“We were just finishing up here Brother Gardinal.” Celeste responded, then motioned for her handmaidens to help her put on her gown. The flowing silk gown had been requisitioned while she was still asleep. Valleresa had made sure it had been sewn by Gerada, the Khazimi seamstress they had met those months ago. It was a beautiful gown, fine teal silk with silver scrollwork running along the hem. Fitted, but not too tight, more in the Fereni fashion than the Sherya with a low squared neckline that revealed her high-necked shift. Celeste did appreciate that it made her appear her full sixteen years. Well, at least closer than she normally did.

Just as Arabella fastened the final button at Celeste’s back, the bishop stepped into the chamber.

“Your Radiance.” Her father spoke in his usual formal tone with a slight bow of his head. “I see you are only slightly behind schedule. Can I assume you are at least prepared mentally for today?”

“Yes father.” Celeste answered warmly. The bishop had been so careful with her the past few days. From what Gardinal had explained, her father had been as pale as snow when he had learned what happened in the temple courtyard.

“As soon as the ceremony is complete, I will be by your side.” He continued, inspecting Gardinal and nodding. “You will not be alone to field questions. I assure you.”

Celeste shook her head with a grin. Despite everything that had happened over the past months, he still had a habit of treating her like a child.

“I am aware father.” She responded with a humoring tone. “But if I cannot manage today, then perhaps the last several years of your tutelage in court comportment were truly for not.”

The bishop stared at her, unblinking, for a long moment. “That.” He spoke with heavy emphasis. “Is precisely what I’m worried about.”

Celeste blushed, then turned to examine herself in a fine polished-silver mirror. After a quick adjustment of the silver-leaf button on her high-necked shift, she spun and swept toward the door.

“I believe it is past time we depart.” She announced, not looking back at the men as she glided across the floor.

Walking through the door and out into the corridor it didn’t take long for Gardinal and the bishop to push their way ahead of her. It seemed important to the men to lead for some reason. Celeste shook her head with a chuckle before basking in the light that shined through the corridor’s large stone windows.

“The Father shines well on us.” Arabella spoke softly from her side. Taking the handmaiden’s arm in hers, Celeste voiced her agreement.

Making their way through the temple grounds, every priest and priestess they came across dropped deep bows and curtsies as she passed. Celeste’s mouth tightened at every one. She was used to the adorations she had received before, but ever since she had healed them all in the temple grounds they had been treating her like… well like she imagined they might treat Ethinia herself. That made her uncomfortable.

The warm air of the temple grounds was a fine comfort as they stepped out of the main sanctuary. A light breeze rustled the trees that lined the marble path, and Celeste grinned wide as she spotted a figure laying on a bench casually with hands folded behind his head. Charlotte sat perched atop Vallerian’s bent knee, her sharp eyes scanning the grounds for any mouse or rat that dared scamper across her path.

“That boy is entirely too comfortable on these hallowed grounds.” The bishop complained. Gardinal grunted an affirmation, but there was little fire to the Khazimi priest’s voice. Pretend all he wanted, but Celeste’s gruff guardian had grown fond of the charming count.

Charlotte’s keen eyes taking Celeste in, she squawked and flapped her wings to wake Vallerian. Not that Celeste believed the too-clever man was actually resting. He had a habit of making people think of him one way while he was very much another, a dangerous habit she had come to notice. But she had seen his soul and saw that there was a deep capacity for good within him. She had to believe that would win out over any other instincts.

With Vallerian rising, Charlotte leapt off him and glided over to Celeste’s shoulder, bowing before nuzzling up against her face lovingly.

“You look exquisite today, Celeste.” Vallerian sauntered over with a charming grin on his face and a flourish of his gloved hands.

“And you are quite dashing my lord.” She responded with a slight curtsy. He wore a fine violet coat of crushed velvet, silver cord rounding out every seam. Charlotte chirped at her, and Celeste giggled as she petted under the falcon’s beak. “And you are beautiful as always Charlotte.”

Vallerian took a spot beside Gardinal, leaning to elbow the shorter man in the ribs. Gardinal grunted, and shoved the count playfully back, but otherwise led the way down the marble path to the main temple courtyard.

Rounding a hedged corner, their growing group found the roofless colonnade that ran along side the temple’s main courtyard. Through those columns, Celeste spotted Kriss standing before a dozen Faith Militia.

He must have heard their approach. For as soon as they rounded that corner Kriss spun to see them, his shoulder length golden locks brushing his broad shoulders. His deep hazel eyes took her in a gentle embrace, and unlike so many other people’s stares, she felt comfort in his. In fact, in that moment, it felt warmer than the sun beating on her skin.

Seeming to realize he had been staring, a bright blush spread across the handsome man’s face before he spun to the soldiers and slammed the butt of his spear into the still cracked marble ground.

“Men, attention!” Kriss shouted, and the Faith Militia before him formed into a tight formation, right hand to heart and left hand to the hilt of their blade. Celeste giggled at the sight of him acting so stern, and more so seeing men sometimes twice his age responding to his command. Still, the Faith Militia captain’s dress uniform made a dashing figure on him. A tight fitted crisp white coat fit him snuggly in the chest and shoulders, and despite the fine silver hilted sword that hung on his belt, the spear in his hand seemed just right.

“Well done Captain Kriss.” Gardinal approached, patting Kriss on the shoulder. Leaning into the young man, Gardinal whispered to him. “The men, they’re listening to you alright?”

Even standing right next to Gardinal, Celeste was barely able to hear the words as Kriss responded.

“The men are good to me Brother Gardinal, I assure you. Likely better than I deserve.” Kriss responded, patting Gardinal back on the shoulder before turning to the bishop and her in turn. “Father Shelezan, Your Radiance.” He gave her father a short, respectful bow, and her a deep one.

Stepping forward, Celeste placed a finger beneath his chin and lifted gently until he rose to his full height. Staring down at her, their gaze met for a long moment, his large brown eyes like pools of honey. Celeste’s breath caught. In that moment she knew that as long as this man was by her side, she would always be safe. It had been true since they were children, and it was true now.

“Hi.” She managed to utter. His face split into a wide grin that made butterflies take flight in her stomach.

“Ahem.” Gardinal cleared his throat and Celeste turned from Kriss, warmth spread to her cheeks as she made a study of the marble ground.

“Umm, er, your litter awaits, Prophetess.” Kriss spoke awkwardly, motioning toward the fine silver inlaid litter covered in silk and cushions that lay next to four strapping young Fereni porters. Avoiding Kriss’s gaze she rushed past him to the litter, urging the crimson to leave her face as quickly as possible.