The Cursed

By L.M. Weaver

Lena was just a simple temple servant girl, an outcast that no one really paid attention to...until Damian crashed through the forest to meet her. Their chance encounter has now caused a chain of events that not even Lena thought was possible. Learning she is doomed to be dragged down to the Underworld and that someone from her past repressed her memories, she has to find out how to avoid her terrible fate and who doesn't want her to remember her past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: L.M. Weaver
• Release date: Mar 5, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311756138

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The Cursed

Copyright 2013 L.M Weaver

Published by L.M Weaver at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition License Notes

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Glowing moss green in the setting sunlight the Pine forest began to quiet. Blue skies darkened and turned orange around the mountain summit. Amidst the graying forest stood an erect temple carved from pale elegant alabaster stone. Carvings made by proud man stood above the doorway and all along the temple. Depicted was a beautiful maiden carrying a bow surrounded by hounds: the moon goddess. The carvings told the story of the goddess leaving youth to be a mother of the night into the old hag that led souls down to the Underworld. Going full circle they showed her journey from young to old back to young, like the cycles of moon. Inside the temple carved in the ceiling was an opening that allowed moonlight to enter. Below the opening was a bath for purification before prayer. Tapestries hung on the walls showing various tales of the moon goddess in her three forms. A bronze bust showed the story of the mother falling in love with a shepherd and asking Zeus to give him eternal sleep. Across from this was a tapestry showing the story of her, and her twin brother’s birth on the island of Delos. The crone was carved into the back wall as an aged beauty leading Persephone, the kidnapped queen, from the Underworld back to her mother, Demeter.

A young maiden walked from the temple replacing her tattered traveling cloak. Her olive skin shone in the pale light as she flipped her long, curly deep black hair from her face, revealing bright cinnamon eyes. She wore a beige tunic that swept the ground around her as she paused on the temple stairs to look up at the paling sky. Pinks, orange and pale blues mixed together around the mountains reflecting on the few white puffs of clouds that lolled pass. The girl adjusted her sandal before she continued down into the pines.

Lena walked down the path she strolled every day between her home and the temple. Her little hut sat silent in between the temple and the city of Versi. She lived a quiet and lonesome life, as no one ever visited her after her parents passing. She was reflecting on her life when crashing came from the bushes and a man collapsed from the brush onto the path. Stumbling and gagging he straightened to wipe the forest he had collected off of himself. Clutching a tattered map in his hand he attempted to beat off the sticks and moss that clung to him. Small twigs attached to his shaved brown hair as he brushed them away. He let out a small snicker as he swiped away as much dirt as he could. His grey tinted green eyes spotted Lena standing there with her mouth open a crack staring at him. Bursting into laughter he approached her and she stumbled away from his shill voice.

I appear to be lost. He cleared his throat to reveal a much deeper and soothing voice.

Where are you going? Lena got over her initial shock of a man jumping from the forest at her.

I was on my way to the Temple of Artemis to pray before I settled in for the night.

He came closer to Lena, making her shoulders stiffen as she glanced back toward the temple.

You are not too far off. Lena said and pointed toward the temple behind her.

Thank the gods! I have found my way, and a beautiful woman, he laughed again while walking toward the temple.

Do you have a place to stay? Lena frowned with confusion at this man.

Are you offering me a bed? he grinned.

Only if you have no place to stay, Lena pouted and looked away from him, her