The morning sunlight poured through the towering crystal windows of the grand veiled sanctum, bathing the prayer halls in soft golden hues.
Sacred bells echoed gently across the marble corridors while attendants moved quietly between chambers carrying incense, scripture scrolls, and trays of tea.
To everyone else, the sanctum felt peaceful.
However, to Laliya, it felt like a nightmare carefully disguised as holiness since Anaqielle’s arrival.
She stood motionless in the hall of reflection while three elder luminars discussed meditation arrangements nearby.
While across the room, Anaqielle sat elegantly on one of the sanctum cushions looking entirely too pleased with herself and not at all out of place.
The fallen angel had the audacity to appear serene, too.
Dressed in deep white robes borrowed from the sanctum guest wing, her silver hair loosely tied back, she looked almost respectable if one ignored the dangerous amusement constantly lingering in her golden eyes.
Unfortunately for Laliya, she could never ignore it…
not after last night.
Radiance preserve her, she still couldn’t think properly.
She had spent the entire night tossing beneath her blankets, heart racing every time she remembered warm whispers near her ear… remembered black feathers drifting through steam… remembered the way Anaqielle had looked at her in that sinful outfit like she already belonged in her hands.
The situation had gotten worse by morning.
The high luminar turned toward Laliya with a gentle smile.
“Wonderful. You’re both here,” she said, happy to see her star student and their generous benefactor present on time.
Laliya already hated that sentence.
The last thing she wanted was to have to deal with Anaqielle for the rest of the day.
She needed time alone, to reflect, meditate and regain her balance and cleanse her Lumen.
Anaqielle visibly brightened.
The Elder woman folded her hands together.
“Lady Anaqielle explained that she has suffered from restlessness, recurring nightmares, and emotional instability for many years.”
Laliya nearly choked.
Emotional instability?
That was certainly one way to describe a fallen seren.
The high luminar continued kindly.
“Meditation beside a stable maiden can often help calm troubled spirits.”
Laliya’s stomach dropped instantly.
‘No.
Absolutely not!’ she hoped they weren’t planning to pair her with the she-devil.
The elder smiled warmly at her.
“Which is why we’ve decided you will assist Lady Anaqielle personally.”
Silence settled in the hall.
Laliya stared at her in horror.
That plan sounded like a nightmare for her, it was the worst thing anyone can throw in her direction at that moment.
Anaqielle lowered her head quickly to hide a smile.
She had long anticipated that move from those old ladies.
With the wealth she had poured into sanctum, it was expected they’d give her best their sacred place had to offer.
Thereby sending her target her way.
She wished Isa had been there so she could gloat about her brilliant plan.
Alas, the woman went out to have fun in the Crooked veil with Casius.
The holy maiden found her voice several painful seconds later.
“Me?”
“Yes, you.”
“No.” Follow the newest chapters on g.com.
The answer came far too fast from her.
Several luminars blinked in utter shock at her refusal.
That behavior was unexpected from the Laliya Lancrest that they nurtured and raised.
Anaqielle looked delighted.
‘This is getting more and more interesting,’ she smiled.
The high luminar tilted her head slightly.
“No?”
Laliya scrambled desperately for composure.
“I mean…” She swallowed.
“Surely another maiden would be more suitable.”
“Nonsense,” one Elder luminar said immediately.
“Your Lumen is exceptionally balanced. You are the best of the lot, who better to teach lady Anaqielle than you.”
Another nodded.
“The Radiance clearly favors you. It is wise to have you help lady Anaqielle.”
“Your presence is calming. It will aid in Lady Anaqielle’s recovery.”
Laliya almost laughed from disbelief.
Calming?
She was one Anaqielle whisper away from spiritual collapse.
Her entire being was an inch away from corruption in the seren’s presence.
The high luminar stepped closer reassuringly.
“Lady Anaqielle will feel comfortable around you. You are nice, friendly and the best role model.”
Laliya made a strangled sound.
Across the room, Anaqielle looked moments away from ascending to the heavens from pure enjoyment.
“She will?” Laliya asked weakly.
Anaqielle finally spoke.
“Very much so.”
Their eyes met briefly.
Her golden amusement collided with silent panic.
Laliya looked away first.
Her blue-grey eyes couldn’t maintain eye contact without sinful thoughts popping up in her head.
The Elder luminar smiled approvingly.
“See?
The connection is already forming naturally.
I think you both will do well together,” she said, “And with company during your training, you won’t exhaust yourself and will rest well and stop having hallucinations.”
Laliya wanted to fling herself directly into the sanctum fountain.
They were digging her grave without realizing it.
She badly wanted to shake the elder luminar awake so that she sees Anaqielle for who she is.
Instead, she forced herself to stand still while Anaqielle rose gracefully from her meditation cushion and approached them.
The fallen angel moved like she owned every room she entered.
Every step radiated confidence, elegance and a dangerous power that only Laliya could feel.
Laliya immediately became hyperaware of last night all over again; the exposed shoulders, the heat in the bathing chamber and the sinful thoughts she still couldn’t erase.
Radiance preserve her! You are reading on novelping.com, the official source.
Anaqielle stopped beside her.
“You’re quiet this morning,” the fallen angel murmured softly enough only she could hear.
Laliya stiffened instantly.
“Please behave.”
Anaqielle smiled.
“That depends with what you consider good behavior.”
Laliya nearly stopped breathing.
Her body clammed up with worry.
With Anaqielle’s provocation, she feared her tainted Lumen would be exposed.
The high luminar gestured toward the inner meditation chambers.
“Go on now. The silence halls remain empty this morning.”
Anaqielle clasped her hands together politely.
“Thank you for trusting me with this opportunity. I promise to make the best of it and get better soon.”
Laliya almost admired how convincing she sounded.
The seren was good at convincing the Luminars that her intentions were pure.
The Elder woman touched Anaqielle’s shoulder gently.
“The sanctum exists to heal wounded souls. You don’t have to thank us, we are simply doing our part.”
Anaqielle’s gaze flickered briefly toward Laliya.
“Oh,” she said softly.
“I’m beginning to notice. And I think I’m going to be just fine under your care.”
Laliya’s heartbeat stumbled again.
She dug her nails into her palms to avoid reacting to Anaqielle’s acting and expose herself.
The high Luminar smiled warmly at both of them.
“Spend several hours in guided meditation together. Laliya, help her maintain balance breathing.”
Anaqielle looked fascinated.
“Balance breathing?” she asked although Laliya could tell from the glint in her eyes that she knew what it was and was acting dumb intentionally.
Laliya immediately regretted existing.
She wished she could go back in time to the day before she ever met Anaqielle to preserve her sanity.
The elder Luminar nodded encouragingly.
“Physical synchronization often stabilizes spiritual disharmony.”
Anaqielle went completely still for one dangerous second.
“How intimate.”
Laliya nearly died.
The high Luminar merely laughed softly.
“There is nothing improper about spiritual alignment.”
Anaqielle’s eyes slid toward Laliya again.
“No,” she agreed slowly.
“Of course not.”
The holy maiden felt actual fear because the expression on Anaqielle’s face made one thing horrifyingly clear, the fallen angel now had official permission to spend hours alone with her and judging by that smile she wore, she intended to enjoy every second of it.
‘Bury me now!’ Laliya thought heavily.
Anaqielle turned to her and bowed, “I will trust you to guide me well, holy one,” she let out politely.
Then she raised her head, her lips and the corner of her eyes had curved up, full of mischief.
“You will guide me properly, won’t you?”