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.

sometimes,” I say quietly, smiling up

Sinclair says, grinning proudly down at his

kiss my baby’s forehead. “Yes,

the world

title for about…five more months,” Roger

smirk. Sinclair just laughs and shakes

letting it pass.

ready, Cora?” I ask, moving again

me a nod and reaching for my hand. I

us

colored robes

hesitate for a moment, going still at the sight

I saw themBut I feel Sinclair behind

comfort comes down the bond and I exhale, skipping forward a

stay at Cora’s side.

he’s right. This is…this is not the

we meet

surely, actually serve my

the woman says, bowing a little and giving us

you are welcome here.

right on time.”

I smile at each other and then look

me but Cora turns to me with

“Can’t you feel her?”

Cora for a second and then, as

already – I bite

cannot feel her. I used up’ our bond –

could save my child,

very suddenly, her mouth making a startled “o” of concern, but I

head and work hard to give

“I’m glad you can feel her for both

sympathetic, and then we both turn back to

says, smiling around at

her gaze linger on the baby,

inside.”

the priestess into my mother’s temple.

everyone’s heart is pounding

different than the ones that we’ve been

desert temple was elegantly sparse, and the city

one is… cozy.

that women live here

benches by the windows, at

stick

favorite temple of all – and that I

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

the space beneath the dome, but instead leads us across it to a door

back. Before she opens it, she turns to us with a warm smile. “Are

giving us a

her ears and Roger comes to

his face very serious. He

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

reach for the baby, who Sinclair helps me unbuckle from the

somehow I want Rafe

It feels

and Sinclair has placed a warm

priestess who opens the door and leads

we all doThe beautiful Goddess, standing

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