The Mark Of Athena Novels & Stories

“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.

*"If you carry the mark, these words belong to you." Every pair of eyes turned toward Evren. He stared at the journal without moving. For the first time since they'd entered Orathyn, curiosity gave way to something closer to dread. The words seemed to pull the air out of the room. *If you carry the mark, these words belong to you.* Pearl saw it settle over him. "You don't have to read it alone." He held her gaze a moment, then let out a slow breath. "I know." The tension eased from his shoulders, just slightly. "Thank you."

Her hair tumbled around them, curtaining his face as she scolded, “Raymond, enough playing around. We need to get out of bed and…” “Mark me, Athena.” His suddenly serious tone had her gaping at him as she straightened, “Uhn?” His intense gaze held hers captive as he said, “I know you don't want to discuss much about what lives as mates hold for us, especially with everything else going on, but I want you to mark me, Athena. It's the only way I can really be sure that you are not thinking of rejecting me.” “I am not going to reject you,” she countered firmly.

Athena stops them both to show Sally the sigil that Albert gave her. "A week after completing the mating process, I received this," Athena gently pushed the collar of her shirt, revealing the mark on her collarbone, which was a crescent moon with a wolf head. "I'm happy for you guys," Sally said with sincerity in her eyes. Athena sighed happily. "Enough about me. I miss you. What happened to your life?" Sally could only shrug. "We're busy with life," There was a double meaning in her words, which Athena understood and made her blush.

Now, as Queen, royal maids would attend to Mariah's needs, but Elena was content to have served her, even if only briefly. “What is this?” Athena said, reaching into her robe to bring out the glowing stone again. However, it was glowing in two different colors. Athena frowned, wondering what it meant. When she finally did, the stone fell out of her hand and landed on the floor. “Elder Athena,” Vasilios rushed to her, the commotion drawing everyone’s attention. Athena glanced at Alaric with tear-filled eyes, “Forget the ceremony, Alaric, quickly, mark her. Mark her immediately.”

“Please...” “Your hand, Athena...” Buck whispered, his voice cracking with emotion as he pointed to my palm. I lowered my eyes to my right hand. The mark was no longer burning silver. It had turned solid, pitch-black. And directly beneath the broadsword crest, a secondary symbol had burned itself deep into my skin—a menacing, detailed carving of a massive wolf with two heads, one looking toward the starlight, and the other staring down into the abyss. Buck’s face drained of every last drop of color. He swallowed hard, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind in the cavern.

Me? I won't be afforded that same separation. I'd leave a completely new mark. One they've never seen before. It would be too obvious. I've waited this long. What's a little longer if it keeps Zahra out of the spotlight? Every instinct I have tells me none of that matters. She’s, my mate. She should carry my mark. My teeth ache at the thought, a constant reminder of the instinct clawing at me. I can't hold Atlas back much longer.

Then the vision snapped, and the illusion darkened again. “It cannot be killed,” she said. “Only returned.” “Returned where?” Kael demanded. “To the mark.” He frowned. “You mean, me?” She nodded once. “It was born from the first mark. To end it, the vessel that bears the last must consume it.” Lira stepped closer. “That’ll kill him.” “Perhaps,” said the shadow-Evelyn. “But if he doesn’t, it will devour everything else.” Kael’s pulse quickened. The mark on his chest burned hotter now, threads of light creeping down his arm. He could feel the Warden’s presence pressing at the edges of his mind, vast, ancient, and hungry.

Like a million voices screaming at once. “For the one you are bonded to is the key to the rebellion that will finally deliver her people and every oppressed creature of the world!” I can still hear the oracle’s voice beneath the deafening screeches. What does she mean? Athena is the key to delivering her people? And every oppressed creature? What does this mean? “Zeus!” Athena’s voice suddenly cuts through everything. I look. Athena. She's standing in front of me. Only she isn’t standing in the room.

“Since when have I not fulfilled my promises? Trust me when I say I will make your dream come to pass.” “Of course, I believe you. I've always believed you!” “Good! In that case, there's something I would like for you to do for me.” “And what's that?” I looked around, just to be sure no one was listening to my conversation. “Come close,” I muttered. **Athena's POV*** # Day Of The Engagement Though I was blind, it didn't limit me from serving wine. Since I can't move around with my cane, I was made to stand at the bar and serve drinks to all those who come to the bar.