The Moon of Artemis

How I Came To Be 1/2

*My story was told to Seraphina as follows:*

We used to be witches, you know. The DeLaurent family came from a strong line of witch blood. Although, my parents were never as in touch with their witch nature as I. By chance, their witch geneology did not permit their powers to blossom like mine. They were simply nobles with an old family secret. Whereas I was a young girl coming into her witch power from a strong dormant bloodline in my genes. It wasn't until my 17th birthday that I never had the chance to experience my magical abilities again.

It was around this time of year—winter—but in 1427. At this time, my family and I resided in the countryside of Loire, France. My father had fallen very ill from smallpox and it seemed as if there were no way he would be able to convalesce and regain his former health. It was December 30—my date of birth. I was one of the few who actually knew of their date of birth in those times. Because of my family's noble status, I had the privilege to know of my birth date. But each year on that date, it comes as somewhat of a displeasure. Knowing that our fate was sealed on that day in 1427, it serves as a reminder of the deathly creatures that we have become.

My parents desired for me to be betrothed to a respectable Duke in the town. Duke Blair Azrael was his name. He was a young man, a few years older than I...or so I thought. Everyone in town had known of his admiration towards me. He had been seeking out a wife for the whole of that year, and my parents wanted to ensure that I would be well off, with a proper young man. He was handsome, wealthy, and perfectly acceptable for marriage. He was the seemingly ideal suitor. But there was only one little problem.

I saw no interest in this man. It is not as if he made an offensive approach towards me, but I was just simply not interested in spending my life with him. In fact, I could not imagine myself spending the rest of my life with any man at all. Ever since I was a young girl, I was not eager to date boys and marry men like all the other girls. I always knew I wasn't like the rest.

I did however, see an appeal to marrying a woman. A woman would not try to control me like a husband would. A woman would understand my wants, needs, and desires. A woman would be emotionally available and open to me. What does a man have that a woman cannot provide? Well that's a rhetorical question, seeing as in these times, women have essentially nothing and men have absolutely everything. These beliefs were always quickly vanquished from my mind. I always felt a sense of guilt when these thoughts came into my mind. I was taught that those types of people would be sent to hell. But what was the point of trying to attain heaven if I was now a vampire? I was already on my way to hell. Sometimes it is most difficult to live in a place and time where no one can perceive the world the way you do, but that doesn't mean you can't find that one person that does.

I most certainly did have an attraction to women. But of course, I never voiced these thoughts to my parents, or let alone anyone else. I often wrote poems inspired by my emotions and composed music inspired by my void of thoughts. These tangible escapes for my mind helped ease my consciousness of the fear that gathered in my head. I hated myself for hating myself. I wanted to accept who I was and I wanted everyone else to accept who I was. But I knew that as far as I would get was having to accept myself. I owed it to myself to accomplish that much at least. I dream one day of a society where a woman and woman can be together, as well as a man and a man, if they so desire. One day where people can live in peace, to be whoever they want to be. I dream of a time where women are not lesser than men, where I can make my own decisions without a man telling me to or to not do something, where we are all considered one in the same.

But in 1427 I could not just so much as excuse myself from Duke Azrael given that the reason as to why I did not want to marry him was because I wanted a life that he could never give me. But life always gives you what you want in ways you'd never expect...