Page 168 of Blood Sanctuary, Part One

Lio’s aunt strolled into the room, another prize box under her arm. “If we could bottle it for you, we certainly would, but training is the best we can do.”

Lio frowned and lifted his head just enough to look around. “Won’t Uncle be joining us?”

“He is at our residence,” Lyta answered, “changing out of his formal silks to accompany me on ward patrol.”

Lio lay back again, his eyes full of disappointment.

“I cannot stay long either, I’m afraid. But I wanted to be here for this.” Lyta set the prize box on the coffee table, exchanging expectant smiles with the rest of her Stand.

“You three are sleepier than sucklings,” Javed said to his patients. “Drink your tonic so you can hold your heads up for a few minutes longer.”

Cassia fetched the coffee cup hovering above Lio’s nose and put it to his lips. He held his nose and obediently accepted her assistance. He shuddered, blinked, then sat up beside her, putting an arm around her. Mostly to support himself, she suspected.

“All right, we’re ready.” Mak rubbed his face and gave his head a shake.

Lyros crossed his legs to keep his bare feet protected, turning his attention on the prize box.

Lyta smiled and beckoned to Cassia. “Stand beside me and accept your real prizes.”

Cassia looked around her. “The prize box is for me?”

Lyta nodded. “As meaningful as it was to award you a laurel wreath in the ring tonight, we regretted that we were not at liberty to offer you the Hesperine prizes you so rightfully won.”

Kadi gave Cassia an encouraging smile. “We decided your first visit to the gymnasium would be a fine time for the Stand to present our welcome gifts.”

“I get to give you mine first.” Mak grinned. “I made the box.”

Cassia ran her hands over the detailed ironwork, tracing the curls of thorny vines and the petals of roses. “It’s exquisite. It shall not be only a keeper of treasures, but a treasure in itself.”

“Go on,” Lyros urged her.

Cassia got to her feet and stood at Lyta’s side. Lyta lifted the lid of the box and withdrew a bundle of fabric. She let it unfold before Cassia. It was an athletic tunic the color of cassia spice that appeared to be just her size.

“From me,” said Kadi, “the Stand’s outfitter. Next time you and Knight join us in the ring, you’ll have the proper attire.”

Cassia found herself struggling for words.

Kadi laughed. “I bet you never guessed my craft is sewing.”

“Kadi makes the best Stand dolls,” Zoe piped up. “Bosko and I are collecting everyone—Aunt Lyta, Mak, Lyros… Kadi, you have to make you next.”

That brought a smile to Cassia’s face, and she found her tension draining away. “Thank you so much, Kadi. I’ll look forward to training without having to fiddle with skirts and veils!”

“Why don’t you try it on now?” Mak pointed past the bar, toward the training room. “We’ve got a place where you can change right there.”

Cassia excused herself into the training room and went behind a dressing screen. She shucked her Segetian colors down to her underlinens, then pulled the tunic over her head and Lio’s blood mark. She decided she wanted to wear cotton for the rest of her life.

Then she stared down at her bare calves, and her courage failed her. She tugged on the short sleeves, but they wouldn’t reach over her elbows. Her breasts were too small to be noticeable, butsheknew they were there.

She was about to parade herself in front of all Lio’s family and friends in, well, next to nothing.

This wasn’t public, she reminded herself. This was veil hours, the time of privacy and trust.

Oh, thorns. She was supposed to wear this in the middle of the gymnasium.

Cassia thought of big, gorgeous, powerful Kadi, who never hesitated to display her curves and the muscles beneath. Of Lyta, arriving in Orthros wearing a peasant’s tunic and ragged footwraps.

Cassia stepped out from behind the screen and marched back into the common room.

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