Elemental Goddess
By: Wizardtho
Chapter 56: Soul Piece Surprise
BPOV:
Not too long before sunrise, Alice and Edward headed back to the main house to get showered and changed. We had all spent the rest of the night cuddling, kissing, touching, and loving each other. When they left, it didn't feel like a goodbye. I held and kissed both of them, then curled back into my mates.
"Is it bad that I don't want that to be a one time thing?" I whispered a few minutes after they left.
My mates all kissed where they could reach before saying together, "No. Not a bad thing at all."
I looked up to Jasper, "Are we trying to hold on to the past? I know you and Alice were intimate before... was it the same tonight?"
Jasper looked at me intensely. "It was not the same. Tonight was totally different, Darlin’. We each had our mates to make us feel complete. I don't feel like we're trying to hold on to the past at all. I felt your feelings for Edward as you made love together. Yes, you were making love, but the feelings you were both giving off were less than the love you give off when you are with one of us three. The four of us can be close to them, be with them, but still know who our heart belongs to. I have a feeling Edward will never play roughly with you. With how badly he needed you tonight, how badly he desired you... and to finally be able to have you like that... I think he will be a romantic lover, a passionate lover, a playful lover, but never a rough lover."
I smiled while nodding, "I liked his little playful nips and licks tonight. It was like the playful side I've seen in him outside of the bedroom lately. It suits him. It made me feel good that he could feel that playfulness with me. I think Ali still blames herself. It felt like a lot of the time she and I were together, she was trying to say she was sorry through her actions."
Peter whispered, "She was... with both of ya. It won't always be like that, though. You and Edward finally makin' love was a good thing. I think there were still unresolved things between the two of ya, but ya were finally both able to let go of them. It's what ya both needed, and it felt right seein' ya both like that."
Jasper and Char both nodded, so I whispered, "Do you all want it to happen again?"
They all kissed me, nodded, then Jasper spoke softly, "I do, Darlin', but only if it's like it was tonight... all of us in the same room. I don't think I'd be okay with you being alone with them, but I feel fine with seeing you together... do you understand?"
I smiled, "Yes, I feel the same way. I know I'm okay seeing you with Alice, but I don't think I'd be okay with you being alone with her... Edward, either. It just feels wrong to think about us not all being together when it happens. I don't want it to be a planned thing. If we plan it, I think it would take all the fun out of it."
Char spoke up, "When do we tell them?"
I shook my head, "My change is... well, since it's almost dawn... tomorrow night. I think like we should get my change over, then sit down with them. Maybe have another get together before we go to Texas. Peter, I feel like they are supposed to go with us right after my change to go see the shaman. I don't like that we have to go then, but I feel like there are certain ones that need to go, and that we need to leave less than 24 hrs after my change. There's something with the timing... a gift?"
Peter chuckled, "Yes, Kitten. The shaman wishes to gift ya. I feel ya should allow it. He doesn't gift just anyone, plus I feel whatever his gift is, it could benefit us in the battles. Who are the ones ya feel need to go with us?"
I thought for a second. "The four of us, Jake, Leah, Embry, Paul, Seth, Alice, and Edward. Alice won't like that she can't see with the wolves, but you'll instinctively take us the safest route. There's no need to contact the shaman to set up the meeting... he already knows, and will be waiting for us in the meeting field. Jake and I will have to go into this in full protector/goddess mode, so I need to get Ali working on a full goddess outfit. It has to be a certain one. I see it in my head. He's expecting me to show my powers outright... I think it'll come instinctively when I see him anyway. He's very connected to his roots, so I'll recognise him as friend right away."
Peter smiled, "Havin' one of my gift moments, Kitten?"
I laughed, remembering the moment he said he felt we needed to go to Texas after the battle, along with my comment to him. "Yes, Peter. Like you, when the info hits, it really hits. We should get showered and dressed, so that we can get to the main house. Can one of you call ahead to Esme, to have her and the girls start breakfast for everyone? As soon as we get there, we need to sit everyone down for a meeting. The elders will already be there, so we won't have to wait. Everyone can eat while the meeting takes place."
