The Alcazar (The Cerulean Duology #2) - Amy Ewing Page 0,41

Altar of the Lost.

“You will hear along with everyone else,” Cresha said. She was one of the novices who most resented Leela’s presence among them.

“The High Priestess visited the birthing houses this morning at dawn,” Novice Loonir whispered when Cresha left to gather more cushions. “I think one of the purple mothers is pregnant at last.”

Leela’s knees locked. Was it Kandra? She did not know why, but she was certain that if Kandra became pregnant, it would kill her. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but slowly, the grief would eat away until she was nothing but a husk of bone and forgotten magic.

“My children,” the High Priestess said when the City had gathered. Her eyes were more vibrant today, her skin aglow like moonlight. Leela thought she could feel the heat of her from where she stood against the wall between Loonir and Cresha, but she may have only been imagining it. One thing was certain—she was stronger and more confident than she had been last night beneath the City.

“I bring you glad tidings from the birthing houses,” the High Priestess continued. “Plenna Skychaser is with child.”

The temple erupted in cheers. Leela saw Heena and Jaycin, Plenna’s wives, embracing each other tearfully as other Cerulean offered them their congratulations.

“Isn’t it wonderful, Leela?” Loonir said, grinning at her.

Leela forced herself to smile back. “Wonderful,” she echoed.

She caught sight of Sera’s other mothers, who had not risen to their feet or cheered with joy at this announcement, but only clung to each other. Leela wondered if they were sad because Kandra had not been chosen, or relieved.

“Such blessed news calls for a celebration,” the High Priestess commanded. “Let us go to the Day Gardens. A new generation of Cerulean is about to begin! Praise Mother Sun and her everlasting light!”

“Praise her!” the Cerulean cried.

“Come, Leela,” Loonir said. “We must go at once to the fermentation house in the orchards and gather as much sweetnectar as we can carry. What a joyous day! I confess I was beginning to worry myself.”

“Worry?” Leela asked as she followed the throng of Cerulean streaming out of the temple.

“It does not usually take so long for a purple mother to become pregnant,” Loonir said, frowning. “Not all of them, of course, but . . . at least one should have been with child by now. Perhaps it is only because the seasons are so close together.” Then her face brightened. “But no matter! Plenna is pregnant. Heena and Jaycin must be so happy. I cannot wait to offer them my blessings!”

Leela could not bear the thought of going to the Day Gardens and celebrating. Her stomach was in knots as she descended the temple steps. This felt wrong, another lie of the High Priestess’s, something unnatural. She reached the last stair and turned to look back at the doors just as the symbols began to swirl and shift. It took all her strength of will not to cry out, though she should have been used to reading them by now.

Eat the fruit, they said.

“Forgive me,” Leela stammered to Loonir. “I have a gift for Heena and Jaycin on my nightstand; I will meet you at the fermentation house.”

“I can wait for—”

“No, no,” Leela said. “You go on. I will join you in just a moment. What a blessed day!”

Loonir acquiesced as a green mother swept her up in conversation. Leela scurried around the curve of the temple and paused in the doorway to the novice chambers, waiting for the crowds to pass over Aila’s Bridge in the direction of the Day Gardens. The shouts and cheers and cries faded away, but still she waited just to be sure. She hoped Loonir would have forgotten about her by the time she reached the fermentation house.

The Moon Gardens were drenched in a honeyed light as the hour of the owl approached. The tips of the hydrangeas glowed jade-gold and Faesa’s statue was waiting for her with knowing eyes. This time, Leela did not even have to touch the statue. Markings appeared as she approached, as if they had been waiting for her, as if they knew Mother Sun had told her to come. With one gentle beat of Leela’s heart, the statue slid aside.

The cold did not seem so biting as it had on her previous visits; perhaps she was growing accustomed to it. The winding stair felt familiar, the blue and green lights a welcome sight as she emerged into the cavernous space with gardens growing from above