Accidental Surrogate

Chapter 390

Chapter 390:The Temple

Ella

It is, indeed, a long climb. Cora and I are panting by the time we get to the top,

and even though Sinclair took Rafe from me halfway through the hike I have to

take a moment to catch my break when we pull ourselves up to the final level.

Roger has the indecency to look a little smug about the fact that he barely looks

winded and Cora gives him a little shove on the shoulder as she works to take a

few deep breaths and wipe the sweat from her brow.

Even as I work to bring my heartrate back down, I absolutely marvel at the sight

before me.

The Goddess’ temple, like the one in the city, is built completely with white

marble. But unlike the one in the city, this one looks…ancient. Vines grow in

ropes all over it, looking almost as if the structure is part of the forest itself,

having grown up organically from it. The temple is tall and wide, the pillars in

front drawing my eyes upward to the slanted roof which curls into a dome. At the

very peak of the dome is a golden crescent moon, reaching up towards the sky,

glinting in the bright sunlight.

“Wow,” Cora says, standing straight next to me and likewise marveling at the

temple. “Mom has some… impressive property.”

“I know, right?” I mutter back, crossing my arms and shaking my head. If

someone had told me, when I was a little girl sleeping in my creaky little orphan

bed, that my mom lived here…

Well. I probably would have believed them.

But I was a very imaginative child.

“Um,” Roger says, looking anxiously at Cora. “Shall we?”

I smile at him, seeing that he’s eager to move on but also that he wants to give

her room to process this experience. It’s more intense for her than it is for him,

and I think that it’s very sweet that he realizes this. Roger really has come leaps

and bounds as a person from when I first met him.

Sinclair comes to stand next to me and I grin at him and then turn to my baby,

taking his hands and speaking to him quietly, asking him how he likes it here

and if he’s ready to meet his granny for real this time. Rafe claps and gurgles

like he really is excited.

sometimes,” I say quietly, smiling up at

down at his son.

kiss my baby’s forehead. “Yes, he is. The

baby the world will ever see

keep that title for about…five more months,” Roger calls

with a smirk. Sinclair just laughs and

letting it pass.

ready, Cora?” I ask, moving again

giving me a nod and reaching for my

breath, the five of us begin to walk towards the temple. As

colored robes comes

for a moment, going still at the sight

I feel Sinclair behind me, his hand warm against my back, and

of comfort comes down the bond and I exhale, skipping forward

stay at Cora’s side.

is…this is not the

not every priestess we meet is going to

them, surely, actually

the woman says, bowing a little and giving us a deep smile as

the Goddess – you are

right on time.”

then look

ask. The priestess smiles warmly at me but Cora

“Can’t you feel her?”

for a second and then, as

our mother here already – I bite my lip,

our bond

my gift so that I could save my child, and Cora, and my

making a startled “o” of concern, but I

head and work hard

hand. “I’m glad

sympathetic, and then we

at our

gaze linger on

inside.”

follow the priestess

I wonder if everyone’s heart is pounding as

the ones that

elegantly sparse,

this one is… cozy. The architecture is still

that women live here

by the windows,

little worn stick broom tucked into a corner,

is my favorite temple of all

pause in the middle of the large central room of

the space beneath the dome, but instead leads

it, she turns to us with a warm smile. “Are

she asks, giving us a

her hair behind her ears

face very serious. He is, after

as such for the first time.

reach for the baby, who Sinclair helps me

do it, but somehow I want Rafe quite close to me

It

– and Sinclair has placed a warm hand on

to the priestess who

doThe beautiful Goddess, standing at the far end of the room,

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