Deathtouched

by Speaks with Spirits

There are records of mammals dying and showing up in Zootopia for centuries. These mammals are known as Entries. Now, the youngest ever Entry, Zoe Bree Miller age 13, is the latest. Normally, she would have a tough time assimilating due to her lack of life skills. But Zoe does have skills. Skills that no one else in Zootopia has. Zoe is psychic and can speak to the dead.

12. Chapter 12

Deathtouched - Chapter 12

Between school work, chores, duties at the temple, and as many visits as she could make to Zootopia to be with her wives, Zoe's days were full. She would visit with the Grey's as her time allowed, all of them pleased with her entering into the priesthood of Melinoe. Judy was deep in her studies of Criminology and Law Enforcement, while Abby was close to completing her final year of nursing and she had already been offered a spot on the staff of Zootopia General when she graduated.

Zoe had visited Candace after her talk with Oscar saying that she wasn't exactly in her right mind and apologized for being so needy asking Candace to join her in marriage. Candace waved her apology off saying that she understood, and then added that if she wanted to thank her... Leaving the rest unsaid. Both doe's had identical grins as Zoe entered Candace's bedroom.

oooOOOooo

Zoe was called before the magistrate to bear witness in the trial of Greg Grey. He was being charged with Domestic Abuse, Child Abuse, and Attempted Murder. Oscar suggested she wear her Acolyte robes of white with a black mantle at the trial, which she did. It was needless to say that, with her colorless eyes, she caused quite a stir.

The two lawyers argued for and against Greg. Edgar and Walter backed up the evidence they had given the prosecutor, a panther. The doctor's were called and cataloged the injuries that both Darla and Gideon had received at Greg's paw. It was when Zoe was called to witness that clinched his conviction.

As she walked serenely to the front with her head and ears held high and headed for the witness box, she paused next to the table where Greg and his lawyer, a hyena, were sitting, and looked over at Greg with distain. Greg's lawyer immediately objected by claiming that Zoe was trying to intimidate his client.

As the Judge, a rabbit, explained that, since Zoe was not a member of the court and was, in fact, an Acolyte of Melinoe, the court had no grounds to admonish Zoe and threw the objection out. The icing on the cake was when Zoe turned to the hyena and gave him the same look, the lawyer stammered over his next words before deciding that silence was the best option.

The defense lawyer tried to cast doubt on Zoe's abilities. Allowing them to blindfold her, she then repeated everything that Marge told her about what the defense lawyer did, including what he'd written on a pad of paper already hidden from sight in his briefcase. Then they gave her several, seemingly random, items and had her recite the significance of each item compared to a premade list.

Greg Grey tried to glare in hatred at Zoe, but she just returned the stare calmly. This caused Greg to begin to quickly unravel until finally he stood up and screamed his confession. His lawyer hung his head, changed Greg's plea to guilty, and asked for leniency. The court wasn't having it. The magistrate then sentenced Greg to 50 years in Zootopia prison with a chance for parole after 30 years.

oooOOOooo

Zoe's 14th birthday passed in a bittersweet way. Both her wives returned to Bunnyburrow and shared it with her, spending the day at their spot by the lake. Zoe was surprised at Abby's gift to her, the same thing Zoe gave to Judy. She walked into the tent to see Abby kneeling in front of her in black restraints, presenting the handle of her lead to Zoe with hearts in her eyes. Abby's tag read Property of Zoe, I'm yours forever! Zoe then attempted to follow her intention of turning Abby into a pleasure puddle as many times as she could. Two out of three times wasn't bad.

oooOOOooo

Zoe found almost as much comfort in her temple duties as she did in the Nursery, even though her parents released her from chores. She had been learning the duties of being an acolyte as well as those of being a priestess. She learned the rites and rituals required, and had even performed several. Funerals were always a sad affair for the living, though the priesthood of Melinoe understood the circle of life better than most.

