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.

understands sometimes,” I say quietly,

says, grinning proudly down at his son.

leaning closer to kiss my baby’s forehead.

world

title for about…five more months,” Roger

smirk. Sinclair just laughs and shakes his

letting it pass.

ask, moving again to her

says, giving me a nod and reaching

of us begin to walk towards the temple. As

colored robes comes out

hesitate for a moment, going still

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

the bond and I exhale, skipping forward

stay at Cora’s side.

right. This is…this is not the same situation we were

every priestess we meet is

of them, surely, actually serve

woman says, bowing a little and giving

of the Goddess – you are welcome here.

right on time.”

I smile at each other and then look back

smiles warmly at me but Cora turns to me with

“Can’t you feel her?”

second and then, as I realize what she

mother here already – I bite my lip, feeling a very deep

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

gift so that I could save my

a startled “o”

my head and work hard

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

me, sympathetic, and then we both turn

the priestess says, smiling around at our

gaze linger on

inside.”

follow the priestess

if everyone’s heart is pounding as much as

different than the ones

was elegantly

one is… cozy. The architecture is still bright

that women live here and

padded benches by the windows, at the well-loved books

into alcoves and the little worn stick broom tucked into a

is my favorite temple of all – and that

priestess does not pause in the middle of the large central room

dome, but instead leads us across it to a

Before she opens it, she turns to us

she asks, giving us a moment. to

behind her ears and Roger comes to

shoulders, his face very serious. He is,

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

the baby, who Sinclair helps me unbuckle from the carrier. I

but somehow I want Rafe quite close to me as we go to

It feels

once we’re all ready – and Sinclair has placed

to the priestess who opens

Goddess, standing at the far

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