Chapter Eighteen

“Love,” Aryana overheard one of the priestesses whisper to another, “I would surrender my position here in a snap if I found out I had a mate.”

Ah, but that priestess lacked the allure of power, of wielding a magic far greater than what she had inherited. The choice between serving the Goddess and taking a mate should be easy, given without thought, an instinctual decision leading to a lasting love.

But once she tasted a drop of the Goddess’s power, she wanted more. To give up that magic was akin to knowing her favorite treat lay behind a door, but being denied entrance. Over the years she came to rely on that power, that extra magical boost given only to the High Priestess, rely on it like a cloak gave warmth during the winter. What would she do without that power? Not to mention renouncing her childhood dream.

You made that dream happen, a little voice inside her head pointed out. You are the High Priestess. Now you have a chance to make the other dream, the one you squelched for all these years, happen.

Bloody little voice.

But she couldn’t deny she had squelched the desire of having a mate to chase after the dream of being High Priestess.

“We have much to discuss,” Annaliese spoke to the cluster of priestesses, the corners of her lips twitching as if she knew Ari’s inner thoughts, “before the noon hour. Come, let us go to the Temple meeting room.”

The discussion with the priestesses. The relinquishing of her title, her power. Her identity.

Aryana forced a smile, hoping it hid the expression of panic freezing her features, and made her appear at ease without hinting at the nausea roiling her gut. Appearances meant everything.

“See you there.” Throwing herself into a transport, she crossed the distance to the Temple and arrived in the meeting room before everyone else.

Located on the floor above the dining room, the meeting area spanned the entire length of the east wing. Glass windows overlooked the Courtyard and its main entrance. Mosaics of flying dragons danced across the chair-littered floor. Two chairs and a table stood at one end of the room facing the lines of chairs. She grasped the smooth wood of her chair and looked down the length of the room.

Here was where new High Priestesses were announced, charities planned, Temple matters decided. Here was where years ago she gained her title, her status, her power. And here would be where she lost it. The first High Priestess in memory to renounce the position.

A streak of anger danced through her, a lightning strike carving out a pit in her stomach. Her knuckles popped as the hard wood bit into her palms. How could she not feel upset over being forced to give up all this?

How could she not resent Fafnir just a little?

She sucked in a breath as a whisper of realization snuck past the ire. How could power seduce her into thinking it held more importance than her mate?

Ari slipped the gold circlet off her head, turning it in her hands, her symbol of power. Pops sounded in quick succession as the priestesses appeared. In an instant, murmurings filled the room, a hum of voices saturating the large space with excitement. The scent of fresh air swirled around them, carried in from their time on the Hill. Nice to know the rotten smell of death remained behind. No place for that stench in the Temple.

Annaliese placed a hand on Aryana’s arm, her touch eliciting a sense of peace. Clearly a spell. Not that Ari was complaining. Are you all right?

Seriously? All right? It wasn’t like she skinned her knee and needed a simple spell to heal. She failed to stop the exasperation from creeping into her tone. What do you think?

I think tough decisions are made with anguish and loss always hurts.

Well, there you have it.

You are making the correct decision.

I’m making the only choice given me. It’s not a decision if there is no choice, now is it?

Ragnor is your mate. To experience that bond, that love—

To give up all I’ve worked for my entire life. It’s hard.

A furrow appeared between Annaliese’s brows. Do you not care for him?

Of course I care! I can’t help but care. Along with want and desire, neither of which she’d mention to her mate’s sister. Who wants to hear such things about their brother? I want him for a mate now that he’s returned, but this is all I’ve ever known or wanted to know.

Annaliese patted Ari’s arm as her brow smoothed. In the end, you will want this decision.

I hope you’re right.

If she wasn’t…Ari shook off a chill and glanced one last time at the circlet, at the dancing dragons experiencing a sense of glee she lacked. A burning ball of fire took up residence in her gut, anxiety twisting in its depths, a glove spiked with barbs. The gold dragons on the circlet symbolized power, magic, the highest rank of a priestess.

The ability to sacrifice one’s own desires for the good of the Draconi.

The true test of one’s gifts.

Swallowing, she raised her head, the movement stilling the hum of conversation as well as a shout. All eyes turned to her.

Nausea pressed against the back of her throat and she swallowed. The High Priestess shall not, ever, throw up in the meeting room. Even when what she needed to say made her stomach roil in protest.

Appearances were everything.

