Lost Moon

by Dana Davis

  Larisa kept her face serious just as they had rehearsed. She worried that Patrice would break and laugh as she had during rehearsals but the Earth woman kept her composure. Jakon, who sat beaming like a proud parent, was the only one besides the Trine who knew what to expect, so Gail, Palith, and his men, also seemed impressed.

  “We are the Trine, Damon of the Cities of Sleep,” Kepriah said in an ominous voice that seemed to reverberate through the stone walls. “The Moirai have chosen us. The Moirai guide and protect us. We do Their bidding and we will not be denied.”

  Damon leapt from his chair as soon as Patrice lowered it to the floor and his eyes darted between the three of them. “Jabber shit. You really are the Trine.”

  “That is what I have been trying to tell you, little brother.”

  “Brother. Hell and Hollow, Kepriah.” He began to pace along the side of the table behind Jakon’s chair. “You are my sister and you are one of the Trine.” He stopped and opened his arms to the three of them. “I am brother to the Trine!”

  Well, in a way that was true. They were sisters now, not by blood but by magic.

  Damon darted to Kepriah’s side. “Where is this bride of mine, Sister? I must know.” He waved his hands in a frantic manner. “I will go to Abandoned City. I will accept the Pewter Throne. Just tell me who I am to marry.”

  Larisa’s heart leapt into her throat and she knew this was it, a moment she dreaded.

  Kepriah turned to Gail. “She is to be your wife. That is why we brought her.”

  Gail’s face registered confusion then shock. The girl paled and Larisa dashed to her side, checking her pulse. “Are you all right, sweetness? We wanted to tell you before we made the announcement but there was no time.”

  Those green eyes moved to Larisa. “You are mad. The lot of you. I got a farm to run. Papa’s farm.” Gail seemed much too calm for the words she spouted, as though in shock. “I promised him.”

  Larisa stroked the girl’s hair. “You are the one in our visions. That is why we came for you. And the seer confirmed your identity.”

  “Why dinna ya tell me?” The girl had seemed fascinated by royals their last visit here and had been working to speak more like them, but her village accent still burst through when she grew upset. Like now.

  “I am sorry, sweetness. But we were afraid you would try and run away again.”

  “I damn well woulda.” Gail stood and faced Damon, who beamed at her. She was a beautiful girl, a beautiful red-haired woman, who had filled out since they had found her cowering in a kitchen cabinet on her father’s farm.

  Three good meals a day will do that. During their travels, Gail told them she would be seventeen when the largest moon became new one final time before summer solstice. That new moon was tonight. Tomorrow she would be legal age to marry. Old enough to marry and create an heir to the Pewter Throne. Larisa recognized the look in Gail’s eyes and got a grip on the girl’s arm just before she tried to bolt.

  “Lemme go. Your visions are wrong, Healer Larisa.”

  “You have been with us long enough to know better than that, Gail. I am sorry you had to find out this way, but you are destined to be a royal. To take your place on the Pewter Throne. To raise your children in the new city you and Damon create. You and your children will want for nothing.” The girl had gone limp in her grasp and she leaned close. “You like Damon. I know you do. I see the way you look at him.” The girl flushed. “Once you are married, we will be sisters, you and I. Kepriah and Patrice, also. You will have a family again, sweetness.”

  Those green eyes came up watery. “I dunna want your family. I want my home.” With that, she jerked from Larisa’s grasp and fled the dining hall.

  Larisa started after her but Kepriah caught her arm. “She will not leave the city. Damon—”

  “I am on it.” He called a guard into the room and ordered Gail left alone unless she tried to leave the city boundaries. “She is my future wife,” he added.

  That news perked up the guard and he bowed deeply before hurrying out. No doubt, the news would be on every merchant’s lips before morning.

  Larisa turned to Kepriah. “We really should have talked to her before now.”

  “She needs time to adjust,” Patrice said. “I know something about having your future altered and set without your permission.”

