Priestess Evangeline swept a hand over the bejewelled hood that covered her head. The white veil that stretched from its tip down to her collarbone where it attached to the clasps of her ceremonial robe obscured her view, forcing her to watch the world through a mesh haze. In front of her, a blurred, stooped figure fussed at the hem of her robe, trying to adjust the length last-minute.
Lifting a hand, Evangeline trailed her fingertips down between the valley of her breasts, noting the faint traces of oil that lingered still--remnants from the perfumed bath she'd been instructed to take earlier. She'd nearly scrubbed her skin raw, until she'd emerged with silk-supple skin and the smell of berries on her flesh.
Only the best for today, she thought to herself.
"You're just about done, priestess," the maid at her feet said. Evangeline saw her stand and dust off her apron. "If you'll just step off the pedestal for me."
With the maid's help, Evangeline descended the pedestal, her bare feet touching cool, smooth stone, a welcome sensation after hours of standing still.
In front of her, the maid looked her up and down, then made a satisfied noise. "You're perfect," she said. "The high priestesses will be happy, as will the kings."
The kings.
Evangeline's skin prickled. All twelve kings from the neighbouring city-states had journeyed here for this--to witness her ascension to High Priestess. If she managed to ascend, that was.
A light rap at the threshold drew her attention. Through the film of her veil, she saw the tall, lithe figure of one of the temple girls. "They're ready for you, Priestess Evangeline," she said in a soft, lilting voice. From the Northern territories, Evangeline noted. Not that it mattered. She'd likely never see the girl again after that day.
Evangeline nodded. "Very well." She took a step forward, then paused and turned back to the maid. "Thank you for your work. The Goddess smiles upon you, I've no doubt about it."
Turning, she followed the temple girl out of the guest chambers and into the corridor, where firelit sconces lighted their way. Evangeline's steps were silent, the temple girl's a rasping whisper of slippered feet over the interlocking stone floor. She'd learn to quiet her steps in the coming years, if she wished to pursue ordination.
"Are you nervous?" the girl asked some time later. They were still walking through the temple, its corridors like a labyrinth built by the ancients.
"Nervous?" Evangeline asked. She supposed she was nervous, in a sense. And yet, her entire life had led her to this moment. Every breath, every meal, it had all built up to this--her ascension. If she was nervous, it was out of excitement, out of longing. Mostly, she was filled with a sense of rightness.
"Forgive me, it was wrong of me to question you, Priestess," the temple girl said, the words rushed.
Evangeline raised a hand, the motion lifting her robe and exposing a sliver of sensitive flesh. She stifled a shudder as air hit the flesh of her stomach. "There's no need to apologize. I was merely considering how best to answer your question."
"Of course, Priestess Evangeline."
"To answer, no, I don't find myself nervous. I am excited to ascend as a High Priestess of the Goddess. I am excited to serve in Her halls."
"But the Trial...surely, you must be somewhat apprehensive?" the girl questioned. Evangeline thought that she must not have grown up in the temples. Had she, she wouldn't feel such confusion over the Goddess' Trial.
"High Priestesses have endured such trials since the Order's inception. The Goddess Herself faced a similar trial, though it wasn't quite so formal," Evangeline said.
"The Demon King," the girl said.
Evangeline nodded. "You're new to these halls, aren't you?" she asked.
Beside her, the girl bowed her head. From behind the haze of her veil, Evangeline could see the girl twisting the cuff of her sleeve between her fingers. "Is it so obvious?"
"It is," Evangeline confirmed. "It's not a bad thing, though. It just is." Taking a breath, Evangeline thought back to her first day in the temples. She'd been groomed for the role, born into it.
"The Demon King and the Goddess are married," Evangeline started. "But before they married, the Goddess had to endure a similar trial by her husband. He took her on these grounds, before the temple was built, amongst the wildflowers. When he witnessed her conviction, her strength of will, he sank to his knees and begged her to marry him. Which she did."
"It's just always seemed so..." the girl trailed and bit her lip, looking around them.
"You may speak freely. The Order doesn't punish free thought, even when it's contrary to our beliefs."
The girl's shoulders relaxed. "It just seems so barbaric," she whispered. "To be taken that way? By a demon, in front of so many people--in front of kings?"
"It's a holy thing," Evangeline said. "And completely natural. Women derive pleasure from sex, it's nothing to be ashamed of. We are a matriarchal society, after all."
Evangeline couldn't tell from behind her veil, but she was almost certain the girl's face was aflame with embarrassment.
"O-of course, Priestess," she stammered out, then squared her shoulders and continued walking.
Soon, the firelit corridors gave way to natural light, to corridors lined with large arching windows. Sunlight poured in rays to the floor, warming it beneath Evangeline's feet. It was a good sign, the calm weather.
