Embrace the Light (Godstone Saga 5)

With a tender smile, Eno lifted his face and rubbed Drayce’s hair. “Me too.”

“Do I want to know?” Davi suddenly inquired.

“I’m sure your brother will tell you the full story one day over beers,” Rayne replied with a grin.

But today was not that day. Zastrad was still too fresh in their minds. The past several chaotic months were still too fresh. Even when safely in their own bed in Stormbreak, both he and Eno had woken from nightmares, their skin coated with cold sweat as they trembled through the last tendrils of a dream about death, destruction, and loss. They’d all be able to talk about it one day, assuming they survived this disaster, but it wasn’t going to be anytime soon. They needed time for the memories to fade and dull.

Right now, the horrors of Caspagir, Zastrad, the Isle of Stone, and even Stormbreak had to be put behind them. His current concern was helping Caelan navigate the problem of Ilon and its tricky new relationship with New Rosanthe.

Would the Goddess of Fire urge the king to burn the city to the ground?

Or would the Dead God come up with a more insidious suggestion?

NINE

Caelan Talos

The Shrine District did brisk business early in the morning. The grand plaza that held Tula’s tree was already crowded with visitors. Many were snapping pictures and tying yet more prayers to the branches of the tree. There were a few who were lighting incense and placing monetary offerings in the collection boxes. Caelan could only assume the funds went to supporting the upkeep of the shrine to the Goddess of Life.

Warm sunlight broke through banks of clouds to cast the area in golden light. The sky was clearing and giving every indication that it was going to be a beautiful day. Of course, the idea had the God of Storms giving a pouty huff in the back of Caelan’s mind, but he was getting better at ignoring Kaes’s grumpy moods.

Adrian walked beside him, his expression friendly but sort of blank. His body seemed loose, but there was a quiet tension to the man, as if he were ready to spring into action if someone took a step too close to the king.

They’d slipped out a couple of hours after sunrise from Diogo’s place. From the snoring curling out from under the door, it was a safe guess that he was still asleep when they left. A text had been waiting for them that morning on a group chat from Drayce that someone named Nina would be by to pick them up from the Shrine District. Caelan replied for her to be sent to the shrine for the God of Wisdom.

Rayne had also sent a private message directly to him, warning him that he’d received an update that could have a significant impact on their plans.

That was not good. But Caelan couldn’t say that he was overly surprised by this. Everything had gone to shit since they’d first boarded the train for Caspagir.

Following the direction on the map, they moved farther inland toward University Hill. The block ended at a massive building with a broad stone base for the first floor. The second floor narrowed in several feet on either side and was topped with an even narrower long tower that rose above the entire city. That was topped with a bright light.

It was similar to a lighthouse, except the building was far too inland and the glow wasn’t focused in a single direction, but allowed to shine out in every direction.

Adrian stepped closer and leaned his head down so that he was practically whispering in Caelan’s ear. “Is it up there?”

Caelan stared up at the thin beam against the bright-blue sky. “Nope. Though it’s not a bad idea.”

“You’re sure?” Adrian asked and then winced as if he’d realized what he’d said. If anyone could tell whether something was the godstone, it was Caelan.

“Yeah, you can tell by the way it’s not reflecting the radiance of the sun.” He’d seen that only once before. In Stormbreak. When New Rosanthe had destroyed the tower surrounding the Life Stone, killing his mother and exposing the Godstone to the sun and elements. The light had reflected and danced off the different facets of the green crystal, casting the brightness out across the capital.

Caelan shoved that thought aside and lifted a hand to shield his eyes as he continued to gaze at the peak of the tower comprised of pale-tan stone. “I think they might have an actual fire burning up there, but I can’t see any smoke. Maybe fueled by a smokeless oil.” He dropped his hand to his side and forced a smile for Adrian. “Either way, it’s not up there. Let’s check around inside the temple, though.”

With a soft grunt of agreement, Adrian took a step back and allowed Caelan to lead the rest of the way down the street. As they strolled along, Caelan checked the paper map in his hands against the various temples, shrines, and churches they passed. Some were big while others were small enough to pass for studio apartments.

The groupings were a bit unexpected as well. The God of Wisdom’s temple was clearly the main focus of the street, so it wasn’t overly surprising to find shrines to the various gods and goddesses of poetry, literature, drama, and music. But there were also structures dedicated to the gods of wealth, commerce, noble causes, and even the wind.

And still nothing for the Goddess of the Hunt.

They climbed the marble stairs and stepped inside of the temple to find the interior surprisingly dark. Torchlight flickered in the large, open area, creating pockets of light and shadow that were filled with people as they ambled through, talking in hushed voices.

Side by side, Caelan wandered through the first floor of the temple with Adrian. It was decorated heavily with lanterns and lamps, symbolizing the light of wisdom and knowledge that the God of Wisdom represented. Multiple stone tablets hung on the walls, listing the critical tenants of seeking knowledge, history, and experience to gain wisdom—the things the god Lore valued most above all else.

A couple of doors exited from the main area, offering access to the upper levels, but they were all marked off for employees only. It was tempting to try to sneak in, but what was the point if the godstone wasn’t in the temple?

Stepping off to a shadowy, empty corner of the vast open area, Caelan snagged Adrian’s sleeve and pulled him closer. “Watch my back for a moment.”

Adrian snorted. “Like I ever stopped.”