have been Chosen specifically to be the Leader of the Tydes, however you were not Chosen to be a Nereid because your mother could only choose you for one specific calling. All that means is that your future sisters must each
“The god or goddess who Chooses them, must give them part of their own essence, right?”
“That is correct. So you see, in the few months you have been reacquainted with our world, you have exceeded our expectations and have easily proved your strength and loyalty to the Tyde Order. We wanted to invite you here today to allow some of your sisters to Choose you.”
“Wow…” I responded wide-eyed. “Do they all have to…Choose me?”
She nodded in confirmation. “Not all believe you are ready; however, I have a feeling they will be convinced one way or another before your Epiphany Ceremony on your birthday, which is January 1st.” She winked at me and then said, “Now, place your hand on top of mine, palm up.”
I did as she instructed. A peacefulness fell over her face and she closed her eyes. A slight tingling sensation stirred in the middle of my palm; gradually spreading throughout my entire hand. I watched with utter fascination as drops of sparkling clear liquid began to seep up from my skin, forming a small puddle in the middle of my palm. When Nemertes opened her eyes, the sparkling puddle detached itself from my palm, formed a small droplet that hovered precariously in the air for several seconds, then burst and disappeared.
When I jumped in surprise at the mini explosion, Nemertes snickered softly and kissed my forehead. She paused for several seconds as she met my eyes once more. In a soft but firm voice she spoke in Greek.
“Echete Epilexei.”
Before I could ask her what that meant in English, or how glittering water had percolated in my perfectly dry palm, she strode gracefully to the edge of the courtyard and chose a spot to stand.
Not knowing what else to do, I inspected my hand; finding only the same skin and nails that were there ten seconds ago. I didn’t feel any different, but maybe I wouldn’t until all of the Nereids Chose me? I’d also like to ask Nemertes if Keto was included in the ‘all Nereids’ comment. I had a feeling the only thing she’d want to ‘Choose’ me for was a punching bag.
A new storm of nerves erupted in my stomach as a striking woman dressed in the same traditional dress, but donning a bronze swath of fabric floated into the courtyard. Her sandy brown hair and sparkling caramel eyes were almost muted by the energy that her smile radiated. She breezed to a stop in front of me and clasped her hands together. I noticed her bronzed skin had tiny freckles that cascaded down her arms and dusted her nose.
“I am Psamanthe,” she announced with a simple dignity. “Nereid and goddess of sand.”
Phoebe was her descendent! She definitely shared Psamanthe’s unique energy and innocence, which had a way of ridding the world of its harshness. She smiled once more and held out her hand without another word. I placed mine in hers, palm up, and she followed the same steps that Nemertes had a couple minutes earlier. Another small drop of sparkling liquid pooled in my palm. A light breeze blew up around Psamanthe and lifted my hair, bringing the wholesome aroma of sea oats with it. Just as before, the droplet of liquid hovered briefly and then burst.
“Echete Epilexei” she proclaimed, tilting her head towards me respectfully. “Please tell Phoebe I am extremely proud of the young woman she has become.”
“She will be overjoyed to hear that,” I answered in an effort to sound as equally dignified and poised. I’m pretty sure I failed miserably, being that I was neither dignified nor poised. I inspected her warm, caramel eyes and found more of the same contagious energy swirling from within.
Apparently she was doing the same.
“You have a strong connection to the sand as well,” she stated with a child-like grin.
“I do,” I confirmed.
“I can sense its presence within you,” she said as she tilted her head in fascination. She stepped forward; her eyes darting back and forth and then whispered, “Try talking to the ghost crabs and see what happens.”
“Ghost crabs…?” I began to say, but she was already walking away with an impish grin.
As she took her place next to Nemertes, a third woman materialized inches away from me. I let out a light yelp and my hand went to my heart in surprise. I heard a light tinkle of laughter from Nemertes and Psamanthe. So much for the strong front I was trying to keep up. The newcomer wore a lavender swathe secured with dark purple jewels. As I met her enchanting violet eyes, a twisting wind whipped up around us. Her hair, with every tone of purple represented, swirled around her heart-shaped face. The loose sand and dust that surrounded the courtyard was swept up into a mini tornado that I now found myself enclosed in.
“I am Plexaure,” she announced in a velvety voice. “Nereid and goddess of the twisting breeze.” No wonder I was standing in a tornado! She presented me with her dainty hand, which was decorated with an array of silver rings that accented the row of silver bangles around her wrist. I placed my hand on top of hers and watched the liquid collect once again. After the sparkling droplet of liquid had disappeared, her tornado dissipated as well; sending spirals of dancing dust and sand across the courtyard.
“Echete Epilexei,” Plexaure stated before vanishing into thin air; reappearing next to Psamanthe at the edge of the courtyard. Without skipping a beat, a fourth woman, wearing a pale blue swathe and who had sparkling, crystal blue eyes drifted into the courtyard. Her unruly, thick hair extended almost to the ground and was as white as her dress, with only a handful of pale blue strands to add a touch of color. A serene peacefulness settled over me as her eyes met mine.
“I am Laneira, Nereid and goddess of Healing,” she stated quietly. All of my anxiety mysteriously disappeared, confirming what I already knew - Willow was descended from Laneira. I placed my hand on top of hers and warmth spread rapidly throughout my body; energizing and uplifting me. “Willow has found a true friend and leader in you, Anastasia.”
After going through the same steps as her sisters, she whispered “Echete Epilexei,” and then took her spot at the edge of the courtyard. One after another, the Nereids introduced themselves and
‘Chose’ me. Their names ran together no matter how hard I tried to remember them; Actaea, Halia, Glauke, Clymene and many, many more. Several stuck out in my mind by their eclectic show of abilities. One in particular left my mind reeling from her kaleidoscope eyes.
Her dizzying fragrance wrapped around me before she had even made her way into the courtyard. A vast meadow of flowers wouldn’t have smelled as rich as the wave of aroma that overtook my senses in that moment. Once she stepped into view, I understood. She wore the same traditional dress with a coral colored swathe over her shoulder; however I failed to notice those all-too-mundane details due to the fact that I was so captivated by her other, more riveting features. Her long blonde hair was highlighted by flowing strands of flower blossoms in every color and size. Her eyes were a swirling mirage of blues, pinks, yellows, and purple hues. Beautiful designs of vines and blossoms wove around her arms and neck; taking your eyes captive and sending them on a journey.
As she stepped in front of me, the rich smell of flowers became intoxicating. When she smiled, I was reminded of a blossoming rose. It lit up her face and warmed the world right along with it.
“I am Thalia,” she crooned, and I could have sworn that the sunlight brightened in response.
“Nereid, and goddess of the blooming sea.” Her hand was as soft as a flower petal, and instead of tingling, my hand glowed a warm yellow. The sparkling liquid that collected in my palm resembled a ray of sunshine and smelled of a summer’s day.
The entire experience was both exhilarating and humbling, all at once. As they each took their spot around the courtyard, I felt a part of something much larger than anything I’d ever experienced before. I was also completely caught up in the amount of power, wisdom, and love that I felt from them all. My heart was filled with so much joy and acceptance, I thought it might burst.
Once the last Nereid had entered the courtyard, I counted a total of thirty-seven. Thirty-seven beautiful and unique women surrounding me as a whole entity, representing every facet of the sea.
They closed the circle, held their arms in the air and began to chant:
“Echete epilexei, me ta podia to monopati.
Echete epilexei, me ta podia to monopati.”
The world around me completely faded away, and the only thing visible were these magnificent little lights above me. Or were they bubbles? It was the liquid! Each droplet danced to its own tune, eventually finding the
