Naamah's Kiss - Jacqueline Carey [150]
A streak of gold broke the horizon.
Bells and cheers rang out across the City; the rooftop resounded. The Longest Night was over and light had returned to the world. Beside me, Jehanne was silent.
I wanted to tell her not to be afraid; I wanted to tell her that I loved her. But I didn't know what words would comfort her, so I settled for saying, "I'm here."
"The world becomes a different place for me today, doesn't it?" she mused.
"It does."
Jehanne stole a quick look at me, her face open and vulnerable in the cold light of dawn, her voice low. "What if I'm a dreadful mother, Moirin?"
"You won't be," I promised her.
She sighed and rested her head on my shoulder. "I'm glad you're here."
* * *
CHAPTER FORTY-SIX
Later that day, we journeyed to a sanctuary dedicated to Eisheth in the mountains a little over an hour's carriage-ride away.
I was curious about the ceremony. "Does it have to be performed there?"
"No." Jehanne leaned her head against the cushions, eyes closed. "Any temple will suffice. For lack of a temple, a sincere prayer may work. But it's said to be most powerful when performed at the Sanctuary of the Womb, and if I'm going to do this, I'd as soon it were done properly."
"Why is it called the Sanctuary of the Womb?" I asked.
"There's a cavern with a hot spring." She rubbed her temples. "Moirin, will you please not plague me with questions today?"
I fell silent.
"I'm not angry," Jehanne added. "Just tired."
A month ago, she would have snapped at me for annoying her with no hint of an apology. I thought that was good progress.
At the gates of the Sanctuary, her Captain of the Guard rang the bell. A priestess with a broad, pleasant face came in answer. I watched him bow and indicate the royal carriage, watched her nod and indicate an outbuilding where he and his men could wait. There were no men allowed in the Sanctuary.
The priestess smiled as Jehanne descended from the carriage. "Your majesty, we're so very pleased by your decision."
Jehanne inclined her head. "Thank you, Sister."
The priestess glanced at me, her eyes widening. "You must be…"
"Moirin," I said. "Of the Maghuin Dhonn."
"My lovely witch." Jehanne summoned the hint of a smile. Tired or no, she did enjoy unsettling people.
"Of course." Eisheth's priestess swallowed. "Well met."
She led us into the Sanctuary. It was a simple, rustic place. In an unadorned chamber, more priestesses in blue robes came to help Jehanne undress. They took down her hair, removed her jewelry. They gave her a long white linen shift to wear. I had an uncomfortable memory of the Circle of Shalomon donning white robes in the summoning antechamber.
It passed when we went back outside. The path to the mouth of the cavern was worn smooth by thousands upon thousands of women's feet. When we entered the cavern itself, I had a sense of homecoming. It wasn't as snug and comforting as the cave in which I'd grown up, nor as spectacular as the hollow hill beyond which lay the stone doorway, but it felt good to me.
We descended a series of well-worn granite stairs. Candles tucked into rocky niches lit the way.
I smelled water and minerals.
There was a crude stone rim around the spring-fed pool—ancient work, Tiberian or older. The milky-white water steamed gently in the cold air. On the far side was an effigy of Eisheth kneeling, her hands cupped. Votive candles flickered around her, flickered in the cavern walls.
Jehanne took a deep breath.
"I'm here, my lady," I murmured.
She nodded.
Two blue-robed priestesses knelt and took the hem of her white shift, raising it. They stripped it from her. Naked, Jehanne shivered. The priestess who had admitted us approached her, a flagon of oil in her hands. Her pleasant face looked grave.
"May Eisheth grant your prayer's wisdom," she said softly, anointing her fingers and touching them to Jehanne's brow. She tipped the flagon, touched Jehanne's breast-bone. "May Eisheth's love fill your heart." Once more, lower. Anointing the junction of her thighs, her nether-lips. Places I'd