Sacred Heart (Rune Heart Book 1) by Celeste Baxendell

Author:Celeste Baxendell [Baxendell, Celeste]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2024-04-26T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 26

Nadiya woke up as Lateo was carrying her up the steps and into the temple sanctuary. She was slowly blinking her eyes open when Lateo came to a screeching stop the second they were inside. He was deathly still as Nadiya lifted her head.

“Lateo.”

Nadiya straightened up immediately, putting her hands on Lateo’s shoulders at the sound of Balgair’s voice. She turned around to see the High Priest standing in the sanctuary in front of what looked like everyone who lived on the temple grounds gathered behind him.

So their absence had been noticed.

“What is the meaning of this? Where have you been?”

Lateo tensed beneath her, and Nadiya squeezed his shoulder and whispered, “It’s alright; you can put me down.”

Lateo slowly lowered her, and Nadiya got her legs under her. They shook for a moment, and Lateo steadied her, keeping a hand on her arm as she turned around. She could see the Unwanted waking each other up and pointing and whispering about the two of them. The Embrai pilgrims were next to them behind the priests and acolytes and Eshne shushed them.

“Lateo—” Balgair stepped toward them.

Nadiya stood in front of him and said, “High Priest Balgair, I can explain. This is all my fault. I couldn’t sleep, so I went for a walk around the streets, hoping the fresh air would help, as the smell of incense that lingers through the whole temple was giving me a headache. Lateo discovered my absence and came after me. I didn’t fully understand the danger of the city at night and I was attacked by a thief, but thankfully Lateo got there in time to protect me and bring me back to the temple safely. I’m so sorry for the trouble I’ve caused.”

Nadiya heard Lateo’s breath hitch behind her and felt his gaze on her but she was focused entirely on Balgair’s harsh stare. She didn’t waver.

Balgair narrowed his eyes and then directed his gaze back to Lateo. “Second, come, we must discuss this matter.”

Lateo squeezed her shoulder, leaned in and whispered, “Thanks for trying.”

Why thank her when she’d clearly failed? It’d done him no good.

After the night they had, they could both use something familiar. Before he left, she caught his arm and whispered, “Goodnight, priest-boy, hate you.”

Lateo just gave her a pained, sad smile. “Goodnight, Nadiya.”

Then he was pulling away and going to join Balgair, the cold expression on his face like one going to trial. Huh. Maybe he was just as exhausted as she was if he didn’t remember their nightly ritual.

Nadiya sagged as Lateo left, following behind Balgair out of the sanctuary. All she could hope was that Balgair believed at least some of it and wasn’t too hard on Lateo. The heart of the matter was true. It was Nadiya’s fault and Lateo had saved her. That’s what mattered.

The second they were gone, Nadiya was surrounded by high voices and tiny faces all clamoring for her attention.

“Nadiya! Nadiya! What do you mean you were attacked?”

“Who attacked you?”

“Did Lateo

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.