SWNOVELS Chapter Chapter Nineteen
Tim’s Pov:
“Another sister?” I asked. Something about this felt so wrong. “What’s the matter, boy? Are you questioning us?” the Girl growled, sensing my uneasiness. “There’s something which is lingering in the air since you spoke of her, which caused me to shudder,” I replied. “I see. Perhaps it’s the jealousy from knowing another man will be with Amethyst,” she snapped. Felling more frustrated, I shook my head. Unfortunately, the Goddesses didn’t agree with me.
As I approached the shore, some of the male members were busy preparing to leave, along with some women who could no longer shift. Under the watchful eyes of the Goddesses, they would venture out and restart anew.
“It’s been a long time Timothy,” the familiar voice greeted me. For whatever the reason, I wasn’t able to place who it was. Unable to hide my curiosity any longer, I spun around to see who it belonged to.
“Gretchen?” I blurted out. “How?” I stammered, trying to decide if what I was seeing was real. “Why, it’s so nice to see you again too,” she replied, with a sour expression stuck on her face. “I was a High Priestess of the Moon, remember Timothy? Or did my successor make you forget there was one before her?” she scoffed.
“But I watched you die, Gretchen,” I pointed out, much to her displeasure. “Yes, Amethyst somehow completed my failure and sent me off to my star at the same time,” she mumbled. It seemed as if it was the most difficult thing in the world for her to admit to.
I couldn’t help but laugh at her. Overwhelmed, I pulled her into an embrace. “Believe it or not, Gretch, I am happy to see you. I just don’t understand why you are here?” I admitted.
“If another priestess cannot or if there is no priestess capable of doing something, then a former priestess can return to this realm for a brief period. But only in order to complete a set task. I assume there is a reason Amethyst cannot perform her duties and, with no one else, is as skilled as her to do it. So voila, here I am,” she smiled. Obviously, Gretchen knew more than she was letting on.
“Are you capable? You died the last time you attempted to make the barrier,” I growled, irritated by Gretchen’s pleasure at the pain I caused Thyst. “I am no longer bound by my weaknesses. Amethyst and I share a bond. Every Priestess will add their power to our own,” she explained. “Shall we begin?” Gretchen beamed.
“There comes a time in everyone’s life where they must honor the traditions of generations past. Today we do just that. Those male children born to the Amazon’s or those who the clan states are too weak to be a warrior have returned to their roots. Today, they set off to establish their own tribe. They do this in honor of the tribe we left behind, but who we did not forget,” I announced.
“From here forward, when warriors reach the age of twenty-one, she will travel to the tribe of men to find her suited mate. As tradition states, she will give him her virgin belt, symbolizing the mark of a mate. Worry not, the Goddesses will provide for you. And you will always be a part of Lunar’s Lights blood. Live for battle, brothers,” I proclaimed. “Gretchen, if you will.”
Without warning, the wind picked up as the skies darkened. Silver bolts of lightning fell from the heavens. Where they made contact, waterspouts sprang to life, swirling viciously until a slit formed in the barrier.
The two ships, who were waiting to depart, readied their sails. Gretchen’s eyes flashed to them. She thrusted her hand forward with sweat glistening from her brow. The ships lurched forward as soon as the gush of wind hit their sails. Cheers erupted from the crowd as the ships raced to the opening and their new life beyond the barrier.
A sigh of relief escaped Gretchen as the opening dissipated. “I hate to admit it. Even now, she is stronger than I am.” Gretchen frowned, wiping the sweat from her brow. Her eyes scan the land and people with great sadness. “It’s been a long time since I passed, hasn’t it?” she asked. Tears formed in her eyes as I pulled Gretchen close to me. “Nearing 160 years, Gretch,” I replied gently.
Her breath hitched; her eyes locked on the crowd of people. “No wonder I recognize so few. I’ve been dead longer than I walked this earth. 160 years to you, but it seems like moments to me.” She smiled to mask the pain she carried, but she couldn’t hide the tears in her eyes. “For what it’s worth, Gretch, I have missed you,” I admitted. “Liar,” she laughed. “My time has come once more,” she sighed.
I shot her a wink as she walked towards a blinding light until it consumed her. The light shot upward into the sky until I could no longer tell which one was hers. For a moment, I watched with a heavy heart, wondering if she could see me looking. “I wasn’t lying, Gretch,” I whispered into the wind, hoping it would find its way to her.
After a moment, I followed the crowds down to where the Amazon’s trained. It was here where I watched Olympia rise to glory and help form the pack which is here today.
