Emily sat on the plush purple carpet in her room, the soft fibres cushioning her as she positioned herself in front of a small altar. The altar was decorated with a vibrant line-up of candles in different colours, their flames flickering gently, letting out their scent. Surrounding the candles were herbs and freshly picked flowers, carefully arranged inside a clear glass jug. In the centre of the altar lay a small portrait of the various moon phases.
The room was filled with a calming scent, a mixture of the fragrances from the candles, creating a cool and relaxing atmosphere. Emily took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and inhaled slowly She kept her arms by her sides, focusing on clearing her mind.
Emily opened her eyes slowly, sensing a change in her surroundings. As her vision cleared, she found herself staring at a shadowy figure standing before her, surrounded by an endless expanse of white.
Confused but calm, Emily rose to her feet and faced the figure. "Hello. Is there something you need to tell me?" she asked, her voice steady.
The shadowy figure remained still, offering no response to her question.
Emily hummed softly at its silence, a thought crossing her mind 'Did I do this right?'
"Can you, in some way, reach Hecate? I need to speak to her," Emily asked, her voice steady despite her growing frustration.
The figure's form flickered slightly, and its voice, though eerie, conveyed a sense of finality. "You cannot speak to Hecate now," it said, the words echoing in the empty surroundings.
Emily sighed at the response, her mind racing as she considered her next move. "I need help. Ronan said that Hecate would agree to his plan, and I want to make sure—"
She was cut off by the figure's abrupt interruption. "I am here to provide guidance and help in your times of need. I offer insights, not direct contact with Hecate."
Emily's frustration was evident as she listened. "But you run away from my voice. You are going through a transformation, but you are scared of the unknown," the figure said, its voice shifting to a deeper, masculine tone. "This is your time to seek wisdom. Don't tremble; listen to the voices and embrace it."
Emily softened at the words, taking a deep breath as she absorbed the advice. She nodded in understanding.
"We'll see you soon," the figure said, its voice changing once more to something familiar, causing Emily to furrow her brow in confusion.
As the scene around her began to fade, Emily prepared to return to the normal world, feeling both reassured and unsettled by the encounter.
✨🌙✨
Emily opened her eyes, finding herself once more in front of the altar. The candles were extinguished, their wax having dripped down the sides. The room felt cold as she let out a deep breath.
"Welcome back,"
Emily turned to the voice and saw Trevon sitting on her bed, a soft smile on his face.
"When did you enter?" Emily asked, her curiosity piqued.
"When you were in… whatever you were," Trevon replied. "I entered when I noticed you weren't responding."
Emily stood up from the floor and pulled out a chair to sit in front of Trevon. "Okay, do you need something?" she asked.
"No," Trevon answered. "How was your altar? It seems like it worked."
Emily hesitated before replying, "It was fine. The voices didn't have anything important to say, just... saying hello."
Trevon furrowed his brows, shrugging at her response. "Well, at least you know how to communicate with them."
Emily looked puzzled. "But it's not a Goddess. Communicating with Hecate seems to be difficult."
Trevon nodded slightly. "That's why the new moon is a perfect opportunity. With your aura and the moon's energy, you'll have a better chance of reaching her."
"So you can read auras," Emily muttered to herself, catching Trevon's attention.
"Yes," Trevon confirmed.
Emily's curiosity got the better of her. "So, you're from the west? Potion-making or nature-based powers, which ones do you have?"
"Those two are the most common for us," Trevon replied with a grin. "But I have neither. I can make anything or anyone go up." He demonstrated by casually lifting a finger, causing the pillows on the bed to rise into the air, a yellow glow emanating from his fingertips.
"Wow," Emily said, clearly impressed by the display. "East and West powers are always impressive."
Trevon dropped the pillows and tilted his head at her comments. "I've always admired the North and South powers. They're not destructive; they're peaceful and spiritual. Unlike ours, which often cause damage to the environment or ourselves."
His face grew sombre as he spoke honestly about the drawbacks of his powers.
"I think Hecate created a perfect balance," Emily assured. "Powers of the earth and powers of the spirits—each with their advantages and disadvantages."
