Ch. 43
“Blitz”
I can feel Farrah’s eyes on my back as we walk back down the hallway to the grand hall. Oana’s arm is wrapped around mine, and she hasn’t once glanced down in my direction. Avoiding the burrowed eyes, and fine line of my mouth, I’m guessing.
How on earth has this been kept a secret for so long? I know we don’t have many books on the fae in the library and maybe that is why, but why would they want to hide the fact all shifters are from a fae linage. I mean why have I never thought about where shifters magic comes…from …Nyx, my head hurts.
We have archives, who go through and keep up with all the books in the library…were they purposely making sure that information wasn’t discovered, or was Mother? Did no one care to look further? Plus, how did Oana come across this information? Where did she get the books that held the truth? I am not surprised she did, but what other knowledge do we not know. Nyx, I have so many questions. My head throbs.
Not to mention, what the actual fuck is this “mates” shit? That sounds made up. I know there is powerful magic in this world and the fae are strongly connected to that, but “mates” honestly? Is that like the most compatible genetics are drawn together? Nyx, like fucking animals or creatures? Or is there some old god or gods in charge of playing match maker? The whole idea is fucking stupid. Who or what is deciding people’s lives and futures for them? What if they don’t like each other or someone is like hell no? Like what even, and fucking Nyx, mortal vampire man…really? Come on now. Yeah, he is nice to look at, but no. Snarky prick. The only connection we have is because my powers are fucking losing their shit. Who or what the fuck do I have to punch in the face for giving Oana the idea that I have a “mate.” Nyx, that is so, gag, and fucking Zanir? Who is fucking FAE and a fucking vampire! Or at least he was, ha.
I hear the commotion coming from the grand hall as we pass the servant quarters. Enough to snap me back to reality for the time being. I wonder if Chalia will be there. I still bad for my distance during our interaction earlier. Mother usually lets other clans member attend big events or parties, but Chalia is an amazing baker and I have a feeling she would rather be in the kitchen with flour than a room filled with you knows what type of people and creatures.
Oana squeezes my arm with hers as we draw closer to the entrance of the grand hall which is grand itself. A huge wooden entrance with wooden doors that have carvings over every inch. Dragons, different animals, scouts, guards, and everything that encompasses our world. Plenty of things I have never seen past this etches in woods. I never took the time to memorize this like I did the grand library’s. This room I tried to avoid like a blight.
Once we pass the threshold of the wood entrance I am hit with the sounds, Nyx it is loud, the smells, the hot air, everything, and I feel my eye twitch. So much is happening, people laughing, some are dancing, tables placed in a pattern filled with meats, drinks, and deserts, and even barbs and other people playing music along one of the walls. The smell of power makes me want to sneeze. Nyx, hopefully this night goes smoothly, or the servants will be cleaning blood off the marbles. I can see in the very back of the room is a long table and a large throne like chair. I don’t see Mother but notice Devlyn talking to one of the guards near the long table. Guards line every corner and most of the walls, minus the stage the barbs play on, but they are standing at the edges. I even spot some Varcolac’s in one the corners of the grand hall. Purebloods. Currently in their human forms but stand nearly seven feet tall. Nyx, they are heads taller than most in here. I bet they are why the servants and event planners were bringing in the large chairs and tables. Massive fuckers even in human form.
I almost miss them but see a bright flutter out of the corner of my eyes. Faires dance along the white linens of a nearby table. FAIRIES. There are fairies in our castle. Nyx, they are smaller than I would imagine, and oh my Nyx, their little wings. Different from the Fae, like way different, they share a sense of magic, but fairies are so cute. I want to stick one in my pocket. I move my gaze and notice some nymphs hiding along the wall opposite the bards. Gnomes and dwarfs have started conversing with some Varcolacs, and the size comparison is almost laughable. The room is also filled with scouts, and other shifters within the clan. Some I recognize and some I don’t.