While it’s been decades since she passed, after seeing Gretch, it doesn’t seem like that long ago. Our three thrones sat off in the distance. Suddenly, they seemed heavy and controlling, as I hated the amount of death that I’ve seen and was still to come.
Begrudgingly, I took my place on my throne. “Gretchen?” Thyst’s sharp voice tore through my thoughts. I stopped dead. She appeared calm and composed, as if nothing had transpired between us. “What are you doing here?” I demanded via our link. Her eyes met mine before coldly looking out over the event. “I am your Beta. Should I not be here?” Her voice was quiet, yet harsh.
“You know that’s not what I meant,” I retorted. “Why do I sense Gretchen?” She growled in annoyance. “She was the one who sent the ships off. But you knew that already, didn’t you?” I replied.
Cautiously, I studied Amethyst. She sensed my questioning gaze as her features softened, revealing subtle hints of the stress the day had brought. “My curiosity may have gotten the better of me,” her voice entered my mind.
I took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze, offering her what support that I could. “Who is your favorite?” she smiled. A slyness twinkled in her eyes, knowing only I could hear her.
I cast my eyes over the warriors, who were readying themselves. I gazed that them with awe and admiration for them. For the First time, the youngest warrior was barely 14 years old.
“The same as yours,” I grinned back. It was no secret. Every Gamma who took the throne was a descendant of Olympia. There was no doubt in my mind that this trend would continue.
“If she does, she will be the youngest warrior to ever rise to power,” Amethyst whispered. “She is Olympia’s granddaughter’s, granddaughter. Olympia’s blood flows through her veins. Besides, she trained every spare moment since she could walk with her grandmother, my last Gamma, remember?” I laughed, enjoying the memories.
Suddenly, the Girl appeared in the center of the training grounds. All the warriors took their positions. She glanced at me, notifying me to start the games. Thyst gave me a cocky smile. “Dazzle them,” she linked.
I cast her an annoyed glance, earning a giggle from her. “Warriors, once more we call you together to celebrate your legendary skill. One of you will sit on my left, helping shape this pack’s future. May the best woman win,” I proclaimed. The sounds of the cheers were deafening as the battle began.
While the battle raged, my eyes were drawn to the little warrior. To my surprise, she didn’t immediately engage the other warriors. Instead, she kneeled, plunging her sword deep into the earth. This would not be so surprising if it wasn’t a blunt training sword.
Amethyst stifled a gasp. Her mouth still covered as she stared at me in utter shock. After several minutes, the little warrior stood. Her eyes grazing over each of her opponents, a smile widening on her face.
She walked methodically into the fray of the battle as she started her attack. Her speed was almost blinding. In less than three minutes, the tournament for my new Gamma was done. Olympia’s descendant defeated the strongest of all the Amazon warriors without so much as breaking a sweat. “Long live Madeline. May her strength be ours,” the warriors chanted as they kneeled before her.
Amethyst’s Pov:
Tim walked to the edge of the stage that housed our thrones, extending his hand down to the young girl, and pulled her to us. Thus, symbolizing, she was chosen to rule alongside us.
Normally, when the victor took their place as Gamma and general, the already boisterous amazons would become unhinged. This time, they crossed their right arm across their chest, their hand in a fist at their shoulders with their heads bowed. Madeline bowed her head to us; we returned the respect. The youngest and possibly strongest Amazon just ascended to her throne.
Tim and I exchanged a curious glance. Something within our pack just changed. While we were yet to discover what it was, I was certain this was only the start, and it was Madeline. I glanced at the child with awe, so young to wield so much power.
My heart ached at the thought of her new responsibilities and how they would force her to grow up so quickly. “No more than it did you,” the Girl scoffed. Clearly, only I was aware of the Girl’s sudden appearance.
Our eyes met. Rarely did she choose to be unseen when so many of her people were nearby. “You may speak freely, little Thyst. No one will notice. To them, it looks as if you are listening to Timothy’s tripe,” she informed me. “What is it I may do for you?” I asked, unsure of what was going on. “I wish to speak to you about your vision,” she replied.
“I want to make sure that you are ok child. It’s come to my attention I may have acted wrong. As I have been accused of manipulation against you,” she apologized. Although I did not miss the resentful expression, she sent to Tim. “I hope you understand, we could not risk you mating with Tim in this life,” the Girl sighed. “We have already left too much to chance,” she admitted. “I understand. I will wait for my mate, no matter how long that will be.”