The Blind Witch

The darkness has consumed; now, you must help create life to fill the void. Do not let the darkness be empty. You are a creator. You are my successor.

Ten years have passed since Erebus’ defeat—10 years of rebuilding, of reformation. Covens were restructured as The Coven of Stardust was reinstated. Many of those with dark magic willingly left their homes to join it. It was the coven of their ancestors. It was the only coven that was truly dedicated to one god: Nyx, the Goddess of the Night, Eternal Darkness, and Shadows.

The Requiem had fought against the new changes and laws that were placed against them. Those who chose to remain did not like that their coven had dwindled in size. They did not like the fact that they had lost power in their world. They had put too much faith in Erebus and the promises that he had made. They thought they had been worshipping the God of the Darkness, but he was not even a God with a title. He was the lord of the darkness, the lesser god, and consort to Nyx.

The vampires who had once stood with Requiem now raced to separate themselves. They did not want to associate with the coven who had lost, who was only a fraction of their former strength. However, not all vampires wished to conform to the new laws regarding documenting their existence. This drove some to escape, hiding away in the shadows across the world. But their numbers were few, and they continued to go down as the years had passed.

The packs and human kingdoms that had fought against Clarissa and Aiden were less resistant to change. Many of the people had no idea what was going on outside of their own villages or towns. It was their leaders who took their armies and marched them against the King of Kings. Each with their own agenda, each rooted in greed or the need for more power. They did not care who they fought against or who was killed so long as there was something to gain.

But now, these kingdoms and packs had their new leaders. Each one pledged their loyalty to Aiden and Clarissa. They had been vetted by the new committee that was created. There was always the risk of them turning against the crown. But they would need to be foolish, for the King of Kings did not stand alone. Many kingdoms and packs would jump to defend them. And then there was also Clarissa, whose powers put fear in the hearts of those who even thought about treachery.

The recent years had become peaceful, a welcomed respite from the turmoil that had plagued the lands for many years. And though no battles and no wars were being waged, Clarissa made it a goal to ensure that she and Aiden did not stay hidden away within Haerford. She did not want to become a decoration, only to be called upon for balls and feasts. She wanted all to remember that they were in charge and that they were powerful.

The title of King of Kings bore significance again for the first time since the first king. Aiden’s word became law, and his will was absolute. But it was not Aiden that everyone looked to. It was Clarissa, their Queen of Queens. All sought her council, her advice, and her judgment on their troubles. It was she who ruled, though tradition stated it was to be the King.

This did not bother Aiden, for he knew who truly held the power between them. He saw no need to fight for the first or last word. He saw no need to overstep or overrule anything that Clarissa did. And yet, it was not as if she did anything alone. She always asked for his opinion, ensuring that he had a hand in the decisions. She wanted them to have an equal say in their rule.

Together, they were a benevolent but fearsome duo. In the first few months after the battle, they occasionally had to go out to squash minor uprisings or disputes. But any squabbles or riots would quickly die down when a flaming wolf and a witch surrounded by clouds of fire and lightning arrived. It did not take long before everyone realized the strength of their King of Kings and Queen of Queens.

Now that they had helped to usher in a new age of peace, the two were able to relax. They could travel around the lands, visiting the various kingdoms, packs, keeps, and covens. There was no fear of danger or what lurked in the shadows. And after many years, Clarissa had become pregnant, much to their surprise. Witches did not get pregnant quickly or often. Even though she was 29, that was considered young for a witch to give birth. But she was excited. She grew within her a wonder that was created by both her and Aiden.

High up in the Sacred Mountains, Clarissa was in a pool of cool spring water. Around the pool stood many female witches of the coven, all saying quiet prayers. Aiden sat on the pool's edge, only his legs touching the water. Behind Clarissa was a witch rubbing her lower back. Clarissa was dressed in a thin, white slip that had become transparent in the water. She was braced against the pool's edge, fighting against her fire.

She screamed in pain as another contraction shook her body. She was in labor with her and Aiden’s first child and it had been decided that she would give birth within the coven of the Sacred Mountain. The pools of cool water would help to counteract her fire that would rage during the pain. Snow had been carried over, waiting to be dumped in when the water turned into a hot spring.

Clarissa did not want to take any chances. There was no guarantee that her child would have fire magic or would be able to withstand her flames. She gripped Aiden’s legs as another contraction hit her. She had been laboring for many hours now, and her body was becoming weak from the constant pain and holding back her magic.

The witch that was in the water bent over, checking on Clarissa’s dilation.

“Your Majesty, it is nearly time to push,” she told Aiden.

Aiden nodded as he slipped into the water. He pressed his back against the wall and touched Clarissa’s arms.

“Do you want to lay against me, Issa?” He questioned gently.

