Free Enflamed (Book 2) by R.M. Prioleau Page B

meantime?”
    Nester grinned. “I’ll just be
taggin’ along for a little while longer—at least long enough to find out what
in th’ soddin’ ’ells that shiny is.”
    Kaijin sighed. “I was afraid
you’d say that.”

 
    * * *

 
    The front doors of the
Celestran aurorium slowly creaked open, allowing the outside light to pour into
the stone-covered interior of the main atrium.
    Kaijin breathed in the cool,
crisp air, lightly scented with honeysuckle. He welcomed the pleasant aroma,
after the stench of the fetid marsh.
    Nester sniffed the air. “You
smell that?”
    Zarya inhaled deeply and
smiled. “It is honeysuckle. It represents the goddess’s sweet fragrance.”
    “Aye, but ...” Nester’s gaze
shifted sidelong to Aidan, who appeared lost in thought.
    “Come.” Zarya beckoned as she made
her way down the red-and-gold carpet of the center aisle.
    Gold shimmered on the high
ceilings from the midday light that poured in from the stained glass windows.
Two winding staircases on opposite ends of the room led up to two higher
stories, where bookshelves in open lofts could be seen from the ground floor.
Several robed clergymen and women walked about, toting books and stacks of
parchment. Two rows of five pews stretched down the middle of the atrium,
leading to an exquisite grand altar trimmed in gold and silver. Statues of
dragons and beautiful, nude women posed with swords were placed throughout the
hall, adding to the regal atmosphere.
    At the base of the altar knelt
an elderly, white-robed priest. His head was lowered
in prayer as he tended to a middle-aged man who also knelt, holding his left
arm as if in pain. Standing next to them was a young, robed boy, who held a
small golden dish.
    Kaijin, Nester, and Aidan
quietly shuffled down the aisle, following Zarya. When they were midway, Zarya
held her arm out in front of them, barring them from continuing.
    “Wait,” she whispered. “We
mustn’t disturb him whilst he is convening with the goddess.”
    Kaijin watched the two men a
moment. “It’s fascinating that he is able to heal that man by praying to the
goddess.”
    Zarya nodded. “The goddess is
the source of our powers, Kaijin. If we are not faithful to Her ,
then we are powerless.”
    “Oh, so if I stub my toe or
somethin’, all I gotta do is say a few nice things
about th’ goddess, and it’ll be all better?” Nester asked in a whisper. “’Ow convenient!”
    Kaijin groaned. “I don’t think
it works like that, Nester.”
    Zarya shot them both a glare. “Enough, you two. Be quiet, and watch.”
    The priest placed his hands on
the man’s injured arm. A faint blue glow emanated, trailing up the man’s arm to
encompass his entire body. The man winced before relaxing. The priest looked at
him and smiled. “The goddess has answered this day, Ulric.”
    Ulric opened his eyes and
lightly touched his arm where the injury was. He smiled. “The pain is gone!
Thank you, Honored Father. I can finally go back to work.”
    The priest shook his head.
“Don’t thank me. It is She who has brought you
healing. Go now. Walk in Her steps.”
    Ulric lowered his head
reverently. He placed a small donation of coins in the dish, then backed away from the altar.
    “Oy! Watch it!” Nester exclaimed as the man nearly backed
into him.
    Ulric jumped in surprise and
looked over his shoulder. “Oh! Excuse me, sir!”
    Nester crossed his arms,
frowning. “Right, just be careful next time, aye?”
    Ulric did a double take and
quickly left without another word. Kaijin and the others advanced to the altar.
    The priest smiled in greeting,
assessing each of them. His gaze rested on Zarya the longest. “Yes? May I help
you?”
    Zarya stepped forward and
lowered her head. “Greetings, Honored Father. My name
is Zarya, an aspiring priestess of our beloved goddess, Celestra. This is
Kaijin, Aidan, and Nester.” She gestured to each.
    “’Ello, Your
Majesty!” Nester said with a broad
smile and a