As her time in service to Melinoe continued, she began to feel her goddess's presence grow stronger. She also felt another, stronger, entity as well. The stronger, Hades, she could feel affection whereas with Melinoe, she could feel the love the goddess had for her. There were smaller impressions also giving off the feeling of... approval? It was a wonderful, scary feeling.

Zoe had helped more ghosts move on, as well as helping some of the living relatives deal with the loss. Zoe could feel herself more centered the more she spent in Melinoe's service. Even the lowly duties required of an acolyte didn't bother her, such as she found herself now, scrubbing the flagstones in the local temple. Zoe had just dipped the brush into the soapy water and begun cleaning another stone when she heard Oscar's voice call out to her.

"Zoe, put your brush back in the bucket, young Felix here will take your place."

Zoe looked up to see a young ram in acolytes robes standing next to Oscar, who was in his official robes. Doing as she was told, Zoe climbed to her feet and walked over to Oscar who turned and started walking. Zoe walked beside him, easily keeping pace.

While walking, Oscar addressed Zoe. "Word has come from our mother temple in Zootopia that our High Priest wishes to meet with you. You've passed everything required, and you are to be elevated to the rank of Priestess next week. Aaron wants to perform the ceremony himself."

Zoe froze in shock, and would have fallen over it Oscar hadn't caught her.

"Already? But what about my school work? Are you sure I'm ready? I don't know... Priestess? "

Oscar smiled, Zoe's reaction showed how humble she was, which was much preferable than being filled with pride. "Breathe Zoe, breathe. Yes, already. I told you it wouldn't take long. You know all that you need to know to be a Priestess of Melinoe, you deserve it. As for your school work, we've already contacted them."

"Priestess." Zoe whispered to herself as she tried to wrap her head around it. "But, you're the Priest of Melinoe for this area."

Oscar grinned, "And I will continue to be so, you'll just be helping me. You don't have to worry Zoe, you'll be doing the same thing you have been for the past several months, with the exception of acolyte duties, you'll just have a different outfit."

Priests and Priestesses of Melinoe were more subtle in their robes and mantles than most others in the priesthood. Theirs was a simple badge sewn onto their left breast area of their robes. The badge consisted of a rose, half black, half white, on a field that was black and white also. The white part of the rose on a black background and the black part on a white background. The badge itself was surrounded by silver edging representing the Great Wheel, known as the Circle of Life.

"I'm proud of you Zoe, and I'm honored and blessed that I've been able to have a paw in your training. I look forward to kneeling before you when you become High Priestess."

Oscar then turned to Zoe and kissed her between her ears. Zoe felt a rush of happiness and affection for the beaver. She would never lose her respect for him.

When Zoe announced the news when she returned home, her parents were ecstatic. Plans were made to attend her elevation ceremony. They were especially impressed when Zoe told them that the High Priest himself wanted to talk to her and perform the ceremony himself, they were floored.

Later, Zoe called her wives. Judy was the one to pick up the phone

"Hey Z!" in the background she heard Abby say "Is that Zoe?"

Zoe heard the sound change in the phone and knew that they'd put her on speaker.

"Hey Z! You're on speaker!" Judy unnecessarily informed her.

"We love and miss you Z!" Abby yelled, the yelling also unnecessarily.

"Hello my Loves! I miss y'all too! I needed to call and say that I'll be coming to Zootopia in a few days so we can catch up."

"A few days? Zoe, that's Tuesday! Why are you coming on a weekday? Don't you have school?"

"It is, I've been granted permission to miss school for a few days. I'd like it if you can clear your schedules and have that day off."

"Well, I can skip a day of classes." Judy offered.

"And I can switch shifts with one of the other nurses, but why Tuesday?" Asked Abby.

"I have to go to the mother temple in Zootopia and meet with the High Priest."

Sounds of shock and amazement came over speaker.

"Really?! What does he want?" Judy queried.

Zoe grinned even though her wives couldn't see it. "He wants to be the one to perform my Rite of Elevation to Priestess."