We all got up and into the shower, soft touches or kisses as we washed each other being the only intimate contact. I put on the gaucho set that Alice made me, which was really comfortable. As soon as everyone was ready, I rode on Jake's back over to the house. It felt good to be close to him after last night. I leaned in to whisper to him before we reached the house, "I love you, Jake. I'm glad I can have you by my side through all of this. I don't know what I'd do without you."
He nodded his big wolf head as I saw the sparkle in his eyes. He felt the same way. When we reached the house, Jake immediately dropped to his belly to let me down. Peter helped me down, kissing my tummy in the process, then we all walked into the house.
Esme and the girls were plating the food when we walked in. She came to me, kissing my temple, "Good morning... right on time. How was your night?"
I smiled softly, "It was wonderful. Thank you Esme.”
I hugged and said good morning to the rest of the girls, then Esme handed Char a small platter for me. We headed outside just as Esme called for the pack to come and get it, with the girls handing out plates to the elders and Charlie. I walked over to them sitting at a new picnic table, to kiss Charlie and Sue on the forehead, "Sorry about my disappearance. My love day hit suddenly. There was no way I was going to leave the privacy of the cabin. I hope you understand."
They all smiled widely, then Sam offered, "No need for explanations, Sister. Carlisle and Eleazar were kind enough to explain the bonds and love days to us, as well as the pack."
I smiled, then brought my hands in front of me. A projection of the soul pieces of my mates showed for them to see. I noticed everyone gathering around as I said, "These are the soul pieces I carry of my mates as of this morning.
I projected the vision higher so everyone could see. A lot of them gasped, "So beautiful."
The projection came back to me before dissipating, then a new one appeared. The soul pieces my mates carried of me. I projected it up, saying, "These are the ones my mates hold of me. You'll notice that the outside surface is different than the ones I hold. The elements they gave to me protect the pieces of me they hold. The elemental power is protection."
They all gasped as the saw the projection. I brought the projection back down, then smiled at the surprise I was about to give my Major. I walked up to him, kissing him softly, "Major, you need to see this."
I centered myself before projecting the new soul piece I held. I was larger than the others by a fraction, with the surface being all four colors, swirling and blending. It was exquisite, pulsing in perfect time with my heartbeat. You could sense the power and strength rolling off it in the same pulsing rhythm. Major looked at me deeply, seeing the same thing inside me, then whispered in awe, "Isabella?"
I nodded with happy tears in my eyes. He crushed me to him, fluttering soft kisses all over my face. When we broke away, I said to everyone, "That is the Goddess Elemental's soul piece of her true match, her true mate... Major Jasper Whitlock."
Everyone gasped, then hushed whispers rushed through the back yard. "I have one more to show you."
I closed my eyes as I felt the change in them, then opened them to look at Major. I cupped both of his cheeks, kissing him softly, "I need you to let all of it flow to me, Major. Everything you felt when you claimed me. I need to see, so I can show them."
He nodded, then closed his eyes for a second. When he opened his eyes, looking intently at me, I gasped with the onslaught of emotions. I braced myself, then let it all flow into me as I looked deeply into him. I saw what I was looking for. It was indescribably beautiful. I mentally stroked and kissed my piece Major held, then backed out. He was smiling. I kissed him softly again, then felt him wiping tears from my face. I didn't even realise I had been crying silent tears.
I nodded, so he wrapped his arms around me from behind as I faced everyone again. With his hands on my tummy, I cupped mine in front of me, centered, then projected the new soul piece vision into the air. The gasps and head drops from the humans and vampires, as well as the belly drops and whimpers of the wolves, were all I needed to know. Every one of them recognised the soul and power of the Goddess Elemental.
My soul piece that Major held was awe inspiring. It was all four colors, like the one I held of him, but the surface swirled, melding with the elements. Fire, water, air, and earth all swirled on the surface, floating in and out of each other, blending colors and swirls, emitting the most power I've ever felt in the soul pieces. So much power, that it seemed to radiate throughout the whole yard.
I slowly brought the projection back down before letting it dissipate. "That is the soul piece the Major holds of the Goddess Elemental. His claiming of her last night was the final puzzle piece to be fitted with my mates."
