Mage Magic

Excerpt From: Mage Magic

Serena was in love. She had been from the moment she knew her child existed. Now, with the slight rise in her belly making her condition more noticeable, she was grateful for the long robes her station required. And yet she had never felt less worthy of being a priestess. She had fallen for the smooth words of a man and given him the life-changing gift of her virginity. He had used that gift to somehow pull a small portion of her power that had been bestowed from the goddess. Serena still didn’t know how he’d achieved that.

She did know that once she had fancied herself in love with him, and she had believed he was in love with her as well. But then she’d come across him with her friend, Lydia, and the steamy scene her gaze had taken in proved that he felt nothing for her. A few months later she’d discovered she was pregnant with Wilhelm’s child and knew that she must make plans to leave the castle and her friend, Queen Ona, before anyone else became aware. It was acceptable for a priestess to bring new life into the world, but not as an unmated woman.

She brushed her hands softly over the slight bulge of her growing child as she stood on the terrace of the Queen’s Temple and planned her journey to the Temple of the Goddess. Only by leaving could she ensure that her child would be safe. Serena could already feel the immense strength her nurturing babe held. This child would have more power than any priestess had ever known. The goddess had appeared to Serena in a vision and told her that she must journey by the next full moon, leaving her friends and the only home she’d ever known behind. And the moon would be full this night.

“Priestess.” Queen Ona’s voice pulled her from her thoughts as her friend joined her on the terrace. Ona was like a sister to her. They had been close since they were mere children and it broke Serena’s heart to realise she would never glance upon Ona’s face again.

“My Queen,” she said and gave a bow of her head in deference to the title her friend held. When she looked up and met Ona’s eyes, she saw the glisten of unshed tears there. “What is it? What has happened?”

“Everything changes this night,” Ona said as Serena grasped her hands and held tight. Rarely did they use the designations they were entitled to when alone. Here they were friends, sisters, and the Priestess and Queen just didn’t exist.

“What changes?” Serena asked and gasped when Ona slipped one of her hands down to cradle the bulge of Serena’s belly. “How did you know?”

“There is much I have been shown,” Ona answered. “And there is little time to see it all done.”

“What have you seen? What is it that comes our way?” Serena asked.

“The goddess has bestowed the gift of foresight on me for this event,” Ona said. “I know that with the dawn of tonight’s full moon you will begin your journey to her temple.”

Serena nodded, lost for words. Why would the goddess share this wisdom with another? Then she shook her head at the touch of jealousy and focused on speaking with Ona. Her friend was good and pure, and the queen they all loved and respected. Why not share it with her?

“Yes, I will travel at the first touch of the moon in the sky,” Serena told her.

“Yet, there is one more task I must ask of you before you leave,” Ona beseeched her. “One thing that you must do to ensure all is set for the future.”

“What is it?” Serena asked. “I will do whatever the goddess has bid you to ask of me.”

“I know you will, sister,” Ona said and hugged Serena close.

They stood that way for a long moment, just holding onto each other, both seeking and giving comfort to one another. Finally Ona pulled back and led Serena back into the heart of the Queen’s Temple. She stopped in front of the golden chest and, taking a chain from her neck, she bent to open it, revealing the Staff of Light.

It glowed, a mixture of the gold and pure white that formed it.

“What are you doing, Ona?” Serena gasped.

Never was the Staff to be removed from the protective case. If it fell into the wrong hands there was no limit to the destruction that could be caused.

“You must take this with you to the Temple of the Goddess,” Ona said. “It is the only thing you will carry on your journey. It will hide you so that no one will see you as you travel. It will protect you from the elements and see you safely to your destination. Once you reach the Temple you will be met by the keepers. One will show you another container much like this one that will be the new home for the Staff.”

“I don’t understand,” Serena said. “Is it no longer safe within these walls?”

“No,” Ona answered. “There is one that hunts for it even now. It must not fall into his hands.”