The Price of a High Priestess

I don't really know what to think of this past week. It has all gone so quickly, and I know that the Goddess has been watching over us for it, but I can't help worrying still. I am protective of my sisters.

Ammy and Moris made a deal for Nadia's soul. Granted, Ammy did all the work -- which involved tearing apart another demon, so I know he loved it -- but, Moris' price was pretty high.

It surprised Joel that I went through Hell with Nadia to fight for her soul. It was never an option of going or staying. Even though I had forgotten my shoes. My sisters are most important to me. And I'll help them, protect them, in every way I can. That is my job as High Priestess. A job that I wouldn't change for the world.

I told Nadia not long ago that when she became herself again, I would step back and let her try to work things out with Joel. I meant this, no matter how hard it might have been to say, let alone do.

When we returned from Hell, and Ammy gave Nadia that onyx vial, I prepared myself for two things -- Being set on fire again, and being told that she wanted Joel back. I stepped back against the wall when Joel and Nadia were dealing with Maharet. I turned to leave as Rowane and Moris had done. Both of which stating it was a family matter before they stepped out. I worried for the kid. I wanted to help, but at the same time I hurt because I knew that both men were right. It was a family matter, and my sister comes first.

As I went to step into the vineyard, Nadia was rushing to Joel's side. Joel had collapsed, and as much as I wanted to run over, it didn't seem my place any longer, so I turned away. At that moment, Nadia called my name. I was going to keep moving. I felt that was best. But I didn't. I stopped and looked over my shoulder as she was standing.

I didn't expect her to tell me that I should be there, with Joel. I didn't know what to say. Sure, I wanted to be there next to him, but they were a family. She stepped back, glanced over at me, and then hung her head. I walked over to Joel and knelt down beside him, still a little confused.

As High Priestess, I have come to terms with giving up certain things for my coven. My family. My sisters. I don't complain about it. I have no need to. It's no different to than rushing to Orchid's side when Aryia and she had that little scuffle not long ago. I would jump to protect each and every one of them.

Nadia later told me that she knew Joel wouldn't go back, and that I should love him, if that was what I wanted.

I've never had anyone do that for me. I didn't know what to say. I still don't. Joel doesn't understand why I would have left him like that. I guess he never will.

He asked if I would really walk away from our relationship should Nadia ask me to. I sighed and looked in his eyes. 'Yes.'

That's the price I pay. Gladly.

Joel attempted to tell Maharet about our situation. It was quite the disaster. For some reason, she doesn't like me much. Now, I'm not good with kids. I never was, and I make no secret of that fact. But I've made my attempts at being nice to the kid, even before there was a me and Joel. She's not a bad kid, and besides, she's Nadia's too. And I like Nadia.

After much running around by her, and hiding herself from her parents, Moris was able to settle her down. I left them all to their business and sat in the villa while they were in the atrium. After some time, my curiousness got the better of me, so I walked out to see what was going on.

Maha decided that since Moris told her some secret, she wanted to tell her secret too. And what a secret it was...

She grew pale, almost grey, and her eyes turned empty. I hid behind Joel because I was expecting for flames to start coming out of nowhere again, but that didnt happen. Instead, we saw images. Strange, disturbing images.

First, we saw what happened the day that Nadia lost her soul. We saw Maharet's body, and Nadia standing next to it, crying.

Then, we saw a huge beast. He was taunting and smirking. I could make out the word 'Deal', as he reached a clawed hand right into Nadia's chest.

Lastly, Maharet stood looking up at the beast as he grinned down at her and spoke.

Maharet fell to the ground after she showed us those images and began to cry a little. I wasn't quite sure what to think, and I could tell that Moris had the same confusion as I did. Joel comforted the kid and sent her off to bed.

I'm not sure what to think about all of that. It's been on my mind constantly since that night. While the kid hates me, I am glad that I was able to see this "secret" of hers. It explained a lot.

To make things even more interesting, I saw Dashiva the following day...

With weddings normally being up there with watching the paint peel, or counting the sand kernels on my beach, I have to say that this one was a little above that.

I, of course, have to give it bonus points because I officiated. That itself does make it spiffier. But then that Orchid -- oh, how I just adore her -- went and caused some unexpected trouble. And what beautiful trouble it was!

I was a proud priestess, as I sat and watched my sister's work. Of course, the pictures have to be hidden better next time. But that all comes with practice!

I suspect that Aryia and Ranmaru will eventually forgive Orchid. Perhaps, even laugh about it all over some fruit and honey. Maybe, just maybe, there's something the Goddess can do about Ranmaru's current excessive paleness and personality disorder.

But then, all things do come at a cost....