Sacred Moon: Book 2

by Alejandro Marrero

  “Welcome to Unicorn’s Bliss Tavern,” Leona said with a smile.

  “Woohoo! This sounds like the perfect place to be,” Kendra said while hugging Leona tightly, then planting a kiss on her cheek that had Leona turning rosy.

  “YES!!! I totally love this place already!” Donovan clapped his hands, then punched the air in a solute of victory!

  My star-coursed one is adorable. This was a good idea. The tavern was indeed called ‘Unicorn’s Bliss,’ which apparently Donovan was very excited about. I was making a mental note to remember Donovan had an affinity for unicorns. Anything I could do to please him.

  I walked up to the door and pulled on the tavern door handle, holding it open for our group.

  “Well, shall we find out together by entering this tavern how it got its name over a drink?” I smiled.

  “Abso-freacking-lutly! Lady’s first!” Donovan said excitedly.

  Leona and Kendra giggled merrily as they entered the tavern. I was still holding the door open when Donovan walked up to me and planted a surprise kiss on my cheek which sent waves upon waves of pleasurable electricity through my body. I had made my mate proud in some way and earned his affection.

  “Thanks. Abbadon. I appreciate this chivalrous version of you. Now come on already. Let us go inside,” he added while pulling me by the arm inside with him.

  My head was in a whirlwind of bliss from just that simple, chaste kiss. Possibly this tavern earned its title valiantly. I’d forever remember this moment. Even if it was brief. It made me feel fulfilled and more complete, and with renewed optimism, we entered Unicorn’s Bliss.

  Chapter 3

  Kendra

  There are times in my life lately where I feel like any moment someone will pinch me, and I’ll wake up. Like everything is just a really crazy vivid dream. Well, if it is, I hope I don’t wake up from it ever. Yes, there are definitely events in this adventure that have been challenging. Well, okay, super challenging. Yet it feels like I’m finally living. Who’d want to go back to a world where things were so mundane and monotonous? Okay, probably some would. Yet despite the obstacles we’ve all faced as a group on this crazy rollercoaster ride, it feels this is the right thing we should be doing.

  The world is flawed. It’s not all bunnies and flowers. However, the world is also so much bigger than what most people ever get to witness. I’ve always liked my quiet routines. Now the chaos and unpredictability of everything seem to be my new normal. As well as and having a hot Fae girlfriend. I can think that without feeling bad, right?

  I’m really upset with Leilah. Why didn’t she read the fine print? There’s always a cost to our actions. In her quest to be a leader and do good, that power ended up being so destructive. Almost deadly. It definitely ruined Jeremiah for the time being. Though the runes tell me his destiny isn’t over and all isn’t lost as the Tower card predicted in the last tarot spread, I did. Divination is something that is really coming easily to me now. The world is awash with colors and energies that, if I probe and examine, kind of lead me to insights. Insights I can't ignore.

  One thing is certain. I’m finding I don’t particularly like the gods, and I’ve not even met them. Though I guess technically Donovan is a godling, he’s different, though. Donovan is kind of like his own religion. I couldn’t imagine him tying me to a stake and setting me on fire like what happened to my ancestors in Salem. He’s just truly a good person. Maybe that’s what sets him apart from the other gods. He wasn’t born into godhood. He evolved into it.

  Donovan was right to suggest this break and head out for a drink. We all needed a distraction. It’s been like one thing happening over the other without a moment to breathe in-between. Plus, I’m very happy getting out of the ‘scene of the crime,’ so to speak, and being in this nice tavern with Leona, Donovan, and Abbadon. It is funny how my intuition gives me insights about everyone else but not me directly. Leona liking me came out of left-field. Didn’t see that coming. Jeremiah and Donovan parting ways, I sensed would happen, I think everyone did. Especially after how possessive he’d been acting. He was pretty unhinged. I still feel bad that his memory was stripped clean. I didn’t expect Donovan and Jeremiah to be literally torn apart in an instant. My intuition just said it would happen, not how.

  Abbadon is definitely good. Believe it or not, he was a welcomed addition to our group. I don’t think I could lay my mind bare to anyone like he did. That takes some brass nuts type of courage. He’s also definitely fated to be with Donovan. I knew it even before I understood or witnessed it. Perks of leveling up and being in this realm, I suppose. Sadly, the beginning of their acquaintanceship has been filled with such chaos.