  Grief waved through the link and Larisa studied her youngest sister. She had almost forgotten how difficult coming here had been for Patrice, how they would have lost her to starvation if Kepriah had not interfered with the scepter’s magic. The grief grew distant and Patrice offered a wan smile.

  Damon flopped into his chair. “She is beautiful, Kepriah. I cannot wait to get her into our marriage bed.”

  Before Larisa knew what was happening, Kepriah had her brother by the collar. “You will treat her with respect, Damon. None of those games you play with other women. Gail may be your future wife but you will never take her against her will.” With that, several crystals on her scepter glowed and the table shook, tipping over goblets and glasses. “You got me, little brother?”

  Damon nodded, eyes wide, and looked as though he might wet himself. “I would never hurt my wife. I swear to you, Kepriah. I make that promise to the Moirai and to my ancestors.”

  “Good.” The table settled as Kepriah released him and straightened his collar. “Now, you had better figure out just what you are going to tell your followers here.”

  He swallowed hard and adjusted himself. “What do you mean?”

  “You cannot landlord over both estates. Abandoned City will take all your resources.”

  He grinned and shook his head. “I thought you knew.”

  Kepriah’s eyes narrowed. “Knew what?”

  “Many of my followers’ ancestors were refugees of Abandoned City. My father gave them refuge after their homes were destroyed. That is why they are so loyal to my house.” He frowned and touched the empty place on his small crown that probably once held a prominent jewel. “Even now.”

  Larisa’s mood brightened and she smiled at Kepriah. “Well, it seems the Moirai are on our side after all.”

  “Not so fast, little sister. We still have to get Damon and Gail to accept the Pewter Throne. Together. Or have you forgotten your visions so soon?”

  “I have not forgotten.” She took in a long breath. “I will find Gail and talk to her.”

  “I’ll come, too,” Patrice said.

  “Good. While you two are doing that, Damon and I can start working on his speech. Jakon can go with you.”

  Larisa took Patrice by the arm and motioned Jakon to follow. Despite Damon’s assurances, Larisa did not feel completely safe here. Jakon’s presence calmed Patrice, too, and Kepriah must have known that. After questioning several guards and servants around the palace, they found someone who knew where Gail went. She had hidden herself in a linen armoire on the second floor. From what Larisa learned on their way up, the girl had not even tried to leave the city.

  As soon as she got within a few feet of the armoire, she knew something was terribly wrong. Most not trained in the healing arts might have missed the tiny spot of blood. “Jakon. Get Kepriah. Now!”

  “Yes, Noble.” He fled without a question.

  “What is it?” Patrice said.

  Larisa had no time to explain. She flung open the doors and caught the unconscious girl just before she hit the marble floor. A knife fell out and clattered to the marble floor. Larisa berated herself when she realized it matched the others they had used at dinner. No one even noticed it missing. Gashes snaked across Gail’s wrists.

  “Holy shit,” Patrice said. Without being told, she grabbed the bloodied knife and cut strips of material off her skirt.

  Larisa tied the strips around Gail’s arms to control the bleeding. Luckily, she had cut across, not up and down following the veins. Though Gail was still alive, her pulse was beginning to weaken and her skin clammy. “Grab some of those blankets, Patrice.” Her younger sister,
who had gone white, obeyed, and they covered the prone girl.

  “What in hell and Hollow is going on?” Kepriah called as she bounded down the hallway, scepter in hand.

  “Gail tried to kill herself,” Patrice uttered.

  “Jabber shit. Move.” Kepriah shoved them both out of the way and leveled the scepter over the unconscious girl.

  The jewels glowed, a familiar sight to Larisa now. Unlike other patients, Gail did not cry out as the healing began and Larisa feared they were too late. Kepriah’s arms began to tremble with power and sweat trickled down her temples. Larisa had never seen her sister struggle like this and she silently prayed to the Moirai to let Kepriah save the girl.

  Patrice placed a hand on her arm and the two stayed that way, their gazes shifting between Kepriah and Gail. After what seemed an interminable time, the girl finally gasped like a fish out of water and Kepriah stepped back, taking the scepter with her.