Esme whispered, "So much power. Is that what she feels like to you?"
I smiled softly while shaking my head, "No... that was only the barest amount of power compared to her true strength. When she and Major are side by side, there is no stopping them. I showed you all the last two because I need you all to know for sure that we can do this. We can win the battles if we all continue to work as one. I know training has been messed up the last couple of days, but we will train today in La Push. I need to work with water today, and all of the wolves will need to be present. This needs to be done before my turning tomorrow night.”
I took a breath, then said, “Tomorrow is a new moon... October 7th. My change will take place tomorrow night as scheduled. As soon as my turning is complete, Carlisle will need to do another physical, to make sure the babies and I made it safely through the change. Less than 24 hrs after my turning is complete, we will be splitting for a few days. It is necessary for this to happen. Myself, along with Jasper, Char, Peter, Jake, Embry, Leah, Paul, Seth, Alice, and Edward will be making our way to see the shaman. It is imperative we go then, as the shaman wishes to gift me with something that my mates and I feel will be a boost for us in the battles. Jake will coordinate with the ones of the pack that remain, so I wish for the elders to only travel with the pack when they leave a protected space.”
After another breath, I said, “I also wish for the elders to go through some teachings of the Quileutes with the families, as they will need to know this for the battles. I don't know why, but it's needed. Please all listen to the guidance the elders will give. Be respectful of the teachings, even if they don't necessarily coincide with what you've known during your existence. We will not have any tries to breach our defenses while we are gone, so you are safe inside the protection fields. Charlie, the same goes for you. Do not leave the protection of the fields without being with a bunch of the family or pack. Stick with Sue and the elders. Please, all of you, be careful. Does anyone have questions?"
Old Quil asked softly, "Which of our teachings do you wish for us to share, Young Goddess?"
I smiled as walked to him, cupping his cheek, "You need not tell them of anything involving the elder burial grounds or the prayer island, Quil. I know that is sacred. You may if you wish, but it's not essential. The old legends, scrolls, prophecies, and stories. That is what they need to hear. I know you will be in prayer tomorrow evening and through my change. Please allow Charlie to go with you. He needs to be close to Sue during my change, and will cause no problems during your prayer. His connection to me will actually boost your prayers.”
Without pausing, I continued, “Today, when we head over to La Push, we will be bringing the paintings. Once training is complete for the day, several of the highest ranking of the pack will escort you to the island with the paintings, then help get them in place for tomorrow. We will return here while the elders retire to be with their families. You will have tomorrow to prepare for anything you need during your prayer on the island tomorrow night. Quil will be the only wolf on the island with you, so you will be able to keep track of my progress. Does all this sound acceptable?"
He smiled widely, "More than acceptable, Young Goddess. Do you wish us to also teach some of our songs and their meanings?"
I nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, that would be very helpful. With their vampire minds, they will pick up the dialect and translations quickly. It could help them coordinate or focus, if they sing them during training and mock fights."
He nodded with a smile. I kissed his cheek, then looked to the group. "Do any of you have any objections to what I've said?"
Carlisle spoke up, "No objections, Dear. I also think it would help us work more seamlessly with the elders and pack, if we knew more about their culture. You have a good grasp of how our minds work, so I believe the songs will be beneficial. My only question is of your safety being split from the rest of us. I know everyone going with you would give their life for yours, as would anyone here, but what of the danger and risk to all of you?"
I kissed his temple, causing him to relax a small bit, "Carlisle, please do not worry for us. Peter will instinctively take us the route that is safest. We will encounter no danger during our trip. There is a reason that those certain ones must go with us, but I don't know what it is yet. It has something to do with the gift. Please trust that the shaman will know the best way to help us on our path, that he will be able to give us some answers about the two pieces of jewelry we acquired. I would not put our new family at risk of becoming hurt on this trip. I do think of us as all one family. That's the only way I can see this working."
He nodded, kissing my temple, "Of course, I trust you, Dear. I'm just concerned that it may be too soon after the pregnancy took, too soon after your change is complete."
