Page 88

The outline of Oshli’s form goes straight and tense. I can practically hear him gritting his teeth. “I’ll wait for you outside.”

Finally, he exits the bathing chamber, and I disrobe in peace. His departure makes me feel victorious and rotten at the same time, but I don’t dwell on it. Flicking a flower out of the tub, I dip a toe into the water.

Ukar is completely submerged, his scales glimmering to match the tub’s blue tiles. I immerse my head too and clear my mind. Much as I hate to admit it, it’s wonderfully cleansing.

A tingle comes over my face. Snakes might be the ones sensitive to magic, but I too can feel the power of Vanna’s compulsion. As I bathe, complying with her order, the pressure washes off like the dirt on my skin.

Once I am free of it, I don’t linger. I rise and dry myself. A silk dress is waiting for me, ornately embroidered, just as Vanna promised. I’m loath to wear it, but there’s nothing else.

The silk is cool against my rough skin, and lighter than anything I’ve ever worn. Its turquoise is a rich hue, as vibrant as the water in a lagoon.

A pity I’ll soil it with Angma’s blood.

Once I’m clothed and have sandals on, Oshli reappears with a new scarf folded in his arms. It’s orange, with golden tasseled ends that look like mop heads.

“To conceal the snake,” he explains, motioning at Ukar on my shoulder.

I don’t thank him. He’s trying to chip away years of mistrust, trying to make me forget the relentless torment he heaped upon me as a child. Too bad I’m good at holding a grudge.

I wrap the scarf around my head, and Ukar slips underneath. Then I start for the door, but Oshli’s not finished. He purposefully blocks my way.

What in the Nine Hells does Vanna see in this man?

“Move aside, priest,” I say, straining to hold my temper in check. “I have places to be.”

Oshli doesn’t move. His voice goes low. “Angma is here,” he says. “Isn’t she?”

That, I was not expecting. “What?”

“It was a few years ago, when I noticed that demons were drawn to the light in Vanna’s heart. Demons, like Angma.” He tilts his staff, a subtle reminder that he has trained as a shaman. “Let me help you today.”

“You?” I shake my head. “You used to laugh at my warnings. What was it you called me? ‘A delusional little snake girl.’ ”

Oshli flinches, finally. “I was young. I was wrong.”

I eye him warily, hiding my surprise. “If you want to protect her, why aren’t you with her now?”

“I tried to warn her, but she thinks I’m trying to stop her marriage, so she sent me away. I’m not able to see her until she calls for me.”

“She used her power on you.”

Oshli’s silence confirms my suspicion.

I wasn’t imagining it, then. In the few days we’ve been apart, she has grown stronger. And more stubborn, it appears.

But I don’t say any of this. “It’s probably for the best you stay away from her.” I scoff. “You’ll just get yourself killed.”

“You might think that all I have are my prayers,” says Oshli, lifting his staff, “a few incantations that protect against common demons. It’s true, I don’t have great magic against the Demon Witch. But I’m not entirely useless.”

He isn’t going to convince me. I start to shoulder past him, when he reaches behind a curtain and brings out my spear.

“I believe this is yours,” he says.

My eyes widen. I practically snatch the weapon from him, but silently I’m grateful. The dagger Hokzuh gave me is better than nothing, but I fight best with length. The spear was an extension of me.

“Thank you,” I mumble.

“I watched you fight for her,” he says. “I didn’t know you could move like that. You defeated a dragon. It’s a good thing you’ve returned. Vanna will need you today. Everyone will.”