There are some many creatures and other clans here. I wonder why Mother invited all of them. I have never seen in them all in one room or even in one place. I mean it’s not like I was allowed out very often anyway. People were still packing into the room, and even though it is a grand hall it is slowly getting smaller and smaller. I feel something start to crawl up inside me. A single knock on my mental door. My hands tremble slightly. Ice pricks at my fingertips.
“I am requested to stand near your Mother, Lady Mihaela.” Farrah looks at me and I’m glad her eyes can’t bury holes through me…because they would be if they could. “Stay out of trouble. When the barbs stop playing…you are to be at the long table next to your Mother.”
“Oana, too?” I say trying to hold back a grimace. I hate this princess, shit. I don’t want to be alone up there. Not with all the shit that is going on within me, and all these noises. Nyx, it is loud. I feel my hands growing colder.
“She seems to keep you in check most of the time. I doubt your Mother would even be surprised if you two appeared together. You, two, as usually always attached, anyway.” Farrah says before walking away and disappearing into the crowd.
The crowd, that is growing.
Oana leans down and whispers into my ear, “Please don’t turn the hall into a snowstorm. Take this.” With her free hand she place something in mine.
A small pink with a dark center flower lays in my hand.
“Where…no. How did you get this?”
“A powerful witch never tells. Eat it. Believe me you’ll need it, and it will help calm you down.”
“Or turn me into a laughing lunatic. Do you not remember last time?” I look around us quickly. People, creatures, are paying us no mind currently. Not until we make our way to the long table at the back of the room… “I tried to climb the fucking walls, Oana.”
“It would make for good entertainment.”
“Witch.” I hiss. I take a small piece because I want this night to already be over, but not need to the center of unwanted attention. I rip off a few petals and slip the rest back into Oana’s free hand.
“We’ll laugh together.” She says as she pops the remaining flower into her mouth with a grimace. “I doubt I’ll be climbing any walls, though.”
I scowl at her before putting a few petals in my own mouth. Nyx, these are awful, and it never seems to get better. Such a harsh, horrid taste, but almost immediately notice my hands relax, warming back up, and a sigh leaves my body.
The bard playing an ornate lute and the melody he is playing changes to a low soothing sound to transition the room. People, shifters, and creatures alike start making their way to their tables.
“That’s our cue.” Oana says as she grips tighter around my arm. Knowing I would run out of here in seconds if given the chance. I feel weightless under her touch. The torches that line the room seem to dance at the edges of my vision. A wave moves every inch of me, almost like a pulse. Each wave pushing down the anxiety that nags at me so often, and so much recently.
Oana moves us through the crowd we pass a group dryads. There are some many forest creatures here. I wonder if they work closely with Muma Padurii’s. Each step seems like I am treading through mud. Nyx, my tolerance is shit. Glad only took a few petals. My body needs rest so bad. We continue, passing dwarfs no longer being towered over by Varcolac. Iamys is never allowed to call me short ever again. We pass the group of Varcolacs, who are sitting immersed in a serious conversation between themselves, but as we step closer their eyes flick our way. Oana sheepishly wiggles a wave toward them. Witch. A smile leaves my lips, and my eyes meet with the one listening to another one.
He is tall. Taller than any shifter or person I have ever seen. Definitely closer to seven feet. Like holy boar shit. He has dark almost black-like hair that is shaved along the side and longer in the middle, and surprisingly curly. His eyes are a deep brown with an ember green in the center. He is a very aesthetically pleasing individual. Fucking opium poppy, right?
As we pass the group, I can smell their power. Nyx, I hope tonight goes well. I would definitely would have jump and use wind to punch any of them in the face if it came down to it. We move past the group and I noticed the dark-haired Varcolac still staring. Normally I would have some smart-ass remark or facial expression, but the poppy flower is starting to course through me and make my hands feel tingly. I feel a small laugh move past my teeth. Shit, it is already starting. I put my free hand over my mouth to try and push it now. I feel a warmth rinsing in my core. Different from the smooth caress of the poppy that pumps through my vein. I feel a different pair of eyes on me now. No, focus.
