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, smiling

proudly down

say, leaning closer to kiss my baby’s

the world will ever see

keep that title for about…five

with a smirk.

letting it pass.

ask, moving again to

so,” she says, giving me a nod and reaching for my hand. I give it,

another deep breath, the five of us

a woman in dove- colored robes comes out of the

for a moment, going still at

the last time I saw themBut I feel Sinclair behind

comfort comes down the bond and I exhale, skipping

stay at Cora’s side.

is not the same situation

meet is going to try to

them, surely, actually serve my

the woman says, bowing a little and

the Goddess – you are welcome here. And

right on time.”

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

The priestess smiles warmly at me but Cora

“Can’t you feel her?”

Cora for a second and then, as I realize what she means

– I bite my lip, feeling a very deep

used up’ our bond – used

my gift so that I could save my child, and Cora, and

a startled “o” of

hard to give her a

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

nods to me, sympathetic, and then we both turn back to

says, smiling around at our

her gaze linger on the

inside.”

the priestess into my mother’s temple. And as

if everyone’s heart is pounding

is different than the ones that

temple was elegantly sparse, and

impressive, this one is… cozy. The

that women live here

benches by the windows, at

alcoves and the little worn stick

this is my favorite temple of all – and that I

middle of the large

the space beneath the dome, but instead

Before she opens it, she turns

asks, giving us a

behind her ears and Roger comes to stand

his shoulders, his face very serious. He is, after

for the first

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

but somehow I want Rafe

It

– and Sinclair has placed a

– Cora nods to the priestess who opens the door and leads us

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

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