Kyrae and I followed Onussa out of the temple. My sister returned a small smile I gave, but neither of us spoke.

The empty hall soon turned into a decidedly busier one—carvings of Jaezotl lined the walls and symbols of a white fang over an emerald scale hung above the doors. Others in Temple garb milled about us, some giving looks, but most just going about their business.

Onussa’s presence seemed to have some weight to it as she slithered confidently through tunnels, around corners, and down ramps. Kyrae and I followed in her wake, the sheer scale of this place pressing down upon us.

As we went further down and the halls and rooms became grander and grander, I realized: we’re in the Grand Temple. The largest building in, well, anywhere I could think of. Now when I stared at Onussa’s back as she moved, I had a greater sense of reverence.

She was somebody. Not ussyri, but a ssyri’zh with great respect.

“H-how are we in the Grand Temple?” I whispered to Kyrae.

My sister sniffled a little, still plugged up from crying, and I winced. “I came here when I found you unconscious. It was pretty close and I couldn’t think of anything else to do.”

“Thank you,” I said solemnly.

This time Kyrae smiled for real, if only for a moment.

Simply being near this place had been—and still was—intimidating. And while the inside was bright, I’d found out the shadows it cast were like any other. Almost, anyway—as my power seemed a little hesitant in this place—something I was all too glad of at the moment.

I kept my thoughts to myself, replaying over and over again the scene with Lissti and Kyen. What will come of that?

Eventually, the sight of the largest room I’d ever been in stole my mind back to the present. The columned space was immense in a way that almost didn’t seem to belong in the monolithic ziggurat. Angled shafts brought sunlight in to play across carvings and painted murals depicting aspects of Jaezotl that I knew nothing about. The Serpent God’s symbol was displayed prominently everywhere, glittering in the sunlight. Even the shadows in here seemed warmer—distant in a way I could only assume was probably, disappointingly, a good thing.

In a sudden instant, I realized the glittering of the decorations was from gemstones. Emeralds—thousands of them. The wealth in this room alone could… no. No more stealing. Not if I can help it. Not unless we have no choice.

I accidentally slid up onto Onussa’s tail when I hadn’t realized she stopped. Quickly, I pulled myself off, flush with embarrassment, and mumbled an apology.

The ssyri’zh brushed it off with a flick of her tail and a sweep of her hand, moving to one side to reveal a very large ke’lania woman whom I somehow hadn’t noticed towering over Onussa. This woman was clearly important, if the emeralds sewn into her otherwise ascetic vestments were any indication. The green and white of her outfit contrasted her dark skin and blue-black scales—an unusual color for ke’lania. Two long braids of dark hair spilled down to just past where her lower body seemed to meet her upper one.

The woman’s robes looked almost too warm for the thick heat of Ess’Sylantziis, but their sheen showed them as silk, and they flowed down almost to the shining black rock of the main chamber’s floor.

The ke’laniel woman leaned forward and down, blue eyes meeting mine. “I am Ussyri Noksi Kossetti, and I am relieved to see you awake and active after you received my healing.”

My eyes went wide. “Oh, uhm, yes—t-thank you.”

“So polite!” she chuckled, the sound deep and resonant. “I’ve heard quite the story to the contrary, however. What precisely happened, Onussa?”

While Ussyri Noksi seemed all smiles, I couldn’t help but notice how small Onussa’s presence was in the face of the larger woman—and not just from size. I also couldn’t help but notice how little attention Ussyri Noksi had paid to Kyrae. Around the room, eyes drifted our way as well; the kinds of looks people give when they don’t want to be caught watching.

Onussa swallowed. “Issa did not take kindly to our honored guests’ treatment of her friend.”

Noksi gave a short glance at Kyrae, who hid behind me. I almost tried to hide behind Onussa in response. This woman is terrifying!

“I… see,” Noksi said. “The Temple nurtures all, of course, so ‘Issa’s’ friend is welcome, regardless of circumstance.”

Onussa bowed. “Of course, Ussyri.”

“However,” Ussyri Noksi continued, “We will have to appease them. You know how they are.”

“W-do you have in mind?” Onussa asked timidly.

“Issa,” Ussyri Noksi said, addressing me, “Would you please consider acting with more patience? You are nearly an adult, yes?”