Oana glance back at me with a smile on her face. “They’re cute.”
I roll my eyes at her, but feel a laugh move between my fingers. Feeling of exposure increasing. A take a deep sigh. Concentrate, breath, and make it through the night. Then I can sleep, in a fucking normal bed. Nyx can this go faster, please.
We finally make it to the long table where anyone and everyone who is official within the Forsaken clan sits. There is a large throne like a chair at the center. Conveniently empty. Mother is probably planning some big entry. Next to the throne-like chair is an empty seat to the left, where I am always placed, and two empty spots past that chair. One for Oana and the other for Farrah, I’m guessing. On the right side is Devlyn who seems to be having a heated conversation with an older looking scout. Wonder what that is all about. Further down either side are more officials and people Mother has deemed noble. The treasurer who’s name I never cared to remember but won’t ever forget his unkempt beard that has to poke the inside his nose, not to mention the eyebrows that could crawl off his face. The councilor, who rarely spoke to anyone other than Mother and other clan leaders. She is a middle-aged woman, probably ten or so years older than me. I always admired her, she has a tenacious personality when dealing with any of the male leaders. Almost mothering, but with a deep purpose, almost manipulative. A few chairs down past Devlyn, the treasurer, and the councilor, Sadar sits with his legs crossed and eyes fixed forward. Watching everything and processing. As he always does. One of the generals for the guards, or keeper of secrets as we call him, and he is also in charge of the dungeons, prisoners, and a voice for the guards. Past Sadar sits more nobles and officials who have all started to blur together over the years. Back to the left past the empty chairs sits the high priestess Nesobi covered in her holy white cloak, that hides her bright brown eyes and the passive aggressive mouth that is mistaken for holy attributes. Nyx, I just want to punch her in that stupid face of hers. Just one good punch.
We make our way around the table and pass Nesobi, and I can see the faint gleam of her white teeth under her white hood. Just. One. Punch.
Nyx, I can only imagine what Mother has said to her. About how I need to reconnect with the gods again and remember how not disobey your parents…or your parent. Nyx, I’m not a child.
I have never really connected to any of gods or truly believe in the idea of formal religion. I only really connected, if you can even say that, was Nyx. Obliviously. Nyx, Goddess of darkness, night, of the shadows. Nighttime is the only time I didn’t have princess duties, Mother telling this or that, voices and beast filling my skull, it was the only time I felt truly unaccompanied by the world around me, or within me. Until recently, when my powers started changing and the noises in my head filled my brain with nightmares. Not to mention the things or person I met in the night.
I shake my head and feel a smoothing caress flow through me. Opium poppies are nice. We reach our chairs and I hit the seat with a thump. Oana and I make eye contact.
“Don’t you dare.”
She just looks at me. Her mouth fighting the smile that beckons to be released. My push my lips into a fine line, but can’t contain it, laughter boils out of both of us.
I quickly raise my hands to my mouth as soon as I feel the other officials glaring eyes in our direction.
That exposed feeling starts to creep up again. I wonder where he is.
The crowd is starting to disperse to their tables and the bards are playing a slow and soothing tune on the lute. If everyone doesn’t hurry up, I may fall asleep right here. This opium poppy is like a warm blanket over me that now with the occasional tickle and a small chuckle that leaves my soul. Nyx, I need to just rest. I place my arm on the table and rest my chin on my hand.
Oh, little bat. You took something didn’t you?
I take a deep sigh and my eyes flutter. Ah, there he is. No rest for the wicked it would seem. I see him. I feel him. His exposing gaze colliding with the warmth that is coursing through me. The coldness that has been plaguing me is nowhere to be found.
He is sitting at a table closer to the entrance of the grand hall. We must have walked right past him. Iamys is sitting next to him. Probably to keep an eye on him. Doubt he’ll leaving that post anytime though.
You have absolutely no idea.
My eyes move past him to something that is shining against the candlelight grand room.
Mother.
