Chapter 30
CHAPTER THIRTY
I’m standing alone on a platform, staring out at what lies before me. A temple full of patrons enjoy the night under the full moon. I know where I am, but I don’t know why I’m here. Yet, I know it’s important, and deep within, I’m being drawn to find what’s missing.
My feet move of their own accord, directing me left, down a set of stairs. I wander around, observing the other patrons.
An ebony-skinned woman with flowing purple hair floats in a pool of water. She’s singing a lovely tune, her tail swishing on beat with the melody. I’ve never seen a mermaid before.
I walk closer, wanting to know more about her, and to listen to her song.
Her breasts are covered with shells, tied together with rope, and her turquoise and purple scales shimmer in the moonlight.
As I approach, she stops singing and swims to the edge of the pool.
I lean down and sweep the wayward strands of her hair back, tucking them behind her ears.
“You are magical.” I stare into her glittering eyes.
“As are you.” She tugs on my arm, wanting me to join her in the water, but I shake my head.
My heart spikes, pulse pounding with the sudden urge that I should leave. “Not tonight. I don’t feel like swimming.”
“Every moment is a good one for being in water.” Her lips turn into a pout, and she bats her eyelashes. “Come, please.” She tugs again, and the scattered scales on her arm shimmer in the torchlight. They’re beautiful.
“I’ve been looking for you,” a fae male says as he enters the water from the other side of the pool.
She lets go of me and lazily swims over to him, reaching out a hand when she gets closer. “It’s such a lovely night for a swim.”
“I agree.” He pulls her to him, and she wraps her arms around his neck.
She guides him to the middle of the pool and drags him under the water. I wait, wanting to see them re-emerge, but they don’t.
I blink and look around, confused.
What am I doing with my feet in the water? I get up and wander some more, walking around the temple, still seeking… something. In certain places I feel the tug of that missing thing. It pulls within me strongly, but then it slips away, and I’m left trying to find it again.
Everything looks the same—yet different. The next thing I know, I’m standing before the same pool of water again, and the mermaid is singing once more. When she sees me, she stops. “Are you ready now?”
“I don’t… Was I… Wait, what happened to the male that got in with you?” I ask, confused.
Am I ready now? Was I here before? I blink rapidly, shaking my head, and rub my neck.
“There was never anyone but you,” her sing-song voice calls out.
No. No, that’s not right. I know what I saw. Maybe he found what he was looking for and left. She’s the one who doesn’t remember him—he was here. Right?
“No, thank you.” Confusion laces my words and I back away, but she reaches for my leg.
Her cold, wet hand grips my ankle—firmly, unlike her gentle touch from earlier. I shake out of her hold and stumble backwards into the arms of another.
I look up at the partially illuminated face. A human, a very handsome one, with blue eyes greets me with concern. The soft, golden light highlights a strong stubbled jaw and perfectly bronzed skin. His dark wavy hair dances in the breeze.
I’ve never laid eyes upon such beauty.
“Leave us.” His smoky voice is directed at the mermaid.
She pulls her lips back in a snarl but swims off at his command. Her tail slaps the water, sending droplets raining down on us.
He twists me around, pulling me to his chest and taking the brunt of it. Instead, I’m hit with the scent of cedar and smoke, gently laced with the clean, sweet aroma of roses. It’s as if he embodies the promise of protection and passion. His hold feels safe, like a warm bed on a cold night.
“Are you okay?” he asks, gaze searching mine. His irises shift between blue and green, depending on how the light hits them.
Needing a breath, I inhale the cold air and straighten out my robe, looking away. “Yes, I’m fine.”
He releases me, and I’m instantly struck by the need for his touch on my skin again as the cold creeps back in, coating my skin in a chill.
“Would you like company? To take a walk around the temple? It can be a dangerous place if you’ve never been here before.” He holds out his arm.
“And you have?” I ask, skeptical.
“Many times.” He smiles, and it’s the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. It’s full of joy, and light, and love. “I like the challenge.”
“I see,” I say, still unsure. But I don’t reject his offer, wanting to feel his warmth again.
My hand slides along his arm, settling into the crook of his elbow as he guides me to the marble stairs. They are oddly warm under my bare feet, but I attribute it to being connected to him. We head down to the middle terrace, larger than the top but smaller than the bottom terrace.
In the center there are two towering oaks, the marble carved around their massive trunks. The branches hang over a sunken lounge, occupied by multiple patrons on thick blankets and pillows. Their naked bodies are shrouded in shadowy light, accentuating many mingled limbs.
My cheeks heat at the sensuality and passion on display. I enjoy a good time, but I’ve never witnessed such brazen sexual indulgence.
He halts, tracking my gaze. “If you are tempted, they will welcome us and treat you like the goddess you are.”
I cock my head, considering if I want to take a step down and join. A chill sweeps over my body, the light breeze teasing my robe. No. “I am tempted, but… I don’t think that’s why I’m here.”
Turning from the sight, I release his arm and step away, walking around. I pass the main pool of water where some are floating on their backs, some are swimming, and others just sit at the edge with their feet dipped in. The temperature dips, getting colder the longer I wander.
I go to the edge of the terrace, looking out at the ocean. The stars… Wasn’t I just looking at these stars a few days ago?
“Let’s keep exploring.” The man’s voice is harsh yet gentle, an embrace and a command. He appears at my side again, hand out in an offer to escort me.