  Leilah, the cruelty of her transformation and actions, stabbed all of us by surprise. It’s one thing to feel something is about to happen or is potentially in the cards. It’s another thing completely to witness and experience it. Every once in a while, I get flashes of memory of that moment when Jeremiah gurgled his last words of remembrance. The look on his face, his personality afterward. It’s horrifying to reminisce about. If it wasn’t for Leona and Donovan, I’d be in a darker place. I had been plagued with feelings, initially, that my powers were not enough. Yet I synced them well with Donovan’s weavings. I know I did everything within my scope of power at that moment. It wasn’t enough, and like Leona had consoled me enough to understand, it also wasn’t my fault.

  The tavern was fairly empty at this time, which suited me just fine. It was clean. Each table and bar top polished enough to reflect light and had a glittering sheen. The ceilings were higher than usual at about fifteen feet tall. There were stairs at the back right corner of the bar where I assumed the tavern’s lodging rooms were. The color of the walls was all done in a prismatic rainbow of colors. Streamers were strung like multicolored tinsel and filaments everywhere on the ceiling. Our server came to the counter height round table we all took to seating at. It was in the corner near the unoccupied stage of some sort that was empty. We gave our drink orders, Donovan asking for whatever was the Fae version of an amaretto sour. I chose wine, and Leona chose mead. Abandon got the same thing Donovan got. In the corner, a young Fae woman played the harp while her partner played the lute. They didn’t sing, but the background music was enough to lift our spirits and provide Unicorn Bliss’s patrons with a calming ambiance of welcoming.

  Looking around, I saw no unicorns aside from the paintings and artwork of them on the walls. I didn’t really expect there to be unicorns here, but it would have been amusing. The servers and staff all wore a circlet around their heads with a faux unicorn horn centered on their crowns just past their foreheads. They’re definitely earning their name here. Also, I couldn’t help but notice that even though the crowd was small, it was definitely an open and diverse clientele here. This tavern felt homey. There’s no other way to describe it. Also, with so many same-sex pairings in here, I felt more at ease. There were Shifters, Fae, Elves with their tanned skins, and pointy ears. There were even a few Mages and a Sorceress present. All seemed to be having a pleasant time.

  I must have been deep in thought as Leona tugged my free hand.

  “Would you like more wine?” Leona asked gently.

  “Yes, please, if it’s not too much trouble,” I replied. This earned me a quick peck on the lips from my hot Fae girlfriend. Well, at least it felt like we were an item, although it hadn’t been spoken aloud. I also feel that sometimes things don’t need a label. They happen organically and evolve from there. This, I felt, was the case. Especially with the affections and looks of endearment Leona would always give me. She knew me well, and with a touch, embrace, kiss, or kind word always at the right moment kept me balanced and calm.

  “Not to kill the moment or anything, but can we afford another round? I just remembered we don’t exactly have currency. Nor do I know what currency is here honestly. How are we paying for this? I don’t want to run up a tab and end up doing dishes. Not that I wouldn’t totally wash dishes. Yet you know. Dr
unk dishwashing isn’t a thing. It shouldn’t be a thing. Let’s make sure we’re definitely not making it a thing!” Donovan word puked on all of us.

  Donovan shared a valid point, though. You just had to kind of search through his words mindfully to find it. How were we going to pay for things here? We’d also need supplies for the Shadowrealm. It doesn’t strike me like the kind of place with light enough for berries and food to grow. Of course, this is me judging a book by its cover. Or, in this case, a realm by its title.

  “I can cover the costs. I’ve got plenty of gold, silver, and copper coins,” Abbadon said.

  Well, I guess that answers what currency is here. I guess it truly is universal what the history books say about gold, silver, and copper. It seemed these were common forms of payment. I had a stash of copper nuggets, silver rings, and their wire spools in my belt pouch just in case. These were the perks of my being a silversmith and taking jewelry apprenticeship when I was younger. I always liked pretty stones. Since my mother always had semi-precious gemstones in Sacred Sun, I was eager to make jewelry for the shop. I’d make the wax moldings, melt the silver or gold and set the stones. Fingers always crossed the gems wouldn’t crack or break with the heat. Now I could just use some incantations and divvy up the silver or copper into small amounts and flatten them like coins should we need them. It was metal, after all.

