CHAPTER 98: A FOX NAMED PHERA

***Author’s Note: This Chapter has a song, it’s a weird place I’m going to ask you to start the song from, but it’s worth it. The song is "Sea of Voices" by Porter Robinson. I will prompt when to start the song, play it at 1:07 minutes in. Also PrintzessB this Chapters for you, I know you’ve waited a long time for this ***

~ODETTE’S POV~

"I’ve got a meeting with some officials, I’ll see you later." He lifted my chin slightly and his lips parted and softly kissed my forehead. The gesture felt like everything to me and gave me butterflies.

When he left Emalea looked at me, sparkles in her eyes, and the look of love expressed itself on her face.

"What?" I asked slightly confused.

"It’s just so bewildering to see the alpha king so gentle. It’s such an unfamiliar side to him, and I don’t know how long it’ll take to get used to seeing this side of him." She sounded so gleeful.

"Everyone keeps saying that, was he really that bad?" ’

"Yes." She answered flatly. "He was once a man nearly incapable of affection or mercy. His tolerance for things used to be extremely low."

"I guess I can see that. He choked me to death once." I sounded so nonchalant.

Emalea looked at me dumbfounded. "Excuse me. He did what!"

"Yep..." I answered with a sense of finality in my voice; it wasn’t a subject I particularly liked discussing.

Emalea took the hint and changed the subject. "How about we focus about getting you fed and cleaned up and rested."

"Good idea. Thanks for this."

"It’s my pleasure and duty to serve you." She answered confidently.

"But you’re more than just my maid, you’re my friend, don’t forget that." I reminded her.

She beamed with happiness. And it made me feel even more whole inside.

She led me to the bathroom with my tray of food. She placed it on the table and said to me "Take the bath and eat, princess, I’ll be back to collect the tray later, after you get some shut eye. The towel is warm and hear for you, as well as a comfy night dress."

"Thanks Emalea. You’re the best." I smiled at her.

"Of course." She said bending for a bow.

"You know I asked you not to do that." I reminded her.

"Oh, shoot, I’m sorry, just a habit being back in the palace. But I’ll take my leave now." And with she exited the room.

I bathed. And ate the food she had brought for me.

Eggs and bacon with a warm biscuit and a cup of milk. I smiled, because she knew, she remembered I liked milk. And figured I wouldn’t want coffee if I’m going to take a little nap.

After I finished eating and bathing I dried off and slipped my night dress on. It was a cute nearly sheer knee length gown, it was made with soft, thin material, almost see through.

The little fox still hasn’t left my side. So, when I climbed into bed, it naturally followed suit, curling up at my chest. Making herself at home there.

I crashed hard the minute we settled into bed.

***Start the song here, remember to fast forward and play it once it’s 1:07 minutes in. or it won’t match up ***

I woke in a forest of trees with beautiful small white flowers. Soft, green grass laid beneath me and a moonless, starless sky was right above me. The peaceful quiet felt ethereal and the scenery was enchanting. The air glistened with magic. Orbs of light floated around me, illuminating the darkness in that would have swallowed this mystifying place. I sat up and looked around at me.

Where am I?

How did I even get here.

In the distance I could see a light, it was coming for me slowly. I don’t know how light could be so graceful, but it was.

The closer it got the clearer the light became.

Since the light was in front of me, an animal figure emerged from within it.

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

What I was seeing was impossible. I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear my vision of the mirage.

But it remained.

There was a small 8 tailed fox basking in the dimming light behind it. With silver tattoos on its fur and grey eyes.

The 8 tailed fox looked like the fox I found on the mountain.

And then, it spoke to me. But not with its mouth but with its mind.

"You are correct, MoonChild, I am the fox that followed you from the mountain. I have waited so long for this moment. I am the guardian of the mountain. I am Phera." She spoke into my mind introducing itself. Her voice sounded ancient and wise, yet soft and soothing.

"Holy shit." Were all the words I could muster.

MoonChild? What does that mean.

"You do not know?" Phera asked me.

"Know what, exactly?" What is this wolf talking about?

"You are the called the MoonChild, the born again daughter of Artemis the Goddess of the moon and of the hunt, one of the four reign gods." Phera answered.

"I am the what?!" I all but shouted.

"The MoonChild, daughter of Artemis." Phera said again. Hearing it a second time didn’t make it any more real.

"What the hell is going on? This is crazy. What does all this mean?" I was dumbfounded.

"It means, you are a deity, a goddess in the flesh. You are my master, I was created for you by the four gods and I’ve waited several millennia’s for you to be reborn and find me." She spoke proudly, with unwavering and unquestionable loyalty. I could literally feel it radiating off her like an aura.

"This is bloody insane. Why do you have 8 tails here and only one tail outside of whatever mystical dreamland I’m in." I asked curiously, questioning the truth Phera was telling me.

"Because most people don’t respond well to a fox that looks mutated and defected in your world. The Goddess Artemis thought it best I look like a small, adorable, normal looking fox, so she hid my majestic beauty. You are the only person who can see my true form. Only a god can see me as I truly am."

"This can’t be real, this is a dream. Yeah, that’s it, I’m dreaming. I must be going crazy." I muttered allowed.

"No, I brought your spirit into this plane a world made of creatures the gods have created. Many creatures reside here, some good, some evil, and some that do as they please reveling in chaos. Like the Leviathan, the fae, and sirens. Many creatures of your earthly folk lore are creatures that once roamed your world but now live inside this one." She informed me.

"Wait, fae, you mean, like Fairies?" No freaking way.

"Yes, they were the original creations, the first, made in the image of the gods. Gifted with the different abilities of the gods. But once humans were created, the fae and other creatures departed from your world." Phera said.

"Makes sense. Honestly, this world sucks anyways, if I could leave it I would too."

Phera laughed "You were created for this world with a purpose, a fate so to speak. As most of us are. The choice we make decide our destinies, but fate is a hard thing to change."

"A purpose, what purpose? Like the one in my dream?" I asked frantically.

"Yes." She answered.

"You mean I’m to fight that thing and those monsters, you’re kidding me, right? This can’t be real seriously!" I yelled running my hands through my hair. I wanted to pull it all out.

"No, I am not. I am your guide to the long forgotten knowledge of the past. The truth that’s been hidden from the world. Hidden from you." She told me.

"Wait, you mean I’ll finally get some answers?"

"Yes, MoonChild."

"I’m fucking cooked, aren’t I?" I asked in frustration.

"Maybe, maybe this time we’re all cooked. Or maybe you’ll make your own future, or maybe fate will come full swing." She sounded all mystical and mysterious and shit. It was annoying, and a little cute.

Her tails moved behind her in their own rhythm, she looked stunning in this form. And momentarily I was distracted from the overwhelming things I’ve been told and seen for the last two days.

"It’s a shame you can’t show your true form to the world. I like you like this. Can I touch your fur?" I was desperate to know if it was as soft as the small wolf that laid in my sleeping arms.

"Of course. I’d be delighted to be touched by my goddess." She purred, laying down in front of me. Fitting perfectly into my lap.

I ran my hands through her fur, and I don’t know how it’s possible, but it was even softer than her fur in my world.

It was like heaven between my fingers. Her fur glittered and sparkled with each touch. She was truly breathtaking to take in.

"Our time here is coming to an end, MoonChild. You are being pulled back to your world." She said leaving my lap, the space she used to occupy now felt lonely. "You are to keep this truth a secret. For now. When the time is right to reveal your true self and true nature, you will know. And only then do you reveal this truth to the world."