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Chapter 50: The Ritual
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
Lola Everson❤️💎
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A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 51: New Day
I wake up. I look around and recognize the room of the inn. My mother is sat at the vanity, brushing her golden hair and coiling it neatly atop her head. She puts her earrings, rings and bracelets on slowly and methodically, an everyday routine. “Good Morning.” She says blandly, looking at me through the mirror. “What happened? How did we get back here?” I ask, disoriented. Was last night a dream? I examine my body for evidence of being struck by lightning. “You won’t find any marks on you.” She says in a bored tone. She turns from the mirror and faces me. “You’ve been given, or perhaps even taken, considerable power last night.” Her expression fills with concern. “I only took what was given. The chalice was handed to me and I gulped it down.” I explain unapologetically. “Be as it may, you are certainly a witch. The Great Mother will connect with us in two days. We cannot raise any suspicions so we must keep moving. I know Captain Keegan reports all my movements to Os
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 52: Everything Has A Price
“The Priestess’ of Selene are skilled at detecting a witch. The most vulnerable moment is your 18th birthday ritual, because we have no wolf. Many of our sisters who live among us join after this ceremony for obvious reasons.” My mother begins to explain. I think back to the morning after my ceremony. The Reverend Mother was studying me intensely. She wanted to see me again before my moon ceremony. Had I been in danger and not even realized it? What was it that she sensed? “So thanks for the head’s up, I guess?” My words dripping with sarcasm. “I’m not sure you were aware, but my ceremony was over a week ago.” She sighs. “You made it through. I could sense your wolf awakening.” “No thanks to you.” I spit. “I’ve had a masking spell on you for 18 years. It’s plenty thanks to me.” She retorts. We sit in silence as I contemplate what she has said. “We should ready ourselves and leave.” She says after a long silence between us. “We need to be at the Kingdom of the Moon ca
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 53: A Welcome Return
We get into the carriage and set off for the Kingdom of the Moon capital where the slave market is located. Curiously, all the guards, footmen, and coachman seem to be in the same spirits as the day before. They seem completely oblivious to our activities last night. I wonder if it was a spell or if they are in cahoots with the Luna. Not that I would ask her to confirm, nor trust that she would be honest. “Theia?” I whisper in my mind, my exterior cool and placid. I have not heard from her since I fell asleep when she told me not to. “You were right, I was wrong.” I silently confess. “I’m sorry.” I want to cry with disappointment in myself. I should’ve never let my guard down near my mother. Her beauty and quiet moves hide the hideous realities of her truth. I have now seen even further behind the porcelain mask she wears, yet I know I have not yet seen her completely. I’m sure there are even more terrifying truths that lie behind her perfectly curated exterior. I feel a growl
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 54: The City
The Kingdom of the Moon pack is well fortified. From the moment we enter the gates of the capital, the pack's dominance becomes clear. As we entered through the city checkpoint, city guard provided a locking bracelet to mark myself, the footmen, and coachman as property of the House of Osiris. These bracelets would prevent my exit from the city without an authorized person from the house giving permission. This was the only way to enter the city, as only my mother has the paperwork to enter as a noble. There are guardsmen everywhere, armed and ready to enforce the law with violence if needed. I imagine there are twice as many as I actually see, some blended into the crowd, listening and waiting for someone to be careless enough to utter a traitorous word. There is an equal abundance of priestesses. Floating around in their robes like water lilies on the pond. Their robes swishing and swirling around them as they make their way around the soldiers. The capital itself is surr
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 55: Tea
From the window of the suite, the castle is massive. A gleaming mountain, eclipsing the sun from this window like clockwork, the city a giant sundial with the castle at the center of it all. At this home, the sun is blocked at tea time, which starts promptly at 4pm. My mother has always demanded the ritual of tea time. Her tea selections always intentional and often crafted under her eye. I assumed it was just an eccentricity of hers, as most nobles have eccentricities, but perhaps it’s more spiritual. It explains the sacred space she holds for it, regardless of other demands. Her quiet dedication to the ritual of tea. The way she studies her cup. The demand that no tea cup is to be removed by staff until she approves it. The clock strikes four with four melodic cuckoos from the large clock in the entryway. The country scene is carved into wood expertly. Fair maidens shifting into wolves and a strong alpha seeking to conquer them all. The poor cuckoo bird bleating its ca
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 56: The Dream
“The Celestial Waters alpha, Alpha Varuna, was defiant. He had ten children lost. He could not; however, forget sweet Cordelia, the omega maiden mated to Alpha Malakai.” My father said in a serious tone. “All the children of the Celestial Waters are my sons and daughters. Each like the precious pearls we pluck from the sea. You have my children and my heart breaks, but I cannot stand for your tyranny just to mend my own heart. You have already been careless with one of my precious rare pearls, throwing it away like the goddess means nothing.” My father nobly recited Alpha Varuna’s speech. “Faster than a lightning strike Alpha Varuna’s head was separated from his body. The glint of Malakai’s steel blade flashing as the life in Varuna’s eyes died.” “Very well. Let this be a lesson. You can choose to stand against me, but it will cost you dearly. Guard, bring the children of Celestial Waters to the Kingdom of the Moon market. They shall be sold to the highest bidder.” He said in Mala
