Of Thorns and Glamour

Your Radiance

I was taught the ritual, and I disguised myself as Celena, using the same silver plate hidden away in her tent. She took form of a mortal with another one and disappeared into the night.

"You didn't have to do that." Inchiki seemed a little more sober now, eating herbs that Celena fed him to combat the Shimmer in his body. I nibbled on some too, even though she didn't give me any. "She probably just wanted to have sex-" I interrupt him again with a loud cough. "Are you jealous?"

I direct my eyes on him, about to tell him no, but he looks away and I follow his movements. "Good luck, I'll meet you here when you're done."

He leaves the tent as well and soon I am greeted by Adair and some priestesses. They tell me it's time to start the ceremony and they dress me in a even more revealing garb. It drapes over my voluptuous breasts, hiding almost nothing for the imagination, and comes down to a belt and draping between my legs on my front and back.

I wear a crown of silver leaves and lit candles, and my fingers don rings with bright jewels that shine like stars. I wore slippers that ended in points that turned up, and a chain link crosses my chest and back to a cape that loosely drapes behind me. I try to remember everything she says, and follow them outside.

The moons shone above us, "Gather here, gather here." A priestess calls out, "Please gather for the joining."

The crowd moves in, mostly naked or partially naked bodies surround us. I look down, but notice we move again. I take my spot in a circle of silver jewelry, swords, coin, etc. anything that was remotely silver. I look at the circle in front of me, made of arrows, animal skins, bones, antlers and furs. I watch as the naga who had dressed me earlier comes out now dawning priestesses robes is followed by a very tall woman. Her outfit is sensual but her body was that of a fighter, reminding me of the goddess I danced with less that a fortnight ago. She had antlers make a crown on her head, also covered in brightly lit candles. Her expression was emotionless and I watched her take her steps to the circle as she had probably done a thousand times before.

She looks at me for a moment, almost squints, but I keep my expression schooled. "You look radiant." She says casual and I only nod as a response. "Still not speaking to me I see." Her voice lowered this time with spite in it, but when I look into her forest green eyes she seems defeated. "Then let's get this over with."

The moons overlap, Artemis's hiding behind the other, "And the huntress hinds in the foliage before making her strike on the naive doe." I hear the priests say and almost scoff at their tale. "Till the doe turned to her, and they fell in love as she realized it was not a doe but the moon herself." Artemis puts out a hand, and I take it. "To be with the moon, one must become a moon, so Celena gave a piece of her to make Artemis a goddess." I remember the spell, wondering if that was how Celena did most of her majick.

We join together as Artemis takes our hands to the sky, the moon between ours and she leans down to kiss me. I almost step back, but her free hand wraps around my lower back to lift me to her and kiss me passionately. I freeze, but I don't fight back to not reveal my trick. I feel guilty to take away this moment, but Celena was not interested in her anyway. The crowd cheers and the priest finish the ceremony as Artemis lets me down. I breath finally after being crushed in her embrace and I almost smile wildly. I didn't feel any ill will towards her, and it wasn't a half bad kiss. I almost hoped Inchiki saw me, only to get back at him for Celena kissing him earlier. I look around, but Artemis caresses my cheek with the back of her hand. "Let's talk, we don't have to do anything, let's just talk." I look up and the guilt weighted down on me immensely. I couldn't talk for Celena, but I didn't know how to tell her otherwise. "I know I haven't given you the freedom, but I worry if the gods see us divided they'll swoop in like vultures."