Amazonia - The Athenaeum

"Then I'll be the one holding your mother during the days of crying that are coming when you
leave." Boden grabbed Bebo by the back of the neck and pulled her forward into a hug. "But any
excuse to hold the woman I love is welcomed, so don't worry about it."
Bebo laughed and held on to the solid body longer than usual. Later, during her shower she stood
under the hot spray thinking of not having her mom to run to for advice in the coming months.
The upcoming mission was something Boden had done for Audrey as her champion, but they'd
had each other for the duration. Aside from Max, Steph and Beth, and a few other guards, she
would be on her own.
In a pair of loose fitting cotton pants and t-shirt, Bebo walked to the temple, close to the palace.
Along the street she greeted everyone who stopped and bowed in reverence to her title. She was
beloved among the people, because like Audrey and Boden, Bebo never used her station to make
others feel bad about their own.
When she entered the sacred place, she and her guards removed their shoes and walked to the
altar. From her knees Bebo looked up at the large statue of their patron goddess. The likeness,
carved from the trunk of a tree that once grew in their forest, had been in their tribe since the
year they had settled on the island. Along with the national archives, it was one of the people's
most treasured possessions.
Emelda watched as the dark head lowered and Bebo's hands went up in a position of prayer. The
head priestess had been present the day the princess had been born and remembered how the
queen had sobbed when they had placed the baby in her arms. They were not tears of despair or
sadness, but tears of complete joy at getting everything she had hoped for. Audrey was a kind
and giving person, and when she met and fell in love with Boden, she wanted to gift her with a
child, but not just any child. She wanted Boden to help her raise a piece of both of them.
There kneeling in Artemis' temple was Audrey's wish. Bebo was tall and built like a fighter. Her
body was lean and had just enough musculature to be extremely attractive. The eyes were the
same sky blue of Boden's but her mouth and nose were more like Audrey's as was the texture of
the thick black hair. Boden's hair was dark and slightly curly, but her mate's locks were on the
other end of the color spectrum. The sun streaked blonde showed traces of red in certain lights in
the straight tresses, so Bebo was, in a way, a compromise along those lines as well. The dark hair
came from one mother but the thick strands showed no traces of Boden's curls.
A perfect blend of light and dark thought Emelda, just like her mothers and some of their ancient
queens and their consorts. More importantly, the next generation would be blessed with a love
story to continue where Audrey and Boden would leave off. The priestess had seen it in her
visions and it was time to set the game in motion.
"Why does she look so sad, mistress?" asked Emery, Emelda's apprentice.
"The princess is conflicted about the future, Em, so we will do our best to ease her mind. Take
her silent shadows for a walk so I can talk to her."