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 57: A Meeting
I walk along the old familiar trail to my garden carefully observing the figure in front of me. The red robe swallows her petite figure. She seems to float across the landscape, gracefully moving, her walk like a choreographed dance. As we approach my garden gate she slows her pace and turns to face me. “My child, how you have grown these years.” I hear the voice but the woman’s mouth does not move. She sweetly smiles as she projects her voice into my thoughts. Her face is similar to my mother. Her eyes are a deep cerulean blue, two endless pools I find myself getting lost in. Her smile seems sweet but makes me uneasy in its portrayal of innocence. She calls me a child and yet she looks barely old than me. Her skin glows against the deep red of the robe. A wisp of golden curls peak out of the darkness created by the robe’s hood. “I have waited so long to speak to you. Your ascension finally opened the portal so that we can communicate.” “Portal?” I wonder aloud. “You mustn’t spea
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 58: Artemis
“Witch.” Theia growls. I am silent. The accusation is true I suppose, though I know nothing of what it means to be true. It isn’t the whole truth. “Am I not also wolf?” I question. “Does being one erase the other?” Theia growls in response. “Well if you hadn’t so rudely interrupted, perhaps we could’ve figured out how the connection across our plane in the spiritual plane works.” I grumble as I cross my arms across my chest. “Tell me what you know of witches.” “Where would I begin?” Theia muses. “At the beginning?” I offer. Theia scoffs. “We don’t have endless amounts of time.” She reasons. “No, I suppose we do not. I’m tired of being left in the dark.” I say. “When you don’t know, how do you know what you need to know?” Theia exhales deeply. The air from her lungs makes a snorting sound as it passes through her snout. “In ancient times, the three faced goddess represented Selene, Hecate, and Artemis. Artemis the maiden, Selene the mother, and Hecate the crone. All th
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A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 132: Theia’s Rebellion
TheiaMagic has no effect on me. Well maybe no effect is a bit of an overstatement; negligible, it has a negligible effect, like when you have a glass of wine. Maybe I get a little drunk, my focus a little blurry around the edges, but I am still in control. I can feel the wind shifting toward the King, like he is calling it to him. Even my fur seems to tug at me to follow the direction of the wind. My instinct to run with the wind is overbearing, like a nagging demand to turn around and run with it or face certain peril. The magic has not numbed my senses or surrendered my control. Perhaps these tricks would have worked when I was a pup or even a young wolf, when I had only just begun to test the limits of my drive to survive. I have spent lifetimes honing my skills to serve my Goddess. Hunting in the forests of my plane. Chasing and being chased by friends and foes. Preparing myself for what was to come. The training lasted far longer than any scholar had anticipated. To be the las
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 131: Run
It was as if Asteria’s memory played out on a screen in front of me. I’m a captive audience, cordoned off in a far off corner of my mind. Separated from my body but still aware of what is happening. The scene from Theia’s point of view also playing out, oddly disconnected from me, padded feet to forest floor the smell of earth and water. The dirt flecked in her fur and her nose pressed to the earth inhaling its aroma. Asteria’s trauma unfolds before me, almost happening to me, although the screams are not my own. The hunger in his eyes. The manic rage. His whip. My feelings are not entirely my own, it is as if I am Asteria in this experience. “Prince Aares.” I say in a voice that is not my own. A memory of an event I never experienced, yet vividly recall. This isn’t real, yet, I can feel his whip biting and tearing my skin. I can feel the blood snaking down the back of my thighs. The warm ooze somehow soothing the stinging pain. My back flayed open. His scent coats my skin like an
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 130: True Form
“May the Goddess anoint you with her love and bless you with your dreams.” “We give our devotion to the Goddess!” My mate and I reply. The priestesses are all around us. Their voices echoing off the walls of the cave, it’s impossible to tell how many are speaking as the voices echo around us. Our naked bodies only inches away from one another as we stand in the pool, his intoxicating scent masked by the abundance of minerals in the spring. “We ask our Goddess to cleanse you of all your impurities. Remove any malice from your hearts.” The priestesses chant around us. My body feels drawn to him. The urge I have to touch him is overwhelming, to just feel his skin pressed against mine. Any doubts I have floating away the second I am near him. I look ahead to the priestesses. I do not dare look at him in all his glory. One glance at him may be what breaks the dam holding back my urges, my last vestige of control. “Tonight, you are to shift into your true nature. The greatest trea
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 129: Pan
