Forgotten Magick

Chapter 4: Choices, Pt 3.

Part 3: A Dangerous Ritual.

Before the boys leaped over the river Seth looked to his mate once again, she was beautiful and perfect in every way in his eyes. Her elegant manner of dressing impressed him, her eyes enchanted him, and her voice brought him peace. “When can I see you again?!” Seth asked Celeste, she smiled sheepishly at him and answered “I’m not sure when my next day off is, but I can talk to Zena! Now that I know you’re my consort, and we’ve formed the bond, it’s not as if she can ban me from seeing you.. Maybe we can set aside some time after I’ve recovered from the ritual tonight, wait for my raven ok?!” Celeste replied to Seth whose eyes widen in excitement to her eager invitation. Seth was elated, he jumped and shifted mid-air into his wolf and as his large paws hit the ground on the other side he looked over his shoulder to see if she was watching.

Celeste was in awe of his magnificent wolf form, a shining white coat was perfect for the winter months as it glistened just like freshly fallen snow. Celeste and her mother linked their arms together as they giggled, Seth smirked and puffed up his wolf's chest in pride. Showing off his stature and form a little before bounding off into the forest towards the pack lands. He hadn’t felt this good in so long, but as he ran towards his pack he could feel Regal stewing over something in the back of his mind.

Celeste and her mother made their way back to the Coven House at a leisurely stroll pace, the two could not help but chat about Seth. Commenting on how dashing he looked, Celeste smiled and had such a radiant glow about her as she spoke “like sure, I get pink eyes are cool and unique and all, but HIS eyes mom! Did you see them! They looked like.. Like…” she then thought of the analogy he used for her, and with a slight blush she continued “like the earth itself was reflected in his eyes. Golden brown honey, the vibrant green of rolling hills, brown speckles of rich fertile earth, and flecks of brilliant gold! Like he holds the majesty, might, and treasures of Maiden Earth in his very soul…” 

Raven chuckled as she looked down at her bashful daughter, she hadn’t spoken so casually in years. “Maybe you should have saved that bit of poetry for the next time you see him! Why didn’t you invite him to the birthing ritual? I’m sure his presence would help you a lot my dear girl” Celeste shrugged before answering “don’t want to freak him out too much right? I don’t want to scare him away.. From the books I read they have the option of rejecting and cutting the mate bond when ever they like, there’s no point of no return kinda thing right? So I figured maybe let’s try this out the way humans do! Try courting each other for a while, get to know one another… He probably doesn’t have a clue about anything witch related, and I wouldn’t want to intimidate him with everything that goes on with tonight..”  

Raven chuckled and shook her head “my darling the way that boy looks at you I don’t think you could ever scare him away!” to which Celeste laughed heartedly. Raven was happy to see her daughter like this, her daughter was glowing radiantly in a whole new light.

After a few more minutes of walking the two women made it to the main circle where the Coven House resided, out front waited Supreme Zena and the woman who was giving birth that evening. Zena had given the two women an update on the birth, it seemed that while the contractions had started they were mild and too far apart to be of any urgency. “Raven! You spent some time as a midwife yes?” asked the Supreme in a light and pleasant manner, “yes Supreme, would you like me to monitor Olivia while you prepare Celeste?” Raven answered respectfully. “Yes, that was my intention in asking, thank you for understanding.” Without another word, Raven and the pregnant woman bowed their heads in respect and headed into the coven house. 

Zena looked down at Celeste with a curious eye, Celeste looked down at the ground nervously as her cheeks grew red. “Supreme Zena I-” Celeste started to explain herself, but Zena raised a gentle hand to stop her. “Long ago, before I ever saw your face, Mother Moon gifted me a vision. In this vision I saw my successor, a brave young woman with a mane of wild black curls. In this vision she sat on the back of an ancient wolf, together they rode unafraid towards a blinding white light leaving behind a dark shadow dripping with blood. You have found that wolf haven’t you?” Zena spoke gently and kindly to Celeste as they walked together, taking a seat on the veranda. With a bashful smile, Celeste touched her cheek where Seth had held her face and answered quietly “I found the wolf, and so much more..” 

