Long ago, during the spring after the Goddess had found Lady Winter, the youngest daughter of the first healer to perform a blood-kith ceremony with Rhiannon approached the Goddess’s Great Temple in Oress. When she entered the sanctuary, the young lady prostrated herself before the Goddess and said, “Dear and beloved Goddess, please heal my mother from the dread wasting disease stealing her life. My two elder sisters and I have attempted to heal her using our magic, to no avail. I shall do whatever you bid of me in return.”

A swarm of the huge bee-like melissae surrounding her, the Goddess eyed the blonde lying on the floor. “Unfortunately, young Brigid, I cannot heal your mother. The other gods are still vexed at me for gifting Rhiannon the secret of magic, so I swore I would no longer directly alter mortal lives.”

Grief squeezed Brigid’s chest, but she nodded and began leaving the sanctuary, despite the tears staining her cheeks.

The Goddess raised her hand. “Although there may be a way. I am searching for four worthy ladies to embody the seasons, and you would make the perfect queen of spring, representing growth, creation, and healing. If you agree to become the Spring Queen after living a full life, I can help you—my chosen avatars are no longer mortal.”

Her tears halting, Brigid darted forward. “I would gladly serve as your Spring Queen, my Goddess.”

The Goddess gestured toward the melissae surrounding her. “There are two other conditions as well. First, you and your descendants must become defenders for my beloved melissae. Without a human ally, they shall be hunted to extinction for their ambrosia.”

Brigid inclined her head, her green eyes bright. “I would be glad to defend the melissae. Creatures with such healing powers must be preserved.”

The Goddess smiled at the young healer. “The second condition is the first person you heal must be the nature witch outside the labyrinth on Kreet Isle. After you heal him, you must bring him to me. Only then may you heal your mother.”

Brigid swallowed. “But Kreet Isle is a month’s journey. My mother may not last that long.”

The Goddess nodded. “True, and Pearce shall need healing within the hour, so I shall transport you to the labyrinth, but you must travel back here on your own, alhough he shall possess means to hasten that.”

Brigid swept a deep curtsy. “Then I agree to that condition as well.”

The Goddess beamed then swirled her hand over the melissae, who began glowing like miniature suns, then waved them toward Brigid.

The young healer screamed as the deadly melissae stung her. Boiling agony swamping her entire body, she collapsed and writhed before the Goddess’s feet. Eventually, the excruciating pain faded, and Brigid staggered upright.

The Goddess kissed her brow. “I apologize for that, but ’twas necessary to transform you into a soul healer and bind you to the melissae.”

Brigid eked a wan smile. “I understand, Goddess. I said I would do whatever necessary.” As the Goddess touched the soul healer’s forehead with a glowing finger, a rush of knowledge about using her new powers flooded her mind. Once the dizziness faded, she said, “Send me to this Pearce. The sooner I heal him, the sooner I can heal my mother.”

The Goddess smiled and waved her hand toward the far door, which began glowing and a grassy meadow appeared on the other side.

The melissae surrounding her, Brigid strode through the door and toward the massive labyrinth.

As she approached, a young man with brown hair stumbled out from the labyrinth, clutching his bloody chest.

Now able to read his aura and sense his fatal wound, Brigid hurtled toward him as he crumbled to his knees. He would die within moments if she didn’t heal him with her new powers. She extended her soul and meshed it with his to heal his wound.

His green eyes dazed, Pearce blinked up at her and caressed her cheek. “Who are you? How did you heal me? And are those melissae?”

A tingle dancing across her skin at his touch, Brigid pulled him upright while attempting to separate their souls without success. “Brigid. The Goddess sent me after bestowing the ability to heal almost any ailment with my soul. The melissae are my friends. What happened to you?”

Pearce grimaced and shrugged. “The minotaur trapped inside the labyrinth gored me when I attempted to free him.”

Before Brigid could reply, a deep roar shook the earth as the minotaur burst from the labyrinth.

To be continued…