The phone was silent for several seconds before it exploded with "Eeeeeeeeeeeeee!" from both Abby and Judy. Fortunately, Zoe had pulled the phone away from her ear immediately after mentioning her upcoming elevation.

"Zoe! That is so awesome!" Abby exclaimed happily.

"Baby, that is wonderful! You so deserve it! We'll be there, no one would try to keep us away from something like this!" From there, the wives ironed out the details and then the conversation turned to more mundane things.

oooOOOooo

Judy was wearing her acolyte's robe and mantle as she walked into Temple Square near Downtown Zootopia. Each major god, such as Zeus and Hera, had their own separate temples, while all of the minor gods had a temple housed in a single, huge building. It was this building that Zoe was approaching.

The edifice was huge, with immense white marble columns, and was ornately carved, just like the major temples. The main difference was, where the major temples were carved with the symbol of the deity worshiped, the Minor Hall, as it was called, had a symbol for each of the gods represented within.

While walking up the steps, Zoe's eyes were taking in the superb architecture of the building itself. The entrance consisted of two immense doors, currently open, both ornately carved with various bas relief images of normal Zootopian life. Each door was opened by a thick, bronze ring attached to the door itself. Next to the rings were two rhino's, both of whom were wearing acolyte's robes of red with a white mantel, the colors of Janus, god of doorways, passages, gateways, and transitions; as well as beginnings, endings, and choices.

Zoe took off her sunglasses and placed them in a pocket inside her mantel. The two rhino's, who had noticed her robes, felt a slight chill run down their spine at her white eyes. Zoe nodded to them in greeting and they nodded back.

Inside the hall, Zoe was met by a priest and a priestess of Melinoe. The priest, a hippo, and the priestess, a tigress, smiled and introduced themselves. "Greetings Zoe, I am Dan, aide to Aaron, our High Priest."

"And I am Wendy."

Zoe bowed, given that she was still an acolyte. "Thank you, I appreciate your reception, especially since I've never been here before and have no idea where to go!" Zoe smiled at them.

"This way," Dan said as he turned and started heading for a set of stairs, twin to the one across the hall, "our temple is on the second tier. Most of the temples on the first floor belong to the more popular minor deities, such as Tyche." He gestured to an opening with Tyche's symbol carved on the keystone.

"Given what we've heard of you so far Zoe, I'm sure that you would have found your way somehow. We just wanted to escort you as a matter of respect. We understand that you've been especially blessed by Melinoe." Wendy said.

"Well, it's true that I can see and talk to ghosts among other things. I hadn't really thought about becoming a priestess until the day I was married to my wives, Judy and Abigail. That's when Vivian, the Priestess of Hera for Bunnyburrow, suggested it to me."

They had climbed the steps, Zoe using the outer set built for smaller mammals, while Dan and Wendy took the center set.

Dan smiled, "We're glad that she did, and that you accepted. We were getting worried about finding someone to replace him and when Vivian came to us and spoke of a young rabbit, an Entry, with a connection to Melinoe even stronger that Aaron's, we took it as an omen."

They had guided Zoe as they talked, past a stone doorway with the symbol of Melinoe carved into the keystone. To call it a temple would have been generous, it was more like a large shrine, able to hold a few dozen people. Zoe closed her eyes and bowed her head to the statue of Melinoe that stood in the center of the back wall, In response, she could feel her goddesses love for her emanate from it.

Dan and Wendy bowed as well and Zoe wondered if they could feel their goddesses love as well. The statue was half white and half black, representing the manifestation of the goddess herself. Now silent, Wendy guided Zoe to the right corner of the back wall where one of the identically carved wooden screens blocked the corners themselves from casual observation. Behind the screen was a plain, large door. Once they had shown Zoe the door, they told her goodbye and left.

Zoe stood in front of the door for several seconds before raising her paw to knock. Before her fist could connect to it, a strong male voice could be heard from the inside. "Come in Zoe."

