The Rise of Lunar's Light (The Story Before Mateless)

Timothy’s Pov:

“You’re what?” I screamed. My emotions reared their ugly head at Amethyst. “I am leaving this life, Timothy,” she restated, trying to sound as confident as the first time she told Celine and me. I turned my attention to Celine, whose universe just shattered. “But, but why?” Celine choked as tears spilled from her eyes like an endless river.

“How could you be so selfish, Thyst?” I growled, moving to comfort Celine. As her mother was yet to do so. Guilt filled Amethyst’s eyes as I wrapped my arms around her daughter. “This is my decision and I have less than a week before I leave this world with Madeline,” she growled, devoid of any emotions. The mention of Madeline’s name forced some of the rage I felt to leave my body.

I understood they’ve been close since Madeline became General, but, in my heart, I did not feel it was enough to leave the child she so desperately wanted. Sensing what she believed to be her victory, a stony expression washed over her face as she left the room, leaving Celine a sobbing mess in my arms. My anger once more overflowed as I left Celine to continue the argument. A small, firm hand caught my arm, forcing me to turn around and stare its owner in the eyes.

“Leave it be Timothy. This was her choice. We warned her to think it over more before she left our realm because once she left, it was final. She left anyway. It is her choice as a witch, whether she leaves by time’s hand or her own choice,” the Girl growled. “As it will be yours, Celine,” she smiled, wiping the tears away from Celine’s eyes.

“You know better than anyone, Timothy, the pain of losing your mate. This pain was more than she could bear. Losing Madeline is almost like losing Joseph for her again,” the Girl explained.

“But why am I not enough to keep her here?” Celine whispered, her heart breaking in every word. “Never doubt you are, Celine. She loved you enough to alter the future,” the Woman smiled. “But Chaos is a fickle thing.”

“Has Chaos chosen another?” I asked, worried by my mother’s words. “No, I do not sense another. It’s just fleeting,” she replied with a heavy heart. “It’s time for her to leave this life. While she is choosing to leave, I do not feel her life energy as strong as it once was. Even if she didn’t leave now, I fear it would not be long before time claimed her,” she revealed. “Come, Celine, we must prepare, as we are having guests soon,” the Woman grinned.

Amethyst’s Pov:

“Are you awake, Mother?” Celine’s cheery voice cut through my sleep. I opened my eye and stared at my daughter before I tossed a pillow at her. “When did the power in this house switch?” I grumbled, rolling over. “When I became High Priestess,” she laughed, disappearing out of the doorway.

“Hurry and get up. Today is your and Madeline’s life celebration.” She attempted to sound excited, but the hurt in her voice was unmistakable. “As I understand it, a special guest is coming,” she continued.

I groaned, rolling on to my back. “And you’ve got to finish telling Celine everything you’ve held back from her. As this is information only you know,” the Woman growled, taking me by surprise. Suddenly she walked over to my bureau, pulling out the middle drawer before her hand found its prize.

“It’s time to pass on Moon’s eye to her as well,” she scolded. “Your time has nearly run out, and you’ve yet to finish even half of your affairs, Amethyst. We will not grant you more time,” she snapped.

“Forgive me Goddess, I’ve not been myself lately,” I whispered as I got ready to face my last day in this world. “Do you not think I am aware of this, Amethyst?” the Woman spoke, her features soften towards me.

“I no longer believe this was your choice. I believe Chaos’s love for you has spoken to your soul and told you it’s time to move on. Like our gifts, no mortal can hold the power of Chaos for long,” she sighed, taking a seat next to me. “Gretchen will be happy to see you,” the Woman beamed, fading from my view.

The next few hours flashed by as I took care of many things I neglected during the week. All which remained was to say my goodbyes to Timothy and Celine. As well as giving Celine Moon’s eye and fill her in on everything I’ve left for this day. And to attend the celebration.

It was my understanding for the first time in our history, we would have a guest from the mainland. Someone who was important to both mine and Celine’s life. I’ve racked my brain for hours trying to figure out who this person could be. Celine and Timothy claimed not to know, as it was the Woman who arranged it.

