She visibly relaxed. He strode to her and looked at her with an intense expression. “Tell me everything that happened with Ima.”
So she did. She told him everything about their encounter– the chairs, the sewing, and their odd conversation. He listened intently, searching her eyes for more information.
“At the end she said, ‘The Obadiah awaits the both of you’.”
“Hm,” Taryn hummed as he took a step back. “Ima was Tevyen. It’s how I know what I know about my lineage and its forgotten history. She never once mentioned The Obadiah, or being able to dreamwalk, for that matter. This is… an interesting development.”
“Wouldn’t Ismene have mentioned such a thing?” Airess questioned.
“You would think so,” Taryn said. “If my grandmother knew Ismene, that would raise a whole new level of questions. Come on. We need to get answers.”
After a brisk walk through town, they finally arrived outside the temple. Taryn banged on the door while Airess tapped her foot impatiently.
What was the connection between the Obadiah, Ismene, Ima and Esper Crawn? Should Airess be taking this prophecy and her Tevyen lineage seriously, or were they being deceived? Ismene claimed the young King Roz was also a Godling, so if that was true, Airess planned to have a meeting with the King first thing tomorrow.
The wooden arched door creaked open a crack. A royal guard peeked out, her face annoyed–until she saw who stood on the other side of the door.
“The temple is closed tonight,” the guard said curtly.
“The temple is never supposed to be closed,” Taryn retorted, folding his arms. “We need to speak with Ismene. It’s urgent.”
“The Queen Dowager is occupying the temple at the moment. Come back in the morning.”
The guard slammed the door in their faces, leaving no room for any more interruptions.
Airess huffed in frustration. “Unbelievable.”
Taryn’s jaw tensed as he turned to face her. “We will come back at sunrise, then.”
They turned and walked away in sync, gravel crunching beneath their sandals.
“Do you want to walk on the beach with me?” Airess asked softly.
Taryn looked down at her, warmth flooding his gaze. “There’s nothing I would rather do.”
He grabbed her hand and led her past the buildings in town and onto a sandy path that cut through the tall grassy dunes. They left their sandals in the sand. Airess felt the soft sand glide through her toes each step she took towards the ocean. She breathed in the salt air, the warm breeze ruffling her hair. None of those sensations compared to the sound of the beach–each wave crashing after another. A poetic melody of life’s push and pull.
They walked onto the flat shoreline, their surroundings surprisingly bright beneath the moonlight. Airess glanced at Taryn, noticing the breeze rustling his loose tunic and pants as they began to walk along the water. The silence was comfortable. It felt likehome.
“I never thought I’d walk the beach again,” Airess confessed. Her heart rate increased, anxiety welling in her chest at the vulnerability. She breathed the anxiety out again, letting it pass and flow away in the breeze.
Taryn grabbed her hand in response and squeezed. Sometimes actions spoke louder than words ever could. Airess understood exactly what he was trying to convey with one simple touch.
I’m here for you. I know. I’m sorry.
“The Salamoon is in just a few days,” Taryn said, looking down at her.
Her eyes widened.A few days?
“I can’t believe how fast time has passed.” Airess elbowed Taryn playfully. “It will be our birthday.”
“Indeed it will,” Taryn agreed, pursing his lips together in thought before speaking again. “You know, Rune throws a huge ball at the castle every Salamoon. There’s dancing and food. The whole town comes together to celebrate. It’s customary to bring a date, a companion.”
Airess met his gaze at the implication and smirked, waiting for him to say it.
“Would you be my date to the Salamoon ball?” Taryn asked with a grin, a playful hand over his heart.
Airess smiled. “Of course I will.”
