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.

he understands sometimes,” I say

grinning proudly down at his son. “He’s

to kiss my baby’s forehead. “Yes, he

baby the world will ever

title for about…five more months,” Roger

arms over his chest with a smirk. Sinclair just laughs

letting it pass.

you ready, Cora?” I ask, moving again to

she says, giving me a nod

five of us begin to walk

colored robes comes out

for a moment, going still at

the last time I saw themBut I feel Sinclair behind me, his hand warm against my back, and then

down the bond and I exhale,

stay at Cora’s side.

This is…this is not the same situation we were in

and not every priestess we meet is going to try to take my

of them, surely,

little and giving us a deep

– you are welcome here. And

right on time.”

and I smile at each other and then look back to the woman. “Is

The priestess smiles warmly at me but

“Can’t you feel her?”

Cora for a second and then, as

I bite

feel her. I used up’ our

I could save

this very suddenly, her mouth making a startled “o” of concern, but I

work hard

squeezing her hand. “I’m glad you can feel her for both of

me, sympathetic, and then we both

around at

gaze linger on the baby, admiring

inside.”

a group, we follow the priestess into

if everyone’s heart is pounding

is different than the ones that

was elegantly sparse, and the city temple

and impressive, this one is… cozy.

that women live here and treat

the padded benches by the windows, at the

the little worn stick broom

that this is my favorite temple of all – and that I quite

middle of the large central

the dome, but instead leads us

it, she turns to

giving us a moment. to

hair behind her ears and Roger comes to

his face very serious. He

for the first time. I smile at

reach for the baby, who Sinclair helps me

Rafe quite close to

grandmother. It

– and Sinclair has

the priestess who opens the door and leads

her immediately, we all doThe beautiful Goddess, standing at the far end of

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255