  Larisa dropped to her knees to cradle Gail and stroke her hair. Tears fled down her cheeks as she realized just how much this girl meant to her. She saw that Patrice’s face was wet, also.

  “What happened?” Gail uttered.

  “Hush now, sweetness.” Larisa untied the strips of cloth around the girl’s arms. “You will be all right.”

  Gail studied her with weary eyes then began to struggle. “No, please. The farm. I cannot disobey papa’s wishes.”

  She will not let go of that. Larisa wished that Jakon had let Honor live. As Nyanan, she could alter memories. Perhaps Kepriah could manage something with the scepter. She could manipulate anyone’s will, so perhaps her Faytool would work on memories. Larisa gave a pleading look to Kepriah, who seemed to understand, but doubt raged against Larisa’s senses and she gave her elder sister a hard gaze. “You can do it, Kepriah. And you need to learn how very quickly.”

  Before Kepriah could try anything, Damon pushed past her, breathless and looking annoyed. “What do you mean running out like, Kep—what is going on?” He saw Gail and crouched by her side. What happened next startled Larisa. “My love,” Damon said as he cradled Gail and studied her wrists. “What did you do?” Though Gail’s wrists now had only pink scars, the bloodstains made it apparent what she had done. “Does the thought of marrying me repulse you so?” He sounded heartbroken. And sincere.

  Gail, who allowed him to lift her to a sitting position, looked stunned and put a quivering hand to his face. “You dunna—do not repulse me, Royal Damon. But I promised my papa I would restore the farm. It was his wish afore—before—he got killed. Made me swear on my mam’s grave that if anything happened to him I would rebuild.”

  Larisa had not known that. Obviously, neither did Kepriah or they could have dealt with this sooner. No wonder the girl had tried to run away. The Moirai punished those who broke an ancestor oath. There was not a person in Selenea who did not believe that. Except maybe Patrice. The Earth woman still needed a lot of education in Selenean values.

  Damon offered her a sympathetic smile. “My darling. I will not make you break such a promise.” Kepriah moved as if to protest but Damon waved her back with an air of authority royals probably mastered in their cradles. “Did your father give you a time limit as to when you must rebuild the farm?”

  The girl thought a moment. “No.”

  His smile widened. “Well, there you have it. Once the hoisting is over, you and I can see to it that the farm is rebuilt. Did you swear to work it yourself?”

  “No.” She sat a little straighter and concentrated on Damon. “Just rebuild.”

  “Then after that is done, we can hire someone to work the land, take care of the home. Perhaps a nice family displaced by the wars.”

  Gail stared at him opened mouth. “You dunna—do not want to marry me. I’m a farm girl.”

  “The Moirai have decried it.” He gave her a warm smile, and Larisa had to admit he looked quite charming. “Besides, I cannot think of any better woman to be my wife. My sister tells me you have a constitution that puts a stubborn jabber to shame. I need that in a wife.”

  Gail gave Kepriah a look of pure disbelief just before she broke out in tears and flung her arms about Damon’s neck. Larisa’s talisman felt warm against her chest and she pulled it out from her clothing to see the stone glowing. The blue stones in Patrice’s ring and Kepriah’s scepter also glowed for a brief moment. They exchanged surprised looks with one another and a jumble of emotions caressed Larisa’s senses. She sat back on her heels, not sure whether to laugh or cry. She did both.

  Chapter 35

  Night came early, thanks to another time shift, and Larisa went to bed with disturbing thoughts bouncing around in her head. She wanted to drink a sedative tea but thought better of it and lay with her eyes shut, begging the Moirai to let her drift off.

  Every available messenger went out with the news of Damon’s betrothal, along with a request for his loyalists to make their way to the palace by mid-day tomorrow. Kepriah had helped him with his speech and once he delivered it, they would get on their way to Abandoned City.

