The Rise of Venus

Delphi Pridesong

Song: Water Tribe Music and Ambience by Ambient Worlds and Samuel Kim

We cremated Sky the night of the wedding as was the way of our culture. Reign scattered her ashes somewhere only he knew of and time crawled on slowly from there.

Flora lost her spark, content with following orders numbly as they were dolled out. Pride surrendered himself to the rigorous teachings of the Witches and Warlocks. Reign was often away with Beta Ryan, throwing himself into Pack life to forget Sky's absence.

Leo and I found solace and hope in each other's presence. He was my rock. Holding me close whenever I woke up from nightmares of haunting green eyes and silver whips. Sometimes I heard Rowena's voice on the winds and its weaselly whispers. Other times my heart gave out when I caught sight of Pride's bright eyes whenever he practiced magick.

Rowena was more than just a nightmare for me.

She was my ghost.

I knew, somehow I knew, she was always going to live on in the back of my mind. With her stinging whips and cutting glares, her presence remained stronger than ever.

I would never be rid of her. Everything she'd done to me, my family, and my friends ensured that. Rowena drew no breath but her influence was still here.

History would remember her as a monster and then wash their hands clean of her. Others, like Flora and I, didn't have that luxury.

Rowena Pridesong was a scar that we'd never be rid of.

The warm summer air washed over my bare legs and I basked in the gentle breeze. In this dream there was no more Rowena and abuse. Here, at the cliff where my ancestors married all those years ago, there was Old Spice and lavender. There were Leo's lost hoodies that weren't burnt to a crisp. There was even his journal, which had been lost in the fire as well.

My fingers skimmed the worn out leather, recalling memories that'd long past. I ached within, for I never got the chance to finish it. I never got to admire Leo's artwork as he grew older and came to terms with Ava's death. I never got to see the sketches he made of his four adopted siblings. I never got to see how he coped with his parents never coming back to his Pack.

What hurt the most was that now I'd never know of his new paintings and sketches that he added since meeting me. Far too many times had I caught him staring at me while drawing with pastels of blue and tracing lines of silver. I knew he'd been drawing me. Hoped for it too.

But now, all of those memories were gone. All of the days spent lounging around and adoring his open heart were gone.

A piece of him that was meant to be ours to share was gone.

And it broke my heart to remember that.

Placing the journal within the thick grass, I walked towards the edge of the cliff and peered below. The Delaware surroundings were brighter now. Brighter than I'd ever seen them before. It was like the scenery was alive with its vibrant colors and gentle atmosphere.

The sky was clear and showed no signs of dusty clouds or thunder. The air was sweet with Leo's scent and the waves were peaceful as they crashed upon the shore. Rolling waters of aesthetic hues danced flashing colors of crystal clear blue. Even the jagged rocks of obsidian appeared less dangerous surrounded by the softening landscape.

"Hello?" I called out but there was no reply this time either. I turned in circles, waiting for Alpha or Luna to appear but neither of them did. I didn't understand. Whenever I dreamed of this place there was always someone else here with me. Being alone made no sense.