"We need each other," Emily added, her smile genuine.
Trevon's eyes softened at her words, meeting hers with a look that made Emily feel a bit awkward.
"How the hell did Lucas marry you?" Trevon said, his tone dripping with distaste. "Are you aware that your husband lacks any smart qualities? He's reckless, playful, and selfish."
Emily's brows furrowed in anger. "You've used every opportunity to insult him. Lucas is none of those things. He's caring, smart, selfless, and a great leader."
Trevon scoffed at her words, his lips curling in disdain. "Leader of your little family."
Emily started to respond but paused, realizing she shouldn't reveal Lucas's position in the village.
She sighed in defeat, her face scrunching up in annoyance as she glared at Trevon.
"Ah, I win," Trevon said casually, seemingly unbothered by the confrontation.
"Whatever," Emily said dismissively, clearly still upset by the conversation.
"Well, I should get to the private quarters," Trevon said, standing up from the bed.
"Private quarters?" Emily asked, puzzled. "I've only been in five locations in this huge castle. Why are there private quarters I haven't seen?"
"It's not for you to be there," Trevon shrugged as he walked towards the door. "But I guess you should see more places in the castle."
"I should," Emily agreed, still curious about the areas she hadn't yet explored.
Trevon opened the door and met Emily's gaze. "Let's go to the courtyard then."
Emily's eyes widened with excitement as she stood up from her seat. "Good thing I'm dressed."
Trevon smiled, watching her adjust the altar and tidy the desk. His eyes lingered on her for a moment, his gaze softening as he admired the way her dress trailed behind her.
"Okay, let's go," Emily said, turning to face him. Trevon quickly averted his eyes, his cheeks slightly flushed.
"Sure," Trevon replied, mentally scolding himself for letting his gaze wander.
✨🌙✨
Emily and Trevon arrived at the castle courtyard, which spread out before them in all its glory. The courtyard was filled, with bright flowers, towering trees, and lush green grass that had been meticulously tended to. In the centre stood a weathered stone fountain, its surface cracked.
Butterflies danced through the air, and various insects buzzed about, adding more life to the space. The benches and chairs scattered throughout provided inviting, comfortable spots for visitors to sit and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
Emily's eyes widened as she took in the scene, her gaze softening as the vibrant colours, fragrant scents, and magical scene surrounding her.
"I've been stuck in this castle for too long," Emily muttered as she walked over to one of the benches, with Trevon following closely behind her.
"This castle is huge," Emily remarked with a hint of frustration. "Is there anywhere else I don't know about?" She glanced up at Trevon, who remained standing beside the bench.
"We have the ballroom, throne room, council chambers, training grounds—" Trevon began listing, but Emily quickly cut him off.
"Do you have a map? It must be difficult to find those places," Emily asked eagerly, her mind already working on how a map could help her find a way out of the castle.
"We do," Trevon replied, somewhat cautiously. "But it's kept in the Private Quarters."
"Can I have it?" Emily asked, trying to hide the urgency in her voice. "I don't want to get lost in this castle someday."
"You're not allowed to have it," Trevon said, his brow furrowing slightly. "The maids or I are here to lead you wherever you need to go."
Emily sighed at his response, masking her disappointment as best she could. Her thoughts raced to the Private Quarters; she was certain that a map there could be her key to escaping the castle.
"Well, I'd like to see these private quarters. They sound fancy," Emily said casually, emphasizing the word "fancy" in an attempt to pique his interest.
"Guests aren't allowed in there," Trevon replied firmly. "Only under specific circumstances. I'm sorry."
Emily sighed again, this time in defeat, as she leaned back on the bench, trying to take in the peaceful scene of the courtyard. Her mind, however, was deep in thought. She couldn't stop thinking about how to get her hands on that map. She knew she couldn't aimlessly wander around the castle looking for an escape without knowing its layout.
'I need to create a distraction,' Emily thought to herself, considering the possibilities. She just had to wait for the perfect moment to make her move. For now, she and Trevon sat quietly, watching the courtyard in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.