Clarissa could not find the strength to speak; she could only nod as she moved to him. Aiden helped to position her in front of him, so that her back was to his chest. Clarissa looked up when she heard snow being dumped into the pool. In front of her, she could see the midwife, but beyond her, there was another. She saw Nyx standing in the pool alongside her. No one else could see the goddess in the water, but she was there to bring Clarissa comfort.

You are not alone, Nyx smiled.

We are here to help, another voice said.

Clarissa looked over her shoulder. It seemed as if she was glancing back at Aiden, but there was a god who knelt beside the pool: it was Inti. She looked up at his golden eyes. Something flashed across them, bringing a smile to his face. He reached out with one of his hands and placed it on her shoulder.

I will make sure that your fire does not become too intense. I will take the heat away, and your child shall be safe. He whispered to her.

"Don't be afraid," she could hear both Aiden and Inti say simultaneously.

She nodded her head weakly as she looked to her side. Nyx had come closer, her hand resting against Clarissa's belly. Months ago, the two had discussed the future of the baby. Since Clarissa was not yet a true goddess, her child would be born mortal. They would have a life span similar to that of a witch. They would not transcend as she would. But they would be blessed by Nyx with dark magic. Their magic and gifts would be similar to Victor's. This is what was initially intended for Clarissa, but Inti had stepped in, giving her a piece of a sun.

"It is time to push, Your Majesty," the midwife stated as other witches jumped into the pool. Clarissa's legs were pulled back, allowing her to brace herself.

She gritted her teeth as another wave of contractions hit her. She instinctively pushed with the pain. Clarissa could vaguely hear the words that Aiden was whispering to her. With each push, she felt she was losing more of herself, more of her energy. But now that Inti was there, she could stop holding back her magic. He was there to help her, to take away the heat that she would emit from the pain. With a deep exhale, she let go of everything she had held back. It gave her a temporary increase in energy, allowing her to focus solely on pushing.

"I see the head!" The midwife yelled out.

Clarissa gripped onto Aiden's hands tightly as she pushed with all her might. She could feel the pressure release from between her legs as the baby was pulled out. The midwife held the baby above the water as she cleared its airway. Within a few seconds, the sounds of the baby's cries filled the air. Clarissa gasped with relief as she rested her head on Aiden. In her peripheral, she could see Nyx smiling before she faded away. A moment later, she felt Inti pull his hands away.

"Congratulations, Your Majesties! It is a little prince!" The midwife exclaimed as she set the baby on Clarissa's chest.

Clarissa's hands went to hold the baby that lay crying against her. She could not hold back her own tears as she held him. Aiden kissed the top of her head as he wrapped his arms around them. After several hours, Clarissa was taken to the Sacred Mountain's castle and brought to a room to rest.

Aiden held the baby, who was now wrapped in a thick gold blanket. Clarissa smiled weakly as she watched. The labor had been long and hard for her. She had not realized how exhausted she would be afterward. But she was content to watch Aiden with their little one.

The door to their room opened, and Ophelia and Victor walked in. Ophelia went to Aiden and the baby. For the last ten years, Ophelia had spent her time resting and traveling, something she had not really done in her younger years. But she did not do it alone; after some time, she gave in to Craigen. Though she had yet to agree to be permanently bonded to him, they were together. He had stepped down as the High Priest of the Coven of the Lode Star, allowing a younger witch to take his place.

As Ophelia held the new baby, Victor went to Clarissa. In these years, he had rarely left her side. Where she went, he went. The hours she labored were the longest they had been separated from one another. He sat on the edge of the bed and caressed her cheek. He could tell she was tired.

"How are you feeling?" He questioned softly.

"I feel empty," she admitted. "I'm sure after a day or two, I will feel better."

"Will you let me know if I can do anything for you?"

"Of course, Dad," she smiled as she stared toward Aiden. "But why do you not go meet your grandson? I'll be right here."

"I can see him later," Victor reassured as he smiled back at her.

Aiden noticed Clarissa looking over at them. He took the baby back from Ophelia and walked to the other side of the bed. He sat beside her, holding the baby out to her.

“Has word gotten back to Sybil about his birth?” Ophelia questioned.

“I had them send a messenger to Haerford, but I am sure that word is spreading fast about the birth,” Aiden answered. He looked over to Clarissa. Her dark eyes had specks of light in them, stars that glimmered in the space of her eyes. They had been there ever since Erebus' defeat. He then looked back at their son curiously. "Do you see any magic or auras around him? I know he was just born, but perhaps there is something only you can see?"

"He has dark magic," Clarissa answered. "He has a few tiny black orbs dancing around him."

"A dark magic prince," Aiden whispered as he looked at the baby. He had a tuff of strawberry hair sitting on his head. He was resting peacefully, blissfully unaware of the struggles that his mother had gone through to have him. "What shall we name him?"

"I was thinking Gabriel," she replied, looking up at Aiden.

"It is a perfect name for our perfect baby," Aiden stated."Gabriel, the prince of princes, heir to the King of Kings."