I bit back a harsh reply. The second comment stung and felt like praise at the same time. “If… if they respect my sister, then I will respect them.”

Noski glanced at Kyrae hiding behind my shoulder. “Come out, child,” she asked softly.

Soft didn’t matter; her voice was more than command enough.

Kyrae took a deep breath and stepped out. She met the ussyri’s gaze and the pair stayed still. Neither spoke, nor did they blink—for what seemed like a long while. Eventually, Kyrae looked away.

The ussyri smiled—politely, not across the whole of her jaw. “How defiant. Hmmm.” She inclined her head toward me, tilting one long braid up and the other down. “I will consider your statement, Issa. Your ‘sister’ does not lack for spirit. ‘She’ could be of benefit by your side.”

I didn’t miss how Ussyri Noksi said ‘sister’ and ‘she’ like Kyrae wasn’t quite worthy of the terms.

Before I could plant my whole tail squarely in my mouth, Onussa interrupted, “Kyrae is newbloom, Ussyri, but she has not had access to herbs or magics yet.”

Ussyri Noksi nodded. “Yes, Onussa, I know of your fondness for elves. I have heard as much with regard to your last comments to our honored guests.”

Onussa flushed, the darkening of her skin only barely visible. “With all due respect, Ussyri Noksi, it is respect, not fondness: respect equal to all sorts.”

I expected anger, but instead Noksi smiled, wide this time. She reached down and tousled Onussa’s hair. “You’re right, Ssyri’zh Onussa. Would that there were more like you in positions of power.”

“Thank you, Ussyri Noksi. May we be excused? Kyrae needs a bath, both could use clothing, and I know Issa at least is still hungry.”

Noksi nodded. “You may—although I have one more comment, first.” She turned to me. “I can feel your curse has already begun to advance again. You used your powers, did you not?”

Wasn’t she told of what just happened? I almost lied, but I thought of Kyrae and stopped myself.

I bowed my head. “Yes, Ussyri. They threatened to separate me and Kyrae.”

Ussyri Noksi frowned. “I would hope you to have more restraint. Those powers are not something you can contain without constant aid—and their source is something truly dark.”

“I’m sorry, Ussyri,” I mumbled, only half serious.

Ussyri Noksi held up a hand. “Do not be sorry. Control yourself better. If you slip any further than the last time, I doubt the Jii’Ssyri herself could help you.”

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

My eyes widened. Just what is this curse?

“You may go now,” Ussyri Noksi said, dismissing us. “The sun is beautiful today; go enjoy it.”

***

Ussyri Noksi was right: the sun really was gorgeous today. Especially in light of everything that had happened these past few days, bright, warm sunlight on my scales was a marvelous feeling and I reveled in it, feeling some of the fatigue melt away as my body warmed.

Onussa and I descended the ramp, and Kyrae the stairs next to me. We tried holding hands, but she almost tripped. I decided to take the stairs too, likely frustrating the other elves stuck behind me. The stone edges of the steps seemed smooth at first, but I definitely felt them pressing too sharply against my scales by the time we reached the street below.

Onussa didn’t bother to hide her wild smile at our antics. Kyrae pouted, I glared, and Ssyri’zh Onussa laughed, clear and bright.

“Where do you want to go first, you two?” she asked.

“I want more food!” I answered easily. And a place to sleep, but I was still scared of dozing off so I didn’t say that part.

Kyrae looked at the people looking at us—at her—and then back to Onussa. “I’d like a bath—and something clean to wear.”

Before our different ideas could be an issue, I gave in. “I can eat later. Let’s get cleaned up and comfy first!”

Onussa smiled warmly. “Clothes and a bath then! I doubt you want to put those same clothes back on after washing up, right Kyrae?”

My sister nodded.

“We’ll stop and get something that will somewhat fit you, then head to a bathhouse and go from there!” Onussa clapped.

I tried my best to smile back at the excited ssyri’zh.

Kyrae grabbed my hand. “Thanks, Sis.”

I squeezed it, pulling my tail protectively behind her as we all started away from the temple. “You too, Sis.”

***

For clothing, Onussa took us to a shop that sold used clothing, which was a decent slither away from the temple in a much more lived-in looking neighborhood. Used clothing. Clothes that someone got rid of when they were still wearable!

