Page 249 of Sigils & Spells

“Let's go see them. We don't have to ride. I know how much they mean to you.” Diana took a couple of steps in that direction.

Could I do it? Evie was with me the last time I entered that building. She wasn't with me now, and never would be again. Could I give up both my favorite hobby and my best friend? Taking a deep breath, I followed Diana's lead, and we headed down the gravel trail.

The large, weathered-red double doors to the barn stood open. My nose identified the strong smells of hay and leather floating on the air as I pulled in another deep breath. The oil used to condition the saddles had a distinctive smell that never seemed to fade.

Before I convinced myself to step over the threshold and into the barn, Toby came walking out of the tack room and saw us.

“Miss Annarah! I can't tell you how glad I am to see you back in here.”

I waved at him, struggling to make my voice cooperate with my brain and use my big girl words. Or any words at all, for that matter. Emotions swelled and threatened to overtake me. He must have seen my struggle because he came walking the rest of the way up the aisle and stopped right in front of me.

“I know this must be so hard for you.” His gravelly voice held no accusation. “But I want you to know you are always welcome here, and I think she would want you to be here. She knew how much you loved these animals.”

Just as soon as he finished, Maya, my favorite mare, stuck her head over the stall door and whinnied softly. Toby nodded her direction, encouraging me to go say hello. Diane reached out and gave me a little push on the shoulder.

Hesitant steps carried me down to stall number four, where I pet Maya's soft muzzle with one hand and held onto the iron gate rail with the other. She leaned into my touch and I rested my forehead against hers, taking in her smell and the feel of her mane as it tickled my cheek.

Minutes passed as the two of us stood there together. I took both hands and ran them down her neck repeatedly, reveling in the comfort the touch offered me. My eyes closed, and I felt the tears slipping beneath the lids. They carried out all the grief and despair that I'd bottled up inside me.

Maya stood still, letting me grieve. Her gentle nature soothed me in a way nothing else had been able to. Our connection gave me hope that some of the shattered slivers of my heart might find their way back to where they belonged, and I might eventually get some relief from the pain that constantly hammered at me every day.

CHAPTER9

More than an hourpassed as I stood with Maya and attempted to find some of myself again. Diana gave me a gentle squeeze and headed back to her suite. Toby whispered that he'd be close by if I needed him and went about his chores. After some time, I moved from standing outside the door to entering the stall and sinking into the straw. Maya dropped down gently next to me and allowed me to rest against her.

At some point, sleep overtook me, and I drifted off into the world of dreams. I'd always been a lucid dreamer, and didn't realize until my early teens that not everyone dreamt the way I did. Sometimes, I saw things that happened in the future. Sometimes, I saw things that happened in the past that needed clarifying. Most often, I dreamed of things that, although crystal clear, made absolutely zero sense at all.

Selene, the Moon Goddess, had been worshiped in our temples for centuries. Although originally anyone could worship her by praying to the sky, anywhere the moon could be seen, it is said that a group of priestesses were given the instruction to create this particular cluster of chapels which they would honor her from. Others were also formed.

Many of the original compound buildings are said to be from the beginning of the temple creation, when the dividing line between the gods and goddesses was drawn much thinner. It was said that if you were granted the privilege, you could walk through the walls of one of our temples right into the home of Selene herself.

This dream, for the first time, showed me that ability.

Cool marble floors were smooth against my bare feet as I took measured steps across the main temple toward the shrine. Water burbling in the fountain off to the left created the only sound in the cavernous space. Its ambiance soothed my nerves, which, for some reason tingled with anxiety.

“Annarah.” The female voice echoed around me, soft, yet echoing.

I spun on my heel, searching for the source of the voice. Nobody else occupied the temple with me. Instinct urged me to continue on, climbing the four steps and crossing the dais to stand before the altar itself.

In deference to the goddess, I dropped to my knees, bowing my chin and closing my eyes. Silently, I waited. While not knowing yet the purpose of my visit, I knew this dream to be different from all the others. Expectation bubbled in my stomach and tingles ran down my arms, giving my fingers the feeling of tiny, painless electrical shocks.

“Welcome my child.” The soothing voice surrounded me again. “Please, follow me.”

Opening my eyes, I saw a feminine figure clad in a flowing white cloak from head to toe glide toward the back wall of the altar. Not wanting to be left behind, I rose to my feet and walked behind her. Directly between the two pillars on the far wall, an area of the stone became opaque, shimmering, and she passed right through.

Not wanting to slam my face on the wall, I hesitated, reaching out first with my hand. No resistance prevented it from sliding right into the next space, so I continued.

Once I passed through, my body jerked to a stop, caught unaware by my surroundings. Never before had I seen anything so stunning. Silver light illuminated the entire space. Water cascaded down the walls into beautiful pools. Directly ahead of me, draped in silks of white and light blue, lay a sitting area outfitted with the most luxurious chairs, sofa, and floor pillows one could possibly imagine.

She led me there, stopping to remove her cloak and beckoning me to join her. Seated on the sofa, she patted the cushion beside her.

“Join me, my child. We have much to discuss and little time.”

Taking the seat next to her, I gazed upon her face in awe. She had a glow about her that almost made it difficult to identify her features, even though I saw them clearly. My throat closed, and I struggled to form words.

“Goddess Selene?” I stuttered, but managed to force the words through my lips.

“Yes, Annarah. Do not be frightened.”

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