Nimara: Children of the Gods Book 1

Chapter 5 ~ Nimue

    We all finish walking down to the main floor, and everyone's a little off. Probably because of my eyes, which have now returned to their normal ocean blue color. Once on the main floor, Kenneth, Scott, and Draven head out on patrol. It is common for either Draven or I to help with security when we visit Kenneth and his pride. It’s just something we always felt we should do, as they were offering us a safe place to stay. Rachel heads off to the kitchen and reminds Onyx and I that lunch will be at 12:30, that is when there is a longer time break from the arrivals of the attending groups and we even have a shiver this year. Although Seth is the only one to attend, he will send all information back to the others as it happens. Tenelle is here also to help with sending messages out to those who could not make it.

     Onyx walks closer than normal to me and he slows his pace, since his legs are miles longer than mine. Our hands brush each other a few times, and when they do Onyx glances at me and just smiles. Our peaceful walk to the conference hall is short lived as Alpha Nickolas makes another appearance and attempts to claim me.

“Well, my beautiful gem, why is it you are avoiding me. I am sure I would be better company then a smelly bear and a walking garden patch.” He says with a smirk. I look to Onyx, and snicker as he too is completely dumbfounded at the lack of originality. My Uncle Tit calls Onyx that, to piss him off and to this day, it still doesn’t work.

“Well, one I happen to love playing in the fresh dirt and the way it smells when gardening. Second, you can say hi to my useless Uncle Tim for me and tell him, he is in for a huge fight. And of course, lastly…..” I say as I let the look of surprise rest on this arrogant ass’s face, “I, Nimue Simon, Pure Blood Silver Shadow Lycan and Leader of the Silver Shadow Clan, hereby reject you Alpha Eric Nickolas of the Northern Lake Pack, as my mate, Alpha and future ally. I hereby bar you and your willing pack members from ever entering my clan territory.” He falls to the ground holding his chest and gasping for air as I finish my rejection and exile. Using our bonded soul, Amara and I command Alpha Eric into acceptance of my rejection. With his acceptance a sudden wave washes out of me, as if suddenly released from an invisible force and it feels good. Everyone around us gasps at my actions, and then there is the sound of clapping and a warm older chuckle. Like one a grandfather would give when seeing his grandchildren do something amusing.

“Well done Nimue! I see I didn’t have to give you all the answers to help you win this fight!” A taller, slender built older man, with long white hair and beard says to me. He also has a mischievous glint in his eyes and I already know this is the one and only Merlin.

“Elder Merlin!” I smile and walk towards him; I then bow, and Onyx follows suit.

“Oh pish-posh none of that, you make me feel old!” He says chuckling.

“Merlin, you are old.” I respond with a full smile that reaches my eyes.

“Oh, you little devil! I will get you, mark my words.” Merlin says, continuing to laugh. I can only imagine what he is going to do and how long this game will last. As we recently just called a truce from the last round of “Even Steven.” Still, I enjoy being able to cause some mischief and it’s even better when it’s towards an esteemed Elder like Merlin. He truly is like a five-year-old at heart.

“Come you two, we need to talk, and I believe you need to give me and Elder Rant-claw your clan numbers.” Merlin says, leading us from the collapsed Alpha. “Oh, can someone please take this young man over to the infirmary. He will need to be seen by a healer and elder Sorcerer/Sorceress immediately” He continues as he walks away, Onyx and I are following close behind.

      We enter the conference hall, where the council is already sitting and waiting for us at a large circular desk. From the looks of things, they have already gathered information from other leaders, as there are at least 6 large file boxes sitting off to my right filled with files and each has a group’s name on it. I look to Onyx, as I have no files for the council, and all the information is on a Scandisk portable USB, which I am thankful Onyx has in his pocket. Merlin clears his throat as he takes his seat.

“First off… It is always a pleasure to see you Miss Simon, and congratulations on your first victory in the fight to secure your clans safety.” Merlin says. Murmurs can be heard from the other council members.

