Page 92 of I Ran Away to Evil 3
She finally calmed. “Alright.”
“I haven’t met very many people here, but why don’t I introduce you to some that I do know?” I offered, pointing at Erik and Shiro. They were still ribbing each other, but aside from rudely approaching me without an invitation earlier, they’d earned points for taking no for an answer. “And we can see about finding you a partner by the time Duchess Calisto gets here.”
CHAPTER 52
He Dropped to His Knees
Julian
Earlier That Day
“You want me to ask Justice?” Queen Henrietta looked at Julian like he’d grown a second head.
“If you could?”
“I was surprised to find out myself, but Justice doesn’t commune with his chosen.” King Keith wrapped an arm around his wife’s waist.
“It’s true.” Queen Henrietta nodded. “I’ve spoken with him only twice; when he announced in his temple that I was his chosen, and when my parents wanted me to use my connection with him to better their personal standing … And both times, I had to actually go to his temple and pray. He told me that he wouldn’t treat me any differently to others because it wouldn’t be ‘fair,’ and that I had to prove myself on my own.”
“But you could ask?” Julian urged.
“I can,” Queen Henrietta said. “Do you have a Temple of Justice in the palace?”
“We have one in the town.” Julian gave them directions and asked them to get back to him with what they found.
His sister was easier. He waited until Julia summoned breakfast to determine that she was awake, then dragged her disheveled, disgruntled form off to the sanctuary.
“I can’t believe you interrupted us for this.” His little sister shot daggers at him with her eyes. “See if I don’t ruinyourwedding night.”
“It is almost noon, Julia,” he replied.
“Hmph.”
He opened the door to the sanctuary and pushed his sister inside. It was mostly repaired, the debris swept, and the broken glass panes set aside. Duchess Calisto had the highest-level repair magic of any in her castle, and they were all just waiting for her to recover her strength so she could fix the murals and stained glass windows.
“I need you to ask Light what she thinks about Fate’s prophecy, and if the gods will really destroy our world if we let Madame Potts save people she isn’t supposed to save,” Julian said. “Please?”
“Fine.” The Paladin of Light sighed, then started to glow. “Oh, great patroness, Light of the world, hear this humble servant. I—”
“JULIA! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO MYTEMPLE?” Light’s voice was as overwhelming as Shadow’s, more so even due to the goddess’s proximity and wrath.
He dropped to his knees from the sheer weight of the goddess’s intent. She was like a solar flare walking over his body. Dragon flame in his soul. Blinding white hurt his eyes as the sanctuary exploded in light all around him.
“THOSE WERE RENBENT MURALS! AND ELIZABETTA LORE SPENT THIRTEEN YEARS MAKING THOSE GLASS WINDOWS. THE DRAPES! ARACHNE WOVEN SILK FROM THE ANCIENT CITY OF SHARN. ALL RUINED!”
His sister tried to speak. “Forgive us, Light. Mother will repair it as soon as she can, I promise. Please, my brother is wondering if the gods are planning to end the world—”
“THIS DISRESPECT ALONE IS ENOUGH TO MAKE ME END THE WORLD!” Almost unbearable heat radiated in waves with her words. “BUT DO THEY ASK ME? NO! FATE IS TOO DIVIDED AMONG HER THREADS TO HEAR A WORD, AND LUCK IS BUSY TOYING WITH JUSTICE. MY SIBLINGS NEVER ASK MY OPINION. WHY WOULD THEY? I’M JUST LIGHT. WHAT WOULD I KNOW OF THE HEAVENS? MY CELESTIAL STARS ARE ONLY THE DUST OF CREATION. MY AMBIENT MAGIC THE HOPE AGAINST THE DARK.”
“You are my goddess. Life would die without your sun, and Shadow would have no shade without your light,” Julia spoke softly, flattering her patroness. “Of courseyou are the Heavens.”
“THIS IS WHY YOU ARE MY CHOSEN.” Light’s voice softened to the pressure of a hot summer day.
“Thank you, Light. I will do my best to repair your temple, with added gifts,” his sister placated. “Why don’t I have Master Gaukler come and carve your benches with etchings of the moon and stars?”
“DO NOT SUMMON ME UNTIL YOU HAVE. OH, AND JULIA,” the goddess added in a voice soft as a kiss, “congratulations on your wedding.”
And then, Light was gone.
