Elspeth- The Unwanted Princess

Meeting Dion-Secrets unleashed

Elspeth enjoyed her time with Ashton he seemed like a genuine person, and his parents were also different. She caught herslef wondering what it would be like to live in a family that actually wanted her.

She walked into the suite that housed all of her belongings and made sure the pendant that was given to her was still warded. She got really good at hiding things from her mother as a child, even though she was confident in her abilities there was still an underlying fear Janet would figure out how to take what little she did have.

"I wonder why they gave me this so willingly. It seems way too precious to use as a dowery gift." Were they really that nice?

I guess I can open up the window at least the forest here is always chatty.

A faint breeze brought the smell of the the trees and hearing the owls hoot in the distance made her smile.

As Elspeth reclasped the pendant around her neck it started to glow again then settled faintly on her neckline. The purple Jasper was gorgeous and complimented her skintone. The lilac trees bent down and tapped the window sill to get her attention.

Welcome back Elle we have missed you

I missed you too. Have the gardners been treating you well?

Yes mistress, the forest animals have asked you to please visit. They miss your treats.

I cant promise I can visit, but I will try to sneak out there if I can. I need to say goodbye if I am going to be moving.

She could feel the sorrow in the lilac tree at her possible departure. It made her smile knowing the forest loved her so much. They were the only reason she could stand being here.

Can you ask your friends if they know about Tiger clan?

Of course mistress, I should have an answer by morning. Anything specific?

I just want to know if they are good people that will accept my gifts.

With that the tree bid her goodnight and she walked to the luxurious bed to prepare for sleep.

'I wonder if he will come to the gym in the morning?' Elspeth mused as she started to drift to sleep with the pendant pulsing lightly in a soothing rythem against her body.

...........................

It felt like I was disoriented as I awoke. I had no clue where I was and it had a mysterious glowing mist. Not unlike that of the mornings in a meadow.

As my surroundings cleared I could see a door made entirely of light and without hesitation I opened it to find the most gorgeous meadow and river flowing through it. The grass was happy to see me, it could feel my connection and wanted to greet me. The full moon was out and wherever I was felt very peaceful. A lot like home.

"Hello Elspeth"

Elspeth startled at the voice not knowing who could speak with such authority. Plants were soft when they spoke even trees were. This felt alive in a different way.

Suddenly she could feel a rumbled laughter.

"Hello, whos there"

"I am known by many names but you can call me Dion"

"May I see you Dion?"

"Oh yes let me adjust for you" suddenly a gorgeous tiger of eveey color appeared

"Wow you are magnificent, but it is a little overwhelming for me to look at all of you with so much color It hurts my head"

"Ahh yes let me fix that mortals have always had a hard time adjusting to divine color"

"Divine?"

"Yes, you were gifted with a very special pendant left to one of my children. It brought you here to begin the process of our return."

I couldnt contain my laughter, the idea I had a purpose beyond pissing off my mother was beyond me.

"I am sorry Dion, but I am a witch hated by her coven queen and king because I am cursed. I speak to the forest and as a result animals of the forest seem to love being around me. Its not a blessing to have this witch affinity because we do nothing but bad to the world according to history that is"

This time Dion bust out in laughter.

"Is that what you were told?"

Hesitantly I nodded and saw his eyes flash in anger.

"NO, you are the most VALUABLE witch to exist. You carry the animal witch gene and only you can make sure our curse is broken. You my dear are stronger than your family and as such they shunned you in an effort to keep you from earning your rightful power. How old are you?"

Elspeth pondered the question, birthdays were never celebrated like Sasha and Levi so she just stopped keeping track. Levi was turning 23 this year so that made her...

"21?"

"Yes that checks out" the massive Tiger appeared distraught and finally asked "Can I ask you a question?"

"Well your the god so I assume yes"

"Demi-God, but anyway. Do you know about shifters. Or the story of them?"

"We have a fairytail at home about shifters believing they had to kill humans and then were punished by god. An animal earth witch cast a spell trying to take over the world which backfired nearly wiping out witches and humanity. That story?"

"Yes and no. It appears you need to speak to the Bengalis about this a bit more. Overall there is some hidden truth in that myth, but its a tad innaccurate. War between humans and shifters happened. Witches didnt want to be involved, but an animal witch disobeyed and decided to intervene. She saw the end of both races and to stop it asked for help from the Almighty and us demi-gods to force shifters to live as humans and remember why we are all important to the balance of life. She then asked to make it so only her decendants could undo the curse she placed when time deemed it appropriate. She talked to the forest AND animals. You are the first to possess even a piece of her skill in over 2 thousand years."

I could hardly believe the story unfolding before me. I was worth something.

"I dont speak to Animals though"

"No but you are the beginning Elspeth. Your children will carry on what you start. You bonded with the pendant that was tied to me. As such you also ascended since today is your 21st birthday. We need you to follow through with the engagement to Ashton. They are tigers and have been faithful to traditions. Enough so the Almighty is rewarding them with early."

Wait, today was my birthday? Holy crap, my parents hid my real birthday! "Why would my parents hide my birthday from me?"

Dion looked a tad startled, "What do you mean child? You did not know today was your birthday? Or the day you would ascend to your coven?"

"No, I thought I already was 21 as of last week. My parents never really celebrated me as I was an abomination beyond my seer skills. So I celebrated alone."

"I see. It appears they did not want you to come into your full power and in an attempt to thwart that changed your true birth date to an earlier date. The problem with that is Us Gods know when to step in and fix the unbalance of the people. Our Father had a plan for you so naturally he set the Bengalis in to fix the wrong your parents have done. They will be rewarded greatly."

"But I didn't do the heart binding to access the covens heart. I always figured it wouldnt be important, but now I worry I need it if I am what you say."

Dion appeared lost in thought as he looked up at the celestial sky for a few moments. He then purred slightly before grinning back at me "The Almighty has gifted all witches with a loophole. When you are accepted into another family and do the blood binding you can also bind with your covens heart of your choosing, if not then it can be the birth of a child. No matter which method is used you must complete it the same day in order to use the three seer questions. Use them wisely"

"I can do that. I have no idea how I am supposed to access my covens heart though. It is locked away and I havent seen it since I was little."

"The Bengalis trade agreement will elevate you more than you know. They insist on following tradition which means the fine print will force your parents to bring you your dowry share of the covens heart or risk being stripped of there magic forever."

Elspeth pondered this, she knew Janet would never allow her access to her birth right without some sort of pressure. She was too proud of herself to agree to a loss of power. Her father while the King of Earth City was not the voice the people believed he was. It was her mother. She chose to trust in this deity and believe they would lead her correctly.

"Ok, what do you need from me?"

"Your part is easy, you must greet the Tiger clan at there home. When you shake the hands of Ashtons Grandfather he will instigate the change. You will do the same to Ashton your betrothed."

Elspeth listened intently to her instructions and finally felt at peace with the idea she had a purpose beyond being her parents pawn for wealth. It felt amazing to be free from the clutches of Janet.

"Now its time for you to go child. We are proud of you. You are amazing dont let anyone tell you otherwise."

As if on cue the door of light appeared and I walked through it. I knew somehow that all I had to do was pray for guidance and I would be given it. Smiling I stepped back into my room and saw that it was still dark outside. The moon was glowing and she could hear the forest chattering in the wind. She walked back to where she was sleeping on the bed and grasped her hand to reenter herself.

For the first time in many years Elspeth was able to sleep restfully in her parents home knowing that she was safe. Nobody would hurt her since she had the pendant on and only she could take it off. Plus the blessing of the gods. She settled into the dream relm and dreamt of what life would be like ina loving home vrs the one she was born into.