“What do you think they called this meeting for?” Ava whispered to a fellow maiden.

“Not sure,” the maiden, a woman named Zoe, whispered back. “I can’t remember the last time they had us all gather together like this. Must be important.”

Ava’s short frame could barely be seen around the dining hall they had all gathered in. It was completely packed with every maiden and servant in the temple. At the front of the room were five distinguished looking women: the priestesses. Kalliope was sitting in the center, preparing to speak.

The excited chattering died down the moment the head priestess stood. She cleared her throat before starting. “You’re all probably wondering why I brought you here today.”

The room remained silent, no one dared to speak.

“While this temple has remained a constant in this village since it’s construction two hundred years ago, we know that Arlen itself has undergone many changes.” She stopped to grimace. “Usually not for the better. Ladies, your bodies are not your own. They belong to Eupheme and she does her work through you. That is why it is of the utmost importance that you, like this temple, are kept safe.

“Maidens and servants are no longer allowed to travel alone. When going to the town, you must be in groups of at least three. Leaving the temple, including wandering the external grounds, is forbidden without expressed permission.”

That sparked some fierce whispering. 

A young servant gathered the courage to raise a shaky hand above the mass of people. 

“Yes,” Kalliope called on her, obviously annoyed.

She bowed deeply before speaking. “High priestess, why are such rules being put in place?” Kalliope raised an eyebrow, causing her to quickly add, “I’m not questioning your judgement! I would just like to know why these precautions are being taken.” The other servants around her nodded, equally curious.

The vulture-like woman rubbed her temples. “I do not intend to scare you, but there has been an increase in the amount of violence within the town. Some people are disappearing, almost all men, but we can’t be too cautious.” This caused the murmuring to intensify; some of the women even gasped, which Kalliope silenced with a twitch of her mouth. “We feel that traveling in groups and keeping records on where everyone is is the best way to protect you all.”

Ava raised her hand, thinking of her meetings with Damalia. “Are we required to travel in groups while inside the temple?” she asked nervously.

“If you are inside the building, it is not required but still highly recommended. Now,” she scanned around the crowded room, “Are there any other questions? No? Good. Get back to your duties.” 

Ava sighed in relief as the crowd dissipated. Her secret meetings with Damalia could still take place. She wouldn’t have to make excuses or explain herself to another maiden in the temple. She highly doubted she could find a single person that would condone their meetings. Temple workers weren’t meant to make attachments, and Ava was very much attached at this point. 

Maidens dedicated themselves to Eupheme and the temple, so they had no need for earthly connections or possessions, though Kalliope always seemed to wear the finest clothes and jewelry in town. The only objects Ava kept were some of the flowers Damalia occasionally brought her, which she pressed and stored under her bed in a plain box. 

As Ava made her way down a marble corridor, a horrible thought occurred to her. 

Damalia was constantly traveling alone to visit her,and  in the evenings no less! The town was becoming more dangerous, what if something happened to her?

She bit her nails in anxiety. Ava was safe while inside the temple, but there was no way a woman moving through Arlen at night would be. Damalia seemed much more capable than Ava at defending herself, but a single woman was no match for a group of men. 

Ava needed to warn her.  Tears stung at her azure eyes at the thought of Damalia stopping her visits, but her best friend's safety was of the utmost importance. 

-

“Lia,” Ava whispered, as she stared at their intertwined fingers. “That is why it's not safe anymore.”

“So, you don’t want me to visit you?”

She shook her head. “You know your company means the world to me, but it’s too risky.”

“I can defend myself.”

“The soldiers are becoming too bold. I’m starting to wonder if anywhere is safe anymore. You remember when I talked about that man leching at me last week. He was on the external grounds of the temple and he was still following me around!”

“Yes, I remember,” Damalia replied coldly. “Has anyone bothered you since then?” 

The blonde shook her head again. “No, I’ve been left alone.” She could feel Damalia’s body relax at her response. “I just…” her voice broke, but she persevered. “I just can’t imagine something happening to you. I know we’ve only known each other for a few months, but it feels longer than that. I feel like I’ve known you my whole life.” 

“And you’ll continue to. Ava, my dove, I’ll make sure nothing happens to you. I’m here as long as you’d like me to be.”

Damalia had given her the nickname ‘dove’ a few weeks earlier. She insisted it was teasing, making fun of her namesake, but it still caused her to flush.  

Ava felt a kernel of hope solidify in her chest.“There is a way to solve our problems. A way for us to be together, if that’s what you want. Have you… have you ever thought about staying here?”

“In the sanctum?”

“No, of course not” Ava laughed. “As a temple worker. You’d have to start out as a servant, but you could work your way up to a maiden. You’d never have to sneak around at night anymore! Think of all the things we could do together!” 

“No, never.” 

Ava felt as though cold water had been dumped on her. “But why not? It would solve everything!”

“Do you think I have no life outside this building?” Damalia sneered. 

“You speak so seldom of it. Answer honestly, would you really miss it?”

“That doesn’t matter. I refuse to dedicate my life worshiping a god.” She pulled her hands away and Ava immediately missed their warmth. “I must be going now.” 

“But you barely got here!” Ava protested, her heart heavy in her chest. “Don’t get mad at me for caring about you!”

“I’m not mad, Ava. I’m just frustrated,” she groaned. “Why is our being like this not enough for you?”

“Because,” Ava thought about the confusing feelings that were swirling in her chest. “Lia, you’re my best friend! You’re the only person I can be myself around. Do you blame me for wanting you to stay?”

Damalia had started to stand, but stopped halfway. “I’m your best friend?”

“Of course. Surely, you must know I have no desire to spend my time with another.” 

Damalia breathed a deep sigh of relief. “Would it be selfish for me to say that makes me happy to hear?” 

“Not at all.” Something deep within Ava longed to touch her friends face, to remove the hood that kept them apart, but she held herself back. “Lia, please stay longer tonight, and please promise me you’ll be safe.” 

“I promise, Ava,” she moved to sit back down again, gently taking her hand. “Here, why don’t we relax for a moment, I didn’t mean to get you worked up.”

“You always worry for my constitution,” Ava smiled. “I’m petite, not an invalid.”

“I know, my dove,” she rubbed a thumb over the maiden’s knuckles. “You have a lion's heart.”