59 Reunion …

Miriam ( Nanny )

My heart skipped a beat , my eyes flickered towards Mother Liora who was silent .

“ Although the council is notplete as the other Priestesses are on a mission outside the pack we , here are the seven cardinals needed in decision making and also with the authority of the High Priestess .

” Priestess Tania continued .

Mother Liora nodded and finally stepped forward .

Her expression was calm but her eyes were filled with something I couldn’t quite ce .

“ First of all , Miriam .

I am more disappointed in you than anyone in this hall .

Not only did you deceive me , I feel responsible for aiding your escapades but why should we punish you when the man who put you in this situation is allowed to roam free ? He knew who

the guts to defile you ? ”

you were and still , he had

“ That’s why I wanted her to give us his name , ” Priestess Tania sucked her teeth , “ Not only does he deserve a good beating but he needs to be stripped of his title and his position given to another .

”

My eyes misted with tears as I stared at the women in the hall .

None of them had judgments in their eyes .

Yes , they were disappointed and angry with me , but they didn’t think it was my fault entirely .

I couldn’t have felt more loved .

“ I’ve known you since you were a child , ” Mother Liora continued .

“ And I’ve watched you grow into the woman you are now .

And I cannot bear to see you punished so harshly .

So , we’ve all agreed … ” She paused and turned to the other women who nodded in unison .

“As punishment , You will carry the child to term and when you give birth to it, you will give it away.

I and the Priestesses would look for a couple deserving of the child and give it to them and you will never see it again .

You cannot feed the child or touch it .

In return ,

spared .

”

–

I nodded – that should be easy right ?

life will be

I had expected death and had evene to terms with it in some strange way .

But this , I didn’t .

know how to feel .

I was neither relieved , happy nor sad .

Mother Liora’s eyes softened as she came up to me and raised me .

“ I’m giving you a second chance , Miriam .

Do not waste it .

Also , all these women in this hall are staking their lives for you , Miriam … if this blows over , we’ll share your punishment .

So , a lot of lives are on the line on your behalf .

”

Present Day

I stood in front of the familiar stone altar .

I haven’t been back here in two decades , but everything looked the same .

It was as though time had slowed down within the walls of the temple , though .

I hadn’t changed so much .

59 Reunion ….

them right now were staring at me with shock and tion .

“ Miriam ? ” Priestess Zahra approached me .

“ Is it really you ? ”

I nodded slowly , trying to fight the nostalgia that tightened my chest suddenly .

“ Priestess Zahra .

It’s me .

Miriam .

”

“ By the Goddess , you’ve returned to us , ” Priestess Tania eximed reaching forward and sping my hand in hers .

Before long , I was surrounded by most of the Priestesses who I grew up with .

One by one , they gave me hugs , making me tear uncontrobly .

I hadn’t expected the warm reception .

“ You’ve returned atst ,” Preisestess Khaliah – Mother’s bosom friend announced .

“ We thought we’d lost you forever .

”

I nodded , my voice still filled with emotion .

“ I missed

you all .

”

As the women bombarded me with questions I was trying my best not to lic .

Although most of the answers I gave were far from the truth but that didn’t matter , I was no longer bound by the three oaths .

Suddenly , someone pushed through the crowd , her eyes mirroring tears as she came towards me .

It was my best friend , my roommate , my confidant – Terra .

“ Miriam ! ” Terra breathed , a tear rolling down her cheeks as she pulled me into a tight hug until I could no longer breathe .

When she pulled apart , her eyes ran the length of my body , checking

me out .

“ When some of the Novices informed me that they spotted someone with the Silver mark in the Temple , I had hoped it would be you … turns out it is .

.

” she sobbed .

“ I’ve missed you so much .

I’ve missed you all these years and you haven’t aged a day ! You must be in a better ce .

”

I considered my little office at the Caffee Nook that brought in enough ie to take care of me and L and the two – bedroom house I lived in .

It wasn’t luxury but then again , I wasfortable .

Also , it could be all the shine from when I was still at Blue Ridge .

Iughed softly in response .

The joy of seeing my friend after so many years .

“ I’ve aged more than you think .

How are yo

you ? ”

“ I’m better now that I see you .

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I became the Wisewoman just like you always said , ” Terraughed through her tears .

“ I always knew you’de back to us someday .

”