My brows pull together, unsure what I was just thinking about. “I think I need to find something.”
“There is plenty to find here.” He takes my hand, and again I follow.
The bottom terrace’s pool opens to the ocean, spilling over as if there is no barrier.
To my right, a man sits alone on a wooden bench with his eyes to the stars, tears streaming down his cheeks.
Other patrons mingle in groups, walking and laughing, while some lounge alone on the various couches and chaises.
A satyr stands at the edge of the temple’s pool with its arms open wide to the ocean.
“Should we intervene?”
“No, he must make his own choice. That is what we all must do here,” he says as we circle around the terrace.
I’ve forgotten what I’m doing here. Wasn’t I cold? But, it’s not cold.
I shake my head, trying to throw off the fog swirling within my brain.
My task is important—so why can’t I remember?
Think. Think.
Find something you can focus on, something you know is real. A deep pull in my gut responds, leading me back to the middle terrace, but nothing is familiar.
Except, I’m sure I’ve seen the patrons in the pool already. I look over to a sunken lounge, my gaze lingering a moment, watching the activity within. I want to rest, to relax. How long have I been walking?
“I’d like to sit now.” I tell the human man at my side.
“Allow me.” He places his arms beneath my knees and lifts me, carrying me to a settee.
The pull fades when I’m around him. Is he what I’m looking for? Who I was looking for? But why a human? I’ve never found them that interesting. Their lives are so short compared to the fae. My male counterparts, on the other hand, are often captivated by mortal women.
“Are you hungry? Thirsty?” the man asks, picking up my left foot, massaging the aches from my arches.
“I—I think so.” My words are unsure as they pass my lips.
But, I’m not…
Yes, I am.
I think maybe I do want a drink and food. It’s been hours since I’ve eaten.
What was I doing before this? I had to have gotten to the temple somehow. I was on a ship.
The beautiful man leaves, quickly returning with a plate of fruit and a goblet. “Here.” He pops a berry in his mouth and then hands me one. “They’re delicious.”
I suddenly realize I don’t know anything about him. “I don’t know your name.”
“Names don’t matter here.” He holds out the goblet, waiting for me to take it.
“But—” I protest, but he cuts me off.
“Most never return to the temple once they leave. It’s better if we don’t know each other’s name. Just enjoy the night. Revel in the magic of this place. In this temple, what you want is given to you.”
I wave the goblet under my nose. The dark liquid smells sweet and tart. Just like the red wines at the capital. I bring it to my lips, but the liquid never reaches them.
My gaze lands on a man across the temple. He’s sitting on a throne made of bones, with a golden crown adorning his head. Men and women stand around him, offering all manner of gifts. That feeling returns—the feeling of something missing, the longer I stare at him.
That pull.
The beautiful man follows my gaze. “A deadly king, entertaining people who want something from him.”
“A king?” Bewilderment settles within my mind. “I know all the kings, in each kingdom, and he is not one of them.”
“A false king, then? Just as so many others here fancy themselves to be,” he says, sliding my legs over and sitting beside me, blocking my view. “A man not worth your time. He’d only take advantage of your beauty, and not give you the care you deserve.”
He tilts the goblet up gently. “Drink.”
The first sip of wine coats my tongue in a smooth velvet that tastes divine.
His body is also divine; every line of his defined frame, from his chest to his abdominal muscles and down to his muscular thighs are visible through his sheer robe. He must be a warrior, training long days to keep in such shape.
I finish the wine in my goblet as he eats.
“Do you require more?” he asks.
“No… Yes… I…” The words are slow, my thoughts not processing fully.
I want more of the wine, but I also don’t. Almost as if it’s a subconscious craving. A need so familiar yet foreign.
When I look down, the goblet is full again. “How?”
Dimples pocket the sides of his cheeks when he smiles. “The temple knows and provides.”
“And what about you?” I take another sip, the liquid satisfying my parched throat. I want more. Tipping back the goblet, I finish the rest of the wine.
“It appears I want you.” His blue eyes hold my gaze. The irises dance in the moonlight. He pulls me into his lap and sets me between his legs, leaning his back against the angled armrest. “You quite literally fell into my path, and you are perfect.”
I nestle into his arms, content with how they feel wrapped around my body. “I want another drink.”
He nods to the goblet. The wine is filled to the top again.
I wish it was always this easy. I drink until it’s gone.
It refills again.
No, I don’t want any more wine.
I’ve had one too many. Two too many. I don’t drink anymore. Right?
I set the goblet down next to the settee and lean back into his embrace.
Resting my head against his chest, I look up at the stars. I used to love doing this with… Myself? I rub my temples, something pressing in at the edges of my consciousness.
I can’t grasp it, even though it’s right there. My stomach clenches and churns, and I feel as if I’m going to be sick. I drop my head to the side, away from the pulsing stars.
The man on the throne is still there. Still surrounded by people, mostly humans, but he’s waving them off with an angry expression. He tries to take off the crown, but for as many times as he jerks it away, it remains. Even with his pained expression, he’s handsome.
I can’t stop watching him. An urge to be in his presence overwhelms me.
A smoky voice whispers in my ear. “Can I make your night at the temple worthwhile?”
I turn my head to find the human’s mouth is inches from mine. A swirling, aching pressure ignites at the devouring gaze in those dangerously beautiful eyes.
What was I just thinking?