Kyrae almost didn’t want to go under the covering of the shop, but the warm look she got from the elf shopkeeper drew her out of her shell. From there, it was hard to slow her down; the young elf darted between the few worn, elf-sized dresses for sale with bright, excited eyes and a nervous, sad expression.

Every time I suggested she ask Onussa for a dress, she panicked and pointed at an already dirt-colored tunic instead. The ssyri’zh, meanwhile, wandered between the tables, carefully feeling the fabric of several articles of clothing she passed.

I stayed near my sister, looking for clothing more suited to a lamia’s body. We didn’t usually wear clothing on our lower bodies, except for the higher classes, but even then it was mostly bands and jewelry that’d stay clear of the ground.

After eventually giving up on trying to get Kyrae to actually pick a dress that might fit her, I found a small pile of lamia clothing—honestly nicer than I was used to. After all the crap the Temple and those high-class jerks put us through, I didn’t feel bad at all grabbing two long lamian tunics and handing them to Onussa.

Kyrae, however, couldn’t really come to a decision.

“What do you want, Kyrae?” Onussa asked my sister, holding the tunics I’d handed her.”

Kyrae looked straight at the small pile of dresses, but answered. “Just a tunic and trousers. Big, if you can… I think I’m still growing, maybe.”

Onussa frowned. “Are you certain? Issa chose two tunics, and I really don’t mind getting you an extra outfit or two.”

I watched Kyrae turn her whole head to look at the dresses, shake it and turn back.

“One from that pile.” She pointed at a pile of stained tunics almost long enough for me.

Onussa frowned. “Those look a little too big, Kyrae.”

“You said I could have anything I want. I want one of those.” Kyrae put her foot down, literally.

Sometimes, I envied the gesture. Legs were weird and I was glad not to have to deal with them, but there was something about the finality of the gesture I’d seen elves (and humans—and even transformed merfolk) do that was just hard to match for me.

Onussa surrendered, shaking her head. “Fine.”

The ssyri’zh walked over to the stained tunics, chose the smallest and cleanest one, then walked over to the shop owner. On the way, she quickly picked up one of the dresses Kyrae had been eyeing. My sister watched her with wide eyes. Onussa turned around and smiled wide and my sister looked away, blushing, but she didn’t complain.

“See!” I put a hand on Kyrae’s shoulder. “You can get whatever you want.”

“B-but… I can’t. I’m not—” Kyrae paused and drew in a deep breath. “—The right shape. I’m not the right shape.”

I looked her up and down. “I dunno. You’re shaped like Kyrae to me.”

“That doesn’t make sense!”

I shrugged. “Makes sense to me.”

“You!” Kyrae stamped her foot again, but before she could retort, Onussa returned with the dress and other clothes.

Kyrae looked up at her in surprise. “D-did you even haggle?”

Onussa shook her head and giggled. “Not really—I come here sometimes for various people the Temple takes in and I get along well with the owner.”

Kyrae looked at the ssyri’zh in disbelief. “B-but you—”

I looked at Onussa in shock. “How much—"

“The Temple pays me plenty, and besides, these should be covered by those people, remember.”

““Oh…”” my sister and I both replied.

Good! Spend their money!

***

“W-wait!” Kyrae exclaimed when she saw the bathhouse Onussa had led us to. “T-this is a lamian bathhouse! I thought we were just going to go to the river… or, uh, not this!”

Onussa’s smile faltered when she saw the very real panic in my sister’s eyes. “Let me see about a private room, then.”

Kyrae nodded frantically, skin flushing reddish-brown.

“Private room?” I asked, shocked. “This place is huge! And nice!”

“And it’s all on their tail, remember?” Onussa’s face gained a predatory look. Or it tried to—she didn’t strike me as the type who could really intimidate someone with looks alone, even with her fang tips showing.

I glanced once more at the polished stone of the bathhouse walls and the rich colors and fabrics of those entering and leaving and nodded sharply, my own loose fang poking down as I smiled back at the ssyri’zh. “Yeah, I remember.”

“Wonderful! Then let’s go!” Still carrying our new clothes from earlier, Onussa turned tail to leave, and I moved to follow her.

I almost pulled Kyrae over with my hand held in hers, rooted to the spot as my sister was.

“P-private room, right?” Kyrae whispered.

