Courts of Moon and Sun

Cerise I

"Miss, would you like red satin, blue velvet, or white silk on your coat?" I asked the client, gesturing to the racks of fabrics on our right.

"I'd like the-" she was cut off by a pounding on the door.

"I'll get that, why don't you look at the embroidering patterns?" I walked through the shop, taking care not to disrupt any of the other seamstresses. When I opened the door I felt a clawed hand on my arm pull me roughly toward a dark blue carriage with white silks flowing around the windows and a crescent moon on it. The Court of the Moon.

"Unhand me! UNHAND ME THIS INSTANT!!" I yelled, drawing the attention of several passersby. The guard finally let go, narrowed his eyes at me, and muttered something about 'insolent mortals', before speaking.

"The Court of the Moon has requested your presence as a contestant to be the bride of Prince Deimos." He has a rough voice like nails on a chalkboard, with disturbing pail skin, wolf ears, and sharp canines. I narrow my eyes. 'Requested'. Yeah right. I have totally a choice if I want to compete to be the prince's bride. I glare at him and have a good mind to share some choice words with him but I bite my tongue. I want to stay on the mortal plane right?

"Fine. I'll go. But it's not like I have a choice." I give him a glare of daggers and open the door to the carriage before sitting in the soft dark blue seats. I see Ms. Marrel waving at the carriage with worry in her eyes. I give her a sad smile and close the curtains. I sigh and look up at the ceiling. What has happened to me?

                                                                                                       §§§

We get to the palace at twilight, and I join several other girls, from varied backgrounds. One is laden with jewels and is talking to another girl who seems to be from the same social circle as her, while there are middle-class girls, like me who seem frightened and confused. I narrow my eyes skeptically while noticing the guards posted around the courtyard, some in plain sight, while others are hiding behind trees and bushes. I shove my hands in the hidden pockets of my skirts and rock on my heels, cataloging the area in case an emergency happens and I need to leave immediately. Trumpets bring my attention to the entrance to the castle.

"Announcing His Royal Highness, Crown Prince of the Court of the Moon, Prince Deimos!" A young man- no fae- comes out of the (now) opened drawbridge, wearing black silks that sparkle like stars in the moonlight, with pale skin, impossibly black hair that tumbles down to his ears, and purple irises with white spots in them like stars, and a muscular stature. Seems to be a recurring theme. He sweeps his eyes over the girls and me and grins.

"Hello everyone! How are you all today? Or shall I say night?" He has a smooth voice that I could listen to forever but I quickly shoved that thought from my mind. He laughs at his joke like it's the funniest thing in the world. Cheers come out from the crowd but I find myself booing instead, and draw all attention to me. His eyes widen for a second as if he can't fathom not being liked by everyone he meets. "And why pray tell me, are you not happy to be here?" I glare daggers at him and answer.

"Because some of us had jobs and were actually happy with our lives before some arrogant prince decided that," I imitate his voice, "'oh, why don't I rip girls out of their lives and take them to my palace, put in the invitation that I quote un-quote request their appearance so I can cherry pick my bride.'" He glares at me and I glare at him back. "So it is possible to break your happy-go-lucky attitude? I stand corrected."

"I'm sorry if the concept of true love has evaded you but some of us are genuine in trying to find it and had no honest intention of taking you away from your lives. I should not have to explain that to you." His demeanor of being happy is gone, revealing someone that...I might be interested in getting to know. Heavens above, what are these purple-eyed fae doing to me?