CHAPTER 4

Nora readjusted the spaghetti strap of her dress as she groaned in frustration. She opened up a small portal to take in her appearance in the mirror as she took a fleeting moment to take in the crisp white lace dress.

She knew that the event was just a formality and although she found it demeaning that she was forced to wear white to represent her purity and mauden status she had to admit that the dress did look good on her.

She could almost feel her body erupt with excitement as she thought back to the ceremony. It was finally going to be over and she would expose Zoran as the traitor and the coward he was in front of the people. She only hoped that when she revealed his true colors and the true extent of his power the people would side with her and they wouldn't cower away out of fear.

She knew that she had to be brave, there were surely those that would call her word nothing more than the ramblings of a desperate woman but what she had seen in that orb was enough for her to believe. All she had to do was find a way to show the people the same thing as well.

She cleared her throat as she shook her head lightly before hse began to make her way out of her hut. She could hear several cheers coming from a distance and she couldn't help but feel a bitterness. There were blue lilies that had lined the path that led her towards the square.

It reminded her of the lilies that she had laid out in front of her father’s grave when no one had daredare to even utter his name let alone give her the decency of condolences. There was a part of her that told herself that she was doing it for the betterment of the coven but the other part of her had stood herself that the real reason she was so desperate for them to see Zorans true collars was because of the concept of revenge.

As she made her way through the town square she could hear around her.

Their eyes pbudn t into her flesh as they barred her skin. She was only relieved when she finally was able to come to a stop at the middle of the opening. She watched as the other girls her age gathered. It was said that in these ceremonies people were set to find their mare. It was normal for witches to find their life partner when they came past the age of eighteen but the last thing that she had on her mind was the thought of having to be with a man for the rest of her existence and going to be at his beck and call.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when she heard a loud echoing banging of a fist against the drums. She felt her body stiffen at the sound as she watched as the other ladies dropped to their knees.

She could feel his presence before she could see him and she mentally took note of the fact that he only seemed to have gotten stronger. She should have backed down then. It was foolish really but she had never truly been one to put down a challenge.

“Welcome everyone. Today we are gathered together for a sacred union to bless our maidens. May they grow strong and may they add besings to our coven. And now we will start the ceremony by having the dance around the fountain of memories.`` He spoke in a powerful tone. There was an imminent ause that followed as though the crowd was watching a ballet at the edge of their seats before the women stood slowly to their feet.

She could see the fountain in the distance and she couldn't help but smile as she felt as though she could almost feel it at her fingertips.

The freedom that she had craved.

They made their way down the path as the rest of the coven chanted in low hums before they stood at the edge of the fountain. It was said to be enchanted and contain powers that would allow you to see the one thing that you craved the most.

This was the part of the ceremony that Nora feared the most. She didn't know what she would see when she stared into the fountain and she wasn't entirely certain whether or not she was ready or willing to be so vulnerable.

She was snapped out of her thoughts as they came to a stop on the tiled floor that lined the fountain before Zoran came before them once more. “And now each one of the maidens will bare herself to the fountain and allow us to see she is pure of heart and together as a coven we will honor her by lending her our strength for the day. Rebecca will go first.” He spoke up and Nora watched as the red haired girl who had been the meanest of them all stepped forward. There was a smirk that was clear on her face as she came to a stand.

“Now close your eyes and open your hearts. Let the fountain be your guide and allow you to embrace your brothers and sisters as your family and when it is over you ay jst find the other half of your soul.” He said to her and Nora noticed the smirk on Rebecca's face.

“Oh. I am confident that I am going to be worthy. It is a certain outcast that I worry about. I don't need her tainting the rest of our magic.” she muttered. Nora geard several chuckes in the cloud and was surprised when Zoran ignored them.

“Proceed. It is no time for us to have petty arguments.” He said to her in a loud tone and she instantly gulped at his words before doing as she was told. Nora watched as the rest of the coven closed their eyes before she did the same. She could feel a connection to the fountain grow as Zoran spoke up. “Now bless your sister.”

And Nora felt as though she had no control of her own body as she felt the magic flow out of her. “You are blessed my child.” Zoran spoke after a moment as he smiled at Rebeca warmly. Nora watched as the rest of the girls moved forward and did the same and she felt slightly nervous.

“Nora. You are next.” Zoran said to her bitterly. She clenched her fist tightly as she took uneasy steps forward. No one cheered as she stood before the fountain. “Come forth with an honest heart.” He warned. She nodded her head before closing her eyes as she was flooded with images of her father.

All of a sudden the anger she had been holding back came rushing to the surface and before anyone could react she reached for the small object in her braid and whilst the others kept their eyes closed she threw it into the fountain.

The ground shook instantly as the fountain turned a shade of red causing the crowd to pull their eyes open and stare at her. 

“What have you done?” Zoran roared.

“It is time everyone sees you for who you are a devil with the wings of an angel.” She uttered.