Zena smiled proudly at the young witch, caught up in the flurry of new young love. Zena turned Celeste’s face so the two may look each other in the eyes, she smiled proudly to her protege and surrogate daughter. “You both will do wondrous things together my dear. The future is perilous, not every one enjoys the strong winds of change, but I know you two will bring us farther than any Supreme before you. Celeste, it has been an honor to know you and watch you grow. I no longer have anything to teach you. Now you have not only a new companion, but teacher as well. Do not be afraid to lean on and learn from him, as he will do the same with you.” 

Celeste looked at Zena with surprise and appreciation, there was a moment of silent understanding between the two of them before it was time to get up and ready for the night ahead of them. Celeste needed all the strength she could muster, she had done this a handful of times before but each birth had its own sets of difficulties. Celeste, Zena, and Elvira set for the rooftop of the Coven house where Celeste would lay in the sun for the remainder of the day. Elvira went about with a stick of white chalk and started to draw the circle of protection, making sure the runes and symbols were well placed. 

Zena was with Celeste who had stripped her clothes, the witches had made their own version of sunscreen and as Zena placed the cream on Celeste's body she drew additional symbols to imbue the cream with magick. The cream would not only protect Celeste’s skin and physical health but would act as a conductor for the energy of the sun. Helping Celeste gather a massive reserve of power. Others were gathered down below on the front lawn, preparing the ring of stones where Celeste would stand and act as a conduit for the divine who would fight over the chance to bestow their blessing on to this new child. 

———

As Seth returned to his pack lands he was in the best mood he had ever been in, he felt proud and powerful. Even Arys was having a hard time keeping up with him as his strong legs pumped and pounded against the earth, though before breaching the tree line that surrounded the packhouse Seth had the sense to calm himself and stop. The two men transformed and clothed themselves before walking forward, talking about how they couldn’t believe the dog had gotten away as they walked towards the packhouse. Arys had linked Missy about the good news and asked her to meet with them in Seth’s office to talk about their next steps.

As Seth and Arys approached the office they saw Missy standing and waiting, the woman looked like she could hardly contain her excitement. Like a coke bottle that has been shaken one too many times, ready to explode at the slightest release of pressure. Arys chuckled and threw an arm around the shoulders of his mate, ushering her inside the office, and as soon as the door closed Missy exclaimed “YOU FOUND HER?! Is she nice?! Is she pretty?! Is she powerful?! Did she hurt you guys?! What happened!!! TELL MEEEE!!” 

Seth laughed as he relaxed in his chair and let out a sigh of relief before explaining himself “yeah! I mean yes, yes, and yes! Well no she didn’t attack us or anything like that and we didn’t really get to see exactly how powerful she is but.. She’s wonderful, her magick is warm and full of the colors of life. She even awakened some magick in me I think, well according to Regal she has.” Missy let out an excited squeal before asking “SOOO! When do we meet her?!” Seth and Arys chuckled and both shrugged their shoulders. 

Missy looked at the two in bewilderment, especially Seth since he had failed to bring her home with him. “And might I ask why she isn’t here NOW with us as Luna?!” her hands balled up into fists on her hips, standing slightly leaned forward, Seth leaned forward over his desk and towards Missy. His eyes were soft and compassionate as he explained calmly “she has other matters to take care of first. Missy, I understand where you’re coming from but I need you to understand, this isn’t an Omega from a foreign pack. I couldn’t just throw her over my shoulder and bring her here like other Alpha’s can, she has responsibilities. She has her people to lead and take care of. We need to do this delicately or risk throwing the fragile peace we have into chaos.” 

Missy was still in her mood and pressed more “ok, yeah, I get that but she couldn’t take a day off or something? We’re her people too now, she’s our Luna! We need her! You told her that right?!” Missy started to grow anxious, fear steeping into her heart. Fear that the misconceptions they’ve had about witches were true, and that their new Luna would put them second. Arys took hold of Missy and lead her to his lap, he cradled his mate as he explained “Missy, could Seth have taken a day off to go over to the Coven House with her? Could Seth have just dropped everything and run off with his mate? Sure WE get it, but imagine the amount of work that would have piled up! Besides she mentioned something about a birthing ritual tonight, and it sounded really important.. Be patient my dear, I know you’re not good at that but please be patient..” 

