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.

I say quietly, smiling up

down at

to kiss my baby’s

baby the world will ever see

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

chest with a smirk. Sinclair

letting it pass.

ready, Cora?” I ask, moving again

she says, giving me a nod and reaching for my hand. I

us begin to walk towards

woman in dove- colored robes comes out

still at the sight

saw themBut I feel Sinclair behind me, his hand warm against

down the bond and I exhale,

stay at Cora’s side.

This is…this is not the same situation we

meet

of them, surely, actually serve

says, bowing a little and giving us

the Goddess – you are welcome here. And

right on time.”

at each other and then look

smiles warmly at me but Cora turns to

“Can’t you feel her?”

then, as I realize

bite my lip, feeling

I cannot feel her. I used up’ our bond – used the magic of it to

that I could save my child,

making a startled “o” of concern, but I

hard to

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

then we both turn back to

says, smiling around at our whole party

linger on the baby, admiring

inside.”

follow the priestess into

wonder if everyone’s heart is

different than the ones

the desert temple was elegantly

this one is… cozy. The

tell that women live here and treat it

by the

into alcoves and the little worn stick broom tucked into

of all – and

pause in the middle of the large central room of

but instead leads

she opens it, she turns to

asks, giving us a moment. to

her ears and Roger comes to stand

his face very serious. He is, after all,

mother as such for the first time. I smile at both of

the baby, who Sinclair

Rafe quite close to me as we go

grandmother. It feels

and Sinclair has placed a warm hand

Cora nods to the priestess who opens the door and leads

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

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