He hugged me to him, so I squeezed tight around his waist as I said, "That was the reason for the venom to my cervix. To make sure that the three of us would be safe and make it through everything healthy. We will be perfectly fine throughout the entirety of the trip, I swear."
He kissed the top of my head, then I released him to walk to Esme. I looked at her seriously, "I know you'll worry while we are gone, but your mate will need you to keep him calm. His being a protective figure and my doctor will have him at wit's end, so he will need you to be strong for him. I love you. I will return with everyone safe and sound."
My eyes swirled as she nodded. "I will, Dear. Please keep them safe. We couldn't get through it if something happened to any of you."
I hugged her tightly to me, breathing in her ear, "Get everyone to concentrate all their efforts on learning from the elders. It's important, and will help as a distraction from us being gone for a few days. Jake will be able to keep the pack updated on our status, even from states away, through the mind link. You won't be without knowledge of our welfare."
She nodded, hugged me tightly for a few seconds, then smiled brightly at me. I knew she had the courage she needed now, so my eyes swirled before changing back to green. "Now, everyone eat. I'm starved."
The somber mood broke instantly, and everyone split off to find a place to converse while eating breakfast. My mates and I sat under the tree with Jake, Alice and Edward. I smiled at my mates after a few minutes of eating. They smiled back at me. They knew I wanted to tell them of our decision. I pulled Alice and Edward toward me, smooshing them to either side of my face in a hug as I breathed into their ears, "Yes. The four of us love you, and don't want it to be a one time thing. Our answer is yes. We'll sit down privately to go over our wishes tonight."
Instantly both of them tackled into the four of us, being careful of my tummy, exclaiming their joy with temple kisses, hugs and slaps on the back between the guys.
I noticed Carlisle and Esme curled into one another, smiling at us. I had no doubt that the two of them knew what we were talking about... but I also knew that they would not breathe a word to anyone. I nodded at both of them with a smile. In response, their smiles widened to cheshire status. I was sure I would talk with Carlisle later.
When our little excitement party calmed, Edward kissed my temple before breathing, "I love you, Sweetheart. Always."
I nodded, breathing back, "I know, and I love you both, too. I hope you felt that last night."
He agreed, then sat back to bring Alice into his lap. I remembered the outfit I needed to wear to meet the shaman, so I looked to Alice. "I need a special outfit to wear to meet the shaman. If I send you the image, do you think you can make it during my change? You can't start until they bite me, but it must be complete by the time my change is done."
She nodded excitedly, so I closed my eyes to picture me in ultimate goddess mode. I turned slowly in the outfit, for her to see it from every angle. It was a wide leg pant suit, had a low cowl neck on the front with short flutter sleeves. The front hugged my curves in soft fabric, ending right at where a side seam would be. The back was completely backless to my tailbone, except for a beautiful silver adjustable chain at the top of my shoulders to keep the sleeves in place. The fabric for the bottoms of the back hugged the shape of my ass, then fell delicately into the wide pant legs like a waterfall. The main color was white with silver, red, green, and blue embroidered swirls and splashes. It was a stunning outfit, truly fit for the Goddess Elemental.
I sent the turning image to Alice, then heard both her and Edward gasp, "Wow, so beautiful."
When she was done taking in all the detail, her eyes focused, then she said, "I can do it if I have the girls help. I have the perfect material and embroidery thread, but the embroidery has to be hand done on all of it. I won't be able to get that effect without doing it by hand. The sparkle of the thread would be lost on a machine. I have that exact link for the back, too. It was one of the ones I ordered with the fabrics and notions."
I nodded, "You can have all of the help you need as long as only female hands touch it or have any part in making it. Male hands can not touch it until it is completed and on my body. As soon as it's done, you should wrap it in something, so that when we pack, it doesn't accidentally get touched. We'll be driving to just outside the meeting field, letting me change, getting in position, then walking in from there. Jake and I will need to lead, with the wolves flanking, everyone else in the space between the pack. Jasper right beside Jake and me, Char and Peter behind him, then Edward and Alice behind them. I know you all don't want me open like that, but it must be this way, or he will not take me for the true goddess I am. It's like a show we have to put on... does that make sense?"