The coolness of gold cut into her fingers as she white-knuckled the circlet. No more delaying the inevitable. A wave of warmth washed over her as she spoke the words that sealed her fate. “You all heard Fafnir, I mean, Ragnor’s announcement today. He spoke true. We are mates.” Shocked mumblings greeted her words, and she raised a hand for silence. Words bubbled at the back of her throat, wanting escape before her nerve failed. “You have probably also heard rumors that we were predicted to be mates by the old Seer when we were young. This is also true. We, though, chose to believe her prophesy did not apply to us. I felt drawn to the priestesshood and Ragnor felt drawn to other things. And then he disappeared, believed to be dead. That meant I no longer had a rumored or true mate and was free to accept the position of High Priestess. With his return, we realized the old Seer spoke true, we are mates. And as such, I can no longer hold the position of High Priestess. Or any priestess, for that matter. Therefore, I must—” Ari took a deep breath. She could say it. She must say it. No matter how badly it hurt. “I must renounce my position. I must step down and allow another to take my place.”

Stunned silence reigned for a moment before the room exploded into chaos.

“But a High Priestess must hold the position until death. No one steps down!”

“Who can be in the running for a new High Priestess?”

“Can the rules change so you don’t step down?”

“What will you do now?”

Wasn’t that the question of the hour? And the one she had no answer for. None. What would she do when stripped of her title?

Annaliese raised both hands. “Quiet!” Like her father, one word from her lips dropped with the finality of a shroud, hushing the questions, settling the priestesses back into their chairs. “The rules are not ours to change. They were made for a reason and they will stand. A renouncement of the title of High Priestess has never been done, but there is no rule against it. And even if there was, the rule that mated females cannot be priestesses must stand for obvious reasons. No mated male could stand for his female to couple with other males. Anyone who thinks they are able can be tested for the position, but the winner will be judged by a panel of senior priestesses. You know this. As far as what Aryana will do and when this will occur, I do not know. Aryana?”

“I will step down when a new High Priestess has been found. I will help judge the contestants and seek the will of the Goddess on the matter. After that time, I do not know. What should I do?”

This time, her question elicited thoughtful consideration. At least she hoped it was thoughtful consideration and not shocked minds grasping for an answer.

Definitely shocked minds. The silence draped her skin in prickles and set a ball of writhing snakes twisting into her stomach.

“All right then, think about it.” One of them was bound to come up with an answer she would like. Hopefully. “The tryouts will occur two days from now beginning at dawn. If you wish to be considered as a contender, please let Annaliese know by noon tomorrow. That is all. You are dismissed.”

The females filed out, most offering her condolences or touches on her arm, small displays of support. Others stared, dropping their gazes when she noticed. When the room cleared, Annaliese pried Ari’s stiff fingers from the circlet and set it on the table.

“Well, that went well, don’t you think?” Annaliese’s smile failed to reach her eyes.

Ari shrugged. “Rather like a stumbling dragon.”

“At least the dragon didn’t fall flat on his face.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“What do you plan on doing?”

“No idea. Do you plan on competing?”

“No.”

Ari blinked. “No?”

“No. I am a Healer. Over the years, I’ve found I enjoy being second in command, not first. I no longer want the position. You’re surprised.”

To put it mildly. “I always assumed…”

“What? That I shared Father’s ambitions? You should know me better than that.” Annaliese crossed her arms.

“I’m sorry.” Ari touched her friend’s arm. “You are right, I should. It’s just been…difficult since…” She waved her hand back and forth.

“I know.” Annaliese picked up the circlet, twisting it in her hands, running her thumb across the elongated body of a dragon. Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Do you think you could still turn into a dragon without being High Priestess?”

“I have no idea.” What an odd question to ask now. “Why should I try?”

“It’s a special talent. Perhaps it’s one you had all along and has nothing to do with your position, the energy of the circle or the excess magic in Goleb.”

“It’s the least of my worries. Alviss is going to gloat about this until he dies.”

“Let him. It won’t last. I won’t be High Priestess.”

Ari choked back a chuckle. “Oh, I can see him now when he finds out. A moment of glee followed by sorrow.”

“More like frustration. Neither of his children doing what he planned. I love him dearly but sometimes he is just too much.”

“Isn’t that the truth?”

“Come now, you need to change before you meet my brother.”

What a polite way of saying Aryana should no longer wear her green gown with dancing gold dragons, the gown which showed all her status, her position. The gown she could no longer wear. Perhaps her friend meant she needed to dress in something more revealing. A gown designed to lure, not awe.

Although a little awe wasn’t a bad thing when dealing with one’s mate.

A thrill of anticipation shot through her veins, banishing the cold chill of anxiety. She wanted to see Fafnir. She wanted to mate with him. She just didn’t want to give up her position.

Apparently male Draconi weren’t the only saps around.