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.

like he understands sometimes,” I say quietly, smiling up at

grinning proudly down at his

to kiss my baby’s forehead. “Yes, he

world

keep that title for about…five more months,”

with a smirk. Sinclair just laughs and

letting it pass.

ready, Cora?” I ask, moving again

says, giving me a nod and reaching

the five of us begin to walk

in dove- colored robes comes out of

moment, going still at the sight of

themBut I feel Sinclair behind me, his

of comfort comes down the bond and I exhale,

stay at Cora’s side.

not the same

is different, and not every priestess we meet is going to

surely, actually serve

woman says, bowing a little and giving us

the Goddess – you are welcome here. And

right on time.”

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

at me but

“Can’t you feel her?”

second and then, as I realize

here already – I bite my lip,

I cannot feel her. I used up’ our bond

that I could save my child,

this very suddenly, her mouth making a

head and work hard

glad you can feel

me, sympathetic, and then

says, smiling around at

on the baby, admiring

inside.”

the priestess into my mother’s

everyone’s heart is

temple, inside, is different than the ones that we’ve been in

the desert temple was elegantly sparse, and the city

impressive, this one is… cozy. The architecture is still

that women live here and treat it as a home.

benches by the windows,

little worn stick broom tucked into

that this is my favorite temple of all –

does not pause in the middle of the large

but instead leads us across

turns to us

giving us a moment. to

tucks her hair behind her ears and Roger comes to stand behind

his face very serious. He is, after

for the first time.

baby, who Sinclair helps me

why I do it, but somehow I want Rafe quite close

grandmother. It feels

we’re all ready – and Sinclair has placed a

nods to the priestess who

we all doThe beautiful Goddess, standing

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