Chapter 1
The room started crumbling. Cracks ran against the library walls. Moldy books shooken from their already unstable shelves rained down.
I struggled to breathe as an invisible presence filled every nook and cranny of the room. Their memories, their anguish, of broken streets and burning walls, of thousands of voices crying out for salvation that they couldn't answer, overpowered me.
The smoldering corpses of once-proud monuments. Desecrated, bloodied temples where worshipers have fled to in fright and yet were still slain. The taste of copper and iron, dripping on the earth, dripping into the cosmos, into the hearts of the gods-
"Recall someone who will keep you safe traveler," Telenios's voiced sounded through the endless and overpowering sea of anguish.
Maja. Suddenly my mind floods with images of her; wide blue eyes and dark curls. Her beauty, her strength, everything about her I have ever admired. Gentle hands on the back of my neck and soft lips pressed against mine in a sweet but insistent kiss.
..
I shot up from the bed, my eyes wide and heart racing in my chest. I turned and looked out my chamber windows; it's still dark, how long have I've been asleep? I laid back and tried to close my eyes, hoping that sleep would find me again, but instead, I could still feel Novoth's anguish on the outskirts of my mind.
Huffing, I throw the covers off of me and throw my legs over the bed. Guess sleep is out of the question. I stood and quickly wrapped myself in my robe.
I sighed as I exited my chambers, the door closing quiet behind me. My mind is still trying to process not only my conversation with Telenios and the fact that he pretty much wants me to commit treason against Novoth, but my run in with Novoth as well as my run in with Maja.
At the thought of her, my fingers gently touch my lips. I can still feel her soft lips against mine and her equally soft and gentle hands as they slipped to the back of my neck and played with the hair at the nape of my neck.
She is everything I need. An anchor that brought me back to this world. A bright light in an endless sea of darkness and misery. I smile to myself. How lucky am I that that beautiful goddess has returned my feelings?
"Rae?" Speaking of said goddess, her voice rang out.
Lifting my gaze and blinking, I'm blessed with Maja's widened blue eyes, albeit filled with concern, and her dark curls.
"What are you doing here? Are you okay?" Her concern seeped through her voice.
I could only blink at her. When did I make my way to her room?
Shaking her head she grabbed my wrists and gently pulled me inside, my mind still distant as my feet moved forward. She looked up and down the hall before she softly closed her door.
I'm in Maja's chamber. Yet even with that thought, I couldn't bring myself to look around and take it all in.
Suddenly, her soft hands cupped my face and her blue orbs filled my vision again. "Did you even get any sleep?"
I blinked at her but managed a half nod. "Night terror woke me up," I managed to croak out.
Her plumps lips curved down in a soft frown. "If you don't mind, I believe I can help you get to sleep."
I swallowed hard but nodded my head.
Maja removed her hands and I fought the shiver that wanted to roll down my spine at the loss of warmth.
"Come, it'll be easier if you lay down." She grabbed my hand and led me to her bed. She sat down before she gestured for me to sit and place my head on her lap.
I stood frozen as I stared at her, my heart beating in my chest. Maja's bed.
She smiled softly at me. "It's okay Rae. Let me help." I nodded before I slowly made my way onto her bed, in between her parted legs and leaned my head back against her chest. "Thank you." She leaned forward and placed a kiss on my forehead.
I closed my eyes at the feel of her warm, soft lips against my skin. She lifted her hands towards my face and instantly a cool light radiated from them. It sunk past my eyelids, all the way into my mind, and down my spine. Just like in the library after escaping Novoth's anger, Maja's healing magic was soothing and comforting.
One of Maja's hands remove themselves to play with my hair as she softly hums a strangely familiar lullaby. Slowly, I could feel myself relaxing and sleep just on the edges of my brain.
As she removed her hand from my forehead, I caught it and placed a soft kiss on it. "Thank you Maja," I softly let out.
I could hear the smile in her voice as she responded. "You are most welcomed Rae." She uses her free hand to cup my chin and tilt it up before her lips land on mine.
All too soon her lips are gone, but I don't have time to be disappointed as sleep reclaims me once again.
..
Maja frowned as she watched Rae asleep on her lap. She had no idea what the ambassador had been through since their parting at the tavern, but if it was enough to send her back to her the way she found her in the library and to keep her up at night, surely it must be something to worry about?
I found my way back to you. Those were some of the first words Rae had said to her after appearing out of nowhere in the castle library.
Maja smiled at the memory. She couldn't deny the rapid way her heart beated at Rae's words. Should something terrible have happened to her dear Ambassador, she honestly didn't know what she would do?
The thought caused Maja to freeze. When did she become so important to me? She hasn't felt this way about anyone since Erik. She frowned at his name but her brain also couldn't help but go back to her conversation at the tavern when Rae suggested she and Erik could start over.
"I'll think about it. And Rae? Don't think you're not invited." She had cupped Rae's chin and tilted it up so they locked eyes.
She had meant what she said. She looked down at a sleeping Rae and prayed to whoever was listening that this would be the worst of what Rae would have to endure. Afterall, being branded by a god is never easy.
Maja sighed as Rae shifted and rolled away from her towards the free side of the bed. Maja smiled as she gently brushed a few strands away from Rae's face.
"Maja?" Rae murmured in her sleep.
Maja slid down into a more comfortable position before she leaned over and whispered in Rae's ear. "I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere." She ran her hand through Rae's hair.
Rae sighed contentedly before she draped an arm over Maja's waist. Maja smiled and snuggled closer to the Ambassador. Even in sleep she wants me close. Maja gently placed a kiss on Rae's forehead before she allowed sleep to claim her. There was only a few hours left before daybreak.