“We will be together again soon. I promise.” I say to Dmitry, not only to convince him but also myself. “I don’t understand why you have to be away for so long!” He sobbed. We haven’t been apart for longer than a few days since the day he was born. I pull him into my arms and hug him firmly. I rub his back in small circles and I feel his body slowly relax and melt into my embrace. “Nothing will keep me from you. I will move mountains if I have to.” I mean every single word. A promise to him. A promise to myself. “I know.” He whispers so quietly I can barely register it. “I will be going to Kingdom of the Moon with the Luna, then I will travel to the Moon Ceremony. Tell me, what should I know about it? Any animals or birds I should look out for?” It calms Dmitry to talk about facts and science. “Let me go get my map, so we can look at the path of your journey!” He suggests. “Yes, please!” I call to him, as he races to his little library of books. He stretches the map across a s

“May Selene bless this journey. May the moon guide you on a safe and righteous path. May Selene gain favorable passage for you from her siblings.” The priestess recites her prayers over the carriage and horses. The sun has only just begun to peek from the horizon. The dew blankets the ground, sparkling like an iridescent web over the grass. A blanket so delicate I imagine only the garden fairies of my girlhood dreams could craft a gown from it. The fields are obscured by the morning mists. It’s as if I am looking through the end of a glass mug, the trees in the distance are blurred and dreamy. The horses are restless to begin the day’s journey, the sounds of their throaty breaths and stomping hooves punctuate each verse of the priestess’s prayer. “May Selene guide your path. Bless Luna Osiris on her righteous path. May Selene protect you.” The priestess’s robes are made of lush silver velvet. The dew clings to it in small glittering droplets like diamonds reflecting in the sun. A si

“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

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 pulled d

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 not