched as if she wanted to smile and Leela felt her heart crumble into a pile of hot ashes.

“We all make mistakes, Leela,” she said. “We all challenge authority in some way when we are young. Do not despair. You will grow from this lesson and become an even better Cerulean than you were before. I am certain of it.”

“You will,” Acolyte Endaria echoed. “Now come with me. I will take you to the chamber of penitence, where you shall stay the night.”

The High Priestess gestured for Leela to walk the stairs that led to the chancel. Leela had never seen the room from this vantage point before—it spread out before her, endless yet also close, as if she could reach her arms out and wrap them around the entire space. The pulpit was made of nebula tree wood, silver as the moon and studded with crystal-clear stargems. Leela had never seen behind it; a single shelf lined its insides, empty now, but Leela guessed it would hold the sacred bowls the High Priestess would use for various ceremonies.

Acolyte Endaria led her to a space at the very back of the chancel that Leela had always thought was just wall but slid aside to reveal a narrow hallway curving along the outer edge of the temple. The walls glowed, lighting their way, and Leela followed the acolyte to a small room with yet another door. The only doors Leela had ever seen were the ones on the temple and those on the birthing houses, both made of copper. The door Acolyte Endaria opened was made of soft gray wood and inlaid with lacquered golden polaris leaves.

The room was round, simply furnished with a bed and gossamer blanket, and a dresser with a basin and pitcher. A lone, circular window was set in the wall too high above the bed for Leela to see out of.

“Novices will be stationed outside, to bring your meals and see to your needs,” Acolyte Endaria said,