Total pages in book: 162
Estimated words: 151630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 758(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 758(@200wpm)___ 607(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
We’re standing on the second level. There’s an altar with a bowl and candles and various offerings long since turned to dust. I suspect St. John’s wort, marigolds, and such were once offered here by those who wanted to benefit from the Green Man and his goddess.
“Like the two of you were frozen in place,” Rhys explains, his eyes steady on me. “I tried to get to you but there was some kind of energy that kept me away.”
That ancient warmth I felt, the one that I know is mine and yet I cannot give it a name. “We were fighting over Neil’s soul. When he died, I realized I could spare his soul by taking him into mine. Myrddin seems to have some kind of spell that drags spirits to him since he didn’t actively pull Neil until I stopped the flow.”
“You’ve never done that before and you’ve seen people die.” Rhys is almost too still, like a predator who worries his prey will run if he moves too quickly.
I have no intention of running. Not tonight. We can play that out later.
Why was I ever afraid of this? Am I coming to accept my sexual needs? Needs I refused to think about for so very long. Or perhaps I’m being affected by this sacred place meant for sex. Either way, I don’t care. Desire is a drug in my veins and one I fear I can easily get addicted to. I glance up at that third floor. The one with the big bed and what looks like soft, warm quilts. It’s dark up there, but we don’t need much light. “The souls I’ve seen either moved on or chose to stay. I’ve never been in a position where a soul could be destroyed or imprisoned. It was an instinct to save him.”
He moves slowly into my space, his big body looming over mine. “That was power, Shy. Raw, unfiltered power. Everyone felt it. I swear it stopped the fighting briefly because it slammed into all of us. I’ve never felt anything like it.”
And he’s worried. “I can handle it. I know it seems sudden, but I’m not afraid of it. It’s like when I broke free of your vines. I suddenly knew what to do. What questions to ask in that case. I didn’t work my will. Simply asked if the vine wouldn’t mind helping me out.”
“By dying.”
“By turning early.” For the first time in hours I feel insecurity slip in. “I didn’t kill it. It isn’t truly gone.”
He holds a hand up as though he knows what’s going on in my head. “I did not mean dying is bad. It’s natural, but up until now all of your powers have been in talking to the dead. What happened today goes far beyond a medium. Shy, can you feel the dead here? From what I understand the king hasn’t been allowed inside in a long time.”
I close my eyes and send out that part of me that senses the dead things of the world. “There are many creatures buried around the grounds, but they’re at peace. This is not a place for the restless dead. This is a place of life. This is where they come when they are ready for the wheel to turn.”
His lips kick up in a sweet grin. “You’ve spent too much time with the witches. You talk like a witch now. The next thing I know you’ll be doing shadow work and surrounding us with crystals.”
I shake my head. “It feels right. And I know I’m correct about this place. There are no restless dead in the temple or on the grounds right now. But the palace is out of balance. The dead have their place. Even the restless ones. I think I know what Myrddin is doing.”
“I don’t want to think about him tonight, Shy. I know we should go downstairs and join the others and plan,” he begins.
I do not want that. “Or we could bring this temple back to life and show this sithein what they are missing. The temple needs you. Can’t you feel it?”
His eyes darken, the green of the deepest forest. “In my soul. The temple wants an offering. It’s been many years since a high priest brought his magic here. Brought his goddess here and shared their love with it. This temple magnifies our magic.”
I don’t correct him the way I would have a mere day before. It is our magic. Like Ostara said. We are opposites and feed each other, nurture each other in a way we cannot on our own, could not with anyone else in all the planes.
“What exactly does that mean?” My question comes out on a breathy sigh. “Lee said something about wards.”
“I suspect the king has warded against all kinds of magic. You saw even the servants wore talisman and charms. If they weren’t protected, then a ceremony like what we’re about to perform would be felt throughout the sithein. However, I’m grateful for the wards since there’s an evil version of my father out there who I don’t want horny and wild. Lee told me the wards don’t extend to the dungeons since they use magic to torture prisoners.”