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And then the week was over and the holiday was starting. While our classmates were making plans to drink too much and share beds, I was frantically packing the last of my things. Talin was no better. When everything was as good as I was going to get it, I snuck in a shower, begged Amerlee to help with my hair, and asked Eladehl to pick out his favorite of my dresses.
The gown was made of a deep purple taffeta with cross-threads in black. The effect when worn tricked the eyes as the fabric shifted between the two colors. The top had accents of black lace overlaid at the neckline and sleeves, but my throat was bare of jewelry, leaving my god-lace to show on my clavicle and arms.
My eyes were painted dark. My lips were stained with a deep wine color that complemented the purple. Amerlee had pulled my long, nearly-black hair up into an elegant coif, leaving a few tendrils to frame my face and neck. When Talin stepped in to announce that he had a trolly to carry our things to the front, he paused, letting his eyes run across me.
"You," he said, his voice filled with awe, "look stunning."
"Look, but do not touch," Jamik warned. "And the rest of you can help me get their things together."
Immediately, Wraythe and Eladehl jumped into action. Talin just held out his hand to Amerlee for my coat, flared it open, and offered it like the perfect gentleman. Clearly, he'd done this a few times before.
"Priestess," he breathed as he slipped it over my shoulders. But when he stepped around to fasten the front, he finally noticed the detail work. "Did that tailor..." A smile touched his lips. "That's Zeal's symbol in the lace?"
"Nalph is amazing," Amerlee assured him. "He's also very devoted to the Priests of Temptation. We are the majority of his clientele now."
"I think Nari's going to set the new fashion in the highest households," Talin said before offering me his arm. "Desire?"
"Guardian," I said as I accepted.
The walk from my suite to the main entrance of the temple was a long one. The trolly with our luggage went first, pushed by Wraythe, Jamik, and - oddly - Anver, who'd also shown up to help. Eladehl and Amerlee followed behind us, my partner escorting my mentor on his arm. A few priests and priestesses stopped to look, proving that our procession didn't go unnoticed, but it wasn't that far out of the ordinary.
But when we reached the front, I realized just how important this visit was. The two massive doors had been thrown open. Waiting on the raked gravel drive below the stairs was an ornate black carriage with a pair of white horses hitched before it. The design on the door marked it as the property of the Baron of Temptation, and the footman who held the door open for us was dressed in black, just like all the priests inside.
"Ok," I said, turning back for Eladehl. "Please have some fun for me on the Darkest Night?"
"Promise," he assured me. "I'll even make sure Wraythe has a good time."
Then he stepped in, hooking a finger under my chin to tilt my head up. His kiss was chaste, and soft enough not to smudge the stain on my lips. Yet the moment he stepped back, Wraythe took his place, lifting my laced fingers to his lips.
"You look like every man's dream," he promised before kissing my knuckles. "Keep her safe, Talin?"
"Promise," Talin said, but his farewell wasn't as proper.
He hugged Wraythe as soon as the giant released my hand, then turned to Eladehl and did the same, only adding a kiss to his cheek. Amerlee and Jamik got a slightly less enthusiastic embrace from him. Both of them treated me a little more gently, not wanting to rumple the dress or my hair before I made my grand entrance into the baron's society.
Then it was Anver's turn. He offered Talin his hand casually, like a friend. But when he turned to me, he paused as if he was unsure what to even say. Clasping both of his hands, I lifted them to his chest and leaned in, pressing a pinkish-purple kiss to his cheek.
"Thank you for helping," I whispered. "Thank you for not avoiding me."
"I never meant to," he promised. "And you look perfect, Nari. Havefunwhile you're there, ok? I'll make sure Ela and Wraythe have backup, so don't worry about that. Just make Talin spoil you the way you deserve."
"Promise, and thank you." I squeezed his fingers again, and turned for the carriage.
This was just one week, but I hated leaving my friends and family behind. I honestly enjoyed their company. I liked our casual evenings together and calm lives. I'd never truly dreamed of the fast pace that came with high society, but I could also see the appeal - and the potential for making a fool of myself.
Still, if this was the High Priest's best attempt to push me out, then I would be the most elegant priestess the world had ever seen. I was Zeal's Chosen, invited to the home of my god's baron. My only goal was to make sure that Talin's brother realized that he did not outrank me. He might be the High Priest's equal, but I was above that.
I was the woman who'd been claimed by a god.
When I reached the carriage, the footman offered his hand to assist me inside. "My lady," he said softly.
"It's Priestess," I corrected gently. "I assure you, good sir, that I am not a lady."
A flush of pink tinted his cheeks, but there was no other response. Talin didn't wait for the man's help. He simply climbed inside behind me, then reached down to make sure my skirts were clear of the door. A second later, the last trunk was loaded onto the back, and the horses were clicked forward.
The carriage surged into motion with an impressive lurch. I sucked in a breath, but Talin laughed. "First carriage ride?" he asked.
"Second," I admitted, "but the first was a much smaller vehicle. How far out of town does your brother live?"
