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CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Next morning, I stood outside Ellie’s Elegant Designs, wondering what I’d find inside, and whether it would be appropriate for my pledging ritual. I knew that Ellie’s shop was size-inclusive, so I wasn’t worried about finding something that would fit, but I wasn’t sure I should wear. But I shouldn’t have worried.

As I walked into the shop, the first thing that caught my eye was a gorgeous seafoam colored dress with a halter top and a skirt draped like a Grecian gown. I didn’t usually wear dresses like that, but something about it enchanted me.

“That dress, do you have it in a size twelve?” I asked.

“I believe we do.” The woman behind the counter came around to shake my hand. “Hi, I’m Ellie Masters. I don’t think I’ve seen you around town.” She was around my age, but she was tall and willowy, with long chocolate colored hair and dark eyes.

“My name is Maisy Tripwater. I run Married At First Bite, a matchmaking service over on Clearwater Street. I also offer tarot and psychic readings, and house clearings.” I picked up the dress. The material was smooth and gentle against my skin. “I moved back to town a couple months ago. I was born here.”

“Really?” She leaned against the counter. “I drove through a few years back and I couldn’t get the town out of my mind. Before I knew it, I sold my store in Port Angeles and had moved here. I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to make the business thrive here, but I was pleasantly surprised. Now, you’re looking for a size twelve?” she asked.

I nodded, handing her the dress. It was a size eight and no way in hell would I fit in it.

She sorted through the hangers and pulled out the same dress in a larger size. “I try to be size inclusive,” she said. “I used to weigh a lot more and I could never find clothes I liked. While I lost weight—medical reasons—I won’t ever forget how invisible I felt. I won’t do that to any woman.”

I took the dress and entered the dressing room. I slipped out of my jeans and sweater, and eyed the gown, feeling doubtful. But I’d come this far, so I might as well give it a try. I slid it over my head and then slowly turned to face the mirror.

All I could do was gasp. The dress might have been made for me. It fit perfectly, accentuating my bust and waist, flowing smoothly over my hips to fall just above my knee.

“How is it?” Ellie called out.

“It’s…” I slowly opened the dressing room door and stepped out. “What do you think?”

She smiled, and it was as genuine as they came. “Perfect. You look so good. Do you like it?”

I nodded, speechless. After a moment I found my tongue. “I love it. Absolutely love it. It’s perfect for what I need.” I thought for a moment, then said, “What else have you got? I mean, I want this one, but I could use some new clothes. I’ve been living in jeans the past couple of years, and that’s not me.”

“What kind of style do you like?” Ellie asked.

“Comfortable but pretty, a little more fitted on the bust…I like loose leg trousers and flowing skirts.” I wasn’t even sure of what my style was, but that felt accurate.

“Okay, wait here. I’ll bring you some things to try on.”

Half an hour later, I had made a new friend, and I left the store with three dresses, two skirts, four tank tops, two silk blouses, and two pair of palazzo pants. I also had bought a couple pair of gauchos, a tweed blazer, and a new robe. I handed her my credit card and waved goodbye to over six hundred dollars, but I left happy, and with her number.

As I exited the store, I caught sight of an antique store across the street. Curious—there was a brass Grecian statue in the window—I pushed through the doors. Inside, the shop was packed with jewelry, bric-a-brac, antique chairs, collectable plates, all sorts of things you’d expect to see in a vintage store.

I waved to the owner, who was talking to another customer, and began to browse at the counter. The jewelry was below glass, which made sense, and I leaned down to get a better look. Suddenly, something caught my attention. It was a pendant.

As I looked closer, I saw that it was a round pendant embossed with a basket of golden apples. The silver round was crusted with pave diamonds, and it looked to be in perfect condition. I patiently waited until the shopkeeper bagged the other customer’s goods and turned to me.

“I’d like to see that pendant, please.” I pointed to it. “What’s it made of? Is it plated or…”

“Oh, Aphrodite’s apples,” the man said.

I jerked my head up. “Aphrodite?”

“Yes, or that’s what the person who sold it to me called it. She said that apples are sacred to Aphrodite, and that her grandmother had been dedicated to the goddess. She’d been going to keep it, but something pushed her to bring it in and sell it. I asked if she was sure—I mean, what a sentimental piece of jewelry, but she said that she knew in her heart she had to sell it.

The man handed me the pendant. It felt warm in my hand.

“The metals are sterling silver, for the main pendant, and then the apples are made of fourteen carat gold. The pave diamonds are natural, not lab created.”

I didn’t want to give it back—it felt perfect in my hand. “How much?”

He looked at me, tilting his head. “That’s why she brought it in, isn’t it? You’re meant to have this.”

“I think so,” I said, rubbing it with my fingers. The metal tingled in my fingers. This had been dedicated to Aphrodite before, and it would be again.

“I’ll charge you what I paid her. Two hundred dollars.”

