Strength of the Moonlight

Prologue

           

"The wolves have been more vocal as of late. We have not heard them like this in many, many years." The voice beside me was soft, belonging to my hand maiden. She was gentle in her movements, using the scrub in her hand to wash the sweat from my body. The sun was setting on our palace casting beautiful shades of orange and yellow across the floor of my bathing room. Smiling, I looked to the woman standing beside my tub. She was of average height, her long locks tied back into a loose bun. Eyes the color of summer wood matched perfectly with her hair. She wore the clothing of a servant yet to me looked so beautiful. She had been assigned to me at birth taking care of me for as long as I could remember. I owed her a great deal more than I gave her and I always swore one day that I would give to her what she deserved. Shaking my head, I tried to focus on what she had said.

            "You're right, I know father is happy but weary. He is worried that their return means that our greater enemy has returned as well." She nodded her eyes looking to the window while she washed my skin. She seemed very deep in thought but pulled herself from it quickly.

            "My dear, you are as clean as it gets. Let us get you robed." Standing in the water, I stepped out onto the cool stone floor allowing my handmaiden to wrap the cloth around my dripping body. The sun was setting, the room already cooler and darker than when my bathing had started. Stepping forward, I moved into my bed chambers to see that the candles had already been lit and my chemise already laid on the bed for me. With a smile, I dismissed my handmaiden, requesting that she return with a chalice and bottle of wine. Once I was alone, I allowed the cloth to fall to the floor and stood in front of the mirror that stood in my room.

            Before me, I saw a petite girl. Her hair was red, deeper than that of a lively fire. It was the shade of blood, something that I had only seen once many years ago. Her eyes were emeralds set in a face with sharp features. Pale skin glowed under the moonlight's gentle caress. That loving touch seemed to warm the girl's chilled body, a moan escaping her. She was the princess of the realm, belonging to house Brisbane. She would someday rule over the kingdom of Alforya. That girl was me. Looking at myself, I couldn't imagine holding any of those titles. Though with father's illness and mother's mental state, the kingdom would fall to me far before I was ready. I was only fourteen years of age, already a woman. But I was far from ready.

            Unable to accept my future fate, I turned and grabbed the chemise from my bed before slipping it on over my head. It covered my body, falling to just around my ankles. It was then that my handmaiden returned. She smiled at me upon her entrance, filling the chalice before handing it to me. I took it with trembling hands while my mixed emotions swirled around inside my head.

            "What is it that troubles you Lady Mia?" Her voice was soft, her guiding hands gentle when she urged me to rest on the edge of my bed.

            "I am worried for father and for mother. I am worried for the kingdom. I am scared. For myself." My words trailed off into silence. With shaking hands, I lifted the cup up to my mouth and drank deeply of the red liquid within.

            "My lady, I understand your worries. But you need not be scared. You will always be cared for. In this realm, you have a fallen angel watching you always. I know not what will become of your mother and father or even the kingdom but my love, you need not ever be afraid." The elderly woman pulled me to her chest, her clothes absorbing the tears that fell from my eyes. She pulled my head back and looking into my eyes, probed me with her brown orbs. "You must promise me that you will be strong. Do not show fear and trust in your angel, can you promise me this Miss Mia?"

            I nodded, stopping when she leaned forward and pressed a gentle kiss to my forehead. Her hands were shaking, her eyes moving to look out the window. I followed her gaze, unsure as to what we were looking for. Confusion settled over me at her tightened grip on my shoulders. It was then that the guard's horns began to go off all around the castle. Metal on stone echoed through the halls while the soldiers ran past my chambers.