Fates and Thrones

Feast

It had been a few weeks since Aleesia and I had our conversation. We went to the dinner with the prince, and he was absolutely smitten with Aleesia. That was clear when I was shunned as she was invited into his bedroom. I politely stayed in the mess hall, keeping the other guests entertained with a few tricks that Mother approved of.

The sound of their applause still echoed in my ears as I walked through the hallway of our house. It was so empty today, the house seemed to cry out for someone to join it so the despair would fade. Maybe that was my emotions, but I liked to believe the house felt as I did. Aleesia was out with Prince Kgosi again this afternoon, and Liam had broken up with me for a different girl.

I ran my fingers down the walls, listening to the soft tearing of the wallpaper as they snagged on the imperfections. "That's nasty," I muttered, pulling my hand back and staring at the faint brown streaks of condensation bleeding from the damaged wood underneath. "But I guess I can relate. I wish I could let go like you do."

Meow-rof.

I turned to see my tabby cat, Pam, staring up at me with her usual irritated expression. "Sorry, Pam. I know I'm not really alone—I have you."

Pam didn't respond, except with a loud, throaty purr as she spun on her paws and headed for the door. I bent down, scratching her ears in an attempt to pull her back, but she flicked her tail and trotted outside, pausing only to glance over her shoulder at me.

Meow-rof!

Her annoyed yowl carried a clear meaning: follow.

"Fine, fine, I'm coming," I grumbled, slipping on my boots. "Most people would think I'm crazy for chasing after you, but you've never led me wrong before."

I stepped out into the chill night, following Pam as she weaved effortlessly through the dense forest behind our house. The brambles clawed at my legs, leaving fresh scratches that only added to the collection. "Pam! Where are we going? This is the opposite of company, and you know we're not supposed to be back here."

Pam ignored me, her white striped back the only visible guide in the dark. I sighed, stumbling over a root. "Remind me never to trust you again. I thought you were leading me to—"

My words caught in my throat as we entered a clearing bathed in silver light. Casablanca lilies bloomed everywhere, their pristine petals glowing softly in the darkness. My breath hitched. These flowers only bloomed at night. Rare and hauntingly beautiful.

"Pam," I whispered, glancing down at my feline guide. She perched on a fallen tree, her tail swishing as she watched me with eyes that seemed almost human, glowing with reflected moonlight.

"Sometimes, the most beautiful things bloom in darkness," a voice whispered, soft and melodic, wrapping around me like a caress. "Even when no one is watching, they shine. Remember that, child."

I turned sharply, expecting to see someone standing behind me, but the clearing was empty. Pam remained silent; her gaze fixed on the sky.

"War is coming, child," the voice continued, growing louder and clearer. "And while I cannot stop it, I can choose who will fight for me."

From the edge of the clearing, a figure emerged, descending gracefully from an unseen height. She shimmered like a mirage, her form shifting with each step. A crown of golden hair flowed into a cascade of black waves, her chainmail dress morphing into crimson robes and then to gleaming armor etched with ancient runes. As she drew closer, the shifting stopped, and she stood before me. A woman with blonde hair, clad in a chainmail dress that hugged her tall, commanding frame. Her piercing blue eyes fixed on mine.

I stumbled back, falling onto my knees. My stomach churned violently as the afterimage of her shifting forms burned in my mind.

"Stand," she commanded, her voice calm but unyielding. "You are stronger than this."

"I think I'm going to be sick," I muttered, clutching my stomach.

Athenrún tilted her head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "You'll adjust. Few mortals see the full spectrum of what I am."

It took a moment to regain my balance, but I stood, brushing the dirt from my knees. "You mentioned a war?" I asked, my voice trembling.

"Yes," she said simply. "It has been foretold. You and your sister stand on opposite sides, as was always destined. Alfatherus believed we would fight for the two of you, but I have known since the beginning which of you belongs to me." Her gaze pierced me. "Your sister's soul is shattered, child. Worse than yours. But she has yet to see the truth of it."

"Alfatherus?" I frowned. "You're Greek. That's Norse mythology."

Athenrún waved a dismissive hand. "Names and pantheons are but stories mortals tell. We are all the same, wearing different masks."

Her voice changed mid-sentence, the tone deeper, the cadence otherworldly. Her face shimmered for a heartbeat, twisting into something alien before returning to its previous form. I recoiled instinctively, nausea threatening to overtake me again.

"Stop doing that," I snapped. "It's making me feel like I'm going to hurl."

Her laughter was soft and unearthly. "I am what I am, child. You cannot ask a storm to stop thundering, nor the sea to cease its waves."

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus. "What do you want from me?"

Athenrún's expression grew serious. "I offer you a choice, Ajita. You can embrace your destiny, become my champion, and fight for the balance of this world. Or you can let the darkness in your soul consume you."

"And if I say no?"

"Then your sister will fight alone, and this world will fall." Her voice echoed with finality. "But I already know your answer."

She turned, walking back toward the edge of the clearing. Her form shimmered again, blurring and fading until only the whisper of her words remained in the night air.

"Choose wisely, child."

I stood frozen among the lilies, my heart and mind reeling.