Chapter 188: Recall Of A Demon Priestess (1/2)

The night before—he remembered the two of them lying side by side in a bed covered in white silk sheets. Arjun's head rested on Gallazza's belly, her fingers stroking Gallazza's thighs. She likes to lie this way, Gallazza thought, facing away from me, her delicate neck exposed. It makes her vulnerable and excites her at the same time.

”Doesn't it ever frighten you, just a little,” Gallazza asked, her voice rough from sleep, ”the hatred you see in their eyes?”

”Is that really what you were thinking about just now?” Arjun purred. ”You see, I've been contemplating all the wicked things I'm going to do to you in the next few breaths, yet all that consumes your thoughts are the males. Should I be jealous, Gallazza?”

”I can't imagine you any other way,” Gallazza replied. She lifted Arjun's hair and scratched her neck gently while the mistress mother gave a soft little sigh. ”I worry that we've grown complacent, too secure in our power and confidence. Arkhat's plan to become the divine of magical essence—it has shifted the balance, given hope to the males. Such a dangerous thing, hope. It may cause them to plot against us in numbers.”

”They've given no indication of such a plot,” Arjun said, leaning into Gallazza's touch.

”Perhaps we just aren't looking at them closely enough,” Gallazza replied. ”The more the males give the appearance of subservience, the more I worry what they are thinking down in the depths of their souls.”

”I assure you, love, you don't want to know,” Arjun said, rubbing her cheek against Gallazza's belly.

”But I do,” Gallazza whispered so softly, the mistress mother didn't hear her.

Gallazza remembered how she'd felt in that moment. She'd been unsure how much to confide in Arjun. The threat of betrayal hung between them always, and the more knowledge one had of the other, the more the threat intensified. Arjun thrived on that threat, and Gallazza managed it by not giving too much of hersyaomo away, but so far neither had had cause for betrayal. Perhaps it was because they had spent so long being stronger together than at odds.

Gallazza made her decision. She'd struggled too long with her doubts and questions. Despite the risk, it was time for an outside perspective. ”I've asked Arkhat for guidance, but she remains silent to me. I am … worried,” Gallazza said.

Arjun's reaction was immediate. Her lover stiffened and pushed hersyaomo up on one elbow to glare at Gallazza. ”How could you be so foolish?” she hissed. ”It is not for us to seek Arkhat's aid for trouble with a few males. If we can't handle the problem ourselves, we are not worthy to be in her service.”

”We have proven ourselves worthy, a hundred times over,” Gallazza argued. ”Arkhat sees that and blesses us with her power. Why should we not seek her guidance as well?”

Arjun slid off the bed and reached for her piwafwi. She shook her head in disgust. ”I tire of having this discussion with you, Gallazza. You have always expected more from the divine than what you're owed. It is dangerous.”

”I seek purpose,” Gallazza said passionately. ”I want to be the instrument of Arkhat's will, to earn her love over and over until my death. Tell me, how is that bad?”

”Because it is presumptuous!” Arjun cried. ”What makes you worthy of being Arkhat's instrument in anything? Is your pride and arrogance so great that you think yoursyaomo her equal?”

”Never that.” Gallazza bowed her head. ”I hear your words, and I take your warning, but I must have the answers to my questions.”

There must have been a hint in her tone, for Arjun spun in the act of dressing. Her breath caught audibly. ”What do you intend to do?”

”I've prepared a ritual to summon the Empyrean fiend.”

”Alone?” Arjun's eyes narrowed. ”That is too bold. You should have more priestesses present to satisfy Arkhat.”

”My request is personal and private,” Gallazza said. ”I would only have one other.”

She knew that would appeal to Arjun's vanity, but she did not truly expect her lover to agree. Arjun risked too much personally helping Gallazza with what she considered a fool's presumption.

The bedroom memory faded, and Gallazza saw hersyaomo back in the temple, kneeling before the altar as Arjun broke their kiss.

”What made you change your mind?” Gallazza asked, half-grateful, half-suspicious of her lover's motives.

Arjun's forehead creased in irritation. ”You planted doubt inside me,” she muttered. ”I told mysyaomo over and over that you are a fool, but then a voice inside whispered, what if you're right? What if the divine does favor us and this bold venture? So I am here. Let us proceed.”

Arjun gestured to the shadows, where two slaves waited. They dragged forward a bound captive. Through dirt and ragged clothing, Gallazza recognized a young female yaomo, her golden skin covered in bruises, her eyes bulging with fear.

”Tie her to the altar,” Arjun commanded.

As the slaves hurried to comply, Gallazza smiled at Arjun and offered her a half bow. ”You honor me,” she said. ”I know she is a favorite of yours.”