THE TEMPLE OF BRANIA looked much the same as the one in Aransia. But Akshara thought it seemed taller. And there were intricate etchings on the outer door, and she wondered if those meant anything.
Erevia pulled the temple door open and walked right in as if she belonged there. Once in the central chamber that led to all the other parts of the temple, Akshara gasped at the sight of a statue of the girl with a golden heart. It was made of clay, which wasn’t so unusual. What was unusual was that it looked exactly like Fari.
Akshara went up to the statue and laid her hands on it. Her hands traveled over the entire surface of it as if she was searching for something. When she got to the face, Erevia finally pulled her away from it.
“You’d better not let the priestesses see you do that, chil
