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Is this what Irina meant about my swan choosing its mate?There was so much she didn't know, and she didn't want to freak Vladik out by asking him directly. He had said that he was scared that his beast wanted to mate with her, but not thathewanted it.
All thoughts about mating vanished as they stepped into the reverent hush of the temple. Zori's eyes adjusted to the golden glow of thousands of candles. Above her was a Byzantine style mosaic, but instead of Christ in the cupola, it was Morana looking down at them. Around her were flying swans and gargoyles and other symbols that must have been representing the goddess.
Zori wished she knew the stories that they were trying to tell. She made a mental note to ask Irina to give her a personal tour.
There was a large carved wooden statue of Morana on a dais that looked ancient, its gold leaf flaking in places. Offerings of food and flowers were laid at her feet. Women wearing feathered capes and other gargoyles were praying and lighting candles around them.
On the wall behind it were small painted ikons, all looking down at them with somber and kind faces.
"Who are they all?" Zori whispered to Vladik.
"They are our saints, high priestesses, and chosen ones of Morana," Vladik replied. He pointed to an arched doorway. "What I really want to show you is through there."
Zori followed him, her eyes trying to take everything in. She loved art and ancient churches and temples. She could have spent a day in that one room studying the mosaics alone.
Through the archway was a maze of tombs. Across the top of the wall were written the words:Our history is written in the blood of the holy, the stone of beasts, and the curses of gods.
"I remember you saying that at the restaurant," Zori said, staring up at it.
Vladik smiled. "It is a part of the Kitezh Codex, our written history. This place is where we are put to rest."
They walked slowly through the maze of names before going in through another door that led down under the church and through rock. Here there were alcoves carved into the stone; feathered capes were arranged inside of them, and others held gargoyle claws. Candles were burning in carved holders. Flowers in states of decay were set out for their loved ones.
"Are your parents down here?" she asked. He had never spoken about them.
"They are. They have been for a long time. I don't know if Irina mentioned it, but our lifespans are longer than normal humans’. It's got something to do with our healing magic," Vladik replied.
Zoria squinted at his face. "How old are you?"
"Old enough to know better," he said and kissed her forehead. She put her hands on her hips, and he relented. "I suppose I'm about seventy in human years."
"Wow. Talk about an age gap. And you never mated or wanted to?"
"I'm still considered quite young for a gargoyle, and no. I've never wanted to mate. I didn't think it was something the goddess wanted for me." Vladik stared at her a beat too long and then cleared his throat. He gestured to the memorials around them.
"This is your history, Zori. These are your people, your ancestors. They are the honored dead. You might feel alone, but they are always with you, and always have been."
As they walked, tears welled in Zori's eyes at all the little notes and presents left for the dead. A wisp of dark power fluttered through her veins, the feeling of the goddess's power all around her.
There had always been a hole inside of her, a disconnection to her past and her family, making her feel like she didn't belong anywhere. Standing amongst the dead, that wound finally healed.
"Thank you for bringing me here," she whispered, not knowing what else to say.
Vladik pulled her close. "You're welcome. I wanted you to know that you belong here with us, even on the days you struggle to understand your power or your place."
Zori went up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. Her beautiful gargoyle who was so savage when he needed to be and yet so kind and thoughtful. Vladik kissed her back, cradling her head gently, his wings wrapping around her.
"Now that we have visited the dead, my sweet Zoria, how do you feel about visiting the living?" he asked.
"Lead the way. You're my sexy tour guide for the day," she said, making him laugh softly.
* * *
Zori was surprisedto find they ended up at another temple. Vladik told her all about Mokosh, the goddess of healing, as they walked through the halls to Misha's room. Zori fiddled with her wind-blown braid, suddenly nervous.
Vladik noticed her fussing and grinned. "You look perfect, Zori."
"Sure I do," she said, fixing her sweater and making sure there wasn't anything on her black jeans. She really needed to talk to Irina about choosing some clothes for herself.
