Chapter 34: The aphrodisiac

I walk down the road scattering its golden dust on my feet, the white silk on my gown conflicting, and blending the shades of silver. The path turns narrower, shedding one person each behind my back as we move forward until all that is left is me walking to the center of the lake.

My toes dip on the edge of the lake, as it clutches onto the warmth seeping through the fairy lamps, but as I walk forward through the folds of silver the water turns cold sending shivers through me in the cold night.

Spectators watch me through the end of thirty -six circles, as heads tip-toe above each other to get a view of the ceremony. I take a deep breath through the chill of the water, as the monk on the edge tells me to stand in the coinciding hexagons. He chants verses, blessings, and prayers, as I dip myself in the water until it reaches my chest.

“Dip your head in the water. This will wash you off every touch that you have had until now.”, the monk says, and I dip inside the water. The water sl