“Coming, mom?” Celine’s cheery voice rang out from another room in our shared accommodations. “Celine, before we go, I need a word with you for a moment,” I replied. Instantly she appeared from around the corner with a quizzical expression plastered on her face.

“I realize you know nothing about the original coven, but you come from a long line of Covenness. Your great grandmother on your father’s side, she was the last Grand Covenness. When I last saw her, she passed this to me. It’s been long overdue for me to pass this on to you.” I smiled, handing her the small box.

Her hands trembled as she opened the delicate box. As her eyes fell on the trinket, they lit up as bright as any star. Placing my hands on hers, my eyes caught her excited gaze.

“This necklace is Moon’s eye. Many years ago, it was used to focus visions the Woman would send to the Head Covenness. It also served as our badge of office. No one dared to question the wearer of this necklace. Now that we live with her, there is little need for it. But it’s still one of the greatest artifacts in the history of our coven.” I grinned as her excitement flowed through her.

“Thank you, mom its beautiful. I will always treasure it,” she said. Her voice was filled with awe. Celine reached out her arms and pulled me into a tight embrace. “Mom, I am going to miss you so much. What do I do if I need advice?” she asked. Her tears wet my cheek.

“I will always be reachable, Celine. I just will not be in this life anymore. Call on me as often as you need,” I assured her. Suddenly, the Amazon’s horns blared, signaling our guest was about to arrive. “Hurry, we are going to be late,” she smiled, wiping the last of her tears from her eyes.

“I must get Madeline. I will meet you there,” I returned her warm smile. She nodded as I watched her run out of the room. Although this was my choice, my heart was still heavy because I was leaving Celine while she was still so young. “She will be fine,” the Woman smiled. “After all, she is your child.”

Celine’s Pov:

After leaving my mother, I raced to the harbor in order to open the vale to allow our guest in. Timothy placed his hands on my shoulder, which drew my attention to him, and I glanced up at him. “You got this kid,” he grinned.

My heart raced as I closed my eyes and envisioned a small portal in the vale. “Every bit as strong as your mother. Good work, Celine,” Timothy congratulated me, signaling me to open my eyes.

On the horizon, a small vessel passed through. Once I was sure the boat was safely past, I collapsed the portal. We all waited with bated breath for the small vessel to dock, wondering who this esteemed guest was. The one who came to see my mother and Madeline off.

As the boat neared the shore, Lyra and a host of her Amazons raced into the waters and helped pull the small craft on to land. As the young and elderly ladies came into view, Timothy’s grip tightened on my shoulders.

“Grand Covenness?” he spurted out in disbelief. “Ah, son of the Goddess, so glad you remember me this time,” she grinned with a familiar twinkle in her eyes. Her eyes searched those who came to welcome her until they fell on me. For a split second, they seem to grow with excitement before they return to their previous twinkle.

“Perhaps, son of the Goddess, you could help an old woman out. I am afraid I am not as young as I used to be. Victoria almost dumped the boat trying to get me into this thing,” she smiled. Not surprisingly, Timothy moved to aid her.

“Hush Grandma, if you would have only listened to me,” the young woman who I took to be Victoria scolded the Grand Covenness. After assisting the old woman out of the boat, she motioned to Timothy to come closer to her, never taking her eyes off me.

After a long conversation with her, Timothy escorted the elderly woman to me. “High Priestess Celine Main,” Timothy beamed. Suddenly, Victoria’s eyes darted to mine before she studied me closely.

“Allow me to introduce you to the last Grand Covenness of the original Coven. This is your great grandmother and Victoria, the current Covenness of the order of Witches of the Light, and your aunt,” Timothy smiled with so much joy.

As my eyes traveled back to Victoria, anger raged in my heart. “You,” I hissed, struggling to contain the hate I carried in my heart for this woman. Before I even realized it, I moved towards her with clenched fists.

“Celine,” mother’s powerful voice scolded. “What Abigail did is not the fault of Victoria. In the end, it cost Abigail her life,” she growled.