Not too long before sunrise, Alice and Edward headed back to the main house to get showered and changed. We had all spent the rest of the night cuddling, kissing, touching, and loving each other. When they left, it didn't feel like a goodbye. I held and kissed both of them, then curled back into my mates.
"Is it bad that I don't want that to be a one time thing?" I whispered a few minutes after they left.
My mates all kissed where they could reach before saying together, "No. Not a bad thing at all."
I looked up to Jasper, "Are we trying to hold on to the past? I know you and Alice were intimate before... was it the same tonight?"
Jasper looked at me intensely. "It was not the same. Tonight was totally different, Darlin’. We each had our mates to make us feel complete. I don't feel like we're trying to hold on to the past at all. I felt your feelings for Edward as you made love together. Yes, you were making love, but the feelings you were both giving off were less than the love you give off when you are with one of us three. The four of us can be close to them, be with them, but still know who our heart belongs to. I have a feeling Edward will never play roughly with you. With how badly he needed you tonight, how badly he desired you... and to finally be able to have you like that... I think he will be a romantic lover, a passionate lover, a playful lover, but never a rough lover."
I smiled while nodding, "I liked his little playful nips and licks tonight. It was like the playful side I've seen in him outside of the bedroom lately. It suits him. It made me feel good that he could feel that playfulness with me. I think Ali still blames herself. It felt like a lot of the time she and I were together, she was trying to say she was sorry through her actions."
Peter whispered, "She was... with both of ya. It won't always be like that, though. You and Edward finally makin' love was a good thing. I think there were still unresolved things between the two of ya, but ya were finally both able to let go of them. It's what ya both needed, and it felt right seein' ya both like that."
Jasper and Char both nodded, so I whispered, "Do you all want it to happen again?"
They all kissed me, nodded, then Jasper spoke softly, "I do, Darlin', but only if it's like it was tonight... all of us in the same room. I don't think I'd be okay with you being alone with them, but I feel fine with seeing you together... do you understand?"
I smiled, "Yes, I feel the same way. I know I'm okay seeing you with Alice, but I don't think I'd be okay with you being alone with her... Edward, either. It just feels wrong to think about us not all being together when it happens. I don't want it to be a planned thing. If we plan it, I think it would take all the fun out of it."
Char spoke up, "When do we tell them?"
I shook my head, "My change is... well, since it's almost dawn... tomorrow night. I think like we should get my change over, then sit down with them. Maybe have another get together before we go to Texas. Peter, I feel like they are supposed to go with us right after my change to go see the shaman. I don't like that we have to go then, but I feel like there are certain ones that need to go, and that we need to leave less than 24 hrs after my change. There's something with the timing... a gift?"
Peter chuckled, "Yes, Kitten. The shaman wishes to gift ya. I feel ya should allow it. He doesn't gift just anyone, plus I feel whatever his gift is, it could benefit us in the battles. Who are the ones ya feel need to go with us?"
I thought for a second. "The four of us, Jake, Leah, Embry, Paul, Seth, Alice, and Edward. Alice won't like that she can't see with the wolves, but you'll instinctively take us the safest route. There's no need to contact the shaman to set up the meeting... he already knows, and will be waiting for us in the meeting field. Jake and I will have to go into this in full protector/goddess mode, so I need to get Ali working on a full goddess outfit. It has to be a certain one. I see it in my head. He's expecting me to show my powers outright... I think it'll come instinctively when I see him anyway. He's very connected to his roots, so I'll recognise him as friend right away."
Peter smiled, "Havin' one of my gift moments, Kitten?"
I laughed, remembering the moment he said he felt we needed to go to Texas after the battle, along with my comment to him. "Yes, Peter. Like you, when the info hits, it really hits. We should get showered and dressed, so that we can get to the main house. Can one of you call ahead to Esme, to have her and the girls start breakfast for everyone? As soon as we get there, we need to sit everyone down for a meeting. The elders will already be there, so we won't have to wait. Everyone can eat while the meeting takes place."
