Green Garden (Amor #1)

The Temple

Minutes later, they emerged from the Wood into a clearing. The Temple of the Four Winds stood in front of them. The domed cubic building appeared like a mini villa. Weathered Classical statues stood at the steps. In the distance was a bridge over another lake and a rotunda.

"It's beautiful," Amara breathed.

They walked up to the steps. Amara noticed the statue to her left.

"Is that Diana the moon goddess?"

Thor looked over at her, impressed. "You know your myths. It is."

She turned to the right. "And that must be Hera because Venus wouldn't cover up as much as that," she said observing the statue's many coverings

A loud laugh burst forth from Thor's mouth and it pulled one from Amara. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key. When he came to the door and placed the key into the keyhole. He turned and opened the door. The creaking echoed in the empty space. Thor stepped in and turned to see Amara standing almost frozen at the doorway.

Thor stifled a laugh. "What's wrong? There are no ghosts here."

"I don't want to mess up the floor," Amara said, wincing. "We've been walking barefoot for a while."

"Don't worry. I'll mop when we're done," Thor said in a trust me tone.

Hesitant, Amara stepped in. She felt the cool of the stone on her soles.

"This was my favorite haunt as a child. Sometimes I got bored at the house and the mausoleum scared me, so this was an in-between."

"What was it used for," Amara asked, observing the architecture and ornate details.

Thor shrugged. "Tea parties. Little gatherings. A nice little place to get away and read or paint."

"You painted?"

"Oh, yes." Thor straightened up. "My finger paintings received critical acclaim. I almost began an era with my preschool peers."

Amara laughed.

The two left the edifice and reconnected back with the earth, walking down to the bridge. They stopped in the middle, looking down at the lake below.

Another zephyr blew through. Amara lifted her head and closed her eyes, immersing herself in Nature's perfume scented air flow. Thor admired her, his mouth curving into a smile. He had never met someone with such respect and love for the simplicity and wonder of Nature, of life. She was a natural beauty. Amara opened her eyes, glinting at Thor. His smile widened.

"What is it?"

He shook his head, his smile still strong. "Nothing. You're just...so carefree."

Amara grinned. "You're a bit blithe yourself."

He chuckled. Amara opened her mouth to speak but looked down at her hand. Thor looked and saw a water drop on her hand, trailing down her finger. They alerted their heads up when they heard a distant sound of thunder. Murky clouds rolled above them.

"Crap. I didn't know it was going to rain."

"You want to head back?"

Amara heard the disappointment in his voice at the idea of having to cut the tour short. She looked around and saw the mausoleum.

"Does it still scare you," she asked, looking back at him with mischief sparkling in her eyes.

Thor caught her hint and smirked. "No."

"Let's beat the rain."

The thunder roared again as if Nature shot a pistol in the air. Their legs sprinted as they could hear the pitter patter of rain begin.