Chapter Four

It was unbelievably easy to walk away from them like that, Zoey was shocked with herself, but something had to be done, she had to take control of her life, and maybe, she thought, just maybe, a celibacy pledge was the right route.

She walked through some hedges and came out the other side into a different scene. Zoey immediately recognised it as the courtyard in which Kalona had killed Heath and where she had thrust spirit at him to banish him. The pebbles crunched under her feet, she looked down at them and smiled, was she back?

Then Zoey noticed her hands, her Fledgling tattoos were back, but instead of being only sapphire, lines of crimson intertwined with the blue, which made them appear purple from a distance.

"Oh My Goddess!" she exclaimed, she really was back, and this time she was a red Fledgling as well as a Blue Fledgling, or a Purple Fledgling?

She looked over the rest of her body, and sure enough, the red and blue lines crossed intricately together over her pale skin. She smiled to herself and then heard a familiar voice calling her name.

"Zoey? Is that really you?"

"Stark! Yeah it's me, over here, I'm back!" she looked towards the sound of his voice and saw him approaching her, bow and arrow in hand, an image of a true warrior, she thought. She ran towards him and hit him like a battering ram, which was like hitting a brick wall for Zoey, because Stark didn't move an inch from the impact.

Stark dropped his bow wrapped his arms around Zoey automatically and kissed her head.

"I've missed you so much Zoey" he almost whispered

Zoey pulled back and looked at him.

"I've taken a vow of celibacy and women's independence Stark, so don't try any boyfriend behaviour out on me" she told him

He put his hands up in surrender

"Sorry, what about warrior behaviour? I couldn't function without my High Priestess"

"I guess that's acceptable" she said with a smile and a guy punch in the shoulder, he laughed and pulled her back into his tight embrace.

"Cant…breathe… Stark" she managed to get out, he loosened his grip

"Sorry, I'm just glad to have my Zoey back"

"No, I'm not your Zoey, Stark, I'm not anyone's Zoey, I'm just Zoey Redbird, High Priestess!"

"Sorry, I messed up again"

"No I'm sorry, it's just… see why I have to take preventative measures and make this vow? My life is way too messed up and I need to be alone for a while" she told him

"But I will not let you be alone Zoey, I am your warrior"

"I know… I meant personal time, and ignore my personal emotions ok?"

"Personal time, got it" he replied with a smile, Zoey smiled warmly back at him, she really was glad to be back in the land of the living, even if it was minus Heath and Loren.