“Can you please explain as to what Elder Merlin is talking about Miss Simon?” Elder Rant-claw asks with a look of interest. For as long as I can remember Elder Rant-claw has always reminded me of Patrick Stewart when he played Captain Picard on Star Trek, and yes I know that was before my time, but I also have seen every season of 4077 M.A.S.H too. Got to love the oldies. He is the Elder of the yeti. So, this is who Mac talks about so much, with the greatest amount of respect and admiration.

      I spend the next hour telling the council everything from the start of this morning’s attack to the visit from the “Goddess”, to what the goddess Hecate and god Hephaestus told me and finally to the rejection of my “fake” mate. We called in Morgana, to give all the information she learned from the 3 men and their roles in poisoning the remaining Crystal River Pack that were headed to our Clan for safety. At one-point Elder Sutherland, Nymph elder, was pissed and all the flowers in the conference hall died in their pots and came back several times over. Questions were asked by both the council members and myself, and they were all mainly aimed at Elder Merlin. I felt bad for putting him in such a position.

“Don’t feel guilty child! I have answers we all need. I would rather the questions be asked to get knowledge from a credible source that actually is allowed to give the needed information. The Sisters of Fate have allowed me to give you some answers, as well as some answers to the council so they can make a proper decision based on that knowledge.” Merlin says with a smile and I stand there with my mouth agape because he basically read my thoughts!

“Not basically, I did read your thoughts.” He says laughing at me.

“Ok, so now that we have all of that out, do you have your clan information files for us?” Elder Rant-claw asks.

“We do but they are on a Scandisk USB. Is there a computer that we can print them for you?” I ask looking around to see if there was one in the room. “Oh, and there was an addition to population numbers of the clan as of 11 am too.” I add looking at my phone’s clock, it’s so that they are aware of the increase, whether it's permanent or temporary.

“No, but Elder Merlin will take care of that, don’t worry. And how many new clan members were added? Do you know species also?” Elder Elenora says as Onyx hands Merlin the USB drive, Elder Elenora is the council member for the Cat shifters, so this is Kenneth’s elder.

“Yes, as of 7:28 am there were 41 wolves, some of the Silver Shadow bloodline and some not. They were some of the survivors of the Crystal River Pack. Nine of them died during the poisoning, so the remaining 32 joined. I am hoping to help them find out if anymore were able to make it out and bring them back together. The choice will be theirs whether they stay and become part of the clan or if they go to other packs where they have family. Then there were 200 gargoyles that arrived at 10:40 am this morning, from the Highland Maritime Clans. They are here because an Alpha’s mate is within my clan.” I say as Elder Elenora writes down what I am telling her.

“Ahh Elder Grendel, that must be your grandson and the group that came west with him.” Elder Brenton says. Elder Brenton is head of the Vampire covens, which I am suspecting we will meet later tonight, as they prefer to do their traveling at night to keep from being seen.

“Must be, as I saw Prince Thane and Bronx coming back here to the Tiger Lily Pride, at roughly quarter to seven this morning. That must have been just after the attack on the travelers coming to Silver Shadow.” Elder Grendel says in a deep stone voice and then continues, “I have one question for you though Miss Simon, since doing the rejection, how was it that Alpha Nickolas accepted it instead of refusing it? Even if it is a spell that is making him your mate.”

“Nimara, sir.” I respond. Everyone’s looking at me questioningly, now I have to explain.

“I was born already as a lycan pup and shifted into my human form when I was three days old. Amara has always been with me, and when I turned five. There was a fight, a single rogue, came to the pack and tried to take one of the girls who just turned 13 that morning. So, she hadn’t shifted yet. I gave control to Amara and we shifted but we were losing, and I told Amara that no matter what her and I were of one heart, soul, mind, and spirit. In doing so we bonded and became one. When it happened, I killed the rogue just as warriors and my parents got there. I still hadn’t shifted back yet, so that’s when my mom named me, Nimara. A combination of our two names as one. My eyes are the first sign that the bond is happening, they glow white.” I say looking from the council to Onyx, to make sure he still has the same smile he has always given me, one of love and admiration. True to the man I have come to love, he is smiling so brightly at me. There is a new emotion showing through in his eye, pride.