Both her eyebrows and her ears rose at the same time in surprise. Zoe grabbed the handle and let herself into the room. She was pleasantly surprised when she entered. The room looked very similar to Oscar's office, with the notable exception of blueprints scattered over the desk. The desk itself was toward the back of the room and centered on the wall, leaving just enough room for a medium sized mammal to sit behind the desk. A small arched window allowed in enough light to see by, even though electric lighting was available. Two upholstered chairs sat at an angle in front of it. To the left was a couch with a coffee table in front of it, and to the right were two chairs similar to the ones in front of the desk, separated by a small, round table currently holding a tea service.

In the far chair sat a wolf so old that he appeared to be ancient. The fur on his muzzle was white with age. His garb was the same as other priests and priestesses. But, as High Priest, he also had a white dove on a black background surrounded by a silver circle on the right side of his mantle. The thing that caught Zoe's attention though, was the fact that the wolf's eyes were white!

The wolf chuckled and said "No Zoe, I'm not gifted like you. I am actually blind, have been since birth. And, while I can't see you with my mundane sight, I can sense you and your aura. So don't pity me, please. I've had tea made, would you care to sit and enjoy a cup with me?"

Zoe smiled as she closed the door behind her before walking over to the smaller chair. As she sat down, she marveled at the wolf's movements as he made the tea. If he hadn't mentioned being blind, she'd never have been able to tell. He even made her tea just the way she liked it, just like her coffee. As he poured, Aaron began speaking "As you know, I'm Aaron. My full name is Aaron Darkwater, kinda fanciful I know but you can't help what family you're born into. And to answer the question you haven't asked, I'm 127 years old. So understand that, when I say I've been waiting for you for a while, I mean it."

Zoe was shocked. She could see him being 90, or even 100, but 127? She didn't know mammals could live that long. His voice wasn't weak or shaky either, it was still clear and strong and she said so.

Aaron grinned "Thank you Zoe! All due to the blessings of the goddess we both serve. Would you be kind enough to tell an old wolf how you ended up in Zootopia as an Entry?"

Zoe left nothing out, starting with how she could do things from a young age, traveling to Orlando, the accident, the white peaceful place, waking up in the pumpkin patch, finding Judy, helping Billy move on, finding Abby, getting married, and Vivian's suggestion of entering the priesthood, all the way up to sitting and having tea with the High Priest of Melinoe.

Aaron had leaned back in his chair, a slight frown on his muzzle. When Zoe concluded her history to date, he said "I'm sorry that you were taken from you parents at such a young age. Sadly, sometimes sacrifices are required by the gods. May Melinoe bless them with more children."

"I know. I still miss them, but living here is my life now and it feels like the one I was meant to live. I have a great family and two wonderful wives, I am happy."

Aaron grinned, "Then I'm pleased. Now, I know you have a few more years before you move to Zootopia, where I will undertake your training personally. Until you do, Oscar will continue to aid in your training and, should you need, you may contact me as well."

"I wouldn't want to do that! I'm sure you're very busy being the High Priest and all!"

Aaron laughed "Not as much as you may think. Normally, the local priests can handle almost anything that may arise. It's the exceptions that will required your intervention. I'm sure your career as a police officer will keep you busier than I am. As High Priestess, you may have to engage in meetings once a week or so, depending on what's needed. Overall decisions regarding the priesthood of Melinoe would be your's to make, with the aid of our goddess of course. I can feel her with you even now."

Zoe was wide eyed at what Aaron was saying to her. With his last sentence Zoe couldn't help but grin, her face reflecting the joy within her. "I can feel her! I didn't understand at first, but I feel her with me, all the time! And it's... it's..."

"Glorious." Aaron finished for her.

"Yes! Glorious!" Zoe continued, "And I can feel her here too. Outside, I could feel her love coming from the statue; and here, I can feel her with you, her love for you, and her... pride in you."

