Harvest of Dreams (The Gods' Dream Trilogy) by Debra Holland Page A

for a memory—bathing in the Dead Sea with its high salt content, unlike any other pool or ocean. She brought her fingers to her mouth to taste the water. It tasted fresh, tempting her to plunge in. But still she hesitated. While a bath sounded refreshing, she stalled over stripping naked in an unknown place with a moving statue that claimed to be a deity. The thought made her feel too vulnerable.
    Go as you are.
    “With my clothes on?”
    I will dry them.
    If you say so. Skeptical, Sadie dropped to sit on the ledge of the pool. She untied her tennis shoes and toed them off, leaving her socks on. Stepping into the pool, she felt the liquid soak through her jeans to her knees. She crouched, then sat. The water felt so refreshing that she relaxed all the way, floating on her back.
    She sensed the Goddess touching her memories. Her life played out in a fast-forward movie, until the reel paused at her strange dream of the islands and the Neptune-like man on the throne.
    Withea lingered, studying every aspect of the situation. When she finished, she sped through the last few weeks until now.
    As she soaked, Sadie could feel her cares wash away.
    Her grief lightened. Somehow, the statue communicated that to mourn was to respect the importance of the losses. Sadie sensed Withea, herself, carried deep grief. How can a statue grieve? She shoved the question out of her mind.
    Sadie floated, feeling as if she’d plunged into a dream—a comforting one that had her feeling lethargic. She drifted for a while in the tranquil pool. Then she rolled over so her face was submerged and turned again until she floated on her back. Her injured shoulder burned, but not in pain. More like a heat lamp focused on the area, the rays penetrating deep and flowing over muscle, tendon, joint, and bone. After a few minutes, the warmth ceased.
    Feeling refreshed, Sadie stood. She rolled her shoulder but found no trace of the pain that had become so familiar since her injury. Is this real? Am I drugged? But her mind felt clear and sharp.
    Withea must have read her thoughts because She said, You are indeed healed, Sadie Issacson.
    Buoyed by hope and wonder, Sadie stepped from the pool. Maybe she is a goddess.
    As soon as Sadie was out of the water, the statue waved her other hand, and Sadie instantly dried, hair and all. She glanced down at her long-sleeved loose white blouse, which had become worse for wear during her travels. Now the garment looked pristine.
    Sadie glanced up at the statue. “Thanks.” She slid a hand over her head and down her braid. Her hair felt clean and newly combed. “Was it you who called me here?”
    Yes, Sadie. But the choice to go further is yours.
    Sadie rolled her shoulder again, and joy tingled through her body. The joint moved easily, with no weakness and no residual pain. I’m healed! I can go home and try out for the US team! I can compete in the Olympics!
    Somehow, she sensed that Azad still lingered outside the shrine. If she hurried, she could catch him. She stooped to pick up her pack and hoisted the straps over her shoulder. “I appreciate you healing me…” statue, goddess, whatever you are . “I’ll never forget you.”
    The statue gave her the slightest of nods, but a feeling of deep sadness emanated from her, rooting Sadie’s feet to the floor and making her reconsider her decision. Maybe I should see what the lady wants with me.
    Withea gestured with her fountain hand at the far wall. The drops of water hit the stone and formed an archway. Inside the archway, a foggy screen appeared. A picture emerged of a city built of green stone, dominated by a castle with balconies and round turrets on either side. Flags on top of the turrets snapped in the breeze. A lavender sky arched overhead, and Sadie could make out a turquoise ocean in the distance.
    People bustled in the streets, going about their business. Sadie couldn’t see any cars, but there were some horses and wagons.
    Seagem, the city of Yadarius,