Chapter 304 – The Goddess’s Light

Cora

I’m a little out of breath when I finally catch up with Roger and Rafe, having had to work hard to keep up with his long wolf stride.

“Rude,” I say when I finally come to a stop next to them. “You couldn’t have waited for me?”

“I’m being rude?” Roger says, raising his eyebrows at me in disbelief. “Cora, you’ve been nothing but unpleasant since the moment we stepped into the forest –”

I open my mouth with a little squeak of protest but Roger just rolls his eyes and ignores me, going on anyway. “This is supposed to be a sacred experience for Rafe and for us and you’ve done nothing but moan and complain. So yeah, forgive me if I wanted to get away for a moment and concentrate on the magic of this place

“Oh whatever,” I mumble, reaching out my arms so that he can hand me the baby.

“No from you way,” Roger retorts, holding the baby closer to his chest and turning a little away from me. “You don’t get to hold the baby now that we’re at the pool

“Yes I do!” I cry, “the priestess gave him to me!”

“I’m his godparent just as much as you are

“(

But suddenly, there’s a flare in the light from the pool, and Roger and I turn to it, surprised, both of our mouths falling open. I don’t know how I know it but…well, somehow, I get the sense that the pool – or whatever magic is in it – is irritated with us.

embarrassed. Honestly, it

each other, then, united anew at being…well, a little freaked out, suddenly. We’re both very aware that there’s magic in the world, but sometimes when you’re confronted with it so

deep breath, then, nodding to him, and start to say

out across the smooth surface of the silver pool. “We bring to you, tonight, this child, so

continues, his own resonant voice sending shivers down my spine. The

am treated by the sight of the full moon itself,

stomach twisting with the emotion of the moment. Because she is here, now, with us – ready

well enough yet – but he’s certainly curious. I put my hands out for him and this time Roger does hand him to me, letting me take the baby and unwrap his swaddling blanket. Then, when he’s free of it, Roger and I slowly walk as close as we can to the edge

to see Rafe looking up into the sky, to see the light surrounding him as it falls from the moon above and reflects upwards from

reverent. “His parents, Ella and Dominic, have asked us

it. I open my mouth to say something, to tell Roger that I’m sorry, and that I’m glad I’m here with him to

afraid, but Roger brings a quick

baby back,” he says, peering into the white light of the moon, likewise trying to make it

baby out, my arms trembling a little, and watch

Instead, it’s…felt as much as it is seen, communicated to our hearts and minds as much as our eyes. But suddenly, quite suddenly,

with warm green eyes bending down to take the hand of a dark–haired little girl who has fallen to the ground, helping her up and brushing the tears from her face. Then, I see him again – older, but still young.- running across a battlefield, fear on his face but courage in every

on the girl’s head as well. She smiles up at him with such love in her eyes and then the door to the room bursts open,

of their children – and a light–haired boy I don’t know, just about Rafe’s age- and more children, so many more and me

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