Moon Flowers (Book 1 of the Flower Trilogy) #Wattys2016 #Featured

CHAPTER THREE - HALIA (Edited)

HALIA'S POV

I recognized the taste of wormwood and mint. Someone was forcing a liquid down my throat. I turned my head away, refusing the concoction.

We needed the herbs to reinforce our bond to the moon during rituals. That's what gave us the strength and energy to survive. I did not want them to waste them on me, especially since they were becoming more and more difficult to come by. To get them, the king had to send his most experienced fairies outside of the alley, our sanctuary, and this did not happen often.

I tried to open my eyes to see who it was that was trying to force-feed me. My eyelids were too heavy. I could not see clearly. Whoever it was looked like my mother.

I barely remembered her . . . my mother. I had forgotten her smile and the sound of her voice. Only a vague memory of her persisted in my mind. She was looking down at me over my crib. The details of her face were a blur. I just remembered that the color of her hair was the same deep crimson as Aras's and mine.

But my mother was dead.

"Halia, drink up . . . now," ordered Aras, holding the rolled up leaf in front of me. "It will make you feel better."

I could not disobey her. Not when she used this tone of voice. It was a mother's voice. Direct and authoritative. I parted my lips, swallowed the fragrant liquid, and prayed that by obeying her I would not bring disastrous consequences for our community.

In a matter of instant, my body became numb. I felt sleepy. I tried to fight, to stay awake. The black in front of me, behind my eyelids, was too inviting.

I dreamed of two people walking through the ethereal fog that hid the entrance to our alley. They were coming to us. I tried to see their faces but couldn't. They were strangers. And strangers had never crossed Siegfried's protective shield.

When I woke up again, it was night. I was almost normal. I gave thanks to the tea that had reinforced my bond to the moon, which now hung in the starry sky.

The nausea was still there, but it had greatly diminished. I blinked a few times to insure I had recovered the use of my eyes. I glanced around. The room was lit by Will, sleeping in a corner.

Aras was sitting on the bed by my side, her right hand lying protectively over my leg for good luck. She was whispering to one of the Tisannieres. Neither of them had noticed I was awake yet.

"I hope the king is right," Aras said. "The Mother knows how much I can't bear another death. She is so young . . . only a few centuries old."

"There, there," the Tisanniere replied, tapping on my godmother's shoulder. "No need to worry yourself sick like this. Aren't we all creatures of the moon? Tonight will only bring good things, to her, and the community. Just wait."

"We should get ready for the ritual," my godmother said, leaping on her feet. "I will wake Will up to watch over her."

"I can go too," I said, freeing myself from the leaves and feathers of the blanket.

My voice startled them and they quickly glanced my way.

"How are you feeling, dear?" Aras asked with a sudden smile.

Before I could even reply, the green fairy had her hand upon my forehead and was staring into my eyes.

"Her fever is gone," she declared.

Aras sighed.

"I am much better," I said to her. "I've been in bed all day. Can I please go to the ritual?" My wide, pleading eyes might've been overdoing it, but I was desperate.

I had to warn the others of the change.

I needed to find Phi.