Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66405 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 332(@200wpm)___ 266(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
"Very good," the older woman who seemed to be running things remarked, nodding in apparent satisfaction. "These are the chosen ones this year. The rest of you may leave. Don't be upset if you weren't chosen," she added. "You can still serve Sheelash in other ways, even if you're not destined to be the Queen of Night."
She waited until the other girls who hadn’t been chosen had left—(Drago couldn’t help noticing that most of them seemed to be relieved, at least if their happy chatter and relaxed expressions were any indication)—before turning her attention to the twenty women gathered in front of the doors.
“Now then—you are the ones who have been chosen to proceed with the Choosing Ceremony. As we enter the Room of Sighs, let me remind you that we are entering the presence of Sheelash, she who knows all and sees all. Be on your very best behavior!”
There were murmurs of “Yes, Ls Prissa.” And then the golden double doors swung inward and the women began to file into the room beyond.
Drago started to follow Addison but Sambla caught his elbow.
“Forgive me, Commander Drago, but please remember that the Room of Sighs is a female-only space,” he said smoothly, giving Drago that smile that made him want to punch the other male’s teeth down his throat. “We must not intrude on the sacred Choosing Ceremony.”
“Well how long does it fucking take?” Drago growled. He didn’t like letting Addison out of his sight—not even if she was in a room full of women.
“Not long,” Sambla promised. “You can wait here if you like.”
“Of course I’ll stay here—I’m not going anywhere until Addison comes out,” Drago snapped, shaking the other male’s hand off his arm.
“Very well, I’m sure I’ll see you later.”
Sambla nodded his head in a little half-bow and then glided noiselessly away.
Drago crossed his arms over his broad chest and watched as the last few women entered the Room of Sighs. But he couldn’t shake the feeling of anxiety that filled him or quiet the Drake within, which was roaring angrilly as they both watched Addison disappear and the doors clanged shut behind her.
10
ADDIE
The Room of Sighs was absolutely huge. Like an airplane hanger, Addison thought—the kind that can house the really big passenger jets that fly overseas. The shadowy darkness seemed to stretch out forever in every direction and the ceiling was far above their heads.
In the middle of all this darkness was a circle of light. It was coming from thick, pillar candles, each as big as one of Addison’s thighs, placed around a wide circular dais. They would have looked huge anywhere else but they were dwarfed by the vast, shadowy blackness.
"Now children, come forward and each of you take a place between the candles," Ls Prissa instructed. "I and my colleagues will stand in the center of the circle, as befits our status of those who have already held the title of Queen of Night."
Addie frowned uncertainly as she came to stand between two of the candles. So the three Aged Ones had once been crowned Queen of Night themselves? How long ago was that? Her head was still swimming from drinking too much of the gupcha and she stumbled a little and would have fallen if Sparki hadn’t caught her arm.
“Careful!” she whispered in a hushed voice. “You don’t want to draw attention to yourself in here!”
"Why not?" Addie whispered back. But her lady-in-waiting only shook her head and put a finger to her lips. Then she helped Addie up onto the dais where they stood side-by-side separated only by a single candle.
“Now then,” Ls Prissa remarked when all of them were standing in their places around the circle. “I hope each of you is willing to give the ultimate sacrifice to become the Queen of Night.”
Addie wondered uneasily what "the ultimate sacrifice" might be. From the grim looks on the other girls' faces, it wasn't good. She didn't know any of them except for Sparki and Teeza, her other lady-in-waiting who had also been chosen, but none of them looked happy. Many of them kept stealing furtive glances at the ceiling, which was so high above them that it really couldn't be seen in the darkness.
There was a tension in the air Addie couldn’t define but it made her uncomfortable, despite her inebriated state. Also, she kept hearing soft sighing sounds all around her—what was that all about?
Maybe that’s why they call it “the Room of Sighs” she thought and suppressed a hiccup.
“Now I will bring you the Cup of Sheelash’s Bounty,” Ls Prissa announced. “You must each take a sip and pray for Sheelash’s will to be done and that the right girl will be chosen as the next Queen of Night.”
She produced a large golden goblet from somewhere. It was filled to the brim with something, but Addie couldn’t see what kind of wine or liquor was in it. She hoped it wasn’t too strong—she was already a lot drunker than she liked. She had to keep closing her eyes to stop the dizzy, spinning sensation that threatened to overtake her and it took everything she could do just to stand upright in one place.