Aaron grinned knowingly. "Look at me with your other senses Zoe." Learning how to use her sight to see peoples auras was actually very easy for her to learn, she just had to shift her normal sight slightly. This allowed her to see the person under the mask of the flesh. This served many purposes, including preventing anyone from lying to her.

As she opened her sight, Zoe was amazed at Aaron's spirit. While his body may be frail, his spirit was immensely strong. It was as if he stood twelve feet tall, clad in armor, a warrior-priest for their goddess. She read the dedication he had to their goddess as well as affection for Zoe as well, his genuine happiness at her presence.

"Wow." Was all she said as she let her sight return to normal.

Aaron nodded. "I can sense the same in you Zoe. I already see you strong in our faith and I know that, in the coming years, you will surpass me. I can't see any other mammal I would be content to leave the leadership of our order to. Tomorrow, I'll perform your Rite of Elevation. But I would be happy to designate you as my heir at that time if you will accept it."

Zoe felt as if everything was coming together, all her senses telling her that this was one of the main reasons she had been sent here to Zootopia. Smiling, Zoe looked Aaron in the eyes, knowing that, even though he couldn't see it, he could sense it. She replied, "We serve as the goddess wills, and everything I feel is telling me to accept."

Aaron broke out into a huge grin and opened his arms. Zoe followed her feelings and leaped into Aaron's lap to share a hug with him.

oooOOOooo

Zoe entered their apartment that afternoon to find that neither Judy nor Abby were home yet. She changed out of her garb and into casual clothes and was considering heading out to Good Eats when she stopped and pulled out her phone. Seconds later, it rang.

"Hello Candace, how are you Beautiful?"

"Hey Z, my amazing lover. I just wanted to let you know that we're leaving now and will be there in about two hours."

"Awesome, Judy should be out of classes by then. Abby won't be able to make it since she's on the Emergency Room rotation at the moment and she'll be detained for a while longer."

"Is that something she told you or something you know?"

"Know. Just like I can tell you that yes, you may use the spare bedroom instead of staying in the motel with the others."

"Thank you!"

"And yes, Gloria will be here as well and we have no problem if you want to have her sleep over."

"You know?!" Candace called out. "Of course you know! Do you have any idea what it's like to have a sister that knows things? Of course you don't!"

Zoe understood that Candace was just venting and didn't feel offended by it.

"I can't help it Candace. But you know I won't break anyone's confidence. But I also know that Gloria wouldn't be adverse to spending the night with you again."

"You think so?" Candace asked hopefully.

"I know so Candace."

"Do you think that..."

"Yes." Zoe cut in, not letting Candace finish her sentence. Candace sighed in relief.

"Well then, maybe it's not such a bad thing to have a sister and lover that knows things."

oooOOOooo

Zoe grabbed dinner from Good Eats for everyone and returned home. Judy was at the dining room table doing homework. She was dedicated to the point obsession with law enforcement and would spend hours doing extra reading. Zoe could usually distract her by playing with and kissing her ears but that usually ended in Judy throwing Zoe onto the bed and having her way with her. Which was the outcome Zoe would be hoping for. However, they were going to have to leave in about an hour to pick up their family at the train station.

Zoe set the bags on the table but Judy didn't even look up, so engrossed in her textbook. Zoe stood next to the table watching her wife. Judy's nose began to twitch and her ears rose as she muttered "Mmmmm, Good Eats."

Zoe then leaned down and kissed her wife. "We need to make sure that the spare bedroom is ready, Candace and Gloria will be joining us tonight."

Judy's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"So are they...?" She asked, hinting at what she suspected.

"I can't break a trust Love. You'll have to wait and see."

Judy adopted a sultry look as she rose and then maneuvered herself so that she was pushing Zoe against the dining table. Sliding her paws down Zoe's sides and then reaching around to squeeze Zoe's fluffy tail, she said "Are you sure I can't convince you to let me know?"

Zoe moaned as sudden heat flowed through her. "You know I can't Judy, it wouldn't be right."

