Defiance (The Priestess Trilogy) by Melissa Sasina

and Danu of Darkness. I greet thee now in perfect love and perfect trust .”
    A strong breeze ripped in through the open door, swirling around her and whispering to her . The earth beneath Shiovra ’s knees trembled ever so lightly. She could feel warmth all around, dancing wild and free . Water crept up from beneath the statue’s feet, pooling slightly.
    “ I beseech thee, Guardian of air, to guide me through the darkness and watch over me ,” Shiovra continued, titling her head back slightly and raising her arms above her head . “ I beseech thee, Guardian of earth, to guide me through the darkness and watch over me . I beseech thee, Guardian of fire, to guide me through the darkness and watch over me. I beseech thee, Guardian of water, to guide me through the darkness and watch over me. ” She could feel a great power swelling within her. “In the shadows, evil hides, ready to draw me from love’s side. But with thy help I shall be strong against those who would do me wrong. May thee send chosen warriors my way, to keep lurking evil at bay. So mote it be.”
    Pausing a moment, Shiovra took a deep breath and slowly released it. “I beseech thee, Great Mother, to guide me through the darkness and watch over me,” she said steadily . “Be with me now and guide my hand as I serve the people of this village , in accordance to thy will. So mote it be.”
    Shiovra turned her hands so that her palms faced the ground and slowly lowered her arms. “I thank thee, Guardian of air, for joining me. Go if thee must, stay if thou like. Hail and farewell,” she continued. “I thank thee, Guardian of earth, for joining me. Go if thee must, stay if thou like. Hail and farewell. I thank thee, Guardian of fire, for joining me. Go if thee must, stay if thou like. Hail and farewell. I thank thee, Guardian of water, for joining me. Go if thee must, stay if thou like. Hail and farewell.”
    The whispering breeze slipped away, returning to its gentle dance. The earth beneath her knees calmed, no longer humming beneath her. Warmth lingered, becoming tame. And the water around the statue’s feet seeped slowly into the earth.
    Bring her hand s together, the priestess offered a few last words, “Oh, gentle Mother, I thank thee for joining me. May I serve thee well and true. Go if thee must, stay if thou like. Merry part.” Lowering her hands to her lap, Shiovra sighed a nd sat in silence for some time, feeling the energies around her subside.
    Suddenly, t he feeling of being watch washed over the priestess.
    Her eyes snapped open and she rose slowly to her feet, turning to face whoever intruded upon the ritual .
    The torches had been snuffed o ut, leaving only the sunlight coming through the open door to light the small hut .
    A man stood leaning against the wall beside the door, arms crossed over his chest. Li ght from the doorway reached to his shoulders, but left his face in shadow . Yet something told Shiovra that this was the same man from the Banqueting House, Odhrán of the Milidh clan .
    In the light, she could see the marking on his wrist better: a long serpentine dragon whose body intertwined with it . He st ood in complete silence, unmoving .
    She watched him with careful and scrutinizing eyes, and was sure that he returned that very same gaze. The priestess could feel his gaze on her, pier cing and filling her with unease . Shiovra ’s entire body tensed
    Then, abruptly, as she opened her mouth to speak, he uncross ed his arms, turned, and walked silently from the hut .
    Shiovra released the breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. Her heart pounded. Daire had warned her to be wary of him, and true to his warning, the Milidh man had slipped into the cottage during the ritual without her noticing. Anger boiled within her as she wondered just how Ainmire could condone allowing that man to walk so freely among their village. It was his clan, after all, who had taken her mother from her when she was a child; a woman