by Thawer, Tish
"I get that. And I love that you are completely unique, but how does fighting the Goddess guarantee a rise in class for vampires or demons?"
"The Darkling will overthrow Diana and her precious Witches, taking over all of Ovialell. I'm sure during your visit you realized that vampires aren't usually permitted in Upper World. The only reason you were able to reach it through the portal was because you were being drawn to my side after your initial change. But traditionally, we are held to Obsidian, and are only able to use the portal to travel to the human world for our food. If we were able to travel freely, we could access all the realms and..." His words trailed off. Suddenly worried he shouldn't be sharing this information without the Darkling's permission, he quickly changed the subject.
"What we need to be worrying about is if we'll be able to get back into Upper World a second time. I think my magick will allow us access, but it's something that we need to test soon, because killing your friend before she completes her rites is still our number one priority."
The look of feral anticipation that fell over Devin's features was a major turn on. When they'd discussed how his uniqueness had affected her turning, she had shared her willingness to help him kill her friend. Because apparently Aryiah had always been in a one-up position in Devin's mind. But now that she had power of her own and was truly embracing her darker side, the flow of resentment and anger she'd always managed to suppress was quickly replaced with a deadly vengeance. During that discussion is when Gage had fallen for her even more.
"Let's go," was Devin's only response.
* * * * *
Devin and Gage sat on the stone bench in front of the floating portal as they waited for the sun to set on the rest of Ovialell.
"Let's go over the plan again." The idea of heading back to Upper World and putting an end to the one person who had always made her feel second best had her fangs throbbing in anticipation. Aryiah never did it on purpose and probably didn't realize Devin had ever felt this way, but she would be finding out very soon.
"If I make it through the portal, I'll come right back to get you. It shouldn't take more than five seconds. Once there, we'll use the trees again to reach the castle, then use the same door you used before to begin our search for Aryiah within," Gage explained.
"Why can't you just call her to you in the dreamscape like you did me?"
"My dream walking only works on humans. Plus, from the beginning, Aryiah seemed to be immune to my skills."
Devin grabbed his head and thrust her tongue into his mouth, kissing him hard and quick. "Well, once we find her, you won't need any special skills to kill her, because that pleasure will be mine."
She looked up at the large building directly across from where they sat. The large clock set into the stone reminded her of Big Ben. It showed the accurate times for each of the levels of Ovialell. It had just turned 8 p.m. in Upper World.
She stood next to the portal and kissed Gage again before he stepped through. Within seconds his arm appeared through the shimmering silver and pulled her forward. They stepped through together, recognizing the flame-lit path that stretched out in front of them.
"I knew it would work," Gage said, with a cocky smirk on his face.
"Then let's go. I want my fangs buried in her neck within the hour," Devin replied.
They flew into the trees and raced towards the castle unimpeded. But before reaching the edge of the forest, Gage stopped and gestured for her to do the same. He motioned to the path that was a mere ten feet away where Damarius and Aryiah were currently strolling hand in hand.
* * * * *
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
After leaving the Goddess' throne room, Aryiah and Damarius decided to continue their exploration of Dalestri.
As they walked along a cobblestone path, Aryiah was mesmerized by tall evergreens and the beautiful torches that radiated an ethereal blue-green flame. "Where are we going?"
"I want to show you the castle's portal. It's the only way off Upper World for those who live in the area but are unable to shade."
They continued down the path, talking about the citizens and the layout of Dalestri and its surrounding villages when Aryiah suddenly felt a sense of warning.
Someone's watching us, she sent to Damarius.
The feel of his hand tightening in hers indicated he was on high alert. Yes, I know. Just continue to walk and talk out loud as if we're none the wiser, he sent in response.
Suddenly, Devin and Gage dropped from the trees, landing directly in their path.
Damarius pushed her behind him, his broad back shielding her against the threat. Peering over his shoulder, Aryiah saw Devin crouched in black leather pants, a black tank top, and black combat boots. It was a look she wasn't used to, but it was the fangs she was baring that threatened Aryiah's control.
"Why are you doing this?" pleaded Aryiah.
"Because I can't tell you how sick I am of hearing how different and special you think you are. With the 'odd' things that always seemed to happen to you, and how blessed you felt when you got that great job at such a young age. You spent your life alone, acting like a martyr after your father died, refusing to live life with the money he'd left you. Stupid! You always thought you were better than me. Well guess what...now I'm as special as you, and you're going to pay for making me feel second best."
The crushing words had Aryiah trembling and grabbing onto Damarius for support. Hold it together, my love. She is no longer the person you once knew.
Damarius' words penetrated her mind as she dropped her head, resting it between his shoulder blades. She knew he was right; Devin was truly lost to her, but the idea of fighting and likely killing her best friend crashed over her like a wave of sadness. Aryiah only had seconds to wallow before Damarius' warning had her gathering her strength. Prepare yourself, they're about to attack.
As she lifted her head, a sense of peace and power radiated throughout her entire body. She stepped around Damarius, positioning herself in front of him. "I'm so sorry you ever felt that way, and even more sorry to have lost you to him," she said, gesturing to Gage. "But I will not stand here and let you try to hurt me or my mate."