Ch. 43
“Blitz”
I can feel Farrah’s eyes on my back as we walk back down the hallway to the grand hall. Oana’s arm is wrapped around mine, and she hasn’t once glanced down in my direction. Avoiding the burrowed eyes, and fine line of my mouth, I’m guessing.
How on earth has this been kept a secret for so long? I know we don’t have many books on the fae in the library and maybe that is why, but why would they want to hide the fact all shifters are from a fae linage. I mean why have I never thought about where shifters magic comes…from …Nyx, my head hurts.
We have archives, who go through and keep up with all the books in the library…were they purposely making sure that information wasn’t discovered, or was Mother? Did no one care to look further? Plus, how did Oana come across this information? Where did she get the books that held the truth? I am not surprised she did, but what other knowledge do we not know. Nyx, I have so many questions. My head throbs.
Not to mention, what the actual fuck is this “mates” shit? That sounds made up. I know there is powerful magic in this world and the fae are strongly connected to that, but “mates” honestly? Is that like the most compatible genetics are drawn together? Nyx, like fucking animals or creatures? Or is there some old god or gods in charge of playing match maker? The whole idea is fucking stupid. Who or what is deciding people’s lives and futures for them? What if they don’t like each other or someone is like hell no? Like what even, and fucking Nyx, mortal vampire man…really? Come on now. Yeah, he is nice to look at, but no. Snarky prick. The only connection we have is because my powers are fucking losing their shit. Who or what the fuck do I have to punch in the face for giving Oana the idea that I have a “mate.” Nyx, that is so, gag, and fucking Zanir? Who is fucking FAE and a fucking vampire! Or at least he was, ha.
I hear the commotion coming from the grand hall as we pass the servant quarters. Enough to snap me back to reality for the time being. I wonder if Chalia will be there. I still bad for my distance during our interaction earlier. Mother usually lets other clans member attend big events or parties, but Chalia is an amazing baker and I have a feeling she would rather be in the kitchen with flour than a room filled with you knows what type of people and creatures.
Oana squeezes my arm with hers as we draw closer to the entrance of the grand hall which is grand itself. A huge wooden entrance with wooden doors that have carvings over every inch. Dragons, different animals, scouts, guards, and everything that encompasses our world. Plenty of things I have never seen past this etches in woods. I never took the time to memorize this like I did the grand library’s. This room I tried to avoid like a blight.
Once we pass the threshold of the wood entrance I am hit with the sounds, Nyx it is loud, the smells, the hot air, everything, and I feel my eye twitch. So much is happening, people laughing, some are dancing, tables placed in a pattern filled with meats, drinks, and deserts, and even barbs and other people playing music along one of the walls. The smell of power makes me want to sneeze. Nyx, hopefully this night goes smoothly, or the servants will be cleaning blood off the marbles. I can see in the very back of the room is a long table and a large throne like chair. I don’t see Mother but notice Devlyn talking to one of the guards near the long table. Guards line every corner and most of the walls, minus the stage the barbs play on, but they are standing at the edges. I even spot some Varcolac’s in one the corners of the grand hall. Purebloods. Currently in their human forms but stand nearly seven feet tall. Nyx, they are heads taller than most in here. I bet they are why the servants and event planners were bringing in the large chairs and tables. Massive fuckers even in human form.
I almost miss them but see a bright flutter out of the corner of my eyes. Faires dance along the white linens of a nearby table. FAIRIES. There are fairies in our castle. Nyx, they are smaller than I would imagine, and oh my Nyx, their little wings. Different from the Fae, like way different, they share a sense of magic, but fairies are so cute. I want to stick one in my pocket. I move my gaze and notice some nymphs hiding along the wall opposite the bards. Gnomes and dwarfs have started conversing with some Varcolacs, and the size comparison is almost laughable. The room is also filled with scouts, and other shifters within the clan. Some I recognize and some I don’t.
