The Accursed Blessing – A stolen gift. A dying land. A goddess's wrath. When Chief Garron betrays the moon goddess by stealing her sacred power, Norevia falls into ruin. The rivers dry, the crops rot, and the village's daughters suffer a mysterious curse. Only Selene, his daughter, dares to uncover the truth. But when the goddess returns for vengeance, she must make an impossible choice-save her people or pay the price for her father's sins. Will she break the curse, or will the goddess's wrath consume them all? Unlock the mystery. Read now.
Chapter 1 The Goddess Gift
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The village of Norevia had never known suffering. For as long as the elders could remember, the land had been blessed by Elara, the moon goddess. Her presence was felt in every grain of golden wheat, every shimmering stream, and every child born under the silver glow of the night sky. She walked among them as a radiant woman, her hair like woven starlight, her skin dark as the richest soil. But her greatest gift lay in her sacred breast, from which flowed an endless stream of milk that nourished not just infants, but the land itself.
With a mere touch, Elara could grant fertility to barren women, heal the sick, and ensure the village's prosperity. Norevia had flourished under her watchful gaze, and in return, the people worshipped her with unwavering devotion.
But not all hearts in Norevia were pure.
Beneath the grand oak tree that stood at the village center, Selene, a young woman of twenty, watched the festival preparations with quiet excitement. Tonight was the Moon's Embrace, the holiest night of the year when Elara would descend from her sacred grove to bless the people. Fire torches lined the pathways, casting golden light over the villagers as they adorned themselves in white robes, singing praises to the goddess.
Her father, Garron, stood apart from the revelry. A seasoned hunter with sharp eyes and a sharper tongue, he had never been one for worship. He believed in skill, not gods. Power, not blessings.
"Wasteful," he muttered, watching as villagers laid out offerings-baskets of fruits, bowls of milk, and handwoven fabrics.
Selene turned to him, frowning. "You should show more respect, Father. Elara has given us everything."
Garron scoffed. "A goddess who hoards power, giving only what she chooses? That is not generosity-it is control."
Selene felt unease creep into her heart. She had always known her father to be ambitious, but tonight, there was a shadow in his voice, a hunger that unsettled her.
Before she could respond, the wind shifted. A soft, luminous glow bathed the village, and the crowd hushed as a figure descended from the night sky.
Elara had arrived.
Her feet touched the earth, and where she stepped, flowers bloomed instantly. The air grew thick with the scent of jasmine and honey. Villagers fell to their knees as she lifted her long, glowing breast, the milk shimmering like liquid moonlight.
With a voice as smooth as flowing water, she spoke. "Come, children of Norevia, and receive my blessing."
One by one, women, men, and even the elderly approached, receiving a touch of her sacred milk. Wounds closed, bellies swelled with new life, and strength returned to the weak.
Selene's heart swelled with love for the goddess. But beside her, Garron clenched his fists.
As the night went on, while the people celebrated, he turned away. A plan was forming in his mind.
If one breast could bless a village, what could it do for a man who possessed it entirely?
That night, he made his decision.
He would steal the goddess's gift.
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End of Chapter One