Devin lunged forward, fangs bared, but suddenly Gage held out an arm to stop her. "Not yet, my dear. There's something you don't know about the wolf."
To Aryiah's surprise, Gage revealed Damarius' secret to them all.
"You can't hurt him in his phantom form, but he can latch on and devour you with his teeth," the vampire finished.
That would have been nice to know, Aryiah thought, feeling slighted about being left in the dark.
I'm sorry, my love. After you woke from your coma, everything happened so fast, I simply forgot to tell you. But get ready, because you're about to see it firsthand.
Damarius didn't bother with any posturing or monologue, he simply shifted into his wolf then faded to his ghostly form. Aryiah, Devin, and Gage stood shell-shocked for a moment, all looking at the enormous ethereal wolf. Then in a frenzy of sudden movements and one loud shout, Damarius had Devin on the ground, his teeth buried in her neck.
Aryiah stood stunned for a second until she noticed the fury on Gage's face. She tried to turn and run, but using his vampire speed he was behind her before she could move. He held her by the arms with his fangs positioned near her throat. "You kill my mate and I'll kill yours," were the words he yelled at Damarius.
Aryiah watched Damarius remove his teeth from Devin's neck. She didn't waste any time scooting away from the giant spirit wolf, one hand clawing at the ground while the other still held her bleeding throat.
"That's right, wolf. We may not be able to kill you, but we can certainly kill her. And as long as I keep killing your triggered Witches, you and your Goddess will never be strong enough to stop us."
Aryiah stared into Damarius eyes, hoping he could still sense what she was feeling even though they weren't in the same form. She needed for him to not react, because Gage's talking had given her time to regain her steely control
once more, and she was preparing to give the vampire the shock of his life.
She dipped into the pool of Aradia's magic, closed her eyes, and let the power flow. The silver glow that surrounded them both had Gage screaming out in pain. Within seconds, his hands drifted through her now phantom arms. Aryiah didn't turn into a wolf, but instead, simply melted against his chest, entering his body in her ghostly form.
Gage's screams filled the forest as silver rays of magick burst from within his body. It looked as if he was being lit up from the inside by a magickal sun as gold and silver rays streamed out of his every pore. The light show lasted for only a few seconds before Aryiah solidified back into her body while Gage was nothing more than ash on the wind.
* * * * *
Damarius watched as Aryiah, now back in her solid state, opened her eyes, revealing silver glowing pools which she trained straight at Devin.
"Leave this place and never return." Aryiah's words were amplified with power. The stunned expression on Devin's face and the rapid rise and fall of her chest, revealed just how scared Devin was. Smart girl.
He stood frozen, his eyes never leaving Devin's shocked face, as she scrambled to her feet and immediately fled the scene.
"Why did you let her go? She threatened to kill you."
As her eyes returned to normal, Aryiah smiled a knowing smile. "You know I had to. She may have threatened to kill me, but with Aradia's magick coursing through my veins, no one can stand against me. She's simply not a threat. Especially without Gage fueling her rage."
Aryiah grabbed his hand and they began their stroll back towards the castle as if nothing had interrupted them at all.
She kissed his lips, her magick leaving a slight tingling residue. "How did you know you'd be able to take phantom form?" he asked.
"When Gage was explaining your ability, I realized that as a Witch, I too will run with the Wild Hunt. But since Aradia was the creator of the wolves, I didn't need to transform into my wolf first. I could simply embrace the Goddess I used to be and join the ether whenever I want."
Her answer was so simple, like a brush off the cuff, but the abilities she now possessed truly made her unstoppable. She was simply the most divine person Damarius had ever known. Figuratively and literally.
"I have one other question for you." He took a deep breath and continued before she had a chance to respond. "Will you marry me?"
* * * * *
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Three days later, Aryiah paced in her mother's private quarters as sunlight filtered in through the vertical windows of the tower.
"Will the kiss of death hurt or disrupt my magick in any way?"
"No, my dear. You are already so powerful that I'm not even sure it's necessary, but since you still retain a connection to the human world, I feel like it's better to be safe than sorry. Upon waking, you will truly be a citizen of Ovialell and can take your rightful place at my side."
Aryiah sighed deeply. My rightful place.
While she was confident in her magick, Aryiah was still unsure about the ceremony her mother had planned for later tonight. With the weight of her new position sitting heavily upon her shoulders, the idea of announcing Aradia's return to all of Ovialell caused a lump to form in her throat.
As she turned and caught sight of herself in the mirror, Aryiah's nerves got the best of her. She could barely believe she'd agreed to marry Damarius on the same night as her initiation rites.
"Are you sure this looks alright?" She twirled in front of the mirror, holding out the gauzy white sections of her wedding dress.
"There has never been a more beautiful Goddess," Diana replied.
"Maybe we should postpone the wedding to see how the citizens react to my return first, instead of hitting them with two major announcements at once." She knew her statement was rooted in fear, and her mother must have thought so too, because as the Goddess reached for her long raven hair, she smiled a knowing smile.
