Page 69 of Shrine of Fire

“Sure thing, love.” He kissed my lips briefly, heat skating through at his touch. “Feeling the strain of heroically saving the day.”

Aki snorted. “Nova helped. Kalahar too.”

Kalahar smiled. He was paler than usual. “It is a great blessing, to have a shaman with us. I will show you some techniques, but you did well your first time.”

Cuan winked. “That’s what my first girlfriend said too.”

I laughed, the sound carrying over the hills. “You’re worse than Hashir.”

“What she means is you’re as magnificent as Hashir,” Hashir said and put his arm around my waist. We climbed out of the wagon and stood next to the Shrine of Rolling Clover.

It was a small, squat formation of rock. Tall enough to walk into, but only just, and the mossy green mounds around it made it look more like a cave.

“Is that…”

Cuan nodded, and then winced and touched his forehead. “The Shrine of Rolling Clover. I have entered it during my spirit quest.”

I didn’t feel energy one way or another. I looked at Kalahar, who shrugged. “It is a place empty of spirit magic.”

We walked in, the air still and quiet. Inside, the walls were beautifully carved rock, but the place was still. Inert.

I sighed. “I hope the omega of this Shrine can make it feel more…alive.”

“She will.” Stefan touched my shoulder. “You and Zara are finding omegas, yes?”

I smiled at Cuan. “And shaman.”

The place felt so desolate—abandoned and forlorn—that I couldn’t leave. I wound my way through the passageways that reminded me a little bit of the Ice Maze in the Shrine of Soaring Ice, Ayla’s domain.

The walls were covered with runes and carvings of people. Most were worn smooth, but I could make out depictions of people dancing, singing, riding horses. Just like in the Shrine of Everlasting Fire.

I touched the wall. Someday this place would be filled with life. With someone who loved it, like I loved the Shrine of Everlasting Fire. The calm, serene energy here would call to someone.

I pulled Cuan against me. “Help me find an omega for this Shrine, yes?”

“Of course.” He looked surprised.

“It’s…” My feelings were raw after Hella Mora’s mind games. Again. “It should be someone who loves this place as much as you.”

The thought of losing Cuan just when I’d found him was unbearable. I looked up at him. “You know you can stay.”

“Nova.” Cuan cupped my face. “I will never not be at your side.”

I frowned. “But you—"

“We will visit, yes?” Cuan cocked his head. “We have boats?”

“Still…I’m not…”

“I know.” He kissed the top of my forehead. “I don’t expect you to be anyone but who you are.”

He meant it. I sighed into his arms, the oakmoss and whiskey scent stronger underground.

None of the men here expected me to be different. I had to suck it up and start letting them in, even if the thought was terrifying.

“You’ll come with us?” I trailed my hands down his forearms. “To Tolaga and the Spirit Oasis?”

“I will sail with you into the spirit world itself,” Cuan said.

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