Almost two and a half years after The Goddess’s Illusion

On the first day of the Longnight season after the completion of her accelerated novitiate, Kit and Mel hurried to the Sun Chapel after luncheon for her ordination examination. As her husband, Mel was permitted to watch the proceedings along with High Priest Theodag, although neither he nor her mentor were permitted to participate. Yet their silent support would make her examination easier to bear—not that she feared that she wouldn’t pass. High Priest Theodag and the elder priests at the Great Temple had trained her well. Besides, the Goddess had manifested almost two and a half years ago to perform her and Mel’s marriage and share that she was meant to be the next high priest of Calatini, so failing her ordination examination wasn’t likely.

She worried her lip. No, what made her nervous was the Goddess somehow manifesting for her again despite it not being a holy day. Although all of the Great Temple and most of court knew that she was the future high priest, a public manifestation of the Goddess on a non-holy day would make her the center of more gossip and possible jealousy than even her crone illusion from the Goddess had. The Goddess’s previous manifestation on Summerday had thankfully remained a secret only their wedding guests, who were all family and close friends, knew about. But managing the same for her ordination examination on a non-holy day was unlikely.

When they reached the Sun Chapel, Mel pulled her against him for a tender kiss. “You’ll do amazing, my love. Quit worrying.”

Warmth filling her at her beloved husband’s steadfast love and support, Kit caressed his face and smiled up into his eyes. “Thanks, Mel.”

High Priest Theodag cleared his throat while he strode over to them, his gold trim glittering. “Mel is right, Kit. You’ll do amazing.” He waved toward the front. “Come along, everyone is waiting for you.”

After Mel kissed her brow before releasing her, she nodded and smiled at High Priest Theodag then followed her mentor to the front where Elder Scholar Priestess Georgiana, Elder Worship Priestess Augusta, and Elder Witch Priest Sidney awaited them.

High Priest Theodag said, “I present my successor, Katherine Elizabeth Hawke, for her ordination examination.”

The three elder priests nodded then gestured for Kit to take the empty wooden chair before them. Once she did, Elder Priest Sidney placed a Goddess laurel between her and them, then the three elder priests spoke the Goddess’s true name to summon her presence then said together, “Goddess, we beg you, favor us with your presence while we question this novice to determine her suitability to become one of your priests.”

Kit inhaled as all the Goddess laurels in the Sun Chapel rustled like during a summer breeze, particularly to one before her, while their heavenly cinnaspice-apple fragrance flooded the chapel.

Once the Goddess laurels stilled but will a waiting air, the elder priests began peppering her with grueling questions, one after another. She replied as honestly and clearly as she could, and during her answers, the Goddess laurels would rustle their approval. Her head was whirling by the time she answered the elder priests’ final question.

After she did, silence fell in the Sun Chapel, then the Goddess laurel before her rustled even stronger than earlier, and a Goddess laurel apple fell then rolled toward her.

Kit gasped as she collected the holy fruit. The Goddess had blessed her with a second Goddess laurel apple. During her ordination examination like with Mel. Both occurrences were rare, although only she, Mel, and High Priest Theodag knew about the first part.

Her eyes crinkling, Elder Priestess Georgiana said, “Given your bestowed Goddess laurel apple, our announcement is somewhat redundant, but my fellow elder priests and I declare you to have passed your ordination examination, Novice Katherine Elizabeth Hawke. You shall be ordained on Longnight in two weeks. Congratulations.”

While Kit thanked the three elder priests and clutched her bestowed Goddess laurel apple to her chest, the Goddess’s warm voice whispered in her mind, :Welcome to my service, my beloved daughter. I would have manifested to show my approval, but I have agreed never to do so on non-holy days, and I know you didn’t wish it anyway. Now, go share my laurel apple with your husband while also sharing the extra blessing you both shall receive in around nine months.:

Kit’s head whirled again as the Goddess’s presence left her. What?! After enduring everyone’s effusive congratulations for a few minutes, she convinced Mel to escort her back to their chambers.

Mel frowned once he’d shut their door behind them. “Kit, what’s wrong? You appeared dazed.”

Still clutching their bestowed Goddess laurel apple to her chest, she sank into a chair by the table. “I am dazed. The Goddess just told me that she bestowed this Goddess laurel apple to both of us—and that I’m pregnant.”

His mouth agape, Mel dropped beside her. “What?! But we’ve been wearing contraceptive charms.”

Kit licked her lips and eyed Mel. “Apparently they failed. Are you upset? We’d planned to wait until I’d become settled into being a full priestess to start our family.”

Mel beamed and pulled her into his lap then laid a gentle hand on her stomach. “No, I’m thrilled. Are you?”

Light sparkling in her veins, Kit nestled against her wonderful husband and set their bestowed Goddess laurel apple on the table. “Yes, I believe I am.”

Their mouths met in a soft kiss which soon turned ravenous, and they hurried to their bedroom to celebrate their unborn child. They could eat their bestowed Goddess laurel apple later.

— — —

P.S. The Goddess tells me that Kit isn’t actually pregnant yet. Sharing their bestowed Goddess laurel apple after dinner is what allows her to conceive their twins in spite of their contraceptive charms.