When Arys had mentioned the birthing ritual, something stirred within Seth. It was Regal, and he was feeling very restless. Seth remembered what he had said about it, that it was a dangerous type of ritual, but Seth did not feel like they had cause for concern. He was sure that his mate could handle it, she was powerful right? The next Supreme even! Still Regal was not at ease, Seth tried to reason with him but it was to no avail. Regal wanted to go. Seth sighed heavily, his leg bouncing with agitation. “Bro, you good?” Asked a concerned Arys, Seth pinched the bridge of his nose as he said “Regal wants me to sneak on to the witch's land and be there for Celeste tonight..” 

Missy perked up, Arys narrowed his eyes, Seth continued to explain “Regal once told me that the birthing ritual is a terrifying and dangerous one, he’s worried. He says its been a long time since he’s seen one, and if so many things have changed since his day he’s anxious that that ritual has changed too. He also JUST bothered to tell me that we wolves are supposed to be part of it, another reason he wants to go..” Missy instantly jumped up and nodded a few times before excitedly saying “then it’s settled! We go!” Arys turned to his mate and exclaimed “are you crazy woman?! Breach the treaty like that?! We weren’t invited! Celeste told Seth to wait for her raven to set up a meeting, that’s what we do!” 

Missy shook her head and folded her arms over her chest “we need to support our Luna! If she’s ever going to trust us and feel welcomed she needs to know she has our support! Besides, if we’re meant to be there then we are meant to be there. We’d only be helping them.” Arys was now the one pinching the bridge of his nose “Miss, I know your hearts in a good place and I know you’re mad I’ve gotten to meet her and you haven’t but they haven’t asked for our help. That’s the part that can screw this all up for Seth and Celeste, they’ve probably found a way to do this ritual with out us. I mean they’ve had to right? I know our presence could do nothing but help, but sometimes unwanted help is worse than no help at all..” 

Arys then approached his mate and caressed her cheek, hoping she would understand and calm down. Though Arys’ attempts were for not, as Seth stood up and proclaimed “we are going. We will not be seen, will not be heard, nor will we intervene, but we will go. Regal is badgering me enough, and is taking Missy’s side. So we compromise. Missy gets to see Celeste, Regal gets to see what’s become of this ritual, we get to help in the smallest way we can by just being there, but that’s it. Understand Missy?” Seth looked at the she-wolf, who again could hardly contain herself as she cheered “yes! Absolutely I agree! Good choice Alpha!” then turned and gave her mate a cheeky grin before bouncing off to get ready for their secret mission.

Arys turned to Seth with a look of amused defeat “you need to stop doing that, letting her win like that. I’ll never win back my bedroom at this rate..” Which made Seth chuckle lightheartedly before he commented “I thought that’s how you liked it” Arys laughed and nodded saying “yeeeeeah! After dealing with you all day, it is nice to let her take control. I get to relax while she does her thing, take care of affairs and all that. Haha! You’ll get it soon enough though, Celeste seems like the large and in charge type after all.” The men shared a laugh. When was the last time they had done this? Sat and only talked about girls? Must have been when they were teenagers when they were carefree and bound by nothing but their instincts. Though now times were different, now they both had partners. Now they both had responsibilities beyond themselves, now they were men and everything was changing. 

Arys and Seth parted ways after they spent a few more minutes, Arys giving Seth advice about mated life and some things to expect. They all needed to prepare if they were going to do this right. Arys and Missy went out for a run and to warm up their muscles, prepared for anything was Seth’s motto after all. 

A few hours later Seth, Arys, and Missy all set out towards the witch's land. The sun was hanging low in the sky, bright shades of yellow and crimson decorated the heavens above. They moved the first part of the way in their wolf forms, getting there as quickly as possible, though as they moved closer and closer to the Coven House they transformed into their human forms again. They clothed themselves with black clothes and marched forwards, deciding to stick to the shadows. As they approached they could feel the faint pulsating waves of heat coming from the barriers that guarded them, Seth knew they were only on the outskirts of their village but he wouldn’t dare push past it. He had no idea what it would do if they did. 