“Don’t be too hard on the child, Amethyst. He was meant to live a much longer life. You can’t blame her for missing her father,” my great grandmother butt in. “And Celine, it was no more Victoria’s choice to take Joseph’s heart than it was for Joseph to have it removed. We both know if, given the choice, he would have insisted she keep it. She has kept it pure, just as he would have,” she explained. “Now the two of you, come give me a hug.”

I retreated after a few moments, allowing my mother to walk with Timothy and our guests through the pack lands. Victoria occasionally sent a glance in my direction. “She lives with the guilt of knowing she cost her brother much of his life, just so you know,” the Girl growled.

“It was our plan for him to have only just died recently,” she stated with remorse in her voice. I cast my eyes down. I shouldn’t have felt this way about one of the few remaining family members I had. “My father’s brother, he has passed too?” I finally asked. “The year before your father, in a pack war, his son already claimed his title, so your family’s line remains the Beta of Eclipse,” she grinned.

Amethyst’s Pov:

The festivities of the day passed quickly. With the setting of the sun, we all sat for our last feast. Celine illuminated the twilight sky with fireflies and Luna moths. My heart swelled to see the old innkeeper once more. “You knew you’d see me again before I left this world,” I finally ventured, remembering the innkeeper’s words all those years ago. “I did. I’ve seen this day many times since you first entered the village. It’s something I’ve looked forward to,” she smiled.

“As we all know, tonight we bid farewell to two women who have been dear to my heart for a lifetime and more. While their choice to depart from this life may seem like a time for sorrow. I assure you it is a time of great joy as they will now take their place alongside our Goddesses. Let us celebrate both Amethyst and Madeline,” Timothy proclaimed as the food was served.

“I’ve come a great distance in order to invoke an age-old tradition so few here will remember. Amethyst, former High Priestess, I, too, choose to follow you into the next life,” Joseph’s grandmother announced. This took everyone except for Victoria by surprise. Shortly after she took her seat, the remaining witches from the old coven came forward and bow before us.

“Former Grand Covenness, Former High Priestess, it is our wish for us, should you allow it. We wish to join you on your journey to the afterlife,” one of the witches spoke before they raised their heads to us. My eyes quickly dart to the Covenness, unsure of what to say.

Noticing my hesitation, she took my hand into hers, clasping it tightly. “We are speechless at this offer. Nothing would bring us more joy than for you all to accompany us, leaving the new witches to truly forge the new era the Goddesses wish.” She returned their bows before I quickly followed suit.

As they made their way back to their seats, it’s clear the idea of accompanying us to the afterlife excited them. “See child, you’ve touched lives deeper than you ever imagined,” she beamed as we finished our meal.

As we started the journey to leave this world, my heart raced. Somehow, before I departed, I needed to explain all to Celine and still give her a loving goodbye. “Perhaps the Goddesses will allow us to wait for you for a moment in their realm,” Joseph’s grandmother smiled. She pressed the group, including Timothy, forward. Celine tried to follow, but I grabbed her arm. “There are a few things I must pass on to you before I go,” I said.

“You already know you are the High Priestess who will see Celeste, and you are now destined to be mates with her guardian. What you have not been told is, hidden on this island is a castle which will only reveal itself when Celeste turns 18. It will only open after she arrives to take up her throne,” I stated.

“Your future self sent you a vision of the future. Amy will align herself with Silverlight before its destruction. When and where I do not know, as the Goddesses have kept that information. The Goddesses will mask Celeste’s aura because of this, so Amy won’t be able to find her. They will only reveal her when it is time for her to come home. Timothy is never to learn of this,” I explained.

“Never doubt yourself, Celine, you are not only my child but a child of the Goddesses as well. They chose you. You are stronger than you know. Remember, your father and I love you more than we love the stars themselves,” I whispered.

“It’s time. Shall we join the others?” I asked, trying to hide the tears in my eyes. “Yes, of course, they are waiting,” she agreed, taking my hand. Together, we walked to the bright warm light, which was now my home.

