This is a science-fantasy romance and there is some worldbuilding, so I’ve defined some words that crop up in it to make the reading process smoother!

Feel free to skip this page and go right to Chapter 1 if you prefer.

Epoptas (pl: epoptai): a title given to third degree priestesses within the Temple of Aradia once they formally dedicate to a goddess. Epoptai are expected to specialize.

Mater Melior: mother superior of the Temple.

Sybil (sybilai): a priestess trained in the prophecy and divination specialization. They usually practice their arts for individual citizens.

Pythia (pythiai): a higher-ranking version of a Sybil with deeper connection to the goddesses. Their arts are generally reserved for matters of state, high-ranking Aradians, and the Imperial Family (House of Diana).

Mantr: an elected representative to a country on the planet Maya.

Sabha-indriya: the ruling council of Maya. Populated by five individual representatives called Sabhin, one for each country. Sabhin are chosen from their country’s pool of current mantrs.

Maya / Chaya II: second planet in the Chaya system, which borders the Aradian Empire. Known as Maya to its denizens.

Prani: the species of humanoids from Chaya II. They are elementals, with five distinct elemental races, and a rigid caste system based on levels of psychic and magical power.

Pudgala: lowest caste of the Prani people.

Adharma: second caste of the Prani people.

Jiva: Prani word for magic or psionics.

Prana: lifeforce energy that restores Prani when they’ve used too much jiva. Can be absorbed in places with high background levels of it, but food and water also contain it.

Hetaira (hetairai): a pleasure priestess (sacred prostitution); this is a specialization track. They serve in the Temple of Desire.

Krado: a sport best described as “future rugby”.

Vosnakab: a sport from the planet Maya; think rugby meets wrestling meets capture the flag.

Visesajiva, Apasajiva, Dyausajiva, Agnijiva, Vayujiva: the five races of Prani. In order: earth, water, stars, fire, and air.