  “I’ve got coppers and silvers on hand as well,” I added, which earned a surprising look from Donovan. His eyebrows both arched in surprise.

  “Wow. Seriously? I don’t have any of that kind of stuff and just left my wallet at Sacred Sun. I figured there wasn’t a money exchange in other realms. I’ve got a wad of twenties in my pouch, but that’s just a habit I have of carrying cash I can never shake. Pretty sure paper is worthless here,” Donovan added.

  “Five silvers would be enough for near twenty people to drink themselves into a stupor, and it would include gratuity here. I also have plenty of gold, silver, and copper. We’re not broke. Only you’re broke, Donovan.” Leona pointed at him with a laugh.

  I couldn’t help but chuckle too.

  “Our beloved leader is broke. We’re awesome! Inviting us for drinks and knowing none the wiser how to pay for it!” I hollered jokingly.

  “Ugh, so not fair pals. I didn’t think about it honestly. My brain was just kind of short-circuiting and went straight to ‘we deserve a drink’ mode,” Donovan admitted.

  “Well, none of us are complaining this was the perfect solution. You were right, Donovan. We needed a break. Also, you’ve saved many lives, rooted out corruption in the council, granted everyone with long life blessings in the city, and made a sparkly better than a new door for the citadel. I doubt anyone would even give you a tab here,” I said seriously.

  “Kendra is correct. Your deeds have not gone unappreciated. I was also jesting concerning your state of finances. Many of Silver Leaf Citizens have made monetary offerings to you in thanks and in support of your quest. They’re all delivered in several leather pouches to your chamber. You currently have seventeen full pouches of gold coins and several dozen filled with silvers and coppers,” Leona added to our collective shock.

  Okay, I’ll amend that. Our fearless leader was rich!

  “That’s what those pouches had? Seriously I thought they were just herbs, stones, letters, essential oils, balms, or lube and totally hadn’t thought to open them. That’s a bit of overkill. I don’t want riches. That’s too much. We should give it back to everyone. Or maybe give it to an orphanage or something. I can’t imagine we’d need that in the Shadowrealm. Ugh, offerings! Really? That’s so awkward. I'm just myself. Helping without anything expected in return.” Donovan huffed and groaned, cradling his head in his hands, looking defeated.

  Abbadon started to gently rub circles on Donovan’s back, visibly easing some of the tension, the news gave his star-coursed one. Oh, the restraint Abbadon is showing. I get it. Abbadon had loved before and lost Tenus. However, he wasn’t a free Angel then. He also was in the presence of his star-coursed one. I feel he thinks history will just repeat itself, yet it is not true. He has no tethers. The only ties Abbadon has are shared with his eventual true mate Donovan. I understand, though. It is all a big change in dynamics. He’s wise to be cautious. Either way, they will make a good pair. There’s more raw honesty, genuine respect, trust, faith, and commitment emanating from Abbadon when compared to Jeremiah. I guess I explained it well before it looked more organic. Now power has driven or like a possessive sense of loyalty. They’d get there at their own pace.

  “Donovan, the offerings being given back would not be received well. There is always an exchange of energy for all things. It’s something our culture understands. The citizens of Silver Leaf didn’t empty their coffers for you. It’s simply that everyone chipped in, and it was consolidated into denominations for you. Their generosity is a meritorious practice. It’s the way of our people. We are several millions of citizens here in the city. It is fine. Also, there are no such things as orphanages here. The city always takes care of children and families. Most people barter for foreign fabrics, spices, foods, and wears. The coins are just for paying for things offered by merchants who visit from other realms. This is Silver Leaf City. Have you not noticed the spires, cups, fountains, arches, paths, stones, and architecture? The Isle of Mu is littered with gold, silver, diamonds, lapiz, coral, peridot, sapphires, moonstone, labradorite, and light stones. You need only scoop your hand in a creek or river and pull those things of value in your realm up here. They’re not worth much to us as it’s too common in the Twilight Forest,” Leona educated us to our complete wonder.

  “Holy, wow, Batman! That’s nucking futs! Well, I still feel weird about offerings, so let’s not make it a habit. I don’t attach a price tag to things I do. That is still awkward to me. I’ll just scoop some from a river or something if we need it then,” Donovan affirmed.

