Book 2: Chapter 72
Heidi
The dark moon had risen, and all the witches of the coven, near and far were here. It was a sacred night for any who were blessed by the Lord of Night, but more importantly, it was a night of redemption for the innocent. He was no longer upset, and after tonight, any who were cursed by being completely blocked off to their pool of magic would have it. Omegas did not really happen with witches like in wolves. At least not of the Horned One’s line, since he told us he made us one at a time.
“Pass me the rosemary.” Asked a random witch to another. It was powdered, and mixed in with the ink to make the circle. New leader, new circle…. New ritual to summon him, and I had the blessing to attend as a member, not a visitor.
I couldn’t believe I was included still, as I was fully accepted into the Purple Diamond Coven…. I helped draw the new circle inside the old one with them in the basement in goat’s blood as said ink. It was one they bought from a farmer that still raised them the old ways. They had taken heed to our god’s words. A feast large enough to feed the coven was placed on the table for the Horned One, including the two goats who gave their lives for the blood. They were roasted whole, stuffed with potatoes, garlic, and other herbs. Everything set on the table for him this time was made by hand and with honest love for our community…. When did I get attached?... I repeated ‘our’ in my head a second time, and Sparkle wagged her tail.
They even added my name in their registry, but I still had no secret name. I still had no name that I used when I did spells, and it was in a way a little dangerous. The true name of a person held power, and knowing it was like handing the enemy a business card with your name and address on it… but it didn’t matter at the moment.
Right now, I was dressed in traditional clothing, and given a broom made by Lady Theophania. It was her personal one, made of spruce that seemed to still be alive, and the bristles looked like layers of fresh pine needles, though they told me this one was at least 400 years old. She recognized me as blood before she died, and that meant that I had a share in her belongings, even though I made it clear that I did Not want to impose.
“Sister don’t look so glum!” Smiled Hellinia, wearing a pin that looked like it was made of real gold and gems. It was a peacock, the royal crest of their family. I didn’t know that until I’d asked her about it, but I was to help with the set up for tonight. It still felt almost unnatural to be included, but I was.
“I’m not glum, just thinking.” I smiled, and I was tapped on the shoulder by Rahrraam.
“My Lady your position is ready. Let us go stand by the three.” He gestured the High Crone, as I would stand to the left of her, while her sisters were at her right.
Everyone soon came to their positions, and we waited for Hellinia to speak.
“My mother…. She should not be looked down upon for her actions that caused this rift…. She should be forgiven that she had the courage to try and fix this and admit she’d made a mistake…. Because of her and my soul-blooded sister’s courage, we have a chance to soothe our patron.” She stomped her feet, “Oh Horned One. Please come and partake of this-”
The candles almost went out by the whoosh. “I accept. But never share my secrets again. The other witches have their own creators. They are not mine, and I do not wish for my children to become involved again.” He sat at the table, and waved his hand over it. “I give all who partake my blessing.”
“Thank you Master.” Bowed Hellinia.
“It is not needed.” He said sitting tall, “The effort is genuine and the words hold truth. Come.” He said to Hellinia and she slowly walked to him. He did not feel like he usually does, but that still didn’t mean that she wouldn’t be nervous. She served the God of Destruction a slice of the roasted goat, mashed potatoes, peas, and a glass of red wine. “Now everyone else.” He said slicing into his meat. Chairs were gathered, and witches gingerly broke the rule of leaving the circle to sit.
No one expected this, but we made it work, and somehow everyone got some of the meal. We ate in silence until he glanced my direction. “This reminds me of before the war.” He said suddenly.
“Did you share meals with the Lady?” I asked quietly, because I knew no one else would, and he probably wanted the conversation.
“Ah yes…. Fuck she was a terrible cook. All gods are. We eat what you give us, and what we make gives us no sustenance, but it warmed my heart that she tried…. fuck she failed terribly, but I ate it anyway.” He laughed. It was a boom that made you feel light, and Hellinia asked him another question.
“Master… what was she trying to make?” She said quietly.
“…. Grilled fish burned to ash and almost raw but burned bread. The wine was ok.” He chuckled. “She still apologizes for that at times, but I only tease her.” He grinned showing fangs.
“If it pleases you my lord, how did you meet the Pale Lady?” Asked Grenedinia.
