Kaye was still sitting under the trees on the end of the cliff later that afternoon when Celeste found her. The Daughter sat next to her. "Are you okay? Bryant told me what happened."

"I'm fine," Kaye said and sighed. "My wings are sore, but mostly it scared me." She looked at the groups of Faye going about their business. "And it was embarrassing."

Celeste's smile softened. "I imagine. But every Faye here has been through it—like a rite of passage. It’s how they learn to fly."

"But I know how to fly. The problem isn’t lack of knowledge; it's that I haven't used my wings since they were injured. I tried to tell Bryant that they wouldn't hold." She put her chin on her knee and looked in the direction of Gaerlom. She could see only trees and mist, but she knew it was there and she missed it.

Celeste ran her fingers through Kaye's hair like a mother calming a child. "He was trying to help, Kaye. He thought you were scared to jump, and he is not one to coddle others."

"The High Priestess isn't a coddler either, but she never dropped me off a cliff."

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

"But he caught you," Celeste's hand continued. "You must learn to trust again. Trust people, trust the Mother."

Kaye looked at her. "I've always trusted Aleda."

Celeste shook her head. "Then why did you stab the Obsidian? Why did you climb the mountain? Why did you try to cross the pass in winter? Do you not trust the Mother to make things right in time? You need to learn to stop and listen to Her."

Kaye turned away and hugged her knees closer. "I do listen to Her."

Celeste's fingers never stopped combing through Kaye's hair. She was working the energy, drawing the worry and pain out into the air. When she spoke her voice was soft, as if she was putting Kaye to bed. "You listen to your High Priestess, to your family, to your own desires. You must shut those things out if you are to be a priestess. You must trust the Mother, even if it feels like she has thrown you off a cliff."

Kaye sighed. "What if I don't want to be a priestess anymore?"

Celeste’s fingers stopped and she was silent for a long moment. "You still need to learn to trust the Mother."

Kaye didn't reply and they sat in silence, listening to the children play and the birds sing down the sun. Finally, Celeste stood. "Will you come to the cave?"

"Yes." Kaye stood. Despite Celeste's best intentions her body ached.

"Will you let Bryant fly you up?"

She turned and scanned the wall. It was much too high for her sore muscles to climb today. "Yes, I suppose."

"I promise he will not drop you," Celeste said and led Kaye to the wall as she whistled for Bryant.