Breath of Fresh Air

Chapter One — Aria’s Anxiety

The early morning sunlight flooded the cottage. It was slightly foggy outside, making the forest look like another world — one filled with magic. The lavender flowers were glistening with the morning dew. The reflection of the pond danced on the bedroom wall behind me. The sounds of birds chirping filled the air.

I stared out the window, coffee in both hands. As I brought the mug to my lips, the steam fogged up my glasses, obscuring my vision. I closed my eyes as I drank, enjoying the feeling of a morning like this. Everything seemed calm, as if this were the only place on Earth — no one else around, just this forest.

I opened my eyes and sat the coffee down on the desk beside the window. As I looked back, a doe and her fawn were drinking from the pond. I watched them for a minute, mesmerized, before finally turning away to go take a shower.

* * *

I wrapped my hair in the towel and wiped the steam off the mirror. As I adjusted my dress, I looked at my reflection. The dress was one that my great-grandmother had made for me before she died. It was white with silver and blue embroidery on the collar. The sleeves were made of lace, and the bottom grazed the floor. She had said that it was meant for special occasions. Today was a special occasion, after all. It was Beltane, the fire festival.

After a moment, my gaze drifted to my face — freckles splashed across my nose, and burning emerald eyes. I didn’t look like myself, and I certainly didn’t feel like myself, but I wasn’t going to let that stop me from tonight. Tonight, I was to become the High Priestess of our coven, with my first order of business being to initiate a few new fledglings.

I’ve seen the initiation performed a dozen times, even going through it myself, but this was the first time I had to lead it. As I thought about this, a knot formed in my stomach.

“Am I ready to become High Priestess?” I thought as I began on my makeup.

“You’re going to do fine, dear. There’s no need to stress about it — we’ve been working for this for your entire life…”

I shook my head. “Thanks for the encouragement, Persephone, but that doesn’t make this any easier,” I sighed. “You’re a deity, though. You’re not the one who’s having to perform an initiation ritual in front of the entire coven.”

“I’m going to be right there with you. Breathe, my love. Everything will be perfectly fine…”

I sighed again as I finished putting my eyeliner on. I knew that Persephone was trying to ease my anxiety, but she’s a goddess. Do deities understand anxiety? I sat my eyeliner down on the counter, and stared at my reflection again.

Can I really do this? Am I ready for that responsibility?