was standing at the top of the temple steps.
“Good morning,” Leela replied politely, wondering what Koreen wanted with her.
“I am in a triad now,” she said. “With Daina and Atana.”
“What joyful news,” Leela forced herself to say.
Koreen shrugged. “It is a shame we missed the wedding season. I would so love to be married.”
Leela kept her mouth shut. She had no pity to spare for Koreen.
“I was hoping to speak to the High Priestess,” Koreen continued. “But Acolyte Klymthe says she is sequestered.”
“She is,” Leela said. “And has been for many days.”
Koreen sighed. “It is such a trying time for her. First, Sera is deemed unworthy by Mother Sun, then you go and break one of the most sacred rules of the City. Her spirits must be very low.”
It took all of Leela’s strength not to make a sharp retort. “Indeed. Well, unless there is something you need, I’m afraid I must get back to my polishing.”
Koreen pursed her lips as if this conversation was not going at all the way she wanted. “Very well,” she said. “Atana and Daina and I are going to get our own dwelling near the Aviary. You may come visit us whenever you wish.”
“What a kind offer,” Leela said through gritted teeth. “If I can find the time, I surely will.”
Koreen raised an eyebrow, then flicked her hair back over her shoulder in a way that Leela seemed to recall used to be attractive but now looked vain and silly. She turned and headed off toward Aila’s Bridge.
Leela returned to her polishing when suddenly, the symbols beneath her cloth changed, and a waterfall of a single word tumbled down the copper door.
Tonight, it read.
Leela nearly dropped the jar of polish.
“Mother Sun,” she whispered. “Is that you?”
Tonight. The word sparkled, the symbols growing larger, and Leela felt sure Mother Sun could hear her.
Then she heard a familiar voice.
“. . . more food, and prayer.” The High Priestess came around the bend of the temple, speaking with Acolyte Klymthe. “I will go myself early tomorrow. Make sure they know they need not be concerned. They will all be pregnant soon enough. Mother Sun wills it so.”
“Yes, High Priestess,” the acolyte said, bowing her head.
“Ah, Leela,” the High Priestess said. “Your penance is coming along nicely, I am told.”
Leela forced herself to sound meek. “I hope so, High Priestess. I am working very hard.”
“Carry on,” the High Priestess said, and she and Acolyte Klymthe disappeared into the temple, walking past the doors without a second glance, making Leela certain that the symbols were speaking only to her.
“Tonight,” she whispered to them, and the markings rippled and grew illegible once more, and Leela finished polishing with her heart in her throat.
She managed to get word to Elorin at supper that evening.
The novices ate in the Moon Gardens, on gossamer blankets with large bowls of food spread out among them. Leela was helping herself to rice seasoned with saffron and olives when Elorin appeared at her elbow.
“Good evening, Leela,” she said politely. “May I have the spoon when you are finished?”
“Certainly,” Leela replied, just as distant. Then she lowered her voice and said, “We must go to the Moon Gardens tonight at the hour of the dark.”
Elorin inclined her head without looking at her, and Leela handed her the spoon and left to sit on a blanket near the statue of Faesa.
I’m coming back, she thought.
Faesa’s eyes seemed to see right into Leela’s soul. She felt as if the moonstone heard her, and was glad, though the statue remained as cold and impassive as ever.
She ate her rice without tasting it, and climbed into bed before any of the other novices, making her breath come slow and even to give the illusion of sleep. The waiting was torture as she listened to the conversations fade out one by one, replaced by light snores and the shifting of blankets. Leela did not know how, exactly, but she sensed when the hour of the dark approached and sat up quietly. From across the room she saw Elorin rise. The two girls ever so cautiously crept out of the dormitory.
Elorin followed Leela to Faesa’s statue, where Leela stopped and touched the Moon Daughter’s stone hands. They were bitterly cold, and she was reminded of the ice pops she and Sera used to suck on when they were girls.
Open for me as you did before, Leela thought, and her heart spoke the words with confidence. She was not afraid.
Markings appeared down the length