Hour of the Moon

Chapter 21: Recprescussions

The Moon Goddess emerged from the mist, taking the form of a human woman.

She was still one of the most beautiful women, despite her unfiltered wrath. In my mind, she was still the ageless beauty that was admired and revered across Africa.

As she addressed me, her words infused with venom. "You haven't lived up to your promises, Akita of the Lycans."

She stared at my unseeing eyes with her luminescent eyes filled with rage. Her piercing gaze felt like ice grating on my skin.

She wore a thin silk kaftan; It encased her figure as if it were a second skin. Her teak dark brown skin radiated against the pale cream color, the deep slits of her dress revealing peaks of her long legs, as well as a deep v that displayed an ample amount of cleavage. She was a luminescent pillar in the dark, her tall height added to her ethereal beauty.

She wore an equally white head wrap that was secured tightly around her head, concealing her mass of waist length silver afro-kinky hair.

Light infiltrated my cabin, and even in my blindness the temperature of the room changed, and every crevice had encompassed the light.

With one knee planted on my wooden floor, I bow out of deep respect and admiration.

" Moon Goddess, it is an honor-"

"Please, Akita, cut the nonsense!" She exploded. "I trusted you to keep an eye on her and keep their connection intact. You and your nefarious fairy magick."

"I know," I sighed, "but the boy was adamant about breaking this tie."

In disbelief, she scoffed.

"That wolf boy is upsetting the natural order of things. I put my trust in you to protect my family. They are meant to be together. That is something the Fates have decided, not me." The Fates were the original African Gods: the Wind God, the Earth God, the Water God, and the Fire God.

" I foresaw both of their deaths if this isn't fixed," she added, her tone softening towards me, her sorrow palpable.

"We both know that Fairy Magick cannot be undone. Regardless, I only gave him a sliver of a powerful spell. Everything should return to normal."

"Good," she said with a satisfied huff.

I approached her, reaching out to touch her hand. She remained motionless and immobile, but I could hear her heartbeat quickening.

I kiss her hand, inhaling the scent of pure moonlight. Her skin was perfumed with black currant, jasmine, and vanilla.

"Don't think flattery will work on me, I'm still angry," her voice faltered, physical touch revealing her vulnerability.

"We haven't spoken in centuries. I've missed you so much." She sighs and pulls her hand from mine, abruptly turning away from me.

"Feelings are transient and mortal. I have no capacity for missing things or people who were never truly mine." Her moods were as volatile as the weather, but I knew she loved me deeply. She was the first woman I ever loved, but she was out of reach, prohibited. No one could truly love a God or Goddess without consequences and, eventually, death.

"I still have feelings for you. For you, I even gave up my wolf curse."

"That is something I am aware of. But that was your choice, and I warned you not to." She spoke as if in pain, the heavy pounding of her heart reverberating like a drumbeat against my ears.

"I'd do it again just to be in your presence, just to be with you.

"Stop," she begged, her voice barely above a whisper.

" It's a ridiculous notion to still pine and harbor feelings that have been gone. I can't love you, and for that i'm sorry."

Her words pricked my stomach and made it churn. Even after all these years, I haven't accepted my fate. My heart was still blinded by a love that should have died ages ago, not just my sight.

I smile, but the movement does not reach my eyes.

" I shall proceed forward with restoring the balance between Keiran and Ahiga."

"Thank you very much. Farewell, Akita."

As her presence left my cabin, the room darkened again, leaving a rush of cool mystified air in her wake. I raise my gaze to the moon, its luminescent light filling me with melancholy.