Page 36 of Witch's Rite
"So you're saying it doesn't matter in the big picture if I join this coven or not," I said. "I'll still have lifetimes to master my magic and steer the course of history with you three."
"Exactly." Sal brushed a kiss along the nape of my neck. "We know your loyalty is with us. Just as we are eternally loyal to you."
"Always," I said, turning and locking my gaze on his emerald eyes. "My instinct is always to defend and protect you three. Now that I know why, I swear I won't let any of them hunt you."
"We're not concerned about you leading them onto us, beautiful," he said with a fiery spark in his eye. "Infiltrating the enemy is what you do best."
20
DEJA
Ished my clothing under the silvery moonlight and waded slowly into the stream.
"Wow, you're brave," Juno remarked. "It's freezing out here."
"Just gotta jump in and do it," I said.
The goosebumps erecting along the entire length of my body agreed with her, but while my skin was cold, my core roared with heat like a furnace. The slippery rocks and mud between my toes acted like heat sources. Already, I was calling on the magic of the earth to guide and strengthen me through the initiation rite.
Juno waded in after me once I found a comfortable spot to sit. She remained dressed in her ceremonial black and gold robes as she helped me bathe. The untouched, natural spring water ran over my arms, back, and hair with her assistance. When every bit of my skin and hair had been kissed by the freezing water, we stepped out and she dried me off with a towel.
We huddled by our fire for warmth as she brushed out my hair. I opened my bag and carefully unfolded the long, white robe I would be wearing in the ceremony. I pulled it over my head while she adjusted and secured it in place.
The hardest part for me was done. Now just came waiting.
I sat cross-legged in front of the fire as Juno mixed a concoction with her mortar and pestle. The flames danced and flickered as it fed on the dry branches. Beneath me and all around me, earth magic hummed with energy. Even a single dry leaf on the ground made my toe pulse with its life force.
No other form of magic felt like a better fit for me. Nature was constantly in flux but always in perfect balance. Death gave birth to new life. Earth contained the power to heal as well as destroy.
"Close your eyes," Juno instructed.
I obeyed and felt something cool and wet on my forehead as she painted with her fingertip. She drew the symbol of earth on my forehead and continued with more symbols on my cheeks and chin with the concoction she mixed.
Coven tradition dictated that I choose the concoction but another member mix and apply it. I chose ash from the fire, mud from the stream, and wild juniper berries that grew native to here. All unique components of the single element of earth.
"I'll come for you when they're ready," she said once she was finished.
I nodded while keeping my eyes closed. The mixture felt refreshing on my skin and my face pulsed everywhere it touched.
Laurel would be leading the rite as High Priestess. She and the other coven members were gathered in a clearing in another area of the woods. Before I could join them, I had to be washed and painted, then they had to purify the ceremonial circle.
I sat as still as a boulder, feeling the earth's magic flow through me as if I were an empty vessel. I imagined it as a thread starting from my tailbone rooted to the ground, then flowing out through the crown of my head to return to the universe.
The crickets chirping and burning logs snapping sounded like music to my ears. Tears threatened to well up just because of how beautiful and moving it all was.
Then like a gust of wind, the energy shifted dramatically and I knew I was no longer alone by my fire.
"Ash," I said in a choked whisper. He may not have been there physically but I felt his aura wrapping around me like a strong hug. My heart physically ached for him. I missed him so much.
"My love," came his voice, sounding like he was speaking directly to my brain. "When will you remember the woman I fell in love with? I miss her with all of my being."
"I miss you too," I cried out. "I'm right here."
The magic coursing through me took another sudden shift, this time leaving me breathless and gasping. My eyes flew open as I lurched forward, catching myself before diving headfirst into the fire.
I struggled to catch my breath as my heart crashed like a sledgehammer against my ribs.
I remembered now.
