Child of the Moon

Chapter 9- Queen Cécile the Good

Acknowledging my father’s words with a slight incline of her head, Queen Cécile rose to face us. She wore a tiara embellished with diamonds. Her jade eyes watched us. Her chestnut-colored hair reached to her shoulders, and freckles sparsely covered her nose and cheekbones, accenting her eyes. She wore a dress, the same color as the sky, which had a satin bow on the side and thin straps. The skirt was tiered and ended just above her knees. It was covered in tiny diamonds, especially on the bodice, that sparkled like stars on a dark night. She wore white gloves and white heels. I realized with surprise that she was the same height as me, and only stood taller because of her shoes.

         The regal light in her eyes demanded respect. I bowed my head as my father grew red. “Imprudence!” he shouted. “How dare this- this-” he sputtered. “girl- this failure- seek the presence of Your Majesty?”

         Queen Cécile held up her hand, cutting of further comment. She smiled at us. “Welcome, Larimar Jewelrose, Child of the Moon. Et bienvenue, Sapphire Meadowmusic, Angel of the Heavens.”

         I smiled shyly. I enjoyed the sound of the Queen’s words- child of the moon. It was what William, the kind baker, had called me also. My father evidently did not share my happiness. In a voice as cold as winter, he hissed, “This girl does not deserve your presence, Queen. The Angel might, but certainly not her companion.”

         She turned her gaze to him, her expression a mix of cool composure and icy hate. I did not wish to be on her bad side, and I did not believe my father wished to be either. “I believe I can choose who I care to speak with, Lord Dragomir. Lady Jewelrose has earned my respect.”

         My father’s voice was filled with doubt. “You have never met her before today, and you are not an unreasonable queen. How does this child command your respect?”

         “You obviously know little about me, Lord Dragomir. I tire of your presence; you are not part of an official delegation. You are free to leave.” The doors opened as Queen Cécile delivered her blunt dismissal.

         He nodded stiffly as he rose to leave. “I hope you will consider my words.”

         Queen Cécile laughed. “Hardly. Please tell Lady Dragomir that Larimar Jewelrose has earned my permanent respect. I do not believe that the Dragomirs and I had any alliance previously, and I do not plan to forge one now if Lady Dragomir is, as you say, determined to kill Larimar. Dragomirs are no longer welcome in Mirenius, except for Arianna.”

         Father nodded stiffly. “As you wish, Queen Cécile.” He bowed mockingly and left the room.

         The Queen muttered, “Well, now I’ve dealt with that nincompoop.” She looked up and smiled at us. “My dears, please sit down so we can talk.”

         The three of us sat, and Queen Cécile wasted no time. “You have journeyed far, little dreamer.” She said in her quiet, pragmatic voice. “All in search of your power. Of course, you left the Dragomir Clan because of four things. Your inability to fit in, Lady Dragomir, Matthiew Dragomir, and your power.”

         Her quiet way of knowing everything frightened me. I only managed to nod as she continued. “Sapphire, I truly admire you, for you have kept promises made long ago. You were wise to send Larimar the vision. She needed you then, and she continues to need you now. Larimar, I do hold the information you seek. As much as I admire your tenacity, information has a cost.”

         I grimaced. “What cost would that be, Queen?”

         “One task. I want Jezzine’s power siphoned.”

         Sapphire gasped quietly. “She will be that powerful, my Queen?”

         Queen Cécile smiled. “That powerful and stronger, dear Angel of the Heavens. She could easily kill Jezzine, but she is not violent. No true Moon Spirit is. Her mother placed her there for this reason; I only want confirmation that she will carry out this task.”

         Shaking, I whispered, “How can I siphon her powers?”

         “I’ll let you decide upon the specifics, my dear. Glass works well.”

         “But... How?” I wondered. “Do I use my mind?”

         “Of course. Hold the glass in your hands and... Hm, it’s hard to describe. Reach out with your mind and tug on her powers. It will flow into the glass. You will not be able to use the power to you own advantage, but neither will Jezzine. Once her powers are gone, safely in the glass, Jezzine will be forced to step aside as leader of the Sun Spirits.”

         “You sound like you’ve done it before, Queen.” Sapphire noted dryly.

         “Indeed I have, Angel.” The Queen opened a desk drawer and found a paperweight. She placed it on the desk, and I noted that it was pure glass. It shone with power. “I was forced to siphon power once before. A... powerful spirit was attacking me, and the only item within my reach was the paperweight. I held it in my hands and focused on the magic he threw at me. I saw the potent magic as a length of fabric, waving through the air. I imagined gathering it together and putting it in the glass. It worked. His power remains there still.”

         I was surprised. “What kind of spirit are you, again, My Queen?”

         She laughed. “I am a faerie, dear. We live for a very long time, and I am powerful. I am nearly as powerful as you will be.” The Faerie Queen cleared her throat. “Starling, will you siphon Jezzine’s powers?”

         I bit my lip. “Will it hurt her?”

         The Queen smiled kindly. “Such a gentle soul, even for a Moon Spirit. To answer your question, child, it will cause Jezzine discomfort for a brief time. She will be crippled but alive, and will live as long as any mortal.”

“I suppose... I will.” My voice grew in strength as I decided. “I swear to you, Good Queen Cécile, that I will siphon Jezzine Dragomir’s powers.”

         A silver thread of the queen’s magic wound around me, soaking into me. “It is binding.” The Queen lilted. “You shall siphon Jezzine’s powers or forfeit your life.”

         She reached into her desk drawer and withdrew a simple, plain mirror. “The mirror is glass.” She told me. “Use it to siphon Jezzine’s power. Guard this well, for it is your best chance of fulfilling your promise. Now for the information you seek.”

         The Queen looked at Sapphire. “Remind us, dear, where you originated from.”

         Sapphire replied, “I was formed from the sands of the Nile River. My eyes were created from the water and my soul was sent from Heaven.”

         I nodded, and Queen Cécile only smiled. “The Nile is a place of power, is it not? An Angel’s earthly birthplace always is.”

Sapphire nodded. “It is, My Queen. But

 do not see how my birthplace is relevant.”

          “What better place for the most powerful Moon Child’s crystal to be hidden?”