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Chapter 73: Dynasties
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2024-10-29 19:42:56
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A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 74: Escort
Breakfast comes too quickly. I did not rest enough and I am sure it shows on my face. My mother, Marica, and I sit at a small table by the fire, as we did last night. The men find themselves at the long table of the night before as well. They are not in the same high spirits, a night filled with ale and the excitement of the tree branch clearly weighing on them this morning. I silently sip my coffee, hoping it will give me the energy I need to push through the day. A bowl of oat slop in front of me, completely unappealing and beige. After several heaps of honey, I force feed myself a few bites so I have some strength. “Captain Keegan.” My mother calls to the captain as she stirs her coffee. “Yes, Luna Osiris.” He responds by bowing at our table side. I have felt his eyes lingering upon me this morning. I’m unsure if it is the truth or paranoia, but I believe I have felt his eyes linger on me at every opportunity. Even now he looks toward me as he stands from his bow. “My lady’s
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 75: The Departure
“Everything I have done has always been to keep you and your brother—“ My mother begins as I pack her room, as the horses are being prepared. “Don’t.” I say forcefully. “Just. Don’t.” I say almost pleading. “It doesn’t really matter right now.”“It matters! I am a good mother!” She exclaims. “To someone, maybe.” I respond coldly. “It seems to matter to you, you hold such a grudge against me!” She argues. “Your perception of reality is filtered through the lens of your guilt.” I say as if quoting scripture. “What did the Ancient Sisters say about the moon ceremony?” She asks directly. “That none of the coven should interfere.” I say pointedly. “Very well. Blessed be on your journey and claiming your destiny.” A wound had been inflicted but quickly buried with a detached smile. “You will be returning to the estate after the ceremony, correct?” She asks quietly. “Correct. I will come to retrieve my brother and meager belongings.” I confirm. “We may be able to figure something ou
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 76: The Ride
Riding a horse is a boresome chore. The monotony of it all coupled with the discomfort make it a loathsome journey. The horse is amiable enough and is happy to follow behind Ethan. He slows his pace for my benefit, his stature on the horse much more natural than mine. We trot along on a small riding path, not large enough to be considered a road, but wide enough to accommodate a couple horses. Trees bend above the path, shading us from the oppressive heat of the sun, only small swaths of sunshine find their way through. While the ride itself is tedious, the feeling of freedom is tremendous. Out on a horse in the world, nothing holding me back. “How far is the ride to the inn, Ethan?” I ask, breaking the wall of silence between us. “Not too far, m’lady. We should find ourselves there by tea.” He says calling over his shoulder, his eyes trained on the roadsides. “Thank you.” I call back. Tea was at least two hours from now. If two hours was not too far, I shudder to think
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 77: Kai
“M’lady.” He says with a bow at the edge of my small table. “Would you care to join me?” I ask, offering the vacant chair tucked in neatly across from where I sit. A small smile tugs the corners of his mouth upward, only for a moment, before his unaffected expression settles back on his face. His eyes cold and steely, framed by thick lashes. The Gods always waste the best lashes on men. His eyes are shaped like almonds with a defined brow, making any expression he has both sultry and mysterious. He pulls the chair from the table and gracefully sits down. His movements are so fluid like a perfectly choreographed dance. “Ceres, how lovely to see you.” He greets as if we randomly bumped into each other at a spot we both frequented. “Yes, it is lovely to see you as well, Kai, and quite surprising.” I say and then gracefully lift my teacup and take a sip of tea. My eyes looking to him directly over the edge of my cup, as I try to make sense of this visit. “Don’t worry, none of the
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 78: Intentions
The room is small but pleasant. A small window allows for some natural light to spill in. My luggage is neatly stacked upon the bed. I open the box with my gown. I pull a hanger from the wardrobe and unfold my gown from the box and hang it on the hangar. I cannot believe I possess something so magnificent. Am I to believe Kai and his premonition? Did he even have one or is this his attempting to manipulate me? “I wouldn’t put it past her.” Theia growls. “My mother hasn’t always been the best, but would she really interfere with my moon ceremony?” I ask, unwilling to believe it. “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” My guardian says solemnly. “Her intentions may be good, she may be trying to help.” “I understand your need to defend fellow witches of your tribe, but let’s be real, she’s selfish.” Theia spits. “Maybe he is lying.” I offer. “Maybe.” My guardian says. “We don’t lie to our sisters of the coven though, but he is not a sister. Warlocks are always focu
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 79: Pomegranate
I do not know what animal died for this meal to be made, but it did so in vain. Even as hungry as I am, I struggle to take a single bite. If you told me this was filet of old shoe, I would believe it. The viscous sauce is a muddy brown with a weird sheen to it. It smells mostly of salt and raw flour. Some sort of mush is on the side covered in the same viscous goo rendering it completely inedible. I poke at it as the sauce continues to congeal. “Everything all right?” The waitress asks. The expression on her face tells me she hopes I do not respond. I force a smile on my face. I hope it looks more like a polite smile than a grimace. “What is this?” I ask out of morbid curiosity. I could see a crack in her smiling expression. She was bracing herself for a torrent of complaints. “Venison back strap.” I frown. What a waste. “Roll?” She offers, pushing a basket towards me. Her smile overbearing and forced. “Sure.” I say and she promptly places the basket in front of me. “T
