The Mark Of Athena Novels & Stories

Gently brushing a lock of hair away from Athena’s face, Golder smiled and said, “You are truly remarkable, my darling. The Athens pack is lucky to have a future leader as brave and kind as you.” Athena beamed at her mother’s words, her eyes shining with joy. In that moment, Golder knew that her daughter understood the depth of their love and the legacy they were building together. It was a legacy that went beyond battles and victories, encompassing compassion, unity, and the unbreakable bond of family.

Iris shook her head vigorously, and both laughed for a second, but again silence swarmed in the room like clouds. "You know, Theia," Iris gently kissed her daughter's temple, "they say it's not wise to name your daughter after the names of the gods. But I did it anyway, you know why?" Athena shook her head, indicating her curiosity. “Because Athena symbolizes love, intellect, and battle strategy,” she sighed deeply. “I always thought you were my little fighter. Maybe I shouldn’t have named you after her, and you wouldn’t have had these many struggles in your life.”

I thought she had a striking profile, and as if she sensed my gaze, she spared me a glance, and my heart skipped a beat. She lowered her gaze almost immediately and continued to walk away, her packed ponytail dangling behind her slim swan-like neck. It happened so fast that I thought I was hallucinating. Although I could be mistaken, I believe her eyes were gray - an enthralling sight. The name tag on her chest said Athena, after the Greek goddess of war.

Now that she's closer, I see gold markings on her like those on me and my mates. "What are the gold tattoos?" I ask. She smiles slightly. "It's the mark of the goddess warrior. Once you were fully mated, your goddess warrior blood was released, and you passed it on to Vaughn and Ivan. You all will have the strength and power of goddesses and gods." I'm glad I have a better understanding of what is happening, but I'm getting a headache. "Thank you for bringing me here and explaining everything to me," I say with a small smile. I have always felt insignificant my entire life, but now I feel like I can move mountains. Athena steps closer so she's only a few feet away.

At the end, she gave up with a sigh and shook her head. "I don't think I can remember." And just like that, my rising hopes were dashed to the wall. I couldn't believe I was this close but now the one last information left to complete my mission, eludes me. I ran my hands through my hair, I had let it down in frustration, the waves bounced off my back as I pushed my hair to one side, exposing my neck. "That mark..." The elderly woman stammered, her eyes fixed on the little birth mark on my neck, just about my collar bone. "It's just like the one the first daughter had, her name was Athena. It's just like it." She said convincingly.

I would throw every last bit of power I had into it. I hunched over, barely noticing the throbbing in my gums as my teeth lengthened, and for a moment my mouth hovered hesitantly over the nape of my mate’s neck. Then I bit down, breaking skin, and the coppery-iron taste of his blood came spilling into my mouth as I Marked him. This is going to scar, I mused cynically to myself, wincing, but the observation lasted for barely a moment before I was plunged into a world of vibrant colors and emotions so overpowering I almost lost my footing at the joy of discovering that something remained of Hector.

It was the harvest moon night. As usual Eos and Ariana came to see Athena and bid her farewell. Athena informed them that she had found her necklace lying inside the Lagoon the next day after she had met Eos and she was wearing it that day ready to go back. No wonder the stairs were paved for them to climb up by Athena as she had gotten her powers back. Eos wondered. Athena handed Freya to Ariana and kissed her forehead and touched her back and the child’s body started gleaming and Ariana and Eos could see a small sign like a tattoo engraved on her back.

Rithambara spoke after a good gap. " you say scary, your highness. May I've the privilege to know what makes you say so? " asked Marcus and with a bold edge. It seemed as if he had lost his shyness and nervousness. Rithambara's eyebrows rose listening to him but she didn't answer him instantly, rather, she turned her head towards painting while her eyes cascaded down with fragile tint as if titillating petals of flowers. Her iris finally settled down at curvaceous letters which carved ' Queen Athena '

Athena’s eyes snapped open. Too fast. Too aware. And in that moment of panic, her hand twitched, knocking something loose from her robes. A small glass vial rolled out. It hit the floor and spun in slow circles before stopping at Rose’s boot. Everyone stared. Nurse Valerie picked it up. Squinted. “This isn’t from our supplies.” True enough, the mark etched faintly into the side of the vial was a royal alchemy mark not used by our medics. It had been smuggled in, likely by someone in Athena’s own camp.

“Who cares, Athena? It's your job to keep them in line, not mine. I have to go back; you know the Queen does not like to be kept waiting.'' He briskly walks away, back the way we came, to the dungeon. Athena's lips curl up in disgust as she looks at me, “Hurry up, we have a lot to discuss; bath and clean clothes first, then food.” I follow Athena into her cabin; as she leads me to the bathroom, she explains that the Queen's servants are bound to her by the mark she puts on us. I grow angry as I realize I will wear this mark on my face for the rest of my life, a vine, leaves, and red roses.