Call of the Goddess: A Bona Dea Novel (Stormflies Book 1) by Elizabeth N. Love Page A

Axandra told him aloud.
    “I trust you, Protectress,” the messenger said, his voice calmer. “You won't fail us.”
    He held such conviction, as though she stood as a divine creature with mystical powers. If only he knew how right he was.
    Releasing him, Axandra backed away.
    “I'd like to go now,” the man requested. “I'm going to visit his family here in Undun. His sister lives in the city.”
    “Of course. Please offer our sympathies,” Axandra allowed, bowing to him as he in turn bowed to her.
    Still clutching his cap in his hands, the Watcher was escorted out by one of the Palace guards.
    “Is it a virus?” asked Councilor Sunsun. “Or a mental illness?” She asked the questions aloud, well aware no one in this room had the answer. “We should have several Healers investigate the illness, examine the man. We don't want to spread anything this terrible.”
    “Agreed,” said Axandra. The other councilors present nodded as well. “And check others in the village for symptoms. If it is contagious, we will need to control it quickly.”
    Antonette once again stepped forward for service. “I will arrange it, Protectress.”
    “Thank you. Report to us as soon as something is discovered.”
    “I will go as well.” Osander rose and addressed Axandra. Once a staunch opponent of her claim, his distrust suddenly lessened. “We should inform neighboring towns to watch for these signs. By your leave, Protectress.”
    Morton raised a hand. “Councilors, she is not the Protectress yet. Not for another thirty minutes.”
    Antonette bowed with respect to Morton and Axandra. “Your pardon, but she has proven herself to be the Protectress today. We will address her as such.”
    Even Osander agreed to this. The Councilors all bowed to Axandra. It was an overwhelming display of respect and adoration. The emotions warmed her heart.
    What caused this sudden change in their attitude? Though they accepted her as the physical Heir, they each retained their doubts that she would fit the part, having been raised outside of the Palace. They reserved uncertainties about how she would handle situations such as this one, faced with a possible catastrophe. Her collapse the other day had not given them much cause to give up those doubts.
    Now Axandra sensed confidence and trust washing away those qualms. They wanted her here with them as they served the people. They did not see her as an outsider any longer. She was the Protectress.
    Only one last person viewed her as any less, and that was Nancy Morton.
    What must I do to prove myself to you?
she wondered at the woman.
    “And the ceremony starts in just a few minutes,” Morton prompted. Clapping her hands, she called the Councilors to attention. “Places, everyone. We have a Protectress to install.”
    +++
    Four voluminous bars into the brass fanfare, the main doors of the Grand Hall swung open and allowed the seventeen members of the People's Council to enter two by two, with Nancy Morton following up at the rear. Each wore silk robes of their station in colors that signified their region. They all smiled cheerfully, for it was a momentous day to welcome a new Protectress. Most of the Councilors exited the procession as they came to their contingent of Principals and Governors. Only five proceeded forward, those elected to bestow their respective tokens.
    Behind Morton, Axandra strode gracefully down the blue runner, aware that all eyes were on her as she approached the raised stage. She graced her face with her best smile, pulling the expression from the admiration the councilors had shown her just moments ago, the happiest idea she could muster.
    She could see the finished mural now, each of the Gifts rendered larger than life in spectacular color. Behind her, a contingent of twenty Elite marched, led in by Commander Ty Narone, wearing shining gold breastplates over sleek grey shirts and crisp charcoal pants. Their caps sported arm-length white feathers that bounced up and