Smolder (Crown of Fae #3) - Sharon Ashwood Page 0,58

centuries—was coming back. She barely stifled a wild, hysterical laugh.

The Shade said nothing, but every angle of his form spoke of utter shock. He hadn’t expected this.

Morran swung. Olek’s head hit the sand with a meaty thump.

But the sorcerer was not done yet. As his body collapsed, the Shade’s smoking sword blew away like mist. Then, unleashed magic spilled into the earth, releasing all the dark power the Shade had stored during a lifetime of sorcery. The ground trembled, then began to crack with an ear-splitting groan. A narrow fissure opened at their feet, but it widened within seconds, sand pouring down into unfathomable depths.

“Come!” Morran grabbed Leena’s hand, pulling her across the growing gap.

They sprinted the final distance to the closest pyramid, the roar of the earthquake at their heels. At Morran’s shout, a single block at the base of the pyramid slid back and disappeared within its walls, allowing a stream of golden light to fan into the falling night. Where it touched, not a single grain of earth stirred. The power of the Shades could rage all around, but not on Temple ground.

Morran didn’t release her hand until they had crossed the threshold of the pyramid. Leena was very aware of the weight of the stone as she passed under the massive lintel of the entrance. Then, with a grinding sound, the huge block that formed the door to the structure slid back into place. There was an enormous clunk as it locked, sealing danger out.

Sealing them inside. Leena had served the Flame all her life, but she was suddenly uneasy. There was barely space to stand beside Morran without pressing against the wall of the tiny chamber. The light that had spilled out into the desert must have been made of magic because there was nothing here but tiny glowing crystals set into the walls. It was enough to see the narrow passage ahead, and nothing more.

“There are no windows,” she said, keeping her voice steady with an act of will.

“Not here,” he agreed. “This space is meant as a kind of checkpoint. If unwelcome guests manage to get this far, they will not reach the inner chambers.”

“Are there guards?”

“This place requires no guards. It can see to its own needs.”

Leena looked nervously around her. “I hope it knows we’re friends.”

Morran laughed. “I’ve been coming here since I was a boy. Follow me.”

With that, he started down the passageway ahead. It was narrow enough they had to go single file. Nerves made Leena follow close enough she nearly stepped on his heels. The stifling, dimly lit stonework triggered every fear she had of being trapped. Though she had no visual reference point, the path seemed to angle upward, turning sharply twice before Morran came to a stop. When she bumped lightly against his back, he caught her hand and drew her forward.

At that moment, he moved aside to reveal that they’d come to the end of the passage. Leena drew in a welcome breath of clean, fresh air, and she stared into the heart of the pyramid. She’d always imagined the Temple of the Flame would be like this, except it was a thousand times more beautiful.

The stone on the outer face of the structure was plain and massive. Inside, it had been worked with exquisite artistry. The main chamber was enormous, the fluted pillars supporting the roof as tall as a ship’s mast. The ribs of the ceiling above were as intricately carved as the legendary Pomandine lacework, each vault painted with a scene of moon and stars. The floors were a mosaic of colored marble depicting birds and beasts in a pattern of twisting vines.

“It’s incredible,” she said, whispering because it felt like the thing to do.

Morran smiled. For the first time, the expression seemed relaxed. Perhaps it was because he was home, on safer ground where his powers worked again. Perhaps because it was clear he genuinely loved this place, and it was good to share it. Whatever the reason, Leena was glad.

Placing a hand at the small of her back, he urged her forward. As in the temple at home, there was a central rotunda surrounded by tiered stone steps. But here, those steps framed a vast pool of water. In the middle of the pool, there was a circle of stone that housed the Flame.

“Is that—is that the core of the fire?” she asked, wishing all over again that she were powerful enough to hear the Flame’s voice. What would it