“The bonding has happened a few times since then, mainly during fights and I am trying to help someone weaker. The last time was the night my parents were killed. It was Nimara, that was fighting, it was the only way we could help. Amara and I were in such pain from the thought of losing my parents, that we bonded through anger and rage. That shift only lasted long enough to help kill off the bloodlust rogues.” I say making sure not to leave anything out.

“Nimue, it’s a rare occurrence for a complete bonding to occur, but it does explain a few things that the council have been wondering for some time now. Like for instance how you were able to shift at such a young age, during the attack that claimed your parents. It also explains why your Uncle Tim is after the Silver Shadow Clan. He must think that all the members are able to bond completely to their other half.” Elder Elenora says.

      As the discussion continues, I see Merlin smiling brightly at me. I scrunch my eyebrows together and wrinkle my nose, because I know he has something up the long sleeves of that robe. Then he walks over and hands the Scandisk back to Onyx. I look at him funny and he laughs, Onyx just chuckles as if he knows something I don’t. Then out of nowhere a large file box appears with our clan name on it and it’s full of files. So that’s the little secret Onyx and Merlin were laughing about. The three of us leave together for me to continue my talk with Merlin. As we head off to the lake to the east of the Pride house. Morgana comes running at me screeching, bouncing and just really excited. That’s when I see the same guy from the attack. He walks over to us also; I start to smile but it soon fades as I hear my heartbeat stay the same. Incomplete.

“Nimue, this is Prince Thane of the Highland Maritimes Royal Gargoyle family. He’s my mate!” She says while bouncing up and down on her toes.

“Yes I know who he is, he was at the clearing this morning, after the attack. It’s nice to meet you, if you will excuse me, I have to go talk to Elder Merlin.” I say almost defeated as I walk away. I thought I had broken the spell and would be able to claim my mate, but I was wrong.

     Now I am the only one left, I think that even Onyx has found his mate. He is just being nice and not saying anything. The last time it was brought up I started to cry and said that now no one will have time for me or want me around. He held me for so long when we talked about it, that I fell asleep in his arms. I actually woke up with him still holding me too, I felt so happy and safe. But I have slowly noticed that as my friends have found their mates, they don’t have time to go out for lunch, go hiking, or out for a hunt.

“Hey you okay?” Onyx asked worriedly, “You seem depressed.”

“Onyx, you would tell me if you found your mate right?” I ask trying to hold back tears as we continue the walk to the lake. Merlin looks to me, then to Onyx and nods.

“I have found my mate, but her birthday is at the end of the Life Celebration week, so she doesn’t know yet. Her second mate knows as well, but again her not being 18 makes it a little harder.” He says and again my heart starts to break.

“Why haven’t the two of you not told her yet then?” I ask on the verge of tears as he pulls me in for a hug.

“The two of us agreed when we figured it out, that we wanted her to love us on her own. Not that she had too because we were her mates. That just seemed wrong to us. You have seen yourself what happens to a mated couple when one is told before they are of age. Your Uncle Tim and Aunt Sylvia are the perfect example. He treats her like s**t, and she takes it, she believes she has to because she has to love him no matter what. The worst part is she’s a witch, she doesn’t even feel it the same as we do when we find our mate.” Onyx says with hurt in his voice.  “It feels like I am lying to her and I know her other mate feels the same, but we don’t want her to hate us because she feels she was forced into loving us.”

“If I were your mate, I could never hate you! She should feel lucky, because that’s what she truly is for getting to have you as one of her mates. I would give so much for it to be me, but I am probably mate less from the way things look.” I tell him, it probably sounds muffled and like I am mumbling because I still have my face buried in his chest.

