Of Feathers and Fire - Book 2

Chapter21

Willow POV

I walked up the mountain, it was not pleasant on my feet but as I reached the first little cave I realised the sun was staring to set. I sighed and got into the cave, the sunset was beautiful and the sky painted the pastel colours of pink and red. I wrapped my arms around myself for at least some comfort to feel the scars below my shoulder blades. I ran my finger up and down my scar, I cannot believe he did that.

I sighed audibly and prayed for some relief from the mountain. It was like the mountain heard me and I looked down, my feet being covered in little strings of bright blue and a searing white, it made its way up my legs, then body and then over my face.

I heard whispers, so soft but I swear I heard them. The last thing I heard was he's coming and then silence. The strings where gone but there was something brewing beneath my skin then the pain hit me. It hit me like a freight train and I screamed. The scream tore through my very being and I started to claw at my flesh

''stop'' I screamed into thin air as another scream tore through me

Images of that prison flashed through my mind like a horror movie, the pain, the torture, the loneliness and then the worste pain of all shot through my body, the image and pain and torture was nothing compared to how my wings were taken.

I opened my eyes, I let out a shaky breath I didn't know I was holding in and looked down at my hands, they were claws and they were covered in blood. My arms were covered in self-inflicted cuts and marks.

The pain subsided and I had a feeling of tranquillity wash over me

''Goddess'' I called out ''help me'' and then it was black from then on. I closed my eyes and I let the peace wash over me.

I was dead, this was how it ended, and where it call began.

Griffen POV

I raced up the mountain and it was dark, I heard her screams. They were enough to halt my advances up the mountain and I had to cover my ears. Her screams pierced my soul. She was in pain, true pain and her phoenix was releasing all the anguish and pain that she was holding onto. This mountain is the mountain of the Goddess of all beasts. She rarely answers anyone and by the sound of those screams and the feeling the mountain gave off beneath my feet, she was being healed from the inside out.

The Goddess isn't forgiving to those to hurt us or hunt us, she isn't kind to us whom hurt our own or any other living creature, no matter the situation. I was in for a world of hurt if I do not redeem myself from all the wrong. No one knows the Goddess nor her power as she became a legend, a fairy-tale to keep us in line but I know she is real, I have felt her presence.

I pushed forward and then I saw her, in a cave, sitting there. Her eyes were closed and her breathing shallow. Was I too late?

I sat down beside her and sighed as I put my head in my hands. I felt my beast stir within me, worried and furious. She didn't deserve any of this. Not even I deserve her company but at night this mountain can be unforgiving to those whom don't remain out of sight.

I looked over her and saw the claw marks and blood all over her arms and legs as well as her back. I touched her skin and it was cold, icy in fact, I was surprised to see that she wasn't blue. This made me worry, did she ask the Goddess? Does she even know about her? I got up and decided to look around the cave, make sure that it is safe and to see how deep it went.

I walked and walked and eventually reached the end, it was large and deep enough for a large crowd and it got warmer the closer to the back you got. This was a strange place indeed. The hairs on the back of my neck stood straight, my heart started racing and my beast cowered inside me

''Kneel'' a whisper of a voice stated

I kneeled without thinking and I knew then, what was behind me, it was her, the Goddess

''Griffen'' she stated and placed a hand on my shoulder ''what have you done'''

A stray tear fled from my eye, I knew what she was asking of me, my past, my present and what I want for the future.

''I'm sorry'' I said in a low tone

''Sorry isn't going to bring them back Griffen'' she gritted ''all those innocent ones, all the bad ones and all the ones that trusted you''

'''The bad ones were no good in my eyes'' I spat ''they deserved their fate''

''I would have granted their fate not you'' she roared ''you are not the judge, nor the jury and not the executioner, you only played one''

''I had no choice'' I whispered

''Everyone has a choice my dear one and each choice has its own set of events that follow'' she stated ''you followed orders of a coward whom doesn't know any better than what he has been taught, a tainted soul if you will''

I didn't look up, I knew my death was near and I didn't even get to hold Willow like I wanted to, I failed.

''Willow'' she muttered ''you want to save her don't you?''

I nodded

''She is your true mate and I am so happy that that mark was removed'' she hissed

''I would like your forgiveness'' I stated suddenly ''I would like to repent for my sins and I would like a punishment fitting my crimes''

I felt the air around me stiffen and then pain, pain flooded my chest. My bones started to break and blood poured from me. My eyes, my nose, my ears and my arms.

''You will suffer their pain'' she commanded ''and it will not be quick''

I nodded

''Only then I will grant you freedom from your crimes'' she said

And without a sound from her, without a gust of wind, I blacked out.