Onussa slid to a stop and turned her head back toward us, black hair bouncing as she nodded. “Yes. And we’ll find a private place if we can’t get in here, okay? I know the people in charge of this place, though, and I think it’ll be fine.”

A little bit of life came back into my sister, her complexion darkening again. “O-okay. Promise?”

“I promise,” Onussa said solemnly.

“Can we go then?” I asked Kyrae.

“Yeah, l-let’s go.”

My sister and I trailed after Onussa all the way into the bathhouse, and I stared up at the tall ceiling of the place, held up by columns of dark, polished stone. Tall walls stopped before the curve of the ceiling, the open windows letting in sunlight from every angle. I couldn’t see the bath beyond the entranceway, but I could see the steam rising from it, and I felt the warmth of the fitted stone floor on my scales as we entered.

The lamia woman at the front glared openly at Kyrae, and I smiled when Onussa placed herself between my embarrassed sister and the mean woman.

Onussa talked quickly and authoritatively, and after some back and forth, led us off to one side of the main chamber. As we slithered (and walked) through the warm stone hall to a private room, I turned to Kyrae.

“Why were you so nervous about the main bath? People probably go there dirty all the time—and once you’re in no one’ll know you’re ssen’iir. We went to one with the orphanage once, remember?”

“That one wasn’t this nice!” Kyrae whispered quickly. “A-and being dirty’s not the reason.”

I thought about what could be bothering her. The hair starting to come in on her face? Wait… “Is it about your… y’know?”

Kyrae angled her head at me.

I pointed down. “‘Cause you elves have the thing on the outside all the time and—”

My sister nodded furiously, blushing. “Yes. Stop—please.”

I shut my mouth. “Sorry, I, uh—”

“No, it’s fine. But, uh, that’s why. Because everyone will…”

“I—” I cut off. I didn’t know what to say. At all. I just want you to be comfortable, Sis.

“It’s okay, Issa,” Kyrae said firmly, pulling ahead of me and tugging my arm around to my front. “Onussa got us a private bath, remember?”

I nodded. “Okay, but are you okay with Onussa—”

Kyrae’s eyes went wide. “Wait, I assumed she was just gonna—”

“I’ll be outside, don’t worry,” Onussa chuckled, evidently having heard our entire conversation.

“…Thanks,” Kyrae mumbled.

I frowned. “After this, can we go get some herbs for my sister before we eat?”

Onussa nodded. “What a wonderful idea, Issa. We certainly can.”

Kyrae opened her mouth, closed it, bit her lip and nodded.

“Also, I think that one is ours,” Onussa pointed at the entrance to one of the private baths.

I read the numeral on the wall—my reading wasn’t good, but I could do numerals just fine—and peeked inside, my tail tip still in the hallway. Inside was a small room lit by a shaft of afternoon sunlight. The whole place was warm in a wonderfully dense way—like a hot day in the middle of monsoon season—and a steaming pool of water as big across as I was long lay in the center.

“It’s empty,” I called back.

“I was going to knock first to check, you know,” Onussa replied with a lilt to her voice.

“Oh.” Now it was my turn to blush. As open as lamia were about nudity—really at most they’re just boobs—a private bath was still private.

I pulled the rest of the way inside and Kyrae followed after. Just like I knew she liked, I looked away until she was undressed and then I slipped into the water, reveling in the warmth on my scales. It’s even big enough for me to stretch out in!

Aside from a glance at my itchy chest and a blush, Kyrae sat stock still in the water even after I’d slipped in.

So I splashed her. She sputtered and glared at me.

“You had dirt on your face,” I replied, watching the muddy brown streak off Kyrae and into the water.

Kyrae splashed me back.

“Please don’t make a mess in there you two!” Onussa warned from outside.

To both our surprise, we stopped splashing and slid back into reclined positions against the well-worn stone. Too comfy not to agree. Kyrae dunked her head in, and I helped get some of the tangles out of her hair while curling into a nice groove around the curve of the bath’s bottom.

This place was beyond nice, and I’d for sure come back here again—if we ever could. Places like this didn’t usually like people like us, unfortunately.

For that and many, many other reasons, I didn’t like high class people. I had no real reason to, after all. But perks like this? If I could get them? For a moment before my mind wandered back to bad places, I thought an offer from a pair of servants of some ussen might not be so bad a deal.