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,

grinning proudly down at his son. “He’s

closer to kiss my baby’s

the world will

title for about…five more months,” Roger calls

his chest with a smirk. Sinclair just laughs

letting it pass.

ask,

nod and

the five of us begin to

colored robes comes out of the

a moment, going still at the sight of those

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

and I exhale,

stay at Cora’s side.

he’s right. This is…this is not the same situation we were in

every priestess we meet

Some of them, surely, actually serve

little and giving us a deep smile

the Goddess – you are welcome here. And you

right on time.”

then look back to the woman. “Is

me but Cora turns to me

“Can’t you feel her?”

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

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

feel her. I used up’ our bond – used

my gift so that I could save my child, and

her mouth making a startled “o” of concern,

head and work hard to give

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

me, sympathetic, and then

at our whole party and taking

her gaze linger on

inside.”

follow the priestess into

I wonder if everyone’s heart is pounding as much as

is different than the

was elegantly sparse,

one is… cozy.

here and treat

padded benches by the windows, at

alcoves and the little worn stick broom tucked into a corner,

is my favorite temple of all – and that

the middle of the large central room

instead

Before she opens it, she turns to us

she asks, giving us

her ears and Roger comes to stand

very serious. He is, after

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

for the baby, who Sinclair helps

I do it, but somehow I want Rafe quite close

grandmother. It feels

once we’re all ready – and Sinclair has

– Cora nods to the priestess who

immediately, we all doThe beautiful Goddess, standing

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