The unmistakable clanking of Gretchen’s heels filled the quiet of the nothingness. Only to be followed by a squeal as she threw herself into Timothy’s arms. “Timothy, how have you been?” she beamed, making me laugh. Her eyes met mine before she left Timothy’s arms for mine.

Only then did she notice the horde of people who’ve come to the afterlife. Her eyes fell on the Grand Covenness before she fell to her knees. “Grand Covenness, Aunt, I am honored to see you,” she smiled.

“I’ve come to leave this life with Amethyst,” Joseph’s grandmother stated. Gretchen’s eyes fell on me with a look of shock and confusion. “You remember Abigail, do you not? Her son was Amethyst’s mate,” she grinned. Instantly, Gretchen’s eyes grew impossibly wide. “This means, Celine, she is related to me?” Gretchen blurted out, pulling Celine into a tight hug.

“Now I understand why you felt so familiar to me,” she stated, out loud to no one in particular. “We are tied not only by our blessing to be a High Priestess, but by our blood as well. It is nice to gain family instead of losing it,” she beamed, wrapping her arms around me.

“Dear niece, this reminds me, I’ve got a gift for you. If the Goddesses will allow it,” the Grand Covenness beamed. Immediately, the Goddesses joined us. They studied Victoria and her grandmother for a moment. The Girl scrunched her eyebrows in a disapproving manner, causing the Woman to cast her a scornful glance. Whatever this gift was, it caused a slight rift between the Goddesses.

“You may,” the Girl finally grunted as if she was not truly fine with this decision. “If it was not for your loyalty, I would not have agreed,” the Girl voiced her displeasure. “Once more I cannot thank the Goddesses enough for your love and appreciation,” Joseph’s grandmother bowed to the Girl as she vanished. Victoria pulled out a small intricately decorated box with runes engraved throughout it. We all moved closer to her with great curiosity for what was in the box.

“It was hard, but we got what we could,” Victoria stated, dumping the contents of the box out. “Ashes?” one of the old coven witches whispered to another as Gretchen fell to her knees with tears in her eyes. The Woman waved her hands over the pile which Victoria deposited on to the floor. “It wasn’t easy to tell her apart from the beast,” Victoria continued. “Their rot was almost the same,” she sighed as the swirling dust took form.

To my horror, the creature which stared at me was the Covenness who tried to kill Joseph. Suddenly, Timothy’s arm wrapped around me, holding me close to him. “It’s alright,” he whispered, kissing my temple. Something that was not missed by Celine as she shifted uncomfortably at the act. “Mother,” Gretchen cried, wrapping her arms around the beast. My heart almost stopped.

“Thank you, Goddesses,” Gretchen whispered, taking the beast’s hands into hers. At their contact, a swirling wind wrapped itself around them while a bright silver light raced from Gretchen’s hands to her mother. As the light moved throughout the beast’s body, the beauty of Gretchen’s mother returned to her. The anger and hate that once filled her eyes was now replaced with love and a warmth I’d never seen in a person before.

She walked over to me and kneeled. “Forgive me, my own shortcomings and jealousy blinded me because the Goddess did not pick me for her Grand Covenness. I let my hate grow into the monster I became. My anger and jealousy cost you the time the Goddesses meant you to have with your mate. I understand sorry will not give you that back, but unfortunately it is all I have to offer,” she whispered.

“What’s done is done. Yes, it cost me time with my mate. Even though his heart lives in another, he would not want me to hold a grudge for the life he lived, as it was a happy one. One filled with love and kindness. And Joseph wouldn’t have changed that for the world. Knowing this is the only reason I ever had peace after his death, and it’s why I forgive you,” I stated as tears flowed from both of us.

“I believe the time has come for us to move on. Don’t you think Amethyst?” Joseph’s grandmother asked with that twinkle in her eye I’ve grown to love.

“I believe you are right,” I replied, taking her hand. One by one, the witches who left this world with us, effectively ending the old coven and ways, faded from view with a bow. Thus, leaving only Joseph’s grandmother, Victoria, Celine, Timothy, Madeline, and myself.