“The Mountain stands, unmoving— never wavering, rooted deeply into the soil.” The Queen begins, seated behind me on a small chair, her gown spilling out of the narrow seat displaying the sheer volume of fabric she seems to carry so effortlessly. Monica is plaiting my hair for the first ceremony. An intricate pattern of different braids joined together and fastened with a plain rag tie matching my temple dress. “The Wind with her sons raging across the lands, charge right at the Great Mountain, but it still stands. The nymphs of the waters try to claw through it, but still it stands. Rigid. Strong. Proud.” Her hands move with the story, in a way it was more akin to a fireside chat rather than dressing room gossip. It reminds me of my father’s stories around the fire. I listen to her tale, knowing little of her people, attentively watching her through the mirrors reflection. “The Goddess herself blessed the Great Mountain, and appointed the Shadow Mountain pack to be the Guardians
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 128: Rigid as the Great Mountain
“Waltz of the Mountains.” The King sneers. “Let’s see how well you keep up.” He casts a glare at Edward. “You know how your Grandmother adores the dance of her homeland, grandson. Do not disappoint her for the sake of your mate.” The warning is clear. “Yes, my King. I would not dream of disappointing.” He bows deeply, his hand on his heart pledging his allegiance. I remember our first meeting. “You play a dangerous game, girl.” He said with his hand around my throat. I suppose I am still that dangerous silly girl, too headstrong to fully submit. Incapable of bending to a tyrant. Incapable of silence. I am who I create. I feel Theia and Asteria in the front of my mind. Any overt display of power would be disastrous, so they lurk, careful not to allow their presence shimmer in my eyes. I deeply curtsy holding my hand to my heart as well, averting my eyes to the floor, not uttering a word. Silence and obedience. That is what the King demands. My stubbornness to blame for not b
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 127: Waltz
Silence. I dare not speak or move. “I have heard you can dance.” The King says in my direction. A small smile creeped on his lips. A sneer. “Yes, your majesty.” I say meekly. “You shall dance for us.” Edward looks at me with sadness in his eyes. A shimmer of anger rippling in his fields of green, at my faux pas. The weight of the King’s displeasure not only hitting me, but crushing him as well. Collateral damage. “I would love to see the waltz.” The Queen hums. “Edward can lead her if she does not know it. Besides, she will be expected to dance at their wedding celebrations.” I hope he indulges his wife. It is a far better option than being forced to gyrate in front of the King. His expression leads me to believe he wishes to not only remind me of my place but humiliate me in the process. The Queen’s suggestion is only her tossing a rope to her grandson to save him from the front row seat to my humiliation. The King looks to his Queen. “Very well.” He replies. “L
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 126: Fairytales
Fairytales have a modicum of truth to them. Just enough truth that the reader can absorb the message, learn whatever moral imperative is being taught. The tricky part is discerning what little bit is rooted in truth, and what is an outright lie, a fantasy embellishment to keep you reading. I prefer the stories with happy endings, lessons are still learned, but the main character in the end is well and fine. Perhaps that’s my first mistake, assuming my placement in the tale is the main character, rather than the abused maid or gullible villager, or otherwise nameless background character. A person in the crowd as the King strolls down the street naked. A lady’s maid to the wicked queen or damsel in distress. A nameless cousin to the main character, who tried on the shoe but it did not fit. Perhaps I am the main character, in one of those tales where she tragically dies. Her choices and bad decisions leading her to death, rather than the happiness she was seeking. The Queen seem
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 125: The Bluebird
“Beauty is pain.” Monica consoles. “You cannot achieve divinity without sacrifice. We want ethereal. We want glamor.” “We want to be able to have dinner.” I squeak, the corset of the gown so tight I can barely breathe. “Or maybe just be able to breathe.” I have been trying on gowns for hours. I tire of looking at my reflection. “Long deep breaths from the lungs, not the belly.” She demonstrates, her body rod straight, long measured breaths expanding her ribcage. My wedding gown, gowns for tea and dinner, dresses for travel and leisure, for breakfast or prayer— the stacks of fabric seem endless. I was nothing more than a doll. Monica has the same persistence as Agatha. I remember her wrapping me in endless fabrics for my Moon Ceremony gown. “You will be elegant! Ravishing! Demure!” She shouted as she wrapped me in satins and tulle. “Posture is key. Beyond that, relax. High anxiety breathing isn’t very effective or attractive.” Monica concludes. I smile, my mind wander
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 124: Orchard
Something in my soul longs for the sunshine. The rays on my skin make me come alive. My internal battery dependent upon feeling the sun against my skin. I do not recall the last time I was outside in the sun. It seems a lifetime ago that I was able to truly enjoy it. My gown manifesting what I need the most, time to bask in the sun. I can feel the whispers of winter on the autumn wind. A small chill dancing in the breeze, winter days soon to come. I stare upwards to the sky. The sun’s rays like golden spires piercing through the clouds, a magnificent sight. The sun coyly peeks from behind the clouds to bathe me in its rays. Today, I am the sun, and I will absorb the warmth and joy it brings me. Monica stops in front of a small gate created between two apple trees. The trees already bare from harvest, the priestesses and acolytes have started the pruning process, preparing the orchard for winter. The branches and stems are neatly stacked in piles along the treeline. My ow
