for storiesfromhome

[learnandshift]

"Now, my lady," said the priestess. "You will come to no harm. You will suffer no pain. But please, only do not offend him."

The words were probably not as comforting as the priestess meant them to be. She could only imagine what the bride was going through, so suddenly brought to the temple, bathed, anointed with scented oils, prayed over for nearly three hours, and now escorted to the chamber of her husband, the Lord. The priestess had never even been alone with him, much less touched him, but she had faith in the benevolence of the Lord all the same.

One could only imagine that such faith wouldn't be of much comfort to an outsider.

The Lord dwelled in the top of the tower, alone, as always. That would change soon, as would he. They stopped before the grand white doors, where the priestesses all said one more prayer together, then opened the door and ushered Ardan inside.