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But by the bewildered look on Graeson's face, Kallie couldn't tell if it was a good omen or a bad one.
They continued their way down the winding path at a slow pace, not saying another word as they listened to the birds sing.
While Graeson remained concerned, Kallie on the other hand began to feel a lightness within the pit of her stomach. She reached down to her gift, which she had not touched for days, and it danced at her touch. Maybe it was the birds' song or maybe it was this place that was supposedly touched by the gods, but Kallie felt lighter, refreshed.
The feeling only grew stronger as they made their way deeper into the forest, the birds' song intermixing with the sound of rushing water.
A breeze swept through the woods carrying mist that was cold against her warm skin. The rushing water grew louder, the song of the birds coming to its crescendo.
"We're here," Graeson said as he dismounted.
Distracted, Kallie ignored his hand as she took in the sight before her. The trees encircled a large spring. The water at the edge so clear that Kallie could see several feet beneath the surface until the depths of the water began to take over. The clarity was replaced by a beautiful bright turquoise, the sun beating down upon it. On the other side of the large pool of water stood a cascading waterfall that seemed to call to her. A song pulled from her heart, urging her to come forward.
Shaking herself from the trance, Kallie whispered, "This place. . . I've seen this place before."
"What do you mean?" Graeson asked.
"On the boat when Terin had put me to sleep, my dreams took me here."
"Hmm," Graeson murmured. "Terin can influence one's dreams. Perhaps he showed you it?"
Maybe it was Terin's doing, but Kallie wasn't sure that was the case. Although she had no proof otherwise.
She looked down at him, his hand still outstretched, waiting for her to grab onto it. And she looked into his gray eyes, the color mimicking the foaming water behind him. Here, he almost reminded her of someone, but Kallie blinked and the feeling quickly dissipated. He nudged his hand forward and she dropped her gaze, placing her palm in his and dismounting.
Once she landed, he let go of her hand and she headed toward the springs, the strange sense of urgency leading her. Not bothering to glance back at Graeson, she slipped off her shoes and began to undress.
Piling her clothes on top of a small boulder, she stepped toward the water in nothing but her undergarments. At the edge of the lake, wet sand mushed between her toes.
Letting the memory of her dream guide her, she dipped her toes into the crystal-clear water and headed toward the middle of the pool. As she walked deeper into the water, the coolness of the spring rejuvenated her. Her eyesight felt clearer, her mind steadier as the water rose past her thighs. She wasn't sure if it was the result of being in the water in general or if the essence of the gods was causing her body to react in such a way.
Once she was waist-deep, she paused, instinctively knowing what she would find. And there it was, in the middle of the lake. Large slabs of marble sparkled beneath the water. Kallie stepped onto it, the slate slick beneath her bare feet.
As she moved forward, her balance wavered. She began to fall back into the water, but then Graeson was beside her, one hand on her elbow and the other around her waist, steadying her. But then his hand disappeared from her waist just as quickly as it appeared, although he stayed close behind as she led the way to the rushing water.
With the waterfall before them, she could no longer hear Graeson breathing behind her, the water loud in her ears. Kallie took a deep breath. After exhaling, she stepped into the rushing water, drenching herself. As she passed through the water, she brushed her fingertips through her soaking hair, brushing it all to her back and letting it drip down her spine.
Not a moment later, Graeson broke through the wall of water, equally as drenched. His eyes were squeezed shut. And she couldn't help but stare at his bare chest, water dripping down the defined muscles. He shook his black hair, like a dog shaking off rain, leaving the black strands in disarray. As he ran his fingers through his hair and moved it off his forehead, the scar glistened from the water. His hands left his hair as he opened his eyes. They were brighter than she had seen them, nearly glowing as they met hers, and a crooked smirk that sent her mind spiraling appeared across his face.
She reminded herself why they were here and forced herself to look away. But it was much harder to do than it should have been.
This place was making her feel not quite like herself.
Her attention now directed ahead of her, she observed the cave. When she dreamed of this place, she was unsure which goddess had stood before her, the image unclear. But now, standing before the stone statue, she knew without a doubt it was Sabina.
The stories back home, of how Sabina had gone missing after the betrayal of the human, were nothing but a lie. A way to hide the truth of what had happened between Sabina and the other gods who had betrayed her.
Kallie approached the statue but hesitated when she saw a second statue that Graeson now stood in front of. Kallie had never seen a statue of the god before, but she instinctively knew it was Pontanius that looked down upon them with open arms. A wreath rested upon his forehead, wrapping around his shoulder-length curls. Unlike Sabina whose face was burdened by the grief she carried, Pontanius stood with a hunger for revenge.
Before the towering gods, Kallie felt small and childish. She whispered to Graeson, "Now what?"
"Your family's gifts are closely tied to Sabina. Bow before her and give yourself to her," he said.
Her brows knitted in confusion. "Give myself? What do you mean?" She felt foolish as if he was playing some game with her. Seeing how far he could push her until he burst out laughing. Although at this point, she was out of her element and she would do anything to gain better control over her gift.
"You'll figure it out." He paused, then his brows scrunched together and his voice lowered as he added, "But, Kallie?"
She rotated the ring around her finger. "Yes?"