“Dear Annabella,” the Woman spoke, placing her hand on Joseph’s grandmother’s cheek. “Even though you were not one of our priestesses, you still trusted me. And you made the impossible choice of leaving not only me but all you loved behind, so Joseph could be the man I meant for him to be. For this, you, too, shall live in the stars and shine brightly, guiding those who maybe lost back to us. Now go,” the Woman smiled. She waved her hand and with a brilliant flash of light, Annabella was gone. The Woman looked at me, filling me with a warmth I never experienced before.

“Come, my darling daughter, walk with me to the afterlife,” I beamed, pulling her into a hug. “No, this is where we part ways, mother. Timothy told me about the two of you before dad. You gave up a beautiful life with him for me. Take your last moments of life to say goodbye to him,” she demanded.

My heart was heavy, as I never wanted to say goodbye to Timothy. I never wished to cause him more pain. “Are you sure?” I asked, wiping the tears from her eyes. “Yes, mother, I am sure. I will see you soon. I love you,” she choked out.

Timothy’s Pov:

“No, this is where we part ways, mother. Timothy told me about the two of you before dad. You gave up a beautiful life with him for me. Take your last moments of life to say goodbye to him,” Celine ordered. Her words held all the authority and grace I always saw within her, causing my heart to sink. While I wanted to say goodbye to the woman, I loved more dearly than my mate. I did not want to take away her time from her beloved daughter.

“Are you sure?” Thyst asked. “Yes, mother, I am sure. I will see you soon. I love you,” Celine nodded, trying to keep her emotions in check. She was giving up the last moments of her mother’s life to me.

“Celine…” I tried. “No Timothy, you both need to make peace with the choices you made. While you will still see each other again, it will never be the same. You both need closure,” she insisted.

Madeline, with the spark and beauty of her youth, turned to Amethyst. “Well witch, this is where I leave you… I suggest you take your child’s advice. I don’t want that cranky wolf chasing us to the ever after,” Madeline whispered to Amethyst. But it was just loud enough for all of us to hear. Never missing a beat, Madeline winked at me. “But I will miss you,” she linked one last time.

“Madeline, you, too, will be a star. Even though none who came before you earned one. Your and Amethyst’s love for one another, well… we couldn’t separate the two of you,” the Girl scoffed. With a sudden flick of her wrist, she sent Madeline to her star with a very bewildered look on her face. “Don’t look at me like that,” the Girl growled, trying to hide a stray tear which leaked from her eye.

“Come, Celine and Victoria,” the Girl growled. The Woman, Celine and Victoria faded from view, leaving Amethyst and me in a very awkward situation. Amethyst cast her eyes down to avoid my gaze as we both remained silent, unsure of what to say to one another.

Without warning, her lips crashed to mine. Surprised, I forced myself not to reel back from her. Until this moment, I never realized how much I missed the warmth of her body pressed against mine. She pulled away from me and tried to smile.

“Hold it right there,” I whispered. A confused expression clouded her face. “I want to memorize every detail of your being, your sent. Your smile needs to be burned into my mind, so it is the only thing I see when I close my eyes. I need to remember the warmth of your body pressed against mine. That way, I will never forget a single detail of your being,” I explained. To my pleasure, she gasped at my words.

While she and Joseph may have had a loving relationship. He and I loved her differently. “I am sorry Timothy; I wish things could’ve been different. That we could’ve lived a life together,” she sighed as tears streamed down our cheeks. “Timothy, I am sorry that after Joseph passed, I wasn’t strong enough to embrace what we could have shared,” she choked out. I held her tightly. I needed her to know there was nothing for her to be sorry for.

“You did what you believed was best. Don’t worry, I will never fault you for that. I understand your pain. It warmed my heart knowing you loved Joseph as they meant you to. And I didn’t cause you to lose out on that,” I whispered, kissing the top of her head. “Timothy, I love you and I never stopped,” she whispered. “And I don’t think I ever will. I am sorry, goodbye.”

Amethyst pulled away and faded from my view. “I love you too, Amethyst, and I always will.”