Once inside, Daemon inhaled deeply. The smell of vegetable soup hung heavily in the air, which made his mouth water and his stomach grumble.
The space was warm and inviting. Long tables were nestled under beautiful multi-colored glass windows that depicted the visages of their Goddess. Intimate sitting areas surrounded the massive fireplace on the far wall, complete with blankets and floor cushions.
It was relaxing. A quiet and calm place, free from distractions, and just what he needed.
“Would you like something to eat, Your Highness?” The High Priestess asked as they made their way through the communal area, where a few priestesses and guests were finishing what was left of their meals.
“That would be wonderful, High Priestess, thank you.”
She stopped and turned her head in his direction, a small smile playing on her lips. “As I’ve told you before, Your Highness. You may call me Darya.”
Daemon chuckled. “And as I’ve told you,Darya, you may call me Daemon while I am here. Just as you used to.”
He’d known Darya for years. Met her when he’d come to study at the temple after his magic had manifested three years ago. They’d spent meals together and trained together. She learned their Goddess's ways while he discovered his magic's ins and outs.
Since then, they’d only seen each other a few times a year when he came to the island every other month. And in that time, she’d risen from pupil to High Priestess.
She inclined her head in acceptance, then continued to lead him through the room.
Exiting the main building, they headed toward the sleeping quarters.
His room was no different from any of the others on the grounds. Simple, with no more than the necessities: a bed for one, a small writing desk, and an armoire that held simple ivory linen clothes that were required to be worn at the sanctuary.
There were no private bathing rooms on the grounds. Instead, there were a handful of communal areas for hygiene.
As Daemon entered his rooms, another priestess exited, having just brought him a washbowl and towel to clean up from his trek up the mountain.
Darya excused herself, leaving him to his own devices, but not before issuing promises of food and wine once he joined everyone else in the communal building.
By the time he’d curled into bed that night, the moon was high in the sky, and he’d fallen asleep with a smile on his face for the first time in a long time.
The cold stone floor of the temple bit into the soles of Daemon’s bare feet as he paced frantically across the space.
He’d been at this for days.
Three days of going back through the basics of magic. Of trying to regain control of the shadows that coursed beneath his skin.
Three days of meditating beneath the stars,trying—and failing—to get a sign from the Goddess Narissa to show him where to go from here. And he had nothing to show for it.
This was his last night at the sanctuary, and as he came to a stop in the center of the floor, he tilted his head upward andshouted into the star-speckled sky, “Goddess, why won’t you answer me!”
The temple was tucked away in the far corner of the grounds. Secluded from the rest of the compound to give privacy to those who wished to convene with their Goddess—even if they were yelling into the void of the night.
Made only of moonstone columns, with no solid walls or ceiling, it looked out over the sea below and to the sky above.
Daemon fell to his knees as he stared up at the inky black sky.
The swirls of colors and stars that filled the blank canvas above him no longer brought him the solace that it once did. Not since he’d laid his eyes uponhisstar.
His throat was sore from shouting, and his hands shook at his sides as anger coursed through his body.
Roughly, he ran his fingers through his hair and released an exasperated sigh as his head fell forward in defeat.
“There’s no need to shout, my son.”
A voice, soft as velvet, slid into his thoughts, causing him to snap his head up and glance around. But there was no one there as a silky laugh caressed the corners of his mind.
“Sit, Daemon. Close your eyes, andseeme. Close your eyes and look upon my face.”
