She could even feel it in the connection between them. The emotional part of their bond was strong now that it was sealed, and while she tried not to notice, she sensed the deepening bond between them.
Kyla smiled at her own soulmate as they approached the temple. Garnel looked back at her, light shining in his hazel eyes. “Have I told you how much I like your bangs?” he asked. “Such an interesting human word, too. Bangs. They frame your sweet face in a way that I cannot resist admiring, my perfect woman.”
“I think you have told me at least twenty times since I arrived back to you. But don’t stop. I like you showering me with compliments.”
The temple was in view now, on the far side of the city, nearly outside of the wall of enchanted trees that guarded Orofine from danger. She wasn’t sure if Althea’s daughter would notice the mark on her forehead under the glamour that she’d placed on herself. She prayed that the Goddess of the Harvest would not react as negatively as her sister in Nephel had reacted.
“Kyla, what is worrying your beautiful mind?” Garnel asked, pulling their war elk closer together. She envied Savine and Avery’s closeness as they rode Jari together. But that would be impossible for her and Garnel. He was nearly too large for his mount as it was, and she was far too tall to sit between Garnel and his elk’s antlers.
“You know what I hide. What if I anger the goddess?”
Garnel shook his head at her. “No need to worry. You’re not seeking information. You’re only celebrating the Night of Feasts.”
Kyla nodded, but she couldn’t let go of the nervous energy that twisted through her.
Soon she watched as Jay and Raikin dismounted in front of the temple. Avery and Savine followed, and citizens rushed toprovide them with the produce to be offered to the Goddess of the Harvest.
This was always her favorite day as a child. Watching as the goddess accepted their offering, receiving a blessing before she would return home to prepare for the evening festivities. Then she’d sneak down to watch her mother and father entertain diplomats and guests. Savine would always notice her and bring treats to her hiding place behind the large trunk pillars.
But as she grew older, the day had lost its magic. Her father’s wrath had warped their family, and she understood the pain he inflicted on Savine. Her mother did nothing to help, too afraid of the retribution she faced to protect her own children. The celebrations and false smiles felt nothing more than another jagged wound to their family.
As Kyla walked toward the temple, her heart pounded. She could see the Goddess of the Harvest, welcoming Savine and Avery to the temple. Avery bowed and received a blessing, her goddess mark clearly visible below the crown peeking out of her hairline.
Garnel took her hand in his and squeezed it. The look of concern on his face made a lump form in her throat. She shouldn’t be letting her concerns get in the way of this new beginning. What happened in Nephel wouldn’t happen here.
Despite now knowing what the Divine Five were, she had no clue where to begin searching for them, and the fear that she’d upset the Premier Goddess in some way weighed heavy on her.
Kyla approached the goddess, head bowed in respect. At some point, someone had handed her a basket of dried huckleberries to present to the goddess.
The goddess’ ethereal light shone in hues of orange and red, her face a mask of indifference as she looked Kyla over from head to toe. “Your gift is accepted,” she remarked in an uninterested tone.
The goddess’ head snapped up and she looked at Kyla with wide eyes. “A blessing for you, my dear.”
The goddess placed her hand on Kyla’s forehead. A scorching burn bit through her head as a voice laced with power and iron filled Kyla’s mind.Do not hide what the Goddess has gifted you. Find what my mother seeks and guide the witches to the Divine Five. Do not delay.
Kyla stumbled and Garnel reached to catch her before she found her footing. A chill had seeped through her flesh, and she shivered in Garnel’s arms.
“What is it, love?” Garnel whispered into her ear.
Kyla looked up to see the goddess had moved on, blessing some citizens. Her face was once again soft and welcoming.
“She threatened me in my mind when she touched me. Let’s go home. Tell Savine I’m feeling unwell.”
Garnel gave a quick nod before he turned to speak to Savine. Kyla didn’t wait before she walked to her elk and climbed on. As she walked, she could feel Garnel’s emotions rising in anger. Their bond felt flooded with his need to defend her from this threat.
When Garnel was beside her, she showed him her forehead.
“I can see it. It’s glowing, as though she branded you with her touch.” He swept his finger over the mark, and Kyla could feel the hot welts on her skin. Anger seared down their bond. Garnel’s voice was sharp and he touched his dagger on his belt. “Stay right here. I’ll be back.”
“Garnel! No!” Kyla hissed, but he was gone. She jumped off her elk, working through the crowd, but as Garnel used his large body to press through the throng, Kyla struggled to squeeze through the gaps.
She touched a woman, sending her urgency and the woman leaped out of her way. The next folk received the same emotion, and she worked her way through the crowd to her soulmate.Even among the Latian folk, Garnel towered above everyone. She tugged on the bond, trying to slow his purposeful gait. Garnel pressed back against the bond, sending his rage to her.
There was no stopping him.
Garnel was towering over the goddess in an instant. Before Kyla could stop him, Garnel plunged the blade into the Goddess of the Harvest’s heart. A piercing scream filled the temple square as light and blood flowed from the wound.
“No one touches my mate!” Garnel shouted. Then he let out an agonizing cry that made Kyla’s essence stand still. His body began shifting involuntarily into his bear form, changing partly then shifting back.
