Dare to Defy by Breanna Hayse

you have already given more than the gods would have ever desired. You give them your faith and trust that they will embrace the spirit of your child when he departs this world. Let them bring you comfort now, and heal you. A healthy daughter will be born to you next spring and she will fill your life with delight,” Ilesbet said as the warmth of prophecy glowed through her. “Name her after your great-grandmother, Sanchae.”
    “You knew my great-grandmother?” The woman’s eyes were wide. “She has been dead for fifty winters!”
    “Not I, daughter—the gods. She honored them with her faith and they wish that she is to be honored with the naming of your child. Blessings will befall upon her, and you.”
    Günter watched the sad woman leave them. Her gait was slumped with grief as she held her dying infant in her arms. She stopped once to glance back at them, and then hurried along her way. He kissed Ilesbet’s neck.
    “Your love for our people always makes my heart fill with pride. I wish now that I could make love to you rather than be forced to punish you.”
    “She harbors much anger toward both the gods and me,” Ilesbet sighed. “I fear for her. Should she choose to hold this bitterness, she will meet with a violent death. As for your wish, I promise that you will take me this morning, husband. And I will be given vision,” Ilesbet said dreamily. Günter sighed, understanding at last. She needed to be given access to her mind’s eye this day. And she could only be brought to that place through lovingly delivered pain. He just hoped that he had the strength to give her what she required this time.
    The albino mare trotted through the heavily wooded glen, nickering slightly as a bird flew by her head. She needed no reins, for she followed her mistress’ verbal instructions, taking her riders to the place of prayer and secret solitude. No one else dared enter the priestess’ refuge, for the woods were believed to be charmed with protection spells that would confuse the uninvited and send them trampling off the side of a cliff. Günter felt the change as they entered the forbidden region, his skin crawling with tingles as the magic felt him out to see if he had permission to enter the sacred Runes.
    Ilesbet melted against him, that same pulsating waves of magic filling her as they entered the holy place. She reached for his arms after he dismounted, joining him in a strong embrace. Valkye tossed her white head, devoid of riders, and trotted off in search of tender sprouts and fragrant flowers.
    “You know what must be done, my love. Offer me to the gods,” Ilesbet demanded softly, standing naked before him. He nodded, drawing his dagger from his belt and taking her hand in his, pierced her palm with the tip. He then pierced his own palm and pressed blood against blood, feeling the sharing of her power into his soul. Ilesbet began chanting as she raised her arms into the air, summoning the forces of nature to join her. Günter waited in anticipation, for nature to obey.
    The creaking of ancient branches resounded as the circle of trees came to life, entwining their long, supple limbs around the priestess’ wrists and forearms. Slowly, they lifted her until she swung, suspended in the air, her toes merely brushing the soft grasses beneath her feet. A drop of her blood fell upon the ground and a golden flower sprouted. That was to be the instrument of her pain and her pleasure, the very thing needed to bring her Sight. Soundlessly, Günter sliced the long flower at the base and felt it change in his hand as the remnants of his blood touched the stalk. The golden petals turned into leather and the stalk, a flexible switch. He swooshed it through the air, the sound of hissing causing Ilesbet’s head to turn with widened eyes.
    “The gods have not seen fit to bring a switch to me before,” she whispered, a flash of fear in her face.
    “The gods must realize that you have been needing more of late, and that