Willow of Ashes by Ellie Raine

Author:Ellie Raine
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Scythe, epic fantasy, dragons, swords, shifters, science fiction, reapers, ghosts, alternate universe, world building, romance, princess, Death
Publisher: ScyntheFy Press
Published: 2021-07-15T02:21:27+00:00

26

Haunted History

LILLI

The sun had long passed the horizon, the night sky twinkling with bright stars and a full moon as I heaved the colossal doors of the Harmonist temple closed, collapsing back against the wall.

I found him! This afternoon replayed at a gleeful speed. Those eyes, that mark… Gracious Death, it was Xavier!

After six years of believing he was dead, I found him very much, undeniably alive. I would have cheered, but instead felt a pang of failure. I’d fled after the danger had passed, panicked when the Raiders came.

My heart sank and I slid to the ground. He was there, but I… I let him slip away. Now I had a slim chance of finding him again. I’d spoiled my best opportunity, all because I was paranoid of being caught by the Raiders. If they threw me in that same blood-spattered prison where Linus slaughtered those men… I shuddered.

Oh, what now? If I returned to Grim, I’d be executed. If I stayed here, I’d likely be killed by the demons or die of hunger. Wise Shepherd, is this truly my fate? To die a cold, starving, hopeless death alone…?

Despair crushed my heart and I curled into a ball. Mixed with the hunger pains, there was little else I could do but weep. I doubted I was even in my right mind anymore.

Yet my depression was interrupted, something catching my eye.

I wiped a straggling tear and glanced up. A ray of blue light filtered over the altar. Through the ceiling’s stain-glass window, moonlight spilled into the temple, dust floating in the glow.

Entranced, I rose, drifting down the aisle between pews. When I stepped into the cool, radiant light, I knelt. Perhaps if I pray for Shel and Nira to give me luck? Or, at the very least, guide me back to Xavier, to complete my mission?

That was all I wished. He was here, he was still alive. As long as I remembered that, there was always hope, wasn’t there?

I produced the amulet from my Storagesphere, clicking the case open and turning the dial with delicate clicks, setting it on the floorboards. The music began to play, its slow tune ringing through the temple.

Then someone’s gentle touch warmed my shoulder.

I would have jumped in fright, if not for the soothing wave that washed over me. I turned to look, but no one was there.

I’d felt the familiar warmth many times before. The touch wasn’t from this plane of reality. It was comforting, loving, draining my worry and filling the cavity in my chest. I didn’t need to see Her to know it was Nira. She was here beside me, the Mother Goddess Herself, here to support me during my trial.

Then a second warmth came to my other shoulder. This touch gave me strength, a heat that powered me like a flare of light, bringing a surge of courage and resolve. Was this Shel? The Father God, come to watch over me while I traveled in His domain?

“Thank you,” I whispered to

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