“Onyx, can you take us into my cavern from here? It might be easier, and it means we get protected privacy, so we can talk.” Merlin asks rubbing my shoulder to comfort me. 

     All I noticed of our moving from above ground to within it, is a rumble and going from the smell of different people's scents to the smell of rich age. The kind you get from old books, it’s a smell I love, one of stories, legends, and the promise of hidden knowledge to gain. Soon we are in Merlin’s underground cavern, it’s full of relics and artifacts that I know the world would love to get their hands on. The true Excalibur sword sits on a mantle. Wait, that’s not a mantle for a fireplace, that is the mast to the Argo! Definitely going to have to read that myth again. The Golden Fleece... man, that thing is super soft, but I bet Jason was pissed that the reason he never found it was because good old Merlin had it. Hey, is that Aladdin's magic lamp? I have become distracted enough, that I don’t notice the important information Merlin is giving Onyx.

“So Nimue, let us get this whole mess with your mating fixed first. As the spell used has been in place I would say for a while and it has caused you not to feel your mate or mates at all, whichever the case maybe.” Merlin says and I am in utter shock! How would we have not felt it?

“It was probably done while you were asleep, and that is why you didn’t notice it.” Merlin continues and I decide to go blank minded.

 “Oh perfect, that will make this easier for us to correct the effects of the spell. You will start to be able to feel little things towards your mate or mates immediately. It will be completely reversed though on your birthday next Friday.” Merlin says with a chuckle as I am a little annoyed that even going blank hasn’t kept him out of my head. Then again, it must be a good show at times to see what people are thinking. Could be pretty kinky at times I am sure. Wait, my birthday isn’t for another two months!

“Oh boy, can it ever! And you were a little slow on the pickup there kid,” He says with a wink and then starts laughing as I scrunch up my face and just look at him like he is nuts.

“Ok Nimue, let's get started. Clear your mind again, and all I want you to think about is the person or people you love most. If there are too many as I know you’re probably like your dad, then just think of your mom and dad. No one else. Okay? And I just need you to lay down on the bed Onyx made, it will be more comfortable.” Merlin says. I lay on the bed that Onyx has created out of the dirt floor. I close my eyes and start to concentrate on just mom and dad, as Merlin starts to chant. I must have fallen asleep because I can no longer hear Merlin chanting.

     When I open my eyes, I am in a clearing full of wildflowers. Daisies, Chamomile, Buttercup, Black-eyed Susan, and others too that I don’t know the name of, or I can’t remember. The colors look amazing, vibrant, and fresh. The air is crisp and carries the scent of fresh ripened wild berries like field strawberries and black caps (blackberries).

“Nimue, we have been waiting for you. My dear child you have been through so much, it is time for answers.” A soft woman’s voice calls, I spin in all directions to see who is talking to me.

“She is finally ready and will truly become the great leader she is meant to be!” Another soft woman’s voice now says and again I am spinning to find where it is coming from.

“Quit teasing her and playing games, you're going to make her dizzy and sick to her stomach!” A third woman’s voice says, this time when I turn to find the owner of the voice, there is a young woman standing a few feet away. She has a bright smile, that reaches her eyes, long brown wavy hair that reaches to the middle of her back, large brown eyes, and a small button nose with bright red lips, that are small and soft. Then another young woman appears. She has the same features, but her hair is blond, almost white and it is as straight as mine. That is when a third young woman appears and again she looks like the other two, but her hair is red and curly.

“Where am I and who are you? I am so sorry if I have crossed into your pack lands without permission.” I say, anxiety starts taking over and I begin to shake. I would never have guessed what I would be told next would change my world forever.

“I am Clotho, the Spinner and these are my sisters.” The young lady with brown hair says as she points to the two standing beside her before she continues, “Please call my Lottie though, it is easier for you and keeps us protected.”

“I am Lachesis, the Allotter. But please call me Lash.” The young blond woman says next.

