His mother shrugged. “She is a goddess. She could do anything she wished.”
For the first time since she had uttered the words of the spell, Antonia was able to block Philip from her mind, thoughts, and emotions. Of course, he had stomped off when she refused to allow him to make the sacrifice. They had then argued all through breakfast because he insisted that she not bother the goddess. He truly feared for her, but Antonia would not change her mind. This was their last hope.
The ache of emptiness remained, but she tried to ignore that as she concentrated on what she would need.
“Besides what I am willing to sacrifice, of myself, or something that has personal meaning, I should also bring fruit and grains.”
Lady St. Alban nodded, as did her sister and sister-in-law. They were giving the instructions on the sacrifice to Gaia while their daughters listened carefully. None of them had ever needed to make a sacrifice so they were learning as well.
“I do not have either of those. It is not as if I am home and can gather them.” Antonia sighed. “It would not matter if I was at home, our garden would be barren this time of year.”
“Lady Antonia, you are at Nightshade Manor, we have what you need.”
“But it comes from your home, not mine, thus wouldn’t it be your sacrifice?”
“It is the act of gathering and taking the gifts to her,” Lady Wharton said. “And, as mistress of Nightshade Manor, I give you permission to collect whatever you need.”
She listened intently to everything else that was required of her and then went off on her own. Antonia needed to prepare her heart, mind and soul. She already knew what she must give of herself, but needed to prepare the words that would please a goddess and prayed that it was accepted, and Philip was freed.
An hour before the sun was to set, her arms loaded with fruits from the orchard and wheat from the field, Antonia waited outside of the witches’ garden where she assumed the sacrifice would take place. Instead, Ladies St. Alban, Wharton and Chandos led Antonia to the sacred grove. Philip’s sisters and cousins followed; even the youngest three, who were just learning or would soon learn how to use their powers, joined them.
She was then led to a temple and stepped into it. It was a lovely setting surrounded by trees, with a lake on one side.
“This temple was built and dedicated to Gaia,” Lady St. Alban explained. “It is here that a sacrifice to her must be made as it comes from you and not a spell.”
“I understand,” though Antonia wasn’t certain. “Should I have brought my candles and crystals?”
“No. This is an offering of the heart and from your soul, not magic.”
As Antonia stepped into the center, five women emerged from the trees. Young and beautiful and dressed as if they had stepped out of Ancient Greece.
Lady St. Alban greeted them first and then made introductions to Antonia, who learned they were dryads and had lived here for at least a century.
She’d heard of dryads of course, but as with Greek gods and goddesses, she had not thought them real.
Nightshade Manor was turning out to be far more magical than she could have ever comprehended. What else was here that she did not know about?
Not that it mattered now. She had a sacrifice to make, and it was likely the most important thing that she would ever do in her entire life so she must do it perfectly.
Antonia slowly turned. “There is no altar.” She read that she must have an altar.
“It is no need for the temple is for Gaia and far grander than a simple altar.”
She supposed that was correct.
“Simply step into the center.”
Antonia took a deep breath and did as Lady St. Alban instructed.
The witches then formed a circle around her and clasped hands.
Antonia knelt and placed the fruits and grains in the center of the floor then sat before she closed her eyes.
“Goddess Gaia, First Goddess amongst gods, Mother of the titans and Mother of the Giants, I call to you.”
Wind swept through the temple and dried leaves danced across the marble. Antonia didn’t know if it was a coincidence because they were outside, or because Gaia had joined them.
“I beg of you and respectfully request that you undo the spell I unintentionally cast on Viscount Chedworth. I take all responsibility on myself and ask that you free him from the beast so that it exists no more, and that he is forever fully human again.” She glanced up at the top of the temple, not certain if she expected to see a goddess or not. The only people there were the witches and dryads.
