The Melodic Yes
By: Alicia Phillip
It has been three months since that fateful night, three months since I met the love of my life. The sky was clear, and the twin moons full and bright. This occurrence was a very rare phenomenon, happening only once every six centuries, give or take a decade or two. The last time had been the night of my twin melody's and my birth. You, as a human, must be very confused. After all, how could a boy who looks not seventeen be a little over six-hundred-years-old? Do not fret, my friend, for the lifespan of my peoples is not crippled by the meager century that yours longs to see.
Thus back to my reverie. The night was cool and crisp, seeds still in their infancy, the heat of the summer solstice not yet arrived, Tiny, colorful birds nesting in their new homes, the larger predators not yet woken from their cold slumber. The trees and path were covered in moldy leaves from the past fall, only now exposed to the elements after having been covered in a brutal winter's blanket. Often I had walked this trail, calming and centering myself after a long day of meetings, royal affairs, and dealing with my pregnant mother's antics. That woman can be picky about anything.
Whilst chuckling at the thought of how similar my hot-headed sister and mother truly were, despite their defiance, I came upon the true meaning for tonight's nightly stroll. Standing next to the crystalline lake, not a single ripple distorting its surface, was a girl of sixteen. Her long, soft brown hair hanging loosely about her back, flawless alabaster skin covered in a deep blue tunic that ended mid thigh over tight black leggings, a leather sash around her thin waist eventuating her curves, her feet bare. If she were to turn around, I knew I would see the band around her delicate neck, as was customary with many old tribes of panthers, adorned by a single small silver bell, its color contrasting with her bright golden eyes.
I could have stood there all night, just watching her form gaze over the serene lake, and still not get enough. But, as with most nights, things never go the way I plan. She turned to face me, her acute sense of smell alerting her of my presence.
"Damon," she sighed, as she ran to tackle me in a hug. "Where have you been? I've been here for over an hour!" Now pouting, she continues, "I thought you finally came to your senses and chose a more sensible girl." She turned her head away, looking down at the ground next to us; her normally shining eyes now dull in the moonlight. I only wish that she had never doubted herself, for in my eyes, she was a goddess. With that thought in mind, I raised my hand to cup her chin, moving her face to mine again.
"Alexandrea, my love," I said as I stood us up from the rather compromising position her excitement had placed the both of us in. "When will you realize that I do not care, and neither do my parents." With nothing but a stunned expression on painted on her beautiful face, I continued. "I got a bit distracted and had to leave later than usual. It probably does not help that I wondered off the path. Forgive me?"
"Y-you talked to your p-parents?" She stuttered. "Are you crazy?!" she screeched, getting up, and slowly backed away. "Why would you do a stupid thing like that! How will people respond? I'll tell you how; why would anybody want a shifter like me to rule a country, none the less than a panther like me? I-"
"Shh" I tried, hoping to calm her down, but failing as she suddenly became enraged and started yelling again.
"Don't you shush me, Damon Claton Solmana! I thought you were supposed to be a genius or something? Maybe it's the latter, 'cause you don't seem to be using your brain! Maybe its a good thing that I'm moving!"