"Do not fret, my child. You will be loved by all. Some may doubt, but once you hold my book in your hands, you will be welcomed with open arms, for all know that only I and Aradia can command the magick within it."
Once her mother finished braiding her hair and pinning it with a silver, diamond encrusted crescent moon clip, she turned and wrapped her in a hug.
"Thank you for believing in me," Aryiah whispered.
The two stood embracing as the rest of The Witches filtered into the room.
Aryiah took in the faces of the other Witches, as Diana led her to the dais in the middle of the floor. "Aryiah, meet your Witches." Gesturing to each of them one by one, the Goddess introduced them all. "This is Verta, Fern, Carmen, Camille, Josephina, Lydia, Basha, Dassia, Gayle, Rozalyn, Yuna, and Zaria."
They all bowed to her, already aware of what her position within their ranks would be. Aryiah was to be their Queen once more, just as Aradia had been in the past.
Needing to get this done before she lost her nerve, Aryiah laid down on the raised platform, her Witches surrounding her on all sides. As the Goddess approached, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, forcing herself into a deep relaxed state.
There was no spell spoken, just a light kiss from her mother's lips, and then darkness.
Only a few hours must have passed, because upon her waking, Aryiah noticed the waning light filtering throughout the room. She was still surrounded by her Witches, and her mother stood next to her with a beaming smile. "Life must end for life to begin, join us now as daughter and friend."
Once she sat up, they all began cheering and hugging her. She hadn't realized it would be so easy. But this was just the beginning. Next was the actual initiation rite, which was also held in the privacy of her mother's chambers.
As Diana spoke, all The Witches fell to their knees. "Aryiah, you are now a citizen of Ovialell, and your place among The Witches has been chosen. Do you accept the rank of Queen?"
She knew she didn't have a choice; Aradia's powers were far superior to any other Witch here, but to officially accept her place as their queen was truly a monumental step.
Bowing to the Goddess, she simply replied, "I accept," and in that moment her magickal life had truly begun. The wind picked up as cheers broke out once again. The Goddess now held a gorgeous silver crown encrusted with moonstones and emeralds. After placing it gently on Aryiah's head, all The Witches stood in a circle and linked hands.
As soon as Aryiah completed the connection, a ring of silver magick shot from her heart then raced from Witch to Witch, forming an unbreakable circle. Suddenly the entire group was being lifted into the air as the magickal energy increased in speed.
Everyone closed their eyes and lifted their faces to the crystal dome ceiling. Feeling the moonlight surrounding her, Aryiah closed her eyes and shared in this glorious bonding experience. She could feel each of her sisters in turn, pinpointing each of their specific energies separately. No longer was she alone on this journey, and the unity she felt with these women almost brought her to tears. They were a cohesive unit once again now that she'd completed their coven of thirteen.
As they eased back down to the ground, she opened her eyes and looked upon The Witches for the first time as her family. She now knew each of their names, and their life experiences since joining The Witches, and they hers in return.
"Thank you for accepting me as your Queen once again. While most of you will remember Aradia, I know this may be an adjustment, but please know that I will use all her knowledge and power to be the best Queen for you and our people."
After a small celebration of cakes and ale, The Witches left and Aryiah rejoined her mother, who'd been watching from the high-backed wooden chair that sat next to her Book of Shadows.
"Is that what happens every time a new Witch is inducted?" Aryiah asked.
With a light laugh, the Goddess answered, "Not exactly. When the coven is complete, the magick does connect them all, but only when the Queen is in place do their shared memories flow. It's a w
ay for you to connect to them, and get a sense of their hearts' desire, past and future. That connection will allow you to monitor them at all times."
The explanation left Aryiah wondering why she would need the ability to monitor her Witches, but before she could speak her question, Yuna stepped back into the room and bowed. "Goddess, the ceremony is about to begin."
Aryiah's nervousness immediately returned, slamming into her like a runaway train. Completing her rites had been a piece of cake, but facing the entire realm of Ovialell was something she didn't think she'd ever be ready to do. Not to mention her impending wedding.
"Just breathe," the Goddess instructed.
Aryiah did just that as she followed her mother down to the throne room through a winding staircase that led to the back side of the dais. There was a large curtain surrounding the area, and two elaborately carved chairs sat side by side. Though Aryiah hadn't seen her mother grab her Book of Shadows, it now rested on a small table between the chairs.
Diana gestured for her to take her place, so Aryiah walked forward and sat in the chair. She didn't see Damarius or any of The Witches, but she could make out the mumbling of throngs of people on the other side of the curtain.
Once seated in the opposite throne, Diana reached for her hand. "Are you ready?"
All she could do was nod her head.
* * * * *
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
The curtain surrounding them fell away, and Aryiah suddenly found herself staring at the faces of hundreds, if not thousands of people.
Struck by the beauty of the room, she took a moment to look around. The white marble columns sparkled in the fairy lights that floated in the air. She's knew what they were from Aradia's memories, but had never seen anything like them before as Aryiah. The balls of light floated around the room of their own accord in hues she'd never seen.
