Chapter 109 - Cleansing Ritual

******* TRIGGER WARNING: VIOLENCE AND RAPE ********

Theo and I travel through the corridors of the castle, our shoes clacking against the stone floors. Servants scurry past us with trays of food balanced in their hands. We approach the courtyard. And cross through the hall, before arriving at the garden where Inanna prepared her ritual.

Inanna stands in the center of a large circle, illuminated by the bright full moon and a dozen flickering candles around her. There is the smell of salt and herbs. She is wearing a sheer chemise with a silver clasp. Her skin glows in the candlelight, and she is obviously wearing nothing else underneath.

I shift my attention to Theo as Inanna approaches. He is appraising her, and I can’t help but nudge his side.

“She looks lovely,” Theo whispers to me. “But I still chose you. You don’t have to worry about that.”

When she’s close, her eyes flicker between Theo and me. “You will have to pardon me with my clothes,” she apologizes. “In fact, it is done