Hela blinked her eyes open slowly, struggling to adjust to the light glaring down at her. She looked to the sky, where ivory clouds floated overhead, into the distance where gorgeous mountains covered in snowy peaks shone, into the glittering lake's surface that rippled quietly beside her. She spread her toes out sinking her claws into the soft dirt beneath her and sniffed at the dewy grass that tickled her belly.
'Where am I?' The landscape was beautiful but the dark feeling lingering in her heart held her attention. She did not remember how she had gotten here or why she was unconscious. The last thing she remembered was arguing with her mother.
But the longer she thought about it, the clearer it became.
Hela thought back and remembered her beloved Star, Essetir and their little twins she had growing her belly. She had gone to tell her mother the news, knowing she would be disappointed because she said Hela still had a long way to go in learning the craft but believed that her mother's happiness over the news would overcome her disappointments.
She was wrong.
"Do not worry, my child. 'Tis but a simple spell to rid yourself of... these burdens." Her mother said in a chilling tone.
"What...? No mother, they are not burdens and I do not wish to rid myself of them. I am going to marry Essetir and we will make a home of our own. And I know you wished for me to follow the path of Hekate but I am not sure she has called to me as she has you. I am going to perform the ritual of Patrons, to determination. I believe my place maybe with Artemis. Essetir supports me-"
"No! You will not be leaving me and you will not allow these...changes to move you. You will follow the path of Hekate. I forbid you from seeing this man again and I will cast the necessary spell. Go to your room. I will call you when I am ready for you."
"Mother-" I started softly.
"No!" She snapped. I knew there was no swaying her when she used that tone but I also knew I would not allow my mother to take my children and my love from me.
I went to my room and gathered what little I had into my knapsack, pulled on my winter cloak, and slipped out the window. The instant my feet hit the ground, the front door flew opened and smashed against the wall.
"Are you so determined to leave me that you would have children," She spits in a tone of disgust. "to escape me?"
"Stop making this about you, mother. I am not trying to escape you. Myself, the children, and Essetir would be happy to visit you once we are settled and you have calmed down."
"Calm down?! How dare you?! When you are betraying me, betraying your destiny! Fine. If you are so determined to leave, we will see if your determination to have these children and leave me for this man is strong enough to survive these trials." She pointed her finger at me and called out into the darkening night to summon the wrath of Hekate. Blue sparks shot in my direction and I fell to the ground, I could feel my body changing and the last thing I heard before my world went dark was my mother saying, "Soon enough you shall learn your lesson and return to me."
11/21/2020
Moonkissed Arizona Mountains
Lunar Detritus
Lunar Barn Owl