The carriage is built for comfort. The interior is lined with green silk and dark woods. The seats are plush, upholstered in supple chocolate brown calves leather. I settle into the cabin, focused on taking as little space as possible. “It’s a long ride, so best get comfortable.” The Luna says flatly. “Yes, ma’am.” I quietly mutter in return. I feel the jerk of the horses starting down the road. A guard on either side of the coach, one behind it, one immediately in front of it, and Captain Keegan leading the way. The Luna opens a book and begins to quietly read it. A bored expression on her face as she slowly flips the pages. A comfortable silence settles between us. I look out of the small carriage window at the passing landscape. The fields and gardens. The homes dotting the landscape. The children playing. The cows and sheep in the fields eating. Wildflowers and winter wheat waving in the wind. I feel a profound sadness wash over me. Smothering any joy I just felt at look
“For hundreds of years she ruled, her children sitting on the throne of every kingdom far and wide. Yet, Selene’s children were gaining more power in the realm as the strength of each pack grew.” The Luna took a drink of water. “Thirsty?” She asks. “Don’t you dare drink from someone while they tell a tale of witches!” Theia spits. “No, thank you.” I say blandly. “Suit yourself.” She says as she drinks another glass. “One day, she saw a young Malakai bathing in a pond within the Black Woods.” She takes a long drink for dramatic effect. “She was struck by his handsomeness and youth. She revealed herself as a young maiden. A deadly spider beckoning her prey into her web.” I stared wide-eyed at the Luna. I have never heard this story before. I thought I had heard every story of Malakai. “He did not spare her a glance. He had only just been mated. He had not even had the wedding or anointing of his mate as Luna. Yet, his eyes were for his mate only. His mate had his full devot
“Love is dangerous, it’s a weakness. Betrayal is inevitable.” The Luna muses. I wish I could say her coldness was surprising. Her bitterness, a confession. Her true nature is revealed by her cynicism. “Malakai was driven by a desire for power. Circe aided him in that. Helping him to build an army. Creating the ability for him to build his throne. All this so she could be his Queen beside him.” My body begins to feel tired. The soft leather of the seats begging me to rest my weary body upon them. “The Coven did not want to bow to a werewolf King. They viewed Circe’s actions to be a great betrayal. They had tolerated her affairs for centuries. They believed that even if the blood was diluted, having witch blood on the thrones throughout the realm ensured their continued dominance. That never meant bowing to a mutt King.” She sneers. Mutt King? What a strange term to use as a werewolf. “Seraphina, a young witch of high blood, plotted against Circe. She went to Malakai and told
My belly feels full and warm. The lamb was rich and fatty. The meal is over and the Luna is ready to retire to her room for a nap. Captain Keegan and another guard accompany us to the room. “Turn down the bed and help me unbutton this gown.” The Luna commands as I close the door to the room behind us. The guards standing watch just outside. I diligently follow her instructions. I help her shimmy out of her dress until she is only in her chemise. She lies on the bed as I tuck her in. I walk over to the small sofa in the corner of the room and attempt to make myself comfortable. “It isn’t safe to fall asleep.” Theia warns. “I’m exhausted. What would you have me do?” I ask, annoyed. “If it was up to me we wouldn’t be on this trip!” Theia says exasperated. “Same!” I curl up to fit my body on the sofa and attempt to get comfortable. I feel myself being swallowed by darkness. By body feels weighed down, like I’m being drug into the depths of the ocean. Drowning. I’m being p
“What?” I say with disbelief. “I am your great-great-great-great Grandmother.” She says. She looks not a day older than 30. “Are you a time traveler?” I ask, as it seems the only possible explanation if what she says is true. The women all laugh heartily. My ignorance amuses them immensely. “No my dear!” Fat tears roll down her face as she heartily laughs. “I’m six hundred years old!” I feel the color draining from my face. I feel faint. Am I dreaming? I pinch myself. No. This is real. “Is this some kind of joke?” I ask. I look to the Luna trying to read her expression. “Rhea, did you not tell the girl on your way here?” The woman who is supposedly my four times great grandmother demands. I look to my mother for her response. Tell me what? “I began to tell her!” My mother protests. “I’m Cassiphone. I am the High Priestess. You may call me the Great Mother. ” The woman says. “I started to tell her about our line,” my mother began. “Silence!” Cassiph
I drape the robe on my body. It feels heavy and oppressive. The witching hour fast approaches, and I guess I am a witch, or at least half of one. I don’t know where Theia has gone, but she is not speaking to me. The latch turns and the women enter the room. My mother’s line. I wonder how each of them is related to me. I only know the Great Mother and my mother. Neither of them feel like mothers to me though. The Great Mother studies me. A slight smile graces her face. “You have the beauty of your line, my dear.” She says softly. “We will perform the ritual. Hecate will determine if you are granted power. If powers should come, you are welcome to come live amongst us. You do not have to go searching for a mate.” “And my brother?” I ask. The smile disappears. “A witch usually only births one daughter in her lifetime that has great powers. Sometimes she can birth several with moderate powers. Male children do not come into great powers. They may be bestowed with gifts, but n
I wake up. Ilook around and recognize the room of the inn. My mother is sat at the vanity, brushing her golden hair and coiling it neatly atop her head. She puts her earrings, rings and bracelets on slowly and methodically, an everyday routine. “Good Morning.” She says blandly, looking at me through the mirror. “What happened? How did we get back here?” I ask, disoriented. Was last night a dream? I examine my body for evidence of being struck by lightning. “You won’t find any marks on you.” She says in a bored tone. She turns from the mirror and faces me. “You’ve been given, or perhaps even taken, considerable power last night.” Her expression fills with concern. “I only took what was given. The chalice was handed to me and I gulped it down.” I explain unapologetically. “Be as it may, you are certainly a witch. The Great Mother will connect with us in two days. We cannot raise any suspicions so we must keep moving. I know Captain Keegan reports all my movements to Osir
“The Priestess’ of Selene are skilled at detecting a witch. The most vulnerable moment is your 18th birthday ritual, because we have no wolf. Many of our sisters who live among us join after this ceremony for obvious reasons.” My mother begins to explain. I think back to the morning after my ceremony. The Reverend Mother was studying me intensely. She wanted to see me again before my moon ceremony. Had I been in danger and not even realized it? What was it that she sensed? “So thanks for the head’s up, I guess?” My words dripping with sarcasm. “I’m not sure you were aware, but my ceremony was over a week ago.” She sighs. “You made it through. I could sense your wolf awakening.” “No thanks to you.” I spit. “I’ve had a masking spell on you for 18 years. It’s plenty thanks to me.” She retorts. We sit in silence as I contemplate what she has said. “We should ready ourselves and leave.” She says after a long silence between us. “We need to be at the Kingdom of the Moon capital