She gasped out regretfully. Judy then leaned forward and captured Zoe's lips with her own, giving her a soul deep kiss that lingered for ages as Judy continued to play with her tail. When Judy finally pulled away, saliva strung between Judy's jaw and Zoe's slack one. Zoe had closed her eyes during the kiss and languidly opened them to see Judy's purple eyes mere inches from her own.

"Good!" Judy exclaimed, "I'm proud that you try to always do what is right."

oooOOOooo

Judy and Zoe used their vehicles to collect their family from the station. Their parents, along with Sam, they dropped off at Zootopia Arms, a rather nice hotel not far from Temple Square. Candace they brought back to their apartment where Abby had set the table for five. Counting the settings, Candace couldn't help the happy smile that erupted on her muzzle. She didn't notice the look of amusement and affection that Abby gave her.

It wasn't even a half hour later that there was a knock on their door and they let Gloria in. Candace looked like she was going to vibrate out of her skin, her tail moving so fast it was a white blur. The wives hid their mirth at how Candace was trying to hold herself back. And how Gloria, while more subdued, was doing the same.

Abby approved of their relationship, even if her mother and Candace didn't know that. Her mother had been alone since her father had abandoned them and had developed trust issues when dealing with bucks. As for Zoe and Judy, they'd noticed the change in Candace. While Candace had, at first, stalked Zoe because she was so exotic, it was only later that Candace began to develope deeper feelings for the doe.

With Gloria, she seemed to have a deeper attraction right from meeting her. Zoe couldn't help smiling in happiness as she felt the connection between the two, Aphrodite was definitely present. While Gloria and Candace talked to each other, Zoe caught her wives eyes and surreptitiously played with her wedding ring. Judy grinned hugely at the implication and Abby felt like she couldn't be happier for her mother. And later, if there were sounds of pleasure leaking through the walls of the spare bedroom, they went unheard as they merged with similar sounds from the master bedroom.

oooOOOooo

Zoe, clad in her acolyte's garb, knelt nervously in front of Melinoe's altar. She was almost as nervous as her wedding day, and felt the same joy and hope that she did then as well. She gasped and her eyes widened as she realized that this ceremony would be pretty much the same thing. In a way, she was going from being engaged to her goddess to being married to her. With that, Zoe felt her being infused with warmth and love, eager now to confirm her dedication to her goddess.

Eyes humbly on the ground, her loved ones seated behind her, she waited for Aaron to show. She didn't have long to wait as she heard the door open and the tread of paws moving slowly toward her. Even with her excellent hearing, she couldn't tell if it was two or three mammals in the group, their steps were so light.

Zoe kept her eyes down as one mammal, Aaron, moved in front of her, and two other mammals, Priests of Melinoe, flanked her. Aaron began speaking in his surprisingly strong voice. "Greetings to the friends and loved ones of Zoe Hopps from our goddess, Melinoe. We are here today to elevate Zoe to the rank of Priestess of our order. The rank demonstrates not only the knowledge and skills she has obtained, but the dedication to our goddess as well. Zoe is especially blessed, and loved, by our goddess. Being a Priestess of Melinoe isn't an easy calling at times. You must be able to console the living while helping the dead. We understand the Wheel of Life, Zoe more than any other. The gods called, and she came. The gods asked, and she answered. Zoe Hopps, you are called to serve as a Priestess of Melinoe, do you accept?"

Her voice low and full of emotion, Zoe answered. "I do."

"Do you swear yourself to our goddess's service, performing your duties to the best of your abilities, as guided by our goddess?"

"I do."

"Zoe Hopps, as you have proven your knowledge of the rites and rituals required as a Priestess of Melinoe, and your dedication to our goddess, we elevate you to the rank of Priestess in our order."

The priests on either side of Zoe gently lifted her plain mantle off of her, then Aaron slid her new mantle proclaiming her as a Priestess onto her shoulders. She felt him kiss her between her ears and she wasn't sure it that was part of the Rite or not, she couldn't remember.