“And I am Atropos, the Inflexible. We are the Sisters of Fate.” The young red head says, “But dear Nimue, you can call me Attie.”

     I must have been staring for too long with my mouth open because I swear a mosquito or horsefly flew in my mouth. I finally come around after spitting and sputtering to get the damn bug out of my mouth. The three goddesses laugh at my behavior, and finally ask if I am alright. I am still stunned and just nod my head in response.

“Wow, she has finally been left speechless!” Attie says giggling.

“Yes, that is truly something I never thought would happen, unless the Titans were released on good behavior from Tartarus.” Lash says smiling and getting a kick out of my situation.

“Ok Nimue, we actually don’t have a lot of time. You are able to ask 3 questions and only 3. Which is more than normal. So please think of what you truly need to know.” Lottie says as she looks to the sky to see the sun’s position.

“Why was I stopped by the Goddess Gaia from saving my parents?” I do not hesitate as this is a question I have asked many times and Gaia never answers me.

“That night of the attack, Gaia was to come back to the heavens with us. She was always meant to leave. So, when she stopped you, her reason was to your benefit. As both she and Chronos had lost too much blood for you to be able to save them. Though it was Chronos, that was never meant to leave you. We’re sorry for missing that vital spot in your Path of Life.” Lash says with pure sorrow and regret. She failed in her task of dispensing the events of life.

“Merlin said that my birthday is next Friday, but I have always celebrated my birthday on the 31st of October. What is my true date of birth?” I ask as this is something new for me.

“The true date of your birth is August 13, 2002. That’s two of your questions, please think before asking your final question.” Lottie says giving a worried look like I have missed something important to ask.

“Truly those are the only questions I have, as Merlin’s fixing the effects of the spell another Sorcerer placed on me to alter my Path and affect my image of the goddess Gaia by having someone pose as her.” I say, thinking of what the fates have told me. Gaia and Chronos were taken that night. But Chronos was meant to stay and raise me. Does that mean, my parents were earth bound gods like Tania, I mean Hecate? Am I the daughter of two of the gods? Would that make me a goddess? I have so many questions running through my head that I snap out of my thoughts when Lottie suddenly speaks in anger.

“What do you mean your Path has been altered?” Lottie grits out, “I will have to speak to Hecate about this as it’s one of her children that’s overstepping their bounds.”

“Hecate, or Tania as I know her, already knows. I believe Merlin or Onyx has told her also that the Sorcerer is not doing it of his own free will. That it’s my Uncle Tim forcing him to do this. So please do not punish the Sorcerer and leave the punishment of my Uncle to me. Nimara wants the pleasure of wiping him out of existence.” I say, the Sisters look to one another as I give them this information and make my request.

“So, you have bonded to your Lycan to become your true self.” Attie states with a gleam of pure happiness in her eyes.

“Not completely, as I am able to still shift just into Amara and then back into myself. Amara said it wasn’t time to complete it yet. I imagine it will be during a battle I will have to lead against that useless f*****g piece of flesh I call an Uncle, as it seems that is when we have the strongest connection to do so.” I say as I can feel the shift starting to come over me.

“Know this Nimue, when you do finally complete the bond to become your true self; Nimara and taking on your gifts, your mates will be given your gifts as well. The four of you will one day take on a greater purpose. What it is, I cannot tell you yet, I want it to be a happy surprise for the four of you. Well mostly for you though.” The gleam of happiness has grown even brighter in Attie’s eyes as she says this.

“Thank you, I finally have something to look forward to. Oh, and please forgive me if I end the Path of Life you have set for Alpha Eric Nickolas of the Northern Lake pack, earlier than you originally wanted.” I say as I start to hear Merlin’s chanting, and it sounds like it is coming to an end.

“There’s no worry about that, you do what you want with him. He’s living on borrowed time, and it’s Chronos that gives his blessing for you to end his life.” Lottie says smiling, everything starts to fade, and I am soon waking up to Merlin’s cavern of priceless artifacts and relics again.