  Greenery should be springing up all over the place, but instead they were experiencing unusual frigid weather that brought fear and anxiety for Larisa and her sisters. Summer solstice was just two weeks away, though it seemed more like an early winter right now. Two weeks! We are running out of time. Moirai, please let us save Selenea.

  Even Patrice knew the importance of the hoisting. Though she may not completely understand it. Larisa could not imagine what it was like being born on a world with no magic, where scientific marvels propelled generation after generation to new hopes. Where new weapons led to unfathomable wars. The more Patrice revealed about the sister world, the more Larisa thanked the Moirai that she had been born here on Selenea.

  She chided herself for those thoughts and flipped onto her side to snuggle her pillow. A familiar urge built in her loins. Oh, Kepriah. Why now?

  The woman had gone off with one of Damon’s guards and ordered Jakon to keep an eye on things here. Larisa had hoped to be asleep before they began exploring each other. No chance she could get to sleep now. In fact, she wanted only one thing, thanks to her sister. Annoyed, she got up, pulled on a robe and slippers, and padded out into the hall.

  Patrice appeared in the hallway. “Damn that Kepriah. I was hoping to get some sleep tonight.”

  “Me too. Where are you headed?”

  Patrice offered a sly grin. “Ched’s room.”

  “Oh, really?” Larisa chuckled and took her younger sister’s arm. “Are you ready for this? I mean after what happened here last time?”

  The Earth woman took in a long breath and let it out but Larisa felt no fear, only a tiny amount of hesitation. “Yes, I think so. Kepriah trusts Ched. She interrogated him. With Palith’s blessing, of course. Embarrassed the hell out of me.”

  That was news to Larisa. “She did? When?”

  “Just before dinner. She caught me eyeing him again and decided to take her role as big sister to yet another annoying height.”

  Larisa smiled again. Lately, she had felt so many emotions from her sisters that she had not thought much about Patrice’s embarrassment. “She has our best interests at heart.” Another wave of desire emanated from Kepriah.

  Patrice laughed. “Right now she has her own interests at heart. And I better go before I start kissing you.”

  Larisa chuckled. “Well, if you are certain.”

  “I am. I can’t let that night keep me from living. My head knew that all along. It just took a while for the rest of me to catch up.”

  “Understandably. Do you need me to help with anything?” When Patrice’s eyebrows climbed, Larisa’s face grew hot and she quickly added, “I mean to prevent pregnancy. Dirty mind.”

  Patrice snickered. “I’ve got it covered.” She hurried down the hall and, after a couple of knocks, disappeared into one of the doors.

  Larisa walked to the other end of the hall and gazed out the narrow window. The night was calm and stars crowded the
sky. Torches lit the gardens below and she could see male figures pacing this way and that. She stood watching for a while, again wondering what it was like to bed a man herself. Perhaps she should go to one of them.

  Shame on you, Larisa. Despite her sisters’ openness about sex, she wanted her first time to be with someone she knew and trusted. She felt Patrice’s passion mix with Kepriah’s lust. Well, at least she is not letting the attack hinder her. Larisa let out a soft groan and started for her room when she noticed Jakon’s door was ajar. She stared at it until another wave of passion overcame her. Screwing up her courage, she moved to his door and knocked.

  “Come in,” he said in a muffled voice.

  She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. Jakon sat in a chair by the fireplace, bent over something. “Trouble sleeping?” she said.

  “Just doing a bit of research on these texts the librarian gave me.” He stood, placed the scrolls on the chair and crossed to her. “Are you all right, Second?”

  She noticed his scent almost immediately. He smelled of soap and man sweat. An intoxicating combination considering what two out of three Trine members were doing right now. Larisa closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on conversation, which became increasingly difficult. “Perhaps I should go.” Why does he have to smell so good?

  “Are you sure you are all right?”

  Why did he have to be so nice, so considerate, so, well, manly. Another wave of sexual emotion hit her and her breath caught. If anyone will understand, Jakon will. Right? “Kepriah and Patrice are—well—they are both with men right now.”