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 80: Awakening
We all know we are going to die. Nothing is forever. You just do not expect death when it comes knocking on your door. The most important thing to do in any situation is to stay calm. Panic overrides all your senses. It paralyzes you. It turns you into easy prey. I scan the area around me. An open field is between me and the inn and the tree line is only a strip of grass and a small grove of pomegranate trees, their thorns threatening if you dare to venture too deeply, away from the woods. I sense danger but cannot see it. I make myself small, like a fox laying in grass, about to make a mad dash across the field to the inn. It was like a dream, the way the wolf walked from the trees, padded feet silently stalking me. My attention the other way, scanning the field before darting across it, him lurking like a spider who has already trapped their prey. I am slithering on my belly in the grass when I hear his growl. Flipping myself quickly, I realize it’s too late to dart to safety. I
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 81: A Conversation
Breathless, I enter the inn. My appetite now gone, my hunger pains muted by fear and anxiety. I quickly make my way to my room, hoping to get there without any other interaction. I dart quickly up the stairs and stealthily enter my room. “What the fuck.” I say emphatically as I shut the door to my room and lock it. I look to my dress hanging against the wardrobe. I don’t feel as though I deserve to wear something so pure, my soul is stained by what has happened. “This isn’t your fault.” Theia whispers. “Isn’t it?” I challenge. “I put those thoughts into his mind. I toyed with him!” “When you plant thoughts, that’s all they are. Thoughts. Seeds.” My guardian offers. “How their mind puts those thoughts into action is a reflection of their character, and not your fault. The environment in which the seed is planted is just as important, if not more so, than the seed itself.” “Thank you, great philosopher.” I bite back. “That’s great, in theory, but let’s discuss reality. H
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A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 131: Run
It was as if Asteria’s memory played out on a screen in front of me. I’m a captive audience, cordoned off in a far off corner of my mind. Separated from my body but still aware of what is happening. The scene from Theia’s point of view also playing out, oddly disconnected from me, padded feet to forest floor the smell of earth and water. The dirt flecked in her fur and her nose pressed to the earth inhaling its aroma. Asteria’s trauma unfolds before me, almost happening to me, although the screams are not my own. The hunger in his eyes. The manic rage. His whip. My feelings are not entirely my own, it is as if I am Asteria in this experience. “Prince Aares.” I say in a voice that is not my own. A memory of an event I never experienced, yet vividly recall. This isn’t real, yet, I can feel his whip biting and tearing my skin. I can feel the blood snaking down the back of my thighs. The warm ooze somehow soothing the stinging pain. My back flayed open. His scent coats my skin like an
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 130: True Form
“May the Goddess anoint you with her love and bless you with your dreams.” “We give our devotion to the Goddess!” My mate and I reply. The priestesses are all around us. Their voices echoing off the walls of the cave, it’s impossible to tell how many are speaking as the voices echo around us. Our naked bodies only inches away from one another as we stand in the pool, his intoxicating scent masked by the abundance of minerals in the spring. “We ask our Goddess to cleanse you of all your impurities. Remove any malice from your hearts.” The priestesses chant around us. My body feels drawn to him. The urge I have to touch him is overwhelming, to just feel his skin pressed against mine. Any doubts I have floating away the second I am near him. I look ahead to the priestesses. I do not dare look at him in all his glory. One glance at him may be what breaks the dam holding back my urges, my last vestige of control. “Tonight, you are to shift into your true nature. The greatest trea
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 129: Pan
“The Mountain stands, unmoving— never wavering, rooted deeply into the soil.” The Queen begins, seated behind me on a small chair, her gown spilling out of the narrow seat displaying the sheer volume of fabric she seems to carry so effortlessly. Monica is plaiting my hair for the first ceremony. An intricate pattern of different braids joined together and fastened with a plain rag tie matching my temple dress. “The Wind with her sons raging across the lands, charge right at the Great Mountain, but it still stands. The nymphs of the waters try to claw through it, but still it stands. Rigid. Strong. Proud.” Her hands move with the story, in a way it was more akin to a fireside chat rather than dressing room gossip. It reminds me of my father’s stories around the fire. I listen to her tale, knowing little of her people, attentively watching her through the mirrors reflection. “The Goddess herself blessed the Great Mountain, and appointed the Shadow Mountain pack to be the Guardians
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 128: Rigid as the Great Mountain