“Deal,” I said. I knew better than look a gift horse in the mouth. If Aphrodite had wanted me to find this for free, she would have found a way. I paid the man, and he threw in a silver chain. I tucked the pendant in my purse and, thanking the shopkeeper, headed out to find some lunch.

Promptly at eight PM, Crystal, Astra, and I gathered together in the living room. Miss P. and Dahlia were stowed away in my bedroom so they wouldn’t catch themselves on fire with the candles that were glowing. I preferred battery operated candles, but Astra insisted on beeswax for this ritual.

I was wearing my dress, and the necklace was on the table, next to the conch shell. I wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but whatever it was, I felt ready to face it. Even though I was anxious, the fact that I’d found the dress and the necklace so easily made me confident that I was headed in the right direction.

“Why did you ask me to join you? I’m honored, but curious,” Crystal said.

Astra smiled. “I’m not sure, but you need to be here. I’m grateful you could join us.”

I had braided my hair in a loose side braid, weaving ribbons and roses into it. My makeup felt spot-on, and the dress was so light, it was like wearing next to nothing.

“I’m glad you’re here,” I said. “I don’t know any more than Astra does as to why you need to be here, but I’m glad my best friend is by my side.”

Crystal reached out and squeezed my hand. “It’s exciting. Aphrodite seems like the perfect choice for you and I can’t believe we didn’t think of this before.”

“I suppose I never thought of myself as the type of woman who could be priestess for a love goddess. I’m not your typical glamour girl, after all.”

“Don’t start that again,” Astra said.

“I won’t,” I said. “I have to admit, when I found the dress this morning and put it on, I saw myself in a way I never have. Even when I was with Dan, he made me feel beautiful, but I didn’t feel that way when I looked in the mirror on my own. Today, I looked in that mirror at the store and I truly felt beautiful. On my own, without anybody else shoring me up. I felt almost… Divine .”

“That’s good, because you’re about to pledge yourself to an ancient goddess, and she is divine.” Astra glanced at the clock on the wall. “Why don’t we get underway? Are you ready?”

I nodded. I was barefoot, and I was wearing a wreath that my aunt had made. It was woven from white silk flowers and ivy, with seashells dangling from it. Crystal was wearing a pale pink gown, a simple satin chemise. And Astra was dressed in her ritual regalia that she wore for summer solstice. It was a long floral dress, with a golden belt.

Astra stood at the center of the room, and held out her dagger. She cast the circle, and the energy flowed from the end of her blade, carving a circle into the space. It was powerful, and protective, and it felt familiar and comforting, as though we were weaving magic from ages past.

As she incanted the chants calling forth the Great Mother, I realized that this was my life. This magic, this energy, weaving the ancient powers with others of my kind. This was what I was meant to do.

Astra summoned each element, and the power grew, giving us foundation with the earth, clearing out any old threads with air, bringing passion with fire, and joy with water. Soon, we were layers deep in the ritual.

“This afternoon, I sat down and opened myself to the powers that be. And that’s how I wrote your pledge. Aphrodite was there with every word. I could feel her sitting on my shoulder, dictating to me. Maisy Ellen Tripwater, stand forward, bringing with you your whole heart and absolute truth.”

I stepped out from behind the coffee table and walked over to face my aunt. Her eyes were silver, and I realized she wasn’t the one speaking to me. I could feel Aphrodite in every corner of the room, watching and waiting for my answers.

“Maisy Ellen Tripwater, are you ready to take the mantle of Aphrodite on your shoulders? To wear her power in your aura day and night? To give to her your whole heart and magical self?”

I swallowed hard. Oaths like this were binding, and lasted a lifetime. Once this ritual was over, I would belonged to Aphrodite, priestess and mouthpiece. Every move I made, she would be aware of, and I represented her in the world.

“I’m ready.”

“Do you pledge to uphold Aphrodite’s honor, to honor love in this world, and to aid those seeking its joy? Do you pledge to hold love as the highest power in your life, and to never use it against another?”

I nodded, feeling exposed, as though she could see into every inch of my soul. “I do so pledge.”

“Do you pledge to act as Aphrodite’s priestess, and to honor that office, as long as she holds you in service?”

And here we were. Once I answered this, it was for life. Becoming a priestess was never an idle proposition, nor was it to be entered into as a whim. Those who dabbled with the gods soon learned their folly and paid for it dearly.

“I pledge myself to Aphrodite, as her priestess and servant. I pledge myself to the power of love, and I promise to hold myself in honor and to never disgrace the office of priestess. To the end of my life, I make this pledge, as long as Aphrodite will have me.”

Astra held out her hand, she was holding a small razor blade. “Give me your hand, for this is a pledge to be bound by blood.”

I held out my hand and Astra took it, slicing the tip of my finger with the corner of the blade. As drops of blood began to spill out she held it over the candle, letting my life force fall into the burning wax.