He leaned back, getting comfortable. “I’d created the realms with Arviel, the lesser gods formed from that, except his brother, Mercy. Arviel took Lia as his, so there were no females. No mortals were created yet, so minor gods like Love and Hearth goddesses didn’t exist yet. I didn’t live in the Pantheon, I live in Tartaron, tinkering with demons and making souls. My realm was darkness, until I saw a faint light interrupting my work. I ignored it until it annoyed me.” He chuckled. “This went on for eons. The light would get just bright enough to make me want to investigate, then vanish. So one day I decided to go find this light and kill it. She was this young pure hearted woman who saw good in everything, even me. She was terrified of me at first. I was this big, horned, fanged, 12 foot man. She threatened to tell her father on me.” He chuckled. “The size you see was one she was more comfortable with, so I remain this height.”
“What happened next?” Asked a witch.
“I found her every night, and showed her the darkness. There’s nothing to fear when you are the rumble, the unseen snarl, the glowing eyes in the night. She warmed up to me, and began to trust me. I could have just taken her as Arviel did Lia, but I wanted it to be her choice. And for some reason, I don’t know why I agreed, but she bonded half her soul with me, and I her. She asked to be marked by me, and mated to seal away her heart to me and me alone. I feel her always. Being killed and revived multiple times weakened her, but she is still there. He cannot destroy what she made for me.” He said looking up. “If I ever figure out how to get her out of that damn cell without hurting her, I will snap that moron’s spine.” He growled.
“Master… then are you free?” Asked Hellinia . “We were always taught that you were bound.” He laughed. He then put a clawed finger to his lips.
“I am only in my realm because he has her prisoner. They think I am bound by the cage he placed, but realistically I Could break free… I won’t because I know he will kill her. She walks in my realm…. But receives her power through his.”
“…. She will be free one day my lord.” I said quietly. He nodded.
“I have other matters to attend. Be safe. Avoid light places, and trust no priest.” He vanished, and there was a moment of us looking around before there were claps
We did it.
“He’s in such a good mood! Thank you Heidi!” I was hugged suddenly by Hellinia, and then everyone else followed.
“I didn’t do anything!” I complained being squished.
“You helped organize everything!” Beamed a random witch. “Look!” She yelled happily, floating off the ground. “I’m an air witch!”
There were tears of joy all around, and I did with them. They were recognized as one of the fold again, and in his eyes we were like his children… he made us one at a time, and through that he gave us power. Omegas didn’t really happen with witches of his because of that.
Thank the Lady, and the Lord.
“I want to try a broom!” Said someone and many of the younger witches immediately agreed, but I chose to stay back with Hellinia and her sister. They went upstairs, rummaging around Lady Theophania’s things, and I followed. I was their sister by soul, and I was given rights to be here… it felt strange walking into the threshold of the door without someone yelling at me.
Had I lived in my old coven, being included was oftentimes a grand prank they would do to me before pelting me with magic, but here they wanted my honest opinion.
“Hey look at your coin.” Said Grenadinia. “It’s glowing.”
I looked down to see that it was glowing, and now on the side that held the Horned One’s mark, there was also a peacock, the sacred symbol of their family.
“Well I guess you’ve been given rights to a secret name.” Said Hellinia. “Close the door.”
“…. I think I know what name I want.” I said quietly, as it appeared as a thought not my own.
“Well go on.” Said Grenadinia.
“Theyolina Yoltier, Horned Witch of Stone.” I said as it came to me. They clapped. The power went out and in its stead a single candle was lit before they came back on.
“It suits you… and it seems it pleases the Lord.” Said Hellinia. “Though you were cheated our family name in flesh, you hold it in soul. That means something. You really are my actual little sister, and by law as your senior it is my job to record your name into our personal family book as the one left behind as High Crone.”
“I don’t deserve that.” I said quietly, but she flicked me behind the ear.
“Then what do you deserve?” She growled. “To be sent to Emerald to have your beautiful name put in some commoner’s registry, or worse, not recorded anywhere. You are a Yoltier. And I expect you to be proud like one.” She held her head high. “You are given the highest honor his lordship has ever given as there is only ONE family that is first. Your soul was forged from the seed of the First witch of the Master…. It boils me that I Know they would still not accept you, and they are not even of the old blood. You are. Never let them take from you again, especially your joy. You deserve to be happy, and I will not allow anything less.” She crossed her arms, and even my familiar agreed.
“The markings on my neck and back are Yoltier.” He pointed to himself. He licked out his tongue, and there was a pink peacock on it. The rest of his forked tongue is black. “You are where you belong. Your witchlings will likely be born either pure witch or wolf because the Master only decided to share You.”
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