There are some many creatures and other clans here. I wonder why Mother invited all of them. I have never seen in them all in one room or even in one place. I mean it’s not like I was allowed out very often anyway. People were still packing into the room, and even though it is a grand hall it is slowly getting smaller and smaller. I feel something start to crawl up inside me. A single knock on my mental door. My hands tremble slightly. Ice pricks at my fingertips.
“I am requested to stand near your Mother, Lady Mihaela.” Farrah looks at me and I’m glad her eyes can’t bury holes through me…because they would be if they could. “Stay out of trouble. When the barbs stop playing…you are to be at the long table next to your Mother.”
“Oana, too?” I say trying to hold back a grimace. I hate this princess, shit. I don’t want to be alone up there. Not with all the shit that is going on within me, and all these noises. Nyx, it is loud. I feel my hands growing colder.
“She seems to keep you in check most of the time. I doubt your Mother would even be surprised if you two appeared together. You, two, as usually always attached, anyway.” Farrah says before walking away and disappearing into the crowd.
The crowd, that is growing.
Oana leans down and whispers into my ear, “Please don’t turn the hall into a snowstorm. Take this.” With her free hand she place something in mine.
A small pink with a dark center flower lays in my hand.
“Where…no. How did you get this?”
“A powerful witch never tells. Eat it. Believe me you’ll need it, and it will help calm you down.”
“Or turn me into a laughing lunatic. Do you not remember last time?” I look around us quickly. People, creatures, are paying us no mind currently. Not until we make our way to the long table at the back of the room… “I tried to climb the fucking walls, Oana.”
“It would make for good entertainment.”
“Witch.” I hiss. I take a small piece because I want this night to already be over, but not need to the center of unwanted attention. I rip off a few petals and slip the rest back into Oana’s free hand.
“We’ll laugh together.” She says as she pops the remaining flower into her mouth with a grimace. “I doubt I’ll be climbing any walls, though.”
I scowl at her before putting a few petals in my own mouth. Nyx, these are awful, and it never seems to get better. Such a harsh, horrid taste, but almost immediately notice my hands relax, warming back up, and a sigh leaves my body.
The bard playing an ornate lute and the melody he is playing changes to a low soothing sound to transition the room. People, shifters, and creatures alike start making their way to their tables.
“That’s our cue.” Oana says as she grips tighter around my arm. Knowing I would run out of here in seconds if given the chance. I feel weightless under her touch. The torches that line the room seem to dance at the edges of my vision. A wave moves every inch of me, almost like a pulse. Each wave pushing down the anxiety that nags at me so often, and so much recently.
Oana moves us through the crowd we pass a group dryads. There are some many forest creatures here. I wonder if they work closely with Muma Padurii’s. Each step seems like I am treading through mud. Nyx, my tolerance is shit. Glad only took a few petals. My body needs rest so bad. We continue, passing dwarfs no longer being towered over by Varcolac. Iamys is never allowed to call me short ever again. We pass the group of Varcolacs, who are sitting immersed in a serious conversation between themselves, but as we step closer their eyes flick our way. Oana sheepishly wiggles a wave toward them. Witch. A smile leaves my lips, and my eyes meet with the one listening to another one.
He is tall. Taller than any shifter or person I have ever seen. Definitely closer to seven feet. Like holy boar shit. He has dark almost black-like hair that is shaved along the side and longer in the middle, and surprisingly curly. His eyes are a deep brown with an ember green in the center. He is a very aesthetically pleasing individual. Fucking opium poppy, right?
As we pass the group, I can smell their power. Nyx, I hope tonight goes well. I would definitely would have jump and use wind to punch any of them in the face if it came down to it. We move past the group and I noticed the dark-haired Varcolac still staring. Normally I would have some smart-ass remark or facial expression, but the poppy flower is starting to course through me and make my hands feel tingly. I feel a small laugh move past my teeth. Shit, it is already starting. I put my free hand over my mouth to try and push it now. I feel a warmth rinsing in my core. Different from the smooth caress of the poppy that pumps through my vein. I feel a different pair of eyes on me now. No, focus.