"Normally, we would have Zoe rise and take her place among the order. However, I have the pleasure to announce that, with our goddess's guidance and blessings, I proclaim Zoe to be my heir, to take my place when I am called through the veil. Rise Zoe, Priestess of Melinoe, and take your place among us."

Zoe stood, a feeling of accomplishment along with happiness filling her. Aaron engulfed her in a hug, followed by the two priests, one a bobcat, the other a rabbit. Soon her friends and family had their turn.

Zoe introduced her wives to Aaron, as well as her parents who could barely speak in his presence. Aaron smiled at them indulgently. As they left the hall, Zoe was also congratulated my members of the other orders, especially from the High Priest of Hades, an Elk, who also kissed her between her ears. And the High Priestess of Hermes, a vixen, who kissed her on the cheek. They all met at Good Eats for dinner and pretty much took the place over. They had two servers, Melody, a nanny goat, and Barry, a cougar, who ran themselves ragged caring for the twenty odd guests of a Priestess of Melinoe.

Zoe and Judy noticed that Candace followed Abby to the bathroom and, when they came back later, Candace was grinning and Abby had a pleased smirk on her muzzle when they returned. Abby just gave her wives a subtle nod when they caught her eye. When the dinner was over, the tired servers were pleased to find that they had each been tipped 100 dollars.

At home, the wives were joined by Candace and Gloria, who were spending the night with them again. As the Zoe and them sat on the couch, Candace and Gloria sat on two dining chairs that had placed close together, holding paws. Candace cleared her throat nervously, her ears twitching almost violently, which made all three wives smile. Candace had never been known to be timid, so seeing this part of her was new.

"I... we... that is... Gloria and I... have something to say."

Gloria looked at Candace in such a loving way that everyone, especially Abby, felt their hearts swell in happiness.

"Um, I never thought, uh, ahem, that I would, you know..." Candace continued awkwardly.

Gloria smiled at Candace before turning to look at the wives.

"What Candace is trying to say is that we've fallen in love and have decided to marry. Candace talked to Abigail earlier and she gave us her blessing."

Everyone offered their congratulations and then Zoe stood, walked over to Candace, grabbed her paw, and helped her stand. Zoe placed her paw on Candace's cheek and looked deep into her eyes. Zoe saw the awe that was there, as well as the love that Candace had never expected to feel towards another mammal. Zoe gently kissed Candace oh her forehead.

"May the gods bless your union." Zoe said. It felt kind of weird saying that as she was new to the order. It seemed like her words carried more weight than before. It quickly became a hug fest.

When Judy teased Candace about not wanting to have to seek permission to sleep with others, Gloria explained that they had already given each other permission to see whoever they wanted, whenever they wanted to.

The three wives were getting undressed when they began to hear subdued sounds from the guest bedroom shortly before there was a faint, rhythmical, pounding that each of them recognized as a headboard hitting a wall. They snickered before Zoe said "If this keeps up I'm not sure how much sleep we're going to get."

Judy, her voice husky and a hunger in her eyes, looked at her wives and said "Well, since we're not going to get a lot of sleep, we may as well make use of the night."

Both Abby and Zoe felt heat pool in their groins as Judy stalked toward them.

A/N: Okay, another chapter done and Zoe still isn't in Zootopia yet. I'll get her there next chapter! Maybe, I think. Ah, who am I kidding? She'll get there when she's ready, which I'm hoping is in the next chapter. A note about the garb for Melinoe's priests and priestesses. I couldn't find any official colors attributed to Melinoe. But, she's depicted just like Hela in Norse mythos as being black on one side and white on the other. So I picked those as her colors.

One of my loyal readers and reviewers, Guardian Sage, mentioned about the timeline of Judy joining the ZPD and the Mammal Inclusion Initiative, causing Judy to not enter the academy in canon until she was 23. I hadn't really given in it much thought since I envisioned government jobs in my story starting at 18. So, please assume that the Z.I.I was never needed in the first place.

Speaks