I felt a sudden rush, a connection that I had never known before in my life as Aphrodite herself kissed my forehead. It was as though she was standing directly in front of me, and had leaned forward to pressed her lips against my brow.

“By soul, by heart, by body, by mind and spirit, by my words and actions, by blood, I am yours and yours alone,” I whispered.

The energy peaked, and went rushing up through the ceiling and down again. The candle flared and burned away the blood.

Astra picked up the necklace and held it up, over the candle.

“I hereby charge this necklace and consecrate it in the name of Aphrodite, to be worn by her priestess Maisy. May it represent their bond as long as their bond shall last. By earth and air, but fire and water, by the spirit of magic, I do so consecrate this necklace.” She then draped it over my neck and it felt absolutely perfect as it snuggled between my breasts.

“As of this moment, Maisy Ellen Tripwater, you stand as a priestess of Aphrodite. Never forget your duties, and the honor bestowed upon you. So mote it be.”

“So mote it be,” Crystal and I both intoned.

And there it was. The ritual was done and I was officially a priestess of Aphrodite.

As we gathered in the kitchen after the ritual for a dinner of cheese and deli meat, crackers, chips, and sugar cookies so delicate that they melted in our mouths, I tried to sort out how I felt. It was hard—there were so many things running through my mind. But I did know that this felt like the first of many steps in my new life, and I knew I’d other changes were in the offing.

“Nightshade wants to see both of you next week,” Astra said. “She’s going to set up the ritual to bring you into the Dark Moon Society.”

Crystal smiled. “I’m glad I’m being included.”

“Well, some things aren’t so much fun—you remember going after Marcus. But overall, we make a difference to the town, even though a lot of people don’t realize how much we do,” my aunt said.

I silently ate my way through several pieces of cheese along with a number of crackers.

“Are you okay?” Crystal asked.

I nodded. “I was thinking about how much has changed. I think Dan would have been happy to see me move on. I wish I’d been able to say goodbye to him. Just once. Even a whisper of a hello.”

As I spoke, Crystal stiffened and pointed. In the corner, a light mist was sparkling. I stared at it, waiting. Then, a handsome man stepped out of it and I let out a cry.

“Dan!”

He strode over to me and I felt his presence as he gave me a ghostly hug. I couldn’t feel his arms, but I relived the way I had felt in his arms.

Don’t cry. Don’t mourn. We had a lifetime of love in our five years, he whispered.

“But how… How are you here?” I stared into his eyes, wanting to embrace him and drag him back from the Veil.

It’s a gift, from Aphrodite, he said. I don’t have much time, but please, know that I loved you more than life itself. I will always love you, but you need to move on, Maisy. You need to love and be loved. Love is your superpower now, and you need to open up and let it flow into your own life, as well as help others find it.

I was crying in earnest now. “I miss you so much!”

I miss you too, but I’m with you every day, my sweet. I’m with you no matter how alone you feel. Always remember that. I have to go but, don’t hold on to anger. I’ve let go of so much since I crossed over. I’ll be with you, but I no longer belong in your world, not the way you do. I’ll meet you when it’s your time, if you want, and I’ll watch over you until then. But go, be happy, find love, and help love find its way in the world.

Then, without another word, he began to fade. I cried out, reaching for him, but he vanished, and I was back in the kitchen again, holding my stomach as I began to cry.

Astra and Crystal took my hands, giving me strength.

“He said it’s time to let go, but what if I’m not ready?”

But you are ready. This time, it was Aphrodite. I could hear her clearly. You’re strong enough to move on. Let Dan rest in the past, and cherish the time you had with him. But you are still of this world, and you will make your mark in it. You aren’t leaving him behind, because he’s already gone ahead.

I let out a long breath and accepted the tissue my aunt handed me. While I wanted to cry, I could feel the changes working inside. Aphrodite was right: I was moving on in life. Dan had already moved on. I wasn’t leaving him behind—he was a long ways ahead, waiting for me in the future. And until then, I had duties to fulfill, and a life to lead, and people to love, and a place in my community. I was here to facilitate love in the world, and to do so, I had to feel whole.

I wiped my eyes and turned to my aunt and Crystal. “I guess I’m ready.”

“For what?” Astra asked.

I slowly removed my wedding rings and laid them on the altar. My finger felt bare, and I felt frightened for a moment, but then, I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

“For whatever the future is about to bring my way,” I said. “It’s going to be quite a ride.”

For a moment they were silent, then they raised their glasses.

“Well, hopefully it will be a fun one,” Crystal said.

“Cheers to that.” I matched their toast, raising my glass of sparkling cider. “And here’s to Aphrodite, and to love. And to bringing people together who need love in their lives.”

As we went back to our meal, I felt a stir of excitement inside. I felt alive again, ready to face whatever was waiting for me. I felt…loved.

If you loved this book, you can order the second book in the Married At First Bite Series : Vampire’s Vixen .