Oana glance back at me with a smile on her face. “They’re cute.”
I roll my eyes at her, but feel a laugh move between my fingers. Feeling of exposure increasing. A take a deep sigh. Concentrate, breath, and make it through the night. Then I can sleep, in a fucking normal bed. Nyx can this go faster, please.
We finally make it to the long table where anyone and everyone who is official within the Forsaken clan sits. There is a large throne like a chair at the center. Conveniently empty. Mother is probably planning some big entry. Next to the throne-like chair is an empty seat to the left, where I am always placed, and two empty spots past that chair. One for Oana and the other for Farrah, I’m guessing. On the right side is Devlyn who seems to be having a heated conversation with an older looking scout. Wonder what that is all about. Further down either side are more officials and people Mother has deemed noble. The treasurer who’s name I never cared to remember but won’t ever forget his unkempt beard that has to poke the inside his nose, not to mention the eyebrows that could crawl off his face. The councilor, who rarely spoke to anyone other than Mother and other clan leaders. She is a middle-aged woman, probably ten or so years older than me. I always admired her, she has a tenacious personality when dealing with any of the male leaders. Almost mothering, but with a deep purpose, almost manipulative. A few chairs down past Devlyn, the treasurer, and the councilor, Sadar sits with his legs crossed and eyes fixed forward. Watching everything and processing. As he always does. One of the generals for the guards, or keeper of secrets as we call him, and he is also in charge of the dungeons, prisoners, and a voice for the guards. Past Sadar sits more nobles and officials who have all started to blur together over the years. Back to the left past the empty chairs sits the high priestess Nesobi covered in her holy white cloak, that hides her bright brown eyes and the passive aggressive mouth that is mistaken for holy attributes. Nyx, I just want to punch her in that stupid face of hers. Just one good punch.
We make our way around the table and pass Nesobi, and I can see the faint gleam of her white teeth under her white hood. Just. One. Punch.
Nyx, I can only imagine what Mother has said to her. About how I need to reconnect with the gods again and remember how not disobey your parents…or your parent. Nyx, I’m not a child.
I have never really connected to any of gods or truly believe in the idea of formal religion. I only really connected, if you can even say that, was Nyx. Obliviously. Nyx, Goddess of darkness, night, of the shadows. Nighttime is the only time I didn’t have princess duties, Mother telling this or that, voices and beast filling my skull, it was the only time I felt truly unaccompanied by the world around me, or within me. Until recently, when my powers started changing and the noises in my head filled my brain with nightmares. Not to mention the things or person I met in the night.
I shake my head and feel a smoothing caress flow through me. Opium poppies are nice. We reach our chairs and I hit the seat with a thump. Oana and I make eye contact.
“Don’t you dare.”
She just looks at me. Her mouth fighting the smile that beckons to be released. My push my lips into a fine line, but can’t contain it, laughter boils out of both of us.
I quickly raise my hands to my mouth as soon as I feel the other officials glaring eyes in our direction.
That exposed feeling starts to creep up again. I wonder where he is.
The crowd is starting to disperse to their tables and the bards are playing a slow and soothing tune on the lute. If everyone doesn’t hurry up, I may fall asleep right here. This opium poppy is like a warm blanket over me that now with the occasional tickle and a small chuckle that leaves my soul. Nyx, I need to just rest. I place my arm on the table and rest my chin on my hand.
Oh, little bat. You took something didn’t you?
I take a deep sigh and my eyes flutter. Ah, there he is. No rest for the wicked it would seem. I see him. I feel him. His exposing gaze colliding with the warmth that is coursing through me. The coldness that has been plaguing me is nowhere to be found.
He is sitting at a table closer to the entrance of the grand hall. We must have walked right past him. Iamys is sitting next to him. Probably to keep an eye on him. Doubt he’ll leaving that post anytime though.
You have absolutely no idea.
My eyes move past him to something that is shining against the candlelight grand room.
Mother.
