As the fire crackled and popped, Callista looked up and saw the beauty of the full moon. It was a few minutes after midnight, Samhain had begun and the Goddess had blessed her with a beautiful evening for it.
Although she was skyclad, Callista wasn't in the slightest bit cold. The fire warmed her and in a few minutes, she knew she would be getting even warmer.
Her heart beat faster as she awaited what she knew was about to come. As it had for the past ten years at this time. As it always would, she knew in her heart. Blessed Be, her soul almost leapt with joy.
She heard the crack as a foot stepped on a twig, yet she did not have to turn her head to know Maeve was there. Her Maeve, whom she loved more than life itself. Her Maeve, who owned a piece of her soul.
Callista turned to see Maeve standing in the clearing, the irradescent glow of yellow falling from her. Beautiful, she would be so eternally, Callista knew. The twinkling around her illuminating her sweet, soft face. Her long blonde hair, like spun silk, trailing nearly to her waist. Many was the time Callista had gazed into Maeve's violet eyes. Many was the time she had kissed those soft, bee-stung lips that were as sweet as honey, pliant and yielding. She saw Maeve's wings fold back, in a few scant seconds, Callista knew they would disappear for the night and the glow would fade, leaving only her Maeve, her lover.
Callista walked slowly and Maeve's arms enfolded her, holding the slightly-smaller woman to her bosom. Their kiss was tender and loving, yet hinted of passions yet-to-come.
Maeve ran her fingers through Callista's chestnut hair, which now hung down to her buttocks. She smiled at her stunning lover.
"Truly, 'tis good to see thy beloved visage once again, most beloved!"
Callista swatted her on the ass and said, with a giggle, "Stop talking like that!"
Maeve's peals of laughter joined with Callista's. "Okay, but as you recall, when we first met, that was the way I spoke."
Callista remembered every second of their meeting. Callista had practiced her arts for many years, helping friends wherever she could, preparing love potions, saying prayers for those needing love, trying to enrich the lives of those she touched. She worked at an animal shelter 3 days a week and wrote in her spare time. The children of her town loved her, even if some of the adults thought it strange that an admitted "witch" lived among them.
Callista never forced her beliefs on anyone, that is likely why she was easily liked by all. Her striking appearance didn't hurt. She was nearly 6 feet tall, with curves and ample bosom, her mother used to say. Her hair was thick and full, her teeth straight and white. It was her emerald eyes that got her the most attention, every lover she had ever been with had told her that.
Callista had her share of dalliances, with both men and women alike. She didn't hide her sexuality, she enjoyed sex fully, sex magic was empowering. Nor was she a tramp, but there was no one with whom she felt a kindred spirit. Alone sometimes in her small frame house, shared only with Boo, her cat, she ached for the love so many others knew.
One night, her thoughts strayed to those of sexual pleasures. She was skyclad, of course, and was about to finger herself to orgasm, when she thought she heard a voice. She listened for it again.
"Callista."
"Callista."
"Callista." The voice seemed far away, yet it was clear. Someone was calling to her. She answered slowly as she realized who it was. Blessed Be, it was her Goddess. "Yes, bright one?"
Again, the voice spoke. "Many a time have I heard you cry out and many a time have I thought of answering your call. What is it you desire most, my dearest Callista?"
Callista's answer came without a moment's hesitation. "Oh Goddess, I yearn for what many others have been granted. I yearn for a love, a passion, that is mine and mine alone. I yearn for a kindred soul, a soft, gentle lover." Unbidden, the tears trickled down her cheeks.
The voice said to her "It is in my power to grant this to you, oh most faithful of servants. On the eve of Samhain, go to the woods near your home. Your kindness, your devotion to myself and others will not go unheeded. Blessed Be, oh sweetest of my servants."
Some might have questioned their very sanity, Callista did not, not even for the briefest of seconds. A few weeks later, on the 30th of October, she did as she was told and went to the woods behind her home. She brought provisions and a tent to sleep in, not knowing what was in store, yet her heart was filled with joyous anticipation.
There was a chill in the air, but she chose to be skyclad, it was otherwise a beautiful evening. The sky was clear and the stars were clearly visible, she felt very at peace with her surroundings.
Once again, Callista could sense the presence of her Goddess. The voice was once again soft in her mind and soul.
"Callista, turn and receive the blessing you so richly deserve."
Callista did as she was instructed. There, in the clearing, stood the most beautiful sight she had ever seen. For all of her life, Callista would recall the first moment she laid eyes on her beloved Maeve.
"The blessings of the Goddess and my Queen Titania are upon thee, fair Callista. I am thine, to have and to hold, I shall be thy friend, thy lover, if thou wilt have me."
Callista smiled and saw her smile returned. Even though she was devout in her beliefs, she had never thought she'd ever behold one of the Faerie realm. She had assumed they may be legend, or lost to this world forever.
As if sensing her thoughts, the vision before her spoke, the tone as melodious as any song she'd ever heard. "Nay, there are fewer of us, to be sure, but as long as some still believe, our race endures."
"So why hasn't anyone ever seen you?"
"We of the Faerie are only visible at certain times of year and only by those pure of spirit."
