We quickly make our way to the wood craft tent. Barn owls have an angelic heart-shaped white face. The males are more ghostly with white bellies and white feathers streaking their wings falling from brown feathered epaulets. The females are more striking with white faces framed in a coppery red feather. Dappled brown and red body with a white belly splattered with copper red and brown feathers. The barn owl had more of a shriek than a hoot, raspy and cutting, swooping silently in the dead of night. Their white bodies gliding like spirits and ghouls, swallowing their prey whole. Some believe that these owls are demons that swallow your soul. Hearing the owl screeching is an omen of your death. I like to think of them as beautiful nighttime creatures. Graceful but strong. Elusive and solitary. “Ceres!” Dmitry exclaimed, running towards us. “Where have you been? I expected that you would have been here much earlier.” He asks while tightly embracing me, his little arms tightly claspin
The bells clanged to signal the start of the feast ceremony. Pack members begin to line the pathway leading to the pavilion where the feast is held. The clergy would proceed first carrying religious relics. This parade was different from the others because the full harvest moon relic was paraded. The relic was a large harvest moon with thousands of small orange and rainbow moonstones set in silver. It was created upon the realms foundation as tribute to the moon goddess. I had seen it many times before, but every single time I did it left me awestruck. “Let’s hurry and get a good vantage point to see the moon!” I said excitedly. “Again?” Groaned Mari. “We need to hurry to be up front so I can see too!” Dmitry demanded. I grab ahold of Dmitry and he grabs ahold of Mari, creating our own little daisy chain cutting through the crowd. I settle for a spot just behind the ropes on a bend so that we can see everyone. First the clergy, the Harvest Moon, the Alpha family, the school child
The man who has invaded my daydreams has just appeared. Riding a trotting horse, with a perfectly manicured mane. Each step precisely on beat with the drums. Trotting triumphantly up the pathway. I squint. “Why would a guard be riding on a horse in the parade?” I ask myself as much as I ask Dmitry and Mari. “What? No, that’s Prince Edward. I saw him when he stayed at the estate.” Mari responded confused by my mistake. “Prince?” I couldn’t even speak from my shock. His eyes snapped to me and met mine. His eyes are a piercing jade, cold and hard. His blue suit had the star constellations stitched into it with moons in all phases, sparkling silver. The blue so deep, I imagined only the deepest parts of the sea could be such a dark blue, devoid of light swallowed by darkness. I wanted to get lost in that darkness with him. “Uh yeah. You know the Crown Prince’s eldest son and declared heir. The King’s grandson.” Mari answered sarcastically. “He’s stunning right?” I stood there stunne
There is a buzz of excitement amongst the women backstage. It isn’t everyday that you get to see a handsome unmated young prince up close. A man that maids and slaves whispered about. That debutantes wanted to be mated to. That old social climbing mothers dreamed about for their daughters. His breathtaking beauty and cold demeanor. His dark aura. His power and dominance. “I hear he is quite skilled in swordsmanship and fighting. He wins all his matches.” A young model in a harvest moon orange colored gown. It seems unwise to beat up a Prince, I muse silently in response. “According to the Kingdom of the Moon Court Circular, it is a pastime the future king enjoys; second only to charity, his favorite activity. He will make an excellent king, so handsome.” Another model in a silver gown added. “I pray to the goddess!” She squealed clasping her hands in prayer. If charity is cutting ribbons and opening libraries. Or maybe charity is dining on fine meals at every fine house in
“Top Three will be announced. Those three are to go to the wing on stage left and the Prince will be announcing the order and giving the medals.” The old woman explained. “The medals will be given to the head of the house that submitted the dress, not the model; unless you are both the submitter and model.” She recited as if she had the rule book in front of her. “The three models to stay are,” she spoke clearly and sharply. You could feel the collective breath taken by the room in anticipation of the names being called. We all had our own reasons for being here, whether by choice or as a slave, but we all wanted to win.“House of Chairman Zhadnost, House of Beta Vtoroy, and House of Alpha Osiris.” She took a short breath. “The rest of you are free to go, thank you for the lovely submissions. Please go enjoy the feast.” She said attempting to minimize any disappointment. An uncomfortable smile settling on her face. I smile to hide my disappointment. I’m happy that my work is one of
I gaped at the announcement then quickly shut my mouth in shocked silence. Seated by his side. Oh goddess!We make our way to the table for the feast and the humming of conversation roars in the background. The Prince takes his seat and then the rest of the table takes their seats. I can feel the Alpha and Luna warning me with their stares to behave. Stay meek and quiet. “I enjoyed the traditional dance immensely. I was disappointed you did not stay to provide an encore.” The Prince confessed to me as I drug my fork around the plate. “It’s my pleasure to please you, your highness.” I carefully and quietly respond. There are other ways in which I wish to please and be pleased by him. “My apologies for disappointing.” I added quietly. I pouted. I did hate to disappoint. “I hope you have enjoyed your time here at the fair, your highness?” Alpha Osiris interjected into the conversation. I stayed silent, aware of the cue he was giving me. The Prince glances toward the Alpha,takes a b
I dare not take another sip of alcohol. I feel flushed. I can’t eat the fish on the plate. Each course has its own wine category. Second course is lamb and fresh vegetables. The wine pairing is red wine. It looks like blood with an earthy smell. I don’t think I like wine. “One time is enough then?” The Prince asks casually. “You cannot expect a slave to understand refined tastes or choices, your highness.” Luna Osiris quips. It stings. It’s like a hornet's sting. First you are surprised but not hurt. Then comes the deep intensifying burn that will not subside. “I find this wine with crow insignia to be quite lovely.” Alpha Osiris says with an air of sophistication. “Woody with a touch of smoke and juniper berry.” He muses. “I’ve seen plenty of slaves enjoy wine, Luna Osiris; some even a tad too much.” The Prince haughtily responds. I can tell Alpha Osiris is mind linking her. She forces a smile. “Yes, of course your highness.” She responds quietly. I enjoy her being pu
Of course, I knew it. One of the most famous propaganda songs from the early realm. Every child would learn it as part of the annual Blessing of the Moon Festival. It celebrates the gift the goddess gave us by giving us the King. Our Great Father of the Realm. I think back to that story my father told me.After the Alpha of the Shadow Mountain pack bent his knee to King Malakai, Lunar Storm Pack was the next to submit. The alpha of the pack had a son and three daughters. “When I offered mercy in exchange for loyalty, you hesitated. Now each time I consider you, I will think of that hesitation.” My father recited in his menacing Malakai voice. “In order to assuage my desire for loyalty, I will keep your youngest daughter as a member of the royal harem. I still show mercy by returning your Alpha heir.” He continued as Malakai. The Ode to Ahlai doesn’t give poor Ahlai justice for the cruel twist of fate she suffered. It doesn’t talk about her being taken to the royal harem at 16. Bei