My Marked Luna (Apphia and Nicholas) novel Chapter 14

“Apphia, everything I do has a purpose. And you needed to go through what you did, for it was your fate, my child,” her voice is gentle and warm.

“Child, you were born frail and were going to die, but your earth mother, who was so loyal to me, prayed daily and refused to stop until I healed you. Her determination, dedication, and love for her child moved me, so I answered her prayers. She stroked my hair gently, putting a strand between her long fingers. What about my hair? My mother told me I was born with dark, loose curls. Did my hair change after the moon goddess’s healing?

“Yes, it did,” she answers, reading my unspoken question.

I nod slowly, not understanding how, though. The moon goddess takes my hand and leads me to an excellent silver bridge; under it is the most beautiful golden lake I’ve ever seen! I’m in awe of it. The water is full and golden in color, and it’s sparkling under the bright sun.

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That is a holy lake; one drink from the golden water restores and revamps what is missing,” she points her finger toward a green garden just beside the lake. “That is where your mother stood as she performed a life restoration ritual on you, and gave you the lake water to drink after she finished,”

She smiles slightly. I feel tears build in my eyes, and my heart constricts. My mother did so much to give me life. I couldn’t believe it. That was why she was so protective of me; only she knew what she had gone through to heal me. That horrid night comes back to me, and I grimace, tears hitting my cheek.

“What happened to my mother the night we left the pack?”

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She saved your life from evil seekers of darkness who wanted you for their selfish gain. She fought with tremendous strength,” she explains. I raise my fingers to touch the scar on my face.

“And the silver scar?”

“One had found you and cut you with a magical dagger,‘

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However, Mom saved me. My subconscious says, and the moon goddess nods.

“Where were you? Why did you let her die!” I shout, my voice hoarse, and my hands clench.

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It was her destiny to go through all that, Apphia. Your mother knew that and is at peace,” she answers calmly.

I shake my head, I will never get over it. My mother made a sacrifice so that I could live. I didn’t deserve

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The goddess retakes my hand and ushers me back to where we were. It looks like an entrance without a door, but I can’t see the inside because it is dark.

“You need more time to be ready to remember all this information, Apphia. So, for now, you will forget until the time is right,” she smiles gently at me and wipes the torrents of tears from my face. No, I don’t want to forget what she told me.

“Yes, child, you need to forget this information. For now, someone is eager to meet you outside,” she

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points her chin towards the entrance/exit. Her eyes are mischievous. I knit my eyebrows, wanting her to tell me more, but she disappeared just as she had appeared. Slowly and hesitantly, I walk through the large opening.

I’m in bed again. It is comfortable–so soft. I finally gain the strength to open my eyes, yet I feel half awake. My vision is blurry, but I can make out a few things in the room, like a couch, because of the natural light through the tall window. It’s night, and the sky is clear.

Where am I? I ask internally.

I notice a silhouette standing in the corner beside the other window.

Two cool, sapphire blue eyes are staring at me. They feel familiar, like the ones I’ve dreamed about several times. Only this time, they are much more mesmerizing than the dream.

Wait, is this another dream? Am I dreaming?

I’m confused.

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