We all got up and into the shower, soft touches or kisses as we washed each other being the only intimate contact. I put on the gaucho set that Alice made me, which was really comfortable. As soon as everyone was ready, I rode on Jake's back over to the house. It felt good to be close to him after last night. I leaned in to whisper to him before we reached the house, "I love you, Jake. I'm glad I can have you by my side through all of this. I don't know what I'd do without you."
He nodded his big wolf head as I saw the sparkle in his eyes. He felt the same way. When we reached the house, Jake immediately dropped to his belly to let me down. Peter helped me down, kissing my tummy in the process, then we all walked into the house.
Esme and the girls were plating the food when we walked in. She came to me, kissing my temple, "Good morning... right on time. How was your night?"
I smiled softly, "It was wonderful. Thank you Esme.”
I hugged and said good morning to the rest of the girls, then Esme handed Char a small platter for me. We headed outside just as Esme called for the pack to come and get it, with the girls handing out plates to the elders and Charlie. I walked over to them sitting at a new picnic table, to kiss Charlie and Sue on the forehead, "Sorry about my disappearance. My love day hit suddenly. There was no way I was going to leave the privacy of the cabin. I hope you understand."
They all smiled widely, then Sam offered, "No need for explanations, Sister. Carlisle and Eleazar were kind enough to explain the bonds and love days to us, as well as the pack."
I smiled, then brought my hands in front of me. A projection of the soul pieces of my mates showed for them to see. I noticed everyone gathering around as I said, "These are the soul pieces I carry of my mates as of this morning.
I projected the vision higher so everyone could see. A lot of them gasped, "So beautiful."
The projection came back to me before dissipating, then a new one appeared. The soul pieces my mates carried of me. I projected it up, saying, "These are the ones my mates hold of me. You'll notice that the outside surface is different than the ones I hold. The elements they gave to me protect the pieces of me they hold. The elemental power is protection."
They all gasped as the saw the projection. I brought the projection back down, then smiled at the surprise I was about to give my Major. I walked up to him, kissing him softly, "Major, you need to see this."
I centered myself before projecting the new soul piece I held. I was larger than the others by a fraction, with the surface being all four colors, swirling and blending. It was exquisite, pulsing in perfect time with my heartbeat. You could sense the power and strength rolling off it in the same pulsing rhythm. Major looked at me deeply, seeing the same thing inside me, then whispered in awe, "Isabella?"
I nodded with happy tears in my eyes. He crushed me to him, fluttering soft kisses all over my face. When we broke away, I said to everyone, "That is the Goddess Elemental's soul piece of her true match, her true mate... Major Jasper Whitlock."
Everyone gasped, then hushed whispers rushed through the back yard. "I have one more to show you."
I closed my eyes as I felt the change in them, then opened them to look at Major. I cupped both of his cheeks, kissing him softly, "I need you to let all of it flow to me, Major. Everything you felt when you claimed me. I need to see, so I can show them."
He nodded, then closed his eyes for a second. When he opened his eyes, looking intently at me, I gasped with the onslaught of emotions. I braced myself, then let it all flow into me as I looked deeply into him. I saw what I was looking for. It was indescribably beautiful. I mentally stroked and kissed my piece Major held, then backed out. He was smiling. I kissed him softly again, then felt him wiping tears from my face. I didn't even realise I had been crying silent tears.
I nodded, so he wrapped his arms around me from behind as I faced everyone again. With his hands on my tummy, I cupped mine in front of me, centered, then projected the new soul piece vision into the air. The gasps and head drops from the humans and vampires, as well as the belly drops and whimpers of the wolves, were all I needed to know. Every one of them recognised the soul and power of the Goddess Elemental.
My soul piece that Major held was awe inspiring. It was all four colors, like the one I held of him, but the surface swirled, melding with the elements. Fire, water, air, and earth all swirled on the surface, floating in and out of each other, blending colors and swirls, emitting the most power I've ever felt in the soul pieces. So much power, that it seemed to radiate throughout the whole yard.
I slowly brought the projection back down before letting it dissipate. "That is the soul piece the Major holds of the Goddess Elemental. His claiming of her last night was the final puzzle piece to be fitted with my mates."