“Waltz of the Mountains.” The King sneers. “Let’s see how well you keep up.” He casts a glare at Edward. “You know how your Grandmother adores the dance of her homeland, grandson. Do not disappoint her for the sake of your mate.” The warning is clear. “Yes, my King. I would not dream of disappointing.” He bows deeply, his hand on his heart pledging his allegiance. I remember our first meeting. “You play a dangerous game, girl.” He said with his hand around my throat. I suppose I am still that dangerous silly girl, too headstrong to fully submit. Incapable of bending to a tyrant. Incapable of silence. I am who I create. I feel Theia and Asteria in the front of my mind. Any overt display of power would be disastrous, so they lurk, careful not to allow their presence shimmer in my eyes. I deeply curtsy holding my hand to my heart as well, averting my eyes to the floor, not uttering a word. Silence and obedience. That is what the King demands. My stubbornness to blame for not b
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 127: Waltz
Silence. I dare not speak or move. “I have heard you can dance.” The King says in my direction. A small smile creeped on his lips. A sneer. “Yes, your majesty.” I say meekly. “You shall dance for us.” Edward looks at me with sadness in his eyes. A shimmer of anger rippling in his fields of green, at my faux pas. The weight of the King’s displeasure not only hitting me, but crushing him as well. Collateral damage. “I would love to see the waltz.” The Queen hums. “Edward can lead her if she does not know it. Besides, she will be expected to dance at their wedding celebrations.” I hope he indulges his wife. It is a far better option than being forced to gyrate in front of the King. His expression leads me to believe he wishes to not only remind me of my place but humiliate me in the process. The Queen’s suggestion is only her tossing a rope to her grandson to save him from the front row seat to my humiliation. The King looks to his Queen. “Very well.” He replies. “L
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 126: Fairytales
Fairytales have a modicum of truth to them. Just enough truth that the reader can absorb the message, learn whatever moral imperative is being taught. The tricky part is discerning what little bit is rooted in truth, and what is an outright lie, a fantasy embellishment to keep you reading. I prefer the stories with happy endings, lessons are still learned, but the main character in the end is well and fine. Perhaps that’s my first mistake, assuming my placement in the tale is the main character, rather than the abused maid or gullible villager, or otherwise nameless background character. A person in the crowd as the King strolls down the street naked. A lady’s maid to the wicked queen or damsel in distress. A nameless cousin to the main character, who tried on the shoe but it did not fit. Perhaps I am the main character, in one of those tales where she tragically dies. Her choices and bad decisions leading her to death, rather than the happiness she was seeking. The Queen seem
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 125: The Bluebird
“Beauty is pain.” Monica consoles. “You cannot achieve divinity without sacrifice. We want ethereal. We want glamor.” “We want to be able to have dinner.” I squeak, the corset of the gown so tight I can barely breathe. “Or maybe just be able to breathe.” I have been trying on gowns for hours. I tire of looking at my reflection. “Long deep breaths from the lungs, not the belly.” She demonstrates, her body rod straight, long measured breaths expanding her ribcage. My wedding gown, gowns for tea and dinner, dresses for travel and leisure, for breakfast or prayer— the stacks of fabric seem endless. I was nothing more than a doll. Monica has the same persistence as Agatha. I remember her wrapping me in endless fabrics for my Moon Ceremony gown. “You will be elegant! Ravishing! Demure!” She shouted as she wrapped me in satins and tulle. “Posture is key. Beyond that, relax. High anxiety breathing isn’t very effective or attractive.” Monica concludes. I smile, my mind wander
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 124: Orchard
Something in my soul longs for the sunshine. The rays on my skin make me come alive. My internal battery dependent upon feeling the sun against my skin. I do not recall the last time I was outside in the sun. It seems a lifetime ago that I was able to truly enjoy it. My gown manifesting what I need the most, time to bask in the sun. I can feel the whispers of winter on the autumn wind. A small chill dancing in the breeze, winter days soon to come. I stare upwards to the sky. The sun’s rays like golden spires piercing through the clouds, a magnificent sight. The sun coyly peeks from behind the clouds to bathe me in its rays. Today, I am the sun, and I will absorb the warmth and joy it brings me. Monica stops in front of a small gate created between two apple trees. The trees already bare from harvest, the priestesses and acolytes have started the pruning process, preparing the orchard for winter. The branches and stems are neatly stacked in piles along the treeline. My ow
A Daughter’s Revenge Chapter 123: The Sun Incarnate
The material is a diaphanous gauzy gold, a Grecian peplos, the fabric expertly draped on the body. A hint of silhouette peeking through the multiple layers and folds of fabric, my feminine form exposed through gauzy golden haze. I am the sun incarnate. Even my tiny golden bracelet glints in the light, highlighted by the gown's golden glow. My ring proudly displayed on my finger. Monica has dusted my eyelids with a golden shimmer and painted my lips a soft pink. I look upon myself in the mirror. The long elegant gown perfectly compliments my shape. Long gone is the young girl dreaming of her escape, replaced in the mirror with an elegant woman, soon to be a married woman. A princess. A future Queen. The gown strikes me as familiar but I am unable to place it. I feel an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. “You look divine!” Monica squeals. “You are the artist, I’m just the canvas.” I respond softly. I stare into the mirror in awe of her art. I don’t even recognize myself in the reflectio