Seth signaled Arys and Missy to follow him as they continued to circle around. He couldn’t smell Celeste, in fact, he couldn’t smell anything past the barrier, but their bond guided him to a position that allowed his enhanced eyesight to see her. Seth heard Missy gasp as she laid eyes on her as well, Missy linked them and said “she’s... She’s so… elegant..” Seth couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride rise in his chest as he agreed with Missy wholeheartedly. 

Celeste stood in the center of a circle made of medium-sized stones, she stood tall and proud dressed in a simple white silk slip dress. Her hair was adorned with star-like jewels mixed with flowers, topped with a small tiara that had an upturned crescent moon at its center. A glorious and giant bonfire blazed behind her, and with the rising moon, they illuminated every star and jewel that lay tucked away in her wild curls. Celeste was facing the Coven House, her eyes closed as if she were waiting for something, but Seth could feel a rage bubbling within him and it wasn’t his own anger. He decided to check in with his wolf, but the only response he got from Regal was an image from his days. 

The image was similar to the sight in front of them, it had the blazing fire and stone circle, but there were far more people involved in the image Regal shared. In fact in the stone circle were ten witches holding hands and on the outside a circle of twenty or so werewolves in their human forms standing guard. As opposed to the five guardians that stood watch. Seth agreed, he would have preferred more security for his Luna but he couldn’t understand why Regal was so angry. “Just watch boy.. And understand why we once held those positions... Watch and understand why I’m angry of this great division that chased us away from our sacred duty…” 

Seth was pulled back to reality by the blood-curdling screams of a woman, then Celeste opened her pink eyes now glowing as fiercely as the fire behind her. “LOWER THE BARRIERS!” Celeste commanded and just like that the pulsating heat subsided, the barriers were dematerialized and Seth could smell her lovely lavender scent. He signaled his small party to move forward, he wanted to get as close as possible to see the majesty of his mate. “That command was scary close to your Alpha command… I felt it.. My wolf felt it..” Missy linked them and commented. It was true, both Seth and Arys nodded in agreement as they situated themselves behind some bushes where they stayed put and watched. 

Celeste raised her arms as the barriers came down, and as they reached their peak the realization hit Seth like a ton of bricks. The guardians were forced to their knees, he could see the strain on their faces as they were trying to stand but all in vain. Their deities had come and demanded submission. They heard one guardian cry out “I’m sorry Prime Celeste! I can’t stand!” there was shame in his voice, but Seth noticed that he and his party were practically unaffected. There was certainly a heaviness in the air, and it was slightly hard to breathe but he could stand if he wanted to. Regal spoke to all three this time as he linked to Arys and Missy “This is our sacred duty, to stand guard as a new life is brought into this world… To protect those who are deemed worthy by the divine to be blessed with pure magick… What you three are feeling now is the divine presence of The Moon Goddess, her spirit is here to battle for the chance to bless this child.. WE PROTECT THEM WHEN THEY CANNOT PROTECT THEMSELVES!” He roared. 

Seth, Arys, and Missy all gulped down the lump that had formed in their throats. They looked at each other and confirmed they all felt a heavy guilt settle amongst themselves, the witches had to leave themselves completely defenseless every time someone wanted to have a child. How many people had to be told they would not be allowed to start a family because of this fact? The pressure was growing too, their wolf ears picked up on the foundation of the Coven House cracking and shifting. Seth grew grim and angry himself, his pride as Alpha now had been hurt. He was about to stand and take his place by his mate when she proclaimed.

“DO NOT STAND! YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE DIVINE, SHOW YOUR RESPECT! MY PEOPLE PLACE YOUR FAITH IN ME! LEND ME YOUR STRENGTH, LEND ME YOUR MAGICK, AND I WILL KEEP YOU SAFE! I AM YOUR NEW SUPREME AND I! WILL! NOT! FALTER!” Suddenly all the guardians present started to shout and cheer as Celeste started to sway, her arms still outstretched as the fire behind her leaped from the burning wood to her. Seth noticed that Celeste was having a hard time standing herself but he also saw the steely resolve on her face as she started her dance with the flames. 