Esme whispered, "So much power. Is that what she feels like to you?"
I smiled softly while shaking my head, "No... that was only the barest amount of power compared to her true strength. When she and Major are side by side, there is no stopping them. I showed you all the last two because I need you all to know for sure that we can do this. We can win the battles if we all continue to work as one. I know training has been messed up the last couple of days, but we will train today in La Push. I need to work with water today, and all of the wolves will need to be present. This needs to be done before my turning tomorrow night.”
I took a breath, then said, “Tomorrow is a new moon... October 7th. My change will take place tomorrow night as scheduled. As soon as my turning is complete, Carlisle will need to do another physical, to make sure the babies and I made it safely through the change. Less than 24 hrs after my turning is complete, we will be splitting for a few days. It is necessary for this to happen. Myself, along with Jasper, Char, Peter, Jake, Embry, Leah, Paul, Seth, Alice, and Edward will be making our way to see the shaman. It is imperative we go then, as the shaman wishes to gift me with something that my mates and I feel will be a boost for us in the battles. Jake will coordinate with the ones of the pack that remain, so I wish for the elders to only travel with the pack when they leave a protected space.”
After another breath, I said, “I also wish for the elders to go through some teachings of the Quileutes with the families, as they will need to know this for the battles. I don't know why, but it's needed. Please all listen to the guidance the elders will give. Be respectful of the teachings, even if they don't necessarily coincide with what you've known during your existence. We will not have any tries to breach our defenses while we are gone, so you are safe inside the protection fields. Charlie, the same goes for you. Do not leave the protection of the fields without being with a bunch of the family or pack. Stick with Sue and the elders. Please, all of you, be careful. Does anyone have questions?"
Old Quil asked softly, "Which of our teachings do you wish for us to share, Young Goddess?"
I smiled as walked to him, cupping his cheek, "You need not tell them of anything involving the elder burial grounds or the prayer island, Quil. I know that is sacred. You may if you wish, but it's not essential. The old legends, scrolls, prophecies, and stories. That is what they need to hear. I know you will be in prayer tomorrow evening and through my change. Please allow Charlie to go with you. He needs to be close to Sue during my change, and will cause no problems during your prayer. His connection to me will actually boost your prayers.”
Without pausing, I continued, “Today, when we head over to La Push, we will be bringing the paintings. Once training is complete for the day, several of the highest ranking of the pack will escort you to the island with the paintings, then help get them in place for tomorrow. We will return here while the elders retire to be with their families. You will have tomorrow to prepare for anything you need during your prayer on the island tomorrow night. Quil will be the only wolf on the island with you, so you will be able to keep track of my progress. Does all this sound acceptable?"
He smiled widely, "More than acceptable, Young Goddess. Do you wish us to also teach some of our songs and their meanings?"
I nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, that would be very helpful. With their vampire minds, they will pick up the dialect and translations quickly. It could help them coordinate or focus, if they sing them during training and mock fights."
He nodded with a smile. I kissed his cheek, then looked to the group. "Do any of you have any objections to what I've said?"
Carlisle spoke up, "No objections, Dear. I also think it would help us work more seamlessly with the elders and pack, if we knew more about their culture. You have a good grasp of how our minds work, so I believe the songs will be beneficial. My only question is of your safety being split from the rest of us. I know everyone going with you would give their life for yours, as would anyone here, but what of the danger and risk to all of you?"
I kissed his temple, causing him to relax a small bit, "Carlisle, please do not worry for us. Peter will instinctively take us the route that is safest. We will encounter no danger during our trip. There is a reason that those certain ones must go with us, but I don't know what it is yet. It has something to do with the gift. Please trust that the shaman will know the best way to help us on our path, that he will be able to give us some answers about the two pieces of jewelry we acquired. I would not put our new family at risk of becoming hurt on this trip. I do think of us as all one family. That's the only way I can see this working."
He nodded, kissing my temple, "Of course, I trust you, Dear. I'm just concerned that it may be too soon after the pregnancy took, too soon after your change is complete."
