Chapter 231 - Moonlit Frolic (1/2)
Cam watched as Jos followed behind the goddess awkwardly as they emerged from one of the heavily vegetated paths that surrounded the palace. Jos's pale face was paler than usual, and she was fumbling with the sleeve of the gown again a sure sign she was nervous and uncomfortable with whatever the goddess had wanted a private audience about. Looking up to the tall, willowy fairy standing beside her, Cam asked. ”What do you think they talked about?”
Raven shrugged as a contemplative frown spread across her usually cheerful features. ”I'm not sure, but whatever it was Jos looks worse for it than she did when she left.” They both watched intently as Jos and the goddess approached.
Artemis nodded to Raven and Cam as she stepped aside allowing Jos to join her friends once again. Catching Jos's wrist as she walked past, Artemis sent her a stern look. ”Remember, keep what we discussed to yourself.” Shooting a glance toward her brother who was speaking with Ales and his parents, she whispered. ”Especially here tonight.” Releasing Jos, Artemis moved her attention to Raven. She nodded over to Jos as the girl joined Cam. ”Will the two of you be joining the hunt tonight?” Her eyes traveled to Jos and Cam then back to Raven. ”If so I'd be more than glad to shift you both to wolf form for the night.”
Raven masked her surprised skepticism as she shook her head. ”Thank you, but I believe we'll be heading out for the night.” She sent the goddess a charming smile. ”It's past this one's bedtime anyways.” She winked as she patted Jos's head teasingly, laughing hardily as Jos tried to push her hand away.
Feeling uncomfortable about the pinched, calculating expression on the goddess's beautiful face, Cam chimed in. ”Though I hate to hear your leaving early, it's probably for the best anyways.” She nodded toward Ales and his parents. ”The king and queen are a bit upset that Fern didn't come to the coronation and has yet arrived for the hunt.” She shrugged. ”If I had to guess, judging from his words the night Ales took on the alpha form, I'd say he's still off licking his wounds and being butthurt.”
Raven nodded, glad to have a break from the charged stare of the goddess. ”More than likely, he seems weaselly from what you've told us.” She bowed to the goddess. ”Good night, My Goddess. May your hunt be prosperous.” She turned and patted Cam's shoulder. ”Good night, Princess. I'm betting on you ladies tonight, so don't let me down!” She sent her a teasing wink. Before removing her hand from Cam's shoulder, she lifted the red fabric of the robe Cam wore and chuckled. ”All you're missing now is a hood on this thing...” She released the fabric and tapped her arm playfully. ”Don't be eating any grandmas tonight, ya hear.” Nodding toward Jos, Raven added. ”Leave that to her.”
Cam giggled as Jos sputtered indignantly, darting her wide eyes around the large crowd scattered across the lawn and gardens. ”I'll try not too, but I can't make any promises for any of the other 'big bad wolves' here tonight.” She made air quotes with her fingers as she said big bad wolves. Still laughing and shaking her head in amus.e.m.e.nt she turned to Jos and gave her a tight hug. ”Thank you for coming today. I know it was a lot of me to ask, and it put you in an uncomfortable position but it meant the world to me you came.”
Jos wrapped her arms around Cam's waist returning the hug. ”Tell us all about the hunt tomorrow. I'll be excited to hear!” Jos gave her a warm smile as she pulled away. She began walking toward the back gates of the garden when a hand caught her wrist again. Jos glanced from the beautiful, long fingers wrapped around her wrist up to the goddess with questioning eyes.
Artemis leaned down toward Jos and in a hushed whisper said, ”If you do happen to recall... anything pertaining to what we discussed please contact me.” She slid something small and cool into Jos's hand with her other before releasing Jos's wrist.
Jos stared down at the trinket in her hand. It was a lovely silver crescent pendant. Nodding she moved her attention from the pendent back up to the goddess, new anxiety weighing heavy in her eyes. When a hand clasped around her shoulder, she quickly turned her troubled gaze to Raven.
”Alright, well... we should probably be going before the island becomes overrun by excited wolves. It was nice meeting you, and I'm sure if Jos here can be of help she would.” Raven bowed her head dismissively to the goddess. ”See you tomorrow, Princess.” Raven called as she tossed a hand up in a wave to Cam who was still watching intently.
Artemis stood in silence for several seconds before finally nodding her head and with a pinched expression dismissed Raven and Jos. ”Have a pleasant trip home.” She turned on her heels and walked back toward the waiting guests.
Raven urged Jos toward the gates quickly, sending Cam one last questioning glance. When the princess only frowned and shrugged back, she picked up pace urging Jos along as quickly as her form's tiny legs could move without running. Once the palace was far enough behind them, Raven asked. ”What in the world was that all about?”
Jos frowned as she opened the hand that was gripping the pendant. ”She was wanting information about... HIM... or rather THEM, most particular whichever one was Orion.”
Raven arched a brow. ”And what did you tell her?”
Jos shrugged still studying the pendant. ”The truth... I know very little about either of them and what I do know, I have no way of knowing which the information involves. All I've ever known either of them by was Sir or Rion and apparently that was a name they shared... but I don't think she believed me.” Jos moved her troubled eyes away from the pendant and up to Raven. ”I just want to forget it all, Raven... I've tried my hardest to forget. I hate that I can't provide her more information, but I don't want to think about either of them any longer. Too much of my life has been spent mourning the things I've lost instead of enjoying what I presently have.” She handed the pendant to Raven as she sent her a pained smile. ”I know you'll more than likely go back to your own people and wife once your work here with me is over, and Cam will most likely outgrow our friendship as she ages and takes on more responsibilities...” Her troubled eyes moved up to the bright moon overhead before moving back to Raven, a sad smile spread across her lips. ”But I'm going to enjoy the now... embrace what time I do have with you guys and forget as much of the past as possible...” Her brows furrowed. ”Shouldn't be too hard, my memories are so distorted and fogged anyways...”
Raven nodded a heavy frown spread across her lips. She had no plans of ever walking away from some form of friendship with the gloomy person walking beside her, and she doubted Cam ever would either... but she figured it was best not to argue the matter. Jos wouldn't take her word on it anyways. A thought occurred to her causing a giggle. ”You think Cam and Ales have banged yet? They both seem a bit extra glowy when they came back hand in hand from changing.” Raven nudged Jos's arm suggestively.
Jos snarled her nose up in disgust. ”I do not what to think of my friends doing THAT.” She scrunched her brows. ”Besides they are both still very young.”