Chapter 117 - Dream, Illusion, Or Another Past Live? Part 2 (1/2)

Eona came to with a groan. Her skull was throbbing as if a thousand nails were being hammered into it. Inhaling deeply, she caught the fresh scent of flowers and dew. It took her a moment longer to calm her pulsing skull and hear the murmuring and scrambling of people rushing in and out of the room.

Turning over, she slowly opened her eyes and gazed into dark brown eyes. Realizing too late that she was looking directly into the Queen's eyes, Eona sat up on the bed and gave the Queen a small smile.

”Hey, you, welcome back to the living,” the Queen greeted.

”Yeah? I think I preferred the other side better.” She replied, looking around the room at the disgruntled doctors and their helpers. Not only were they not happy about being called upon by the Queen to serve an unknown female, but they were also angry that the Queen did not trust their skill enough to call upon five of them at once.

”Did you have to call all of them?” She embarrassedly whispered.

Queen Janet looked at where her gaze was directed before replying, ”You suddenly decided to have a nap time in the temple. What did you expect me to do? And besides, at the time it was the only thing that I could do. How are you feeling now?”

”Better, even though I could still use a little more sleep.”

”Was it another nightmare?”

She shifted uncomfortably under the covers before replying with a tight smile,

”When is it ever not?”

The Queen seemed taken aback by the sharp reply. But Eona had obstacles of her own to overcome and time suddenly seemed too precious to lose. Explanations could come later.

”Sorry. I am just not myself yet.”

”No, it is not your fault. I should have not asked a question like that, especially after the way you fainted in the temple earlier. I would have let you get some rest, but we are going to be having a great number of guests to entertain in the evening today and I cannot handle them all on my own, so it might be better if you freshen up.”

Eona nodded and with that, the Queen stood up to leave.

”Be careful or you might break it.” Eona saw two maids struggling with carrying a huge golden vase in the hallway. Cooks were rushing in and out of the kitchen to call on their assistants or request ingredients from the food storage.

With the decorations almost ready for the evening, the palace was dazzling. She warily sidestepped a servant carrying ten dishes in his arms and swiftly took the turn to her right. There was a little less activity in this hall compared to the last.

Quickening her pace, she took another turn that led her out of the animated building before the radiant evening sun stopped her in her tracks. Blocking her eyes, she waited for them to adjust to the sudden light before continuing.

The trek here was a lot more difficult due to the rocky path. Around her, people were carrying wagons filled with rations and supplies into the inner palace walls. Children whose parents worked in the palace were running around throwing sticks at each other.

Careful not to step into a hole, Eona made her way towards the south wall of the palace. Within a few heartbeats, she caught the sight of the stone steps of the temple.

The dreams were returning with greater frequency. Time was running out.

Eona scrubbed on the temple stairs with a broom, her bucket of soap water a level above. The sun was sinking slowly into the horizon, spilling incandescent splashes of reds and oranges into the cool night air.

Getting back on her feet, she dashed the rest of the water in the bucket on the stone steps before climbing back up and into the temple.

Setting her bucket and broom aside, Eona went towards the stone god, Shiv, the God of destruction. Kneeling before him, she picked up the flower necklace of reds and yellows that she had made earlier and pulled it over his head, to rest on his neck.

Filling a gold plate with fruits and more red and yellow flowers, she placed it upon his folded legs. She looked around the temple to make sure everything was ready. Flowers of every color and shade were hanging and warped around every pole and beam.

Sweets of every kind were present. The only thing left was now her. Going back to the stone god, she stood before him for a full minute. Then slowly bringing her hands together in front of her, she closed her eyes and prayed.

When the temple bell rang to announce the first arrivals for the evening ceremony, Eona Skyler was gone.

Spilling the contents of her bag onto the ground, she picked up the red and yellow fabric with trembling hands. She needed to go to the back of the temple.

Now.

Golden bangles fell out from the folds, clinging softly onto the marble floor. It had taken more than five years to see them again.