  Donovan’s humble nature really did set him apart from any being. He was definitely going in my list of good gods, of which there is one right now. As a Witch, we worshipped nature, and though some followed the gods and assigned them to solstices, most of us saw them as metaphorical in nature. What we’d call a collection of attributes or energies essences. Not an actual god or goddess. The sun was attributed to as a god of heat and seasons. The moon is a goddess of moving and pulling the oceans, lakes, and water in our bodies. The Earth, we called collectively Gaia, which would manifest foods, air, medicines, ores, and minerals. Very symbolic in nature, not at all did most of us modern witches believe in actual sentient gods. Of course, now with Abbadon, Leilah and Donovan, we know they do exist. They’re just not benevolent or worthy of the praise I’m finding. I may be wrong, I’m not sure. Currently, my opinions of them are clouded by recent experiences.

  “Well, I think it’s at least fair to divvy them up between all of us. Now before you protest, I’ve always thought it a good idea not to keep all your eggs in the same basket. Plus, I’ve got enough things strapped to my belt. I don’t want to jingle like a gypsy. Let's divide it between all of us, and this way, neither of us is unprepared and share the load,” Donovan said.

  “I can only find logic in that idea, Donovan,” I agreed.

  “That would be acceptable,” Leona added respectfully, for which I was grateful as we were in her home realm. Her customs and traditions she’d know the most about. It was good not to dishonor the isle we were taking refuge in.

  “I can easily show you all how to make a void-pouch,” Abbadon stated.

  “A void-pouch?” I inquired. Which had every one of us looking baffled and inquisitively at Abbadon. He stopped rubbing circles on Donovan’s back and put his hands on his lap, his cheeks coloring a bit.

  “Is this not the right term for where you’d keep all your supplies in one bag?” Abbadon asked us, sincerity in his words.

  “Have you seen our bags and pouches? We have several of them. I basically have a messenger bag everywhere I go, and it still has a l
imit. With all the gemstones, herbs, linens, and crap, I carry along. If I wasn’t doing my morning pushup and exercise routines, I’d probably not be able to carry them easily,” Donovan declared.

  Well, I guess Donovan is working out. I thought he was kind of just frozen in fitness from his Immortal Attunement and the awakening of his godseed. Or just muscled from being a god. Why is he still working out?

  “Seriously, Donovan? You’re a godling, and you wake up and do P-90X in the mornings? All because you think you need to just to carry your murse?” I asked comically and genuinely curiously.

  I certainly engaged in meditation and some yoga. Yet my youthful body felt like it never waned in fortitude. Only my mage-like powers and sorcery had limits. Though I’m not even sure what those limits were. As I could technically replenish them with energies from the environment, herbs, water in the air, and my gemstones.

  “Okay, first of all, it’s a messenger bad. Not a murse. Secondly, yes, I work out. I guess it could be considered P-90X, but it is just something I’ve always done in the mornings. I wake up and do pushups, crunches, squats, jumping jacks. The only thing different is I don’t have a pullup bar around. I do meditate and do some yoga too. I don’t really see the need to stop my routines no matter where I travel to. Plus, I don’t see myself as a god, no matter what anyone says. I’m just me. I may be generously blessed by Leilah’s planting of a god-seed in my heart, but it hasn’t changed who I am as a person. Heck, I always wear the least flashy garments stocked in the armoires in our chambers. If it was up to me, I’d do this whole adventure in joggers and a tank top. Unless it was cold. The tunics are, in my opinion, comfy tank tops. The pants are soft enough to be joggers. They may not be designer labels, but comfy will always trump trendy in my books,” Donovan ranted.

  Well, he’s definitely long-winded. That hasn’t changed. He has a point, though. He has been kind of dressing down lately. Actually, now that I notice it, I’m the only one wearing colorful and fine woven robes. They were in my chambers, and what can I say this gal loves her dresses. Please! Who wouldn’t want to wear fabulous otherworldly Fae clothes? I certainly wasn’t looking for a gift horse in the mouth. Though now, I felt overdressed. Though Leona always wore her leather armor like a second skin. Which, to be honest, accentuated her beautiful form, and I’m going to continue liking her in and out of. She’s so beautiful.