Chapter 2 : Parting

Realm of the Gods 

"You promised me! Where is she, where is my Mate?" Richard demanded as he ran his hands through his dusty blonde hair. He was incredibly frustrated and frankly pissed off. He had done what they wanted and set up the starlight barrier stones. He'd waited over two thousand years for the dam Gods of Light to keep their promise and return his Mate!

Richard hated being in the Gods’ of Light Court. It was too bright and airy. Richard looked around and saw there were various animal gods staring at him curiously. He much preferred being in the mortal world to look for his Moon Child, not here! But after 2,000 years of searching, he was desperate. Where was she? His thoughts were interrupted by a loud hiss from the God of the Cats. He was sitting at the feet of the Sun God. The God of the Cats was the size of a large dog with midnight black hair and bright green eyes. There was a velvet red cushion that had been carefully positioned near the God of Cats, but like his mortal children, he would sit where he dam well pleased.

 "Be careful how you address our King! ’ The God of cats hissed.

The Sun God sighed. "You know it's not that simple! My twin sister placed a very strong curse on my daughter. Don’t you think we want her back just as much as you? It was your fault she was cursed. She stripped off all of her protective runes because she wanted to be with you! " The Sun God yelled angrily, struggling to keep his cool.

Standing at over 8 feet tall, he was imposing even sitting on his throne. His ebony skin gave a subtle glow that helped to highlight his dark green eyes. The Sun God's muscles were well-toned and he was simply dressed in white trousers. On his bare chest sat the emblem of his office, a large gold Sun. Next to his gold throne was the war spear that he used to defeat his Chaos enemies.

The Sun God shut his eyes in pain at the thought of his daughter. It was difficult for the Gods to conceive, and losing their only child had been devastating. He felt a hand on his arm and turned to see his beautiful Moon Goddess. She stood at just over 6 feet with pale skin, rosy lips and midnight black hair. She had stunning purple eyes and a crescent moon mark in the middle of her forehead. 

"Please, my love, don’t be angry at Richard. She...she..would not want us to be!" The Moon Goddess whispered. Silver tears started to form in her beautiful purple eyes and the Sun God knew he could never deny her. His beautiful Mate had never been the same since their daughter's banishment.

Richard suddenly felt a large whack on the back of his head. He turned around and found the Crone Goddess looking at him. "You should know better than to piss off the Sun God, laddie!" The Crone Goddess said. The Crone Goddess's skin was wrinkled and leathery. Her body was bent over and she had a cane to support her or to whack unsuspecting victims. 

"Don’t you have some poor sod to torture?" Richard hissed, rubbing the back of his head.

"What, apart from you?" The Crone Goddess said this with a smile that showed her crocked and rotten teeth. Her blue eyes were full of mischief.

Richard was about to reply to the Crone Goddess when Alisanos, the Goddess of Forests, came in. Alisanos deeply bowed and said, "My Lord, please forgive the intrusion but I have news of the lost Princess!"

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14 years later...

Jamie POV

I raced through the forest, loving the feel of the wind in my hair. I loved nothing better than being in the forest with a bow on my  back. At 14, I was 5 foot 4 inches and I was still growing. My curly fire red hair was pulled back in a ponytail. My skin was tanned from being out in the sun and I felt my face was flushed with exercise. I had been out all day foraging for food. So far, all I have managed to find was some blackberries and mushrooms. I had also collected some willow bark to be made into a tea for when someone had a headache or monthlies. 

I had been lucky that I had been taught how to survive by my parents. I know how to fish, hunt, forage, how to farm and even have some cooking skills. I stopped as I saw a rabbit, and moved down low behind a bush. Carefully, I removed a bow and arrow from my back. I strung the bow and put the arrow on. Drawing the arrow back, I took aim.

 "Wait for it!" I told myself mentally, and the rabbit hopped closer. I released the arrow, but the rabbit dodged it and ran off into the forest. 

I rolled my eyes and sighed. That about summed up my day! I went to retrieve the arrow and checked the position of the Sun. It was time to head back, and I moved towards home. 

Something made me stop. I was on the boundary of my home and was normally greeted by my old hunting dog, Pickle. It struck me how quiet it was. There was no clucking of chickens or the lazy moos of our old dairy cow, Betty. I forced my legs to run towards my home and gasped when my home came into view.

There were bodies everywhere. I felt my heart race as I saw the bodies of my animals spread around my once peaceful home.

"MUM! DA! Where are you?" My voice screamed in desperation. 

It'll be fine, I keep telling myself, "You just have to find them!"

I raced into the kitchen and my throat let out a heart-piercing scream. My mother laid on the kitchen floor. She looked like she was sleeping, apart from the long cut across her throat. I raced across and collapsed on the floor. I laid my head on her chest and closed my eyes.

"Mummy, mummy, please wake up! I’ll be good, I promise. Just please say something! " I sobbed. "Please Moon Goddess, please give back my mummy. I promise I will do anything you want! " I prayed to the Moon Goddess like Ma had taught me, but there was no answer.

"Jamie!" A voice rasped.

I opened my eyes and turned my head. My Da was on the floor near the larder. His skin was deadly pale with a blue ring around his lips. I ran over and noticed that he was bleeding from a deep cut in his chest. I looked around trying to find a bandage, anything to stop the bleeding. 

"Jamie, don't you know... we... we... both know... I'm going to meet your mother soon!" Da stuttered when he saw  what I was trying to do.

"Shh, Da don’t talk. Save your energy. You will be alright, it is just a little cut, that is all! " I said as I tried to smile and grabbed his hand.

Da coughed and smiled weakly. You always...were a good girl... Raiders attacked... you must go... to your uncles... in Fairbridge, "Da said before a coughing fit took over. Blood spewed out of his mouth, and I then knew the sword must have pierced his lung and heart. "Promise me...." he said suddenly with urgency.

"Yes Da, I promise you! I love you so much, please don’t leave me!" I begged. I was begging him, tears welling up again in my eyes.

"You know, I ...am nothing without your Ma..." Da said with his eyes closed. He had resigned to his fate and said, "Such....a ....good girl!" His body relaxed and his tortured breathing stopped. I felt my heartbreak as another anguished wail left my throat. I felt a large surge of energy leave my body as I welcomed the dark oblivion that consumed me. I did not want to live anymore as everything I loved had just been taken from me.