as they approached the innermost chamber , though , a place alyrin had been to only once in all her iterations -- on the fateful day , lifetimes ago , when she had sworn her oaths and donned the vestments of her order -- she felt her breath shortening , coming in stabbing huffs , paralyzed in awe as the young disciple pulled back the constellation-bedecked ocean-blue curtain to reveal the very heart of melisara chapel .