Page 24 of The Forbidden Fae King

“Why?”

“Because it ismychoice.”

He stares at me with huge, puppy dog eyes, hurt rippling across his features.

I shake my head. This isn’t about him.

“Enjoy the festival, Finan.” I slip away from him, positioning myself between my father and Caitlin. Both had been staring daggers at our exchange and keep that heated gaze on the prince. Finan doesn’t even try to follow me.

The trumpets sound again in a long, brassy note, signaling the approach of the procession of priestesses to the gates of the inner wall.

There must be fifty women in that stretched out column, each as striking as the other. Ceremonial robes of white silk drape around their bodies in dozens of styles. Long, billowing sleeves extending past hands, short sleeves in puffs of fabric, or no sleeves at all with fur shawls. Loose bodices, tightly laced fabric corsets, gaping necklines or high necklines right up to a throat.

Some women wear veils over their faces, or draping down their hair. Others are adorned with a crown of white flowers, long feathers or animal horns protruding from headdresses, simple and curved. All wear furs.

I soak in individuality and sameness in wonderment. No woman needs to lose her identity to become a priestess.

Flows of magic are woven discreetly around them. The hair of the priestesses float gently in the air, perfect locks drifting upwards. The skin of many glow with the luminance of fire magic like splattered body paint across their skin in bright colors.

Halos of roaring flames surround some, and thin streams ofrapidly flowing water encase others. Flowers the size of a fist sprout in the grasses along the road in their wake, the many bright petals blocking out the green of the meadow.

The high priestess leads the procession, riding on a saddled elk that has fine gold chains draping from its highly branched antlers. Her wizened hands hold its reins loosely.

Pride soars in me at the sight of her and a wide grin forms on my lips.

A mask of gold engraved with deep, swirling runes covers the top half of her face, and a stag’s antlers crown her head. A cascade of white feathers explode out from the sides of the mask, reaching out in great wings, making the entire headdress wider than her slim shoulders. I wonder how she stays upright at all with it on.

My father steps out into the center of the courtyard as the procession enters. “High Priestess Naomi. Mother. Welcome.” He helps my grandmother down from the elk, though she hardly looks like she needs it.

The high priestess, my grandmother, scans her sharp, grey gaze across the people amassed, not even blinking at the presence of the king.

“I bring the blessing of magic to enrich these lands.” Her voice carries upon the wind to all the people. “I open the sacred rite of the pilgrimage to all women and beckon forth the next generation of priestesses.”

The courtyard and the people beyond have fallen utterly silent in reverence for their high priestess. Even the musical instruments of the band have halted.

“Candidates for the pilgrimage, join us now,” the high priestess calls, then turns on her heel and continues the procession into the castle.

Caitlin leaves the crowd of the audience and joins the column of priestesses, walking amongst them with her chin held high. Other women follow her lead, bolstering their ranks of white robes.

I take a step toward that line of priestesses, and then another.

It feels like I move within another woman’s body. This surelycannot be my life. The hope and exhilaration of my old dream blooming to life makes my heart swell, and I join the procession without remorse or fear.

I can hardly contain my excitement as I practically bounce in my seat. Caitlin throws glances my way while we wait, then finally claps a hand down on my knee to stop my tapping leg.

The small ballroom has been converted into a classroom, the banquet tables removed and rows of seating placed in the middle instead. The dais is set up with massive chalkboards borrowed from the war rooms, for the use of the priestess educators.

I have heard of the universities in the capital of Sunbright City, but never imagined I’d attend a lecture. That I would have people to study with me.

“I can’t express how happy I am right now,” I say to Caitlin.

“I know. A lecture on the fae and their world.” She spreads out her arms. “It’s a dream come true for you.”

I beam a smile at her.

We are the first in the classroom, seated in the center of the front row. I don’t want to miss a single thing. Three women take a step into the room, then stop abruptly and hover in the doorway. Their gazes dart around the room, from the marble mosaic floor to the gold trimmings on the stucco of the walls.

I wave the women over. I met them yesterday, at a high tea for the pilgrims and priestesses. I wrack my brain for their names. Alice, Fiona, and Erin.

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