Moon and Shadow

CHAPTER 9

STARS WATCHED IN AMUSEMENT AS THE VOLKOV TWINS TIED THE REIGNS OF THE HORESES THEY HAD STOLEN TO THE TRUNK OF A TREE, WHILE THE MOON ANTICIPATED FOR THE MOON SUMMONER TO DRAW ITS POWER AND USE THEM. The hoods still covered most of their faces, yet the smile on the lady's face was hard to miss as she bounced on her feet like a child; all while her twin surveyed the premises to make sure that no one caught them summoning and letting loose.

Viktor moved with steady feet, his eye searching for sign of living but he found none, except for a fountain nestled deep in the forest, bathed in moonlight. He called his sister, studying the fountain curiously. The water was still, and the moonlight shimmered upon the surface like thousands of diamonds dancing in a serene choreography. His fingers gently caressed the marble, outlining the smooth surface that was surprisingly clean despite being surrounded by trees.

It was expected to find some stray fallen leaves or branches that would hide the beauty of the craftsmen who craved the fountain into being. But there was none. The cream marble shone as if new and pampered, looked after and cared for.

The Inferni could feel his sister lingering behind me and he allowed a rare, full smile to pull his lips up as he gestured her to join him. Her steps were light, barely audible, as she peered over his shoulder at the shinning water surface.

"Do you see it?" His voice was low, careful to not disturb the silence of the surrounding. His tongue darted out to moisten his dried lips while he tried to count the numerous coins that laid in the bottom of the water. "The coins?" He hummed, his hand moving on their own accords as he browsed his pocket for a coin.

He turned his attention to his sister for a split second, who had retrieved a single Ravkan coin from the pocket of her riding pants. The metal sat on her fingers, ready to be flipped and sent to the bottom of the fountain. Her lips moved in silent prayers while her other hand clinched by her side. Even though he knew that Yelena would not like it, Viktor pitied her as much as he pitied himself.

Himself because he was stripped of his birth right only due to the hideous scar and the absence of one of his eye. And her because she never even had a birth right. While he always knew that the title of Duke of Tsibeya belonged to him, she was aware that her title from her maternal house would remain with her only until she is not married to someone. It was more of an empty promise and a hollow satisfaction that she would be stripped off when her last name would change.

He wondered what she wished for. Freedom, perhaps? To be who she was truly. To have the liberty to use her powers in the bright sunshine without the fear of being caught. To voice her opinions without being told, 'you are better seen than heard.' To yield sword and bow and arrow and hunt like she used to Tsibeya.

Viktor turned his attention to the coin that rested on his fingers, and closed his eye. He never prayed to the Saints, he didn't believe in them. They were all nothing but creation of men and women in need of courage and something that would guide them in times of difficulty.

May Yelena find her way out of the wedlock and find a place where she belongs. A place like home.

The splash of the water as the coin sunk deeper and deeper prompted him to open his eye. The moon was shinning brightly, as bright as the silky locks of his sister, who flipped her own coin after a moment.

Her blue eyes opened, and he could tears gathering in them. His heart squeezed painfully, but he could do nothing to help her. He was as much stuck as she was. In his own peculiar manner. The earlier conversation between him and the Duke of Tsibeya left a bitter tang to his tongue.

"It would be good if you find a wife as well. There are many ladies in the court that would marry you for your blood."

"I find myself still not prepared for marriage, father. I shall require some more time before I start courting someone."