The Moon Goddess

…home?

Welcome home, my queen. My king. The figure bowed it’s head. It then started walking, leaving Ivy and Al to follow it. They turned to look at each other and Ivy shrugged her shoulders. “In for a pound, I guess.” She spoke.

They followed the figure on a dark path lit by fireflies fluttering around as if they were bound by an invisible wall. After a few moments, the figure stopped and it’s arms went wide. A shimmer appeared and disappeared quickly, revealing a castle gate. Fire from the lit torches snapped in the light wind giving off light to the metal bars of a huge iron-wrought gate. Ivy swore she could see the two massive gargoyles on the stone perches on either side of the gate breathe. She clutched Al’s hand a little harder. The figure continued to the gate and just as they reached it, the gate opened with a squeak that told them it hadn’t been opened for a while. Once they passed the gate’s doors, it was like a whole new world opened before their eyes. Instantly the dark became light, and the sun shone so brightly. There was music and voices of people milling about what looked like a village. Horses standing off to the side, roped to a pole and munched on bales of hay stacked in front of them, there was laughter of children playing near the large water fountain in the middle of the square. The smells of baked good, filled Ivy’s nose as they watched people walk by them.

Ivy walked in a little farther with a smile and the light touched the top of her head. Ivy felt the glow and looked up. Al looked at Ivy and saw that she glowed. He could feel his heart thump in his chest and fell. It was if time stopped for him. He knew he would give his life for her. She turned her head and looked at him. “Can’t you just feel the peace? The way the sun feels warm but you just know it won’t burn you? I feel like I landed in some fairie tale that I have no right being in.”

Al had to laugh. “I know what you mean. Here I am standing with the most beautiful girl I could ever meet and I have no idea what is going on.” He hoped his smile soften some of the words. They both looked to the figure and their eyes popped open. Instead of the figure being all dark and gloomy, the figure wore an emerald, green velvet robe with the broach a glowing gold. The figure lifted it’s hands revealing long white fingers and bright red fingernails and pulled the hood down. A tumble of curly brown hair bounced from under the hood. The woman shook out her head and looked at her new visitors. Her eyes were bright green and felt welcome. Her skin was pale white and her smile big and inviting.

“Welcome home. I was not positive if you would remember your way once you got here, so I had to make sure to meet you. I can also tell you that I am glad I did. I could feel the shadows lurking outside the parameters over the past few days.” The woman gave the report in an excited tone. “My liege, we have had our warriors practicing and going over all the war strategies to be prepared. We have also given the students a new gym and field to start training. Nothing serious as our warriors but an obstacle course of sorts, to start fielding who is to be in the new round of warriors. My Grace, it has been lonely without the company of your laughter and I am sure the people will be thrilled to know you have come home and we will celebrate with music and dancing.”

Al and Ivy were so lost. They looked at each other and Ivy felt the laugh bubble in her throat. She couldn’t stop herself. One look into Al’s bugged out eyes had Ivy grabbing her stomach, laughing until her sides hurt.

“When you’re done.” Al said in a bored tone. Ivy took a deep breath and wiped at the tears falling onto her cheeks. Al turned to the woman. “I apologize for my mate here. Ooomph.” Al rubbed at his side. “What was that for?” He turned to Ivy.

“You don’t apologize for me. I laughed if it was rude then I will apologize.”

Al put up his hands in surrender. “Fair enough.” He turned back to the woman, “So, Iapologize, but we seem to be at a loss. We don’t know who you are and where we are. We only just officially met today.” Al said pointing between him and Ivy.

The woman’s forehead scrunched in confusion. She looked at the couple in front of her. This made no sense. How could they be here now if they don’t remember? This is not good. She does not feel like her power is all there. He does have the gift of Alpha but is he Alpha now. They shouldn’t be here. The fact that they are means something must have changed. Bane must have gotten something somehow.

“I apologize. There seems to be an issue. You are not supposed to be here until the battle is complete and the prophecy fulfilled. I will fill you in as much as possible but if you are not here to stay, we must fix you up.” The woman waved her arms and a green rope of light poured from her fingertip up and around her arm. Ivy and Al felt a shock hit their bodies.

“What was that?” Al growled.

“Just a cloaking spell until we get inside and can discuss what this and what this means.” She waved away their questions. “Follow me. And hurry.” The woman turned and started walking briskly to the other side of the fountain. Once Al and Ivy caught up to her, she was standing in front of a large purple door. There was a small oval window with wood casing covered in gold. Inscribed on the door was: fáilte roimh chách

Ivy ran her fingers over the inscription. She felt the power behind it and she knew without a doubt, she put that there. But how? There were so many questions and not enough answers. The door swung open as Ivy pulled her hand back. “In we go!” The woman sung as she walked in. Al gestured for Ivy to go first but as she entered, he grabbed her hand. She looked down at it then at him at raised a brow. He shrugged. “So we don’t get separated.”

Ivy gave him a smile and kept forward. This felt like a dream but so real at the same time. They passed a few closed doors down a stone hallway. There were a few photographs on the walls and as Ivy passed each one she felt a sense of belonging, a sense of home. She looked back to see Al was running his hand over the stones, as if he was feeling something as well. Must talk about that one later, Ivy thought.

The three walked to the end of the hall and came to an wide open space. The stone walls were raised high and Ivy could tell this building was far bigger on the inside than it looked from the outside. There was a massive chandelier hanging in the middle of the room, each of the lights were little lanterns that were just bright enough to see but dim enough to enjoy a brandy and a book. There was a massive spiraling staircase leading up to the upper floors with little let off spots on each floor. In the middle of the room, a pedestal with a giant book lay open, a clear ball wrapped in silk, and three tall roman candles.