Celeste spun in circles, making large swooping movements with her whole body. Moving like a contemporary ballerina, her arms windmilling as her calculated footsteps brought her twirling around the inside of the stone circle. Her body moved like water, flowing freely in grand elegant movements. This time there was no chanting, no magick words in Latin, only movement as she danced with and calmed the fire so she could bend it to her will. As she moved the fire became a singular line that lowered and wrapped itself around the stones on the ground, making them all catch fire. Each stone burned with its own color, making a rainbow of life ignite around her, Celeste never stopped moving for a single moment as she continued her dangerous dance with the fire. 

Soon all the differently colored fire joined in on the dance as well, Celeste commanded all at that moment. He noticed that Celeste’s movements were starting to slow down, getting more strained but every time she seemed like she was going to falter the woman giving birth would scream bloody murder. The look of resolve would come back to Celeste’s face and her body strengthened itself. Regal whispered in his mind to do his part, open the bond and lend her his power which he happily did. 

Celeste was feeling exhausted already, the fire was scorching hot and she could feel the seams of her dress getting slightly crispy. She was thirsty and the pressure was growing and compounding itself on top of her as she contained the battle of the divine within the stone circle, Zena was right this child was going to inherit multiple blessings. She knew this as it was so different from every other birthing ritual she had performed, it wasn’t only a battle of which would bless the child but which would be the dominant blessing. It was practically unbearable, she couldn’t breathe anymore, but each scream from Olivia reminded her why she was bearing this burden and pain. If she failed, the mother and babe would die under the same intense pressure. 

Celeste wasn’t going to let her people down, they had named her a magickal prodigy after all. They had all placed their strength and faith in her, she could not let them down. She wasn’t going to let anyone die, not on a night that was meant for celebration. Their coven would grow one more witch stronger, their whole people would be one witch stronger. Though even Celeste had her physical and Magickal limits, regardless if they were grander than any other they were still there, and she was reaching them quickly. How long had she been doing this dance? How much longer would it continue on? To her, it had felt already like an eternity. The ground beneath her feet was starting to c***k, she was starting to lose her footing. After a labored breath she felt something inside her open up and bloom like a rose, she did not know where this came from or who was helping her but she knew it was friendly. 

Celeste welcomed this newfound strength, she stood taller, her legs felt stronger, her body was in control again. “Seth, if this is you.. Thank you..” She said through what felt like an open bond, she was going to be able to finish this ritual thanks to this. So she started a new, swinging, swooping, and twirling about the circle. This time she moved with the flames, letting them come and support her as well. It was almost over, Celeste could feel one divine giving up after another. First Maiden Earth dropped her claim to the child completely, Celeste felt that spirit leave lightening the load. Then Mother Moon had gone docile, the Celestial Bodies and Father Sun were still competing but through her affiliation, she could feel Father Sun waiver. 

Three hours had passed since Celeste had begun the ritual, then Celeste heard a wonderful phrase “CELESTE! THE BABE HAS ARRIVED!” that was her signal to bring the ordeal to a close. She could see the crying newborn being brought towards her, Celeste took a steady stance in the middle of the circle and proclaimed “MOTHER MOON, FATHER SUN, CELESTIAL BODIES! I AM THY HUMBLE SERVANT! COME FORTH THROUGH ME AND BLESS THIS CHILD AS YOU HAVE ALL WON THE RIGHT TO!” and all at once the spirits rushed through into her body. Her soul was pushed to the back of herself, the flames dissipated completely as she felt her body move forward. Then she felt her hand touch the chest of the baby and heard not only her voice but three others say “Blessed Be child of the night, we bless you with the gifts of the sun, moon, and stars. As such you will be known as Maristela!” 

As soon as the mark of witches appeared where her hand once was the spirits left her body, and everything that was cracking had settled. Zena took the child and rushed back inside to Olivia to give the good news, Celeste’s body went limp as she fell to the ground where she once danced. Then she heard two separate people shouting, one a female voice she had never heard before “NOW! TAKE THEM!” but then another voice she knew and loved was calling her name. As her eyes closed slowly she saw a masked figure lunging towards her, but she also saw Seth’s beautiful white wolf jump in front of her. There was something different about it this time, but her eyes gave way to her fatigue before she could distinguish exactly what.