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

down at his son. “He’s very

I say, leaning closer to kiss my baby’s forehead. “Yes, he

the world will ever see

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

arms over his chest with a smirk. Sinclair just laughs and

letting it pass.

you ready, Cora?” I ask, moving again

so,” she says, giving me a nod and reaching for

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

colored robes comes out

hesitate for a moment, going still at

time I saw themBut I feel Sinclair behind me,

the bond and

stay at Cora’s side.

he’s right. This is…this is not the same

every priestess we meet is going to try to

surely,

bowing a little and giving us a deep smile

you are welcome

right on time.”

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

smiles warmly at me but Cora turns

“Can’t you feel her?”

then, as I realize what she means that

our mother here already – I bite

feel her. I used up’ our

that I could save my child, and Cora,

suddenly, her mouth making a startled “o” of concern,

hard

say, squeezing her hand. “I’m glad you can

sympathetic, and then we

priestess says, smiling around at our whole party and

gaze linger on

inside.”

group, we follow the priestess into my mother’s temple. And as

wonder if everyone’s heart

different than the ones that

was elegantly

and impressive, this one is… cozy.

you can tell that women live here and treat it as a home. As

at the padded benches by the windows,

the little worn stick broom tucked

my favorite temple of

does not pause in the middle of the

dome, but instead leads us across it to a

she opens it, she turns to us with a warm

she asks, giving us a moment. to

her ears and

face very serious. He is, after all, about

to his mate’s mother as such for the first time. I smile at

the baby, who Sinclair helps me unbuckle

want Rafe quite close to me as we

It feels

ready – and Sinclair has placed

who opens the door and leads us

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

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