A Ballad of the Sun and the Moon

Chapter 15.1

This chapter was so long that I felt I needed to cut it in half for sake of people reading on their phones. The second part is being edited as I post this and will get it up in the next few days. I hope y'all enjoy!

The wedding ended up taking place mid-December.

Zoe dolled Niva up in a white jeweled gown with a violet velvet overdress with a fur wrap to match. Her shoulder length hair was still too short to style fashionably and she refused to wear a wig so Zoe pinned it up as best she could. It was, however, now long enough to accentuate a femininity that Niva had always seemed hell bent on concealing.

After much discussion and convincing on Zoe's part, Niva wore her mother's fine pearl as well.

They'd arrived early to the chapel Sunniva found herself tying up dried agastaches and chrysanthemums to the pews. She felt a downright domestic fool decorating for wedding, but refusing to help seemed cruel.

"I didn't realize I would be put to work," complained Niva.

"It's part of the experience," replied Zoe. "Make sure the flowers aren't too slumped over."

Sunniva fluffed the blooms upwards frowning each time they slumped back down.

The guests eventually filed in, the families sitting in the front, the higher standing members of the tribe in the middle and everyone else in the back. Sunniva had no illusions as to where she should stand.

The balls of her feet began to hurt and her toes seemed crushed inside the high-heeled pumps she was forced to endure. Finally, after a long bout of waiting and restless whispers, the deep tones of a cello cued up.

The first to enter were the Alphas. Lord Christoph and Lady Rue Langford looked every bit as imperial as the leaders of beasts should, with his eyes glinting green and hers a glaring gold scanning the room taking an account of their subjects. After a thorough perusal they settled at the front facing forward where an altar might be in a traditional church.

The bride came next wearing a virginally-white taffeta gown clutching a bouquet of dried autumn flowers matching those on the pews. Sunniva had half imagined a trussed woman being dragged screaming and wailing all the way to the alter, but instead she walked willingly with a smile on her face that seamed to stretch forever. The groom looked just a smitten bringing up the tail end of the wedding party, the last to stand before the leaders of the tribe.

A great, round stained-glass window glittered behind them all letting the sun's glorious rays pour through. It wasn't a depiction of some biblical story, but rather streaks of magnificent figures in magenta and vibrant saffron and dazing puce laid in glass of blue and murky white. They could have been comets or simply tree tops shedding their leaves in autumn, but everyone in the chapel knew what they represented.

The Alpha removed something from his pocket and placed it in the hands of the betrothed. It was a stone purring a seductive melody. The pair held it tightly with Lord Langford's hands closed around theirs, who began to speak.

A clear and commanding recitation of ritual words delivered in an authoritative manner filled the serenity of the room, yet Niva couldn't seem to listen to the words. The tiniest minutiae of ongoings in the little chapel pulled her attention instead. Kerchiefs were brought to weepy eyes, a fussy babe was brought to the bare breast and soothed. A boy, likely bored to mischief, contemplated tugging a ribboned braid dangling just in reach from a girl sitting in front of him until his mother swatted his hand.

Niva picking out a few heads she recognized. Rhys Langford sat three pews behind Zoe Lane and – Niva suspected – stared intently at back of her head. She felt a pang of guilt knowing she stood in the way of their matrimony. The guilt dissipated as quickly as it had come when she noticed the council members sitting to the younger son's left and right, necks stiff and head adorned with ridiculous sausage curls.

No, she thought, it is they who stand the way.

A kiss was made and a cacophony of cheers rang through the stone of the little chapel. The newly wedded pair walked arm in arm back down the aisle followed by the family. The pews emptied gradually, the guests filtering outside. Sunniva got swept out in the wave dragged by an undercurrent of sorts behind the wedding party making their way to Chasen manor for the celebration.

Zoe found her eventually, bounding up to her with a bouquet of flowers cradled in one arm. There was snow on the ground and the ice had already been packed down into a path by foot traffic.

"What did you think?" Zoe asked.

"It was all over very quickly," said Niva.

"Well, the reception won't be over that quickly."

Niva squeezed her lips together.

"Sorry to disappoint," added Zoe unapologetic.

"I'll just have to bare it, then."

Zoe linked her free arm with Niva's and pulled her forward.

"I didn't see Kimber there," Niva remarked as coy as she could manage, which wasn't very. "Joan and Rhys came. I figured the Alpha family was expected at weddings."

Zoe shot her a sly smile. "Rhys has known my family for years and Joan is rather close with