He hugged me to him, so I squeezed tight around his waist as I said, "That was the reason for the venom to my cervix. To make sure that the three of us would be safe and make it through everything healthy. We will be perfectly fine throughout the entirety of the trip, I swear."
He kissed the top of my head, then I released him to walk to Esme. I looked at her seriously, "I know you'll worry while we are gone, but your mate will need you to keep him calm. His being a protective figure and my doctor will have him at wit's end, so he will need you to be strong for him. I love you. I will return with everyone safe and sound."
My eyes swirled as she nodded. "I will, Dear. Please keep them safe. We couldn't get through it if something happened to any of you."
I hugged her tightly to me, breathing in her ear, "Get everyone to concentrate all their efforts on learning from the elders. It's important, and will help as a distraction from us being gone for a few days. Jake will be able to keep the pack updated on our status, even from states away, through the mind link. You won't be without knowledge of our welfare."
She nodded, hugged me tightly for a few seconds, then smiled brightly at me. I knew she had the courage she needed now, so my eyes swirled before changing back to green. "Now, everyone eat. I'm starved."
The somber mood broke instantly, and everyone split off to find a place to converse while eating breakfast. My mates and I sat under the tree with Jake, Alice and Edward. I smiled at my mates after a few minutes of eating. They smiled back at me. They knew I wanted to tell them of our decision. I pulled Alice and Edward toward me, smooshing them to either side of my face in a hug as I breathed into their ears, "Yes. The four of us love you, and don't want it to be a one time thing. Our answer is yes. We'll sit down privately to go over our wishes tonight."
Instantly both of them tackled into the four of us, being careful of my tummy, exclaiming their joy with temple kisses, hugs and slaps on the back between the guys.
I noticed Carlisle and Esme curled into one another, smiling at us. I had no doubt that the two of them knew what we were talking about... but I also knew that they would not breathe a word to anyone. I nodded at both of them with a smile. In response, their smiles widened to cheshire status. I was sure I would talk with Carlisle later.
When our little excitement party calmed, Edward kissed my temple before breathing, "I love you, Sweetheart. Always."
I nodded, breathing back, "I know, and I love you both, too. I hope you felt that last night."
He agreed, then sat back to bring Alice into his lap. I remembered the outfit I needed to wear to meet the shaman, so I looked to Alice. "I need a special outfit to wear to meet the shaman. If I send you the image, do you think you can make it during my change? You can't start until they bite me, but it must be complete by the time my change is done."
She nodded excitedly, so I closed my eyes to picture me in ultimate goddess mode. I turned slowly in the outfit, for her to see it from every angle. It was a wide leg pant suit, had a low cowl neck on the front with short flutter sleeves. The front hugged my curves in soft fabric, ending right at where a side seam would be. The back was completely backless to my tailbone, except for a beautiful silver adjustable chain at the top of my shoulders to keep the sleeves in place. The fabric for the bottoms of the back hugged the shape of my ass, then fell delicately into the wide pant legs like a waterfall. The main color was white with silver, red, green, and blue embroidered swirls and splashes. It was a stunning outfit, truly fit for the Goddess Elemental.
I sent the turning image to Alice, then heard both her and Edward gasp, "Wow, so beautiful."
When she was done taking in all the detail, her eyes focused, then she said, "I can do it if I have the girls help. I have the perfect material and embroidery thread, but the embroidery has to be hand done on all of it. I won't be able to get that effect without doing it by hand. The sparkle of the thread would be lost on a machine. I have that exact link for the back, too. It was one of the ones I ordered with the fabrics and notions."
I nodded, "You can have all of the help you need as long as only female hands touch it or have any part in making it. Male hands can not touch it until it is completed and on my body. As soon as it's done, you should wrap it in something, so that when we pack, it doesn't accidentally get touched. We'll be driving to just outside the meeting field, letting me change, getting in position, then walking in from there. Jake and I will need to lead, with the wolves flanking, everyone else in the space between the pack. Jasper right beside Jake and me, Char and Peter behind him, then Edward and Alice behind them. I know you all don't want me open like that, but it must be this way, or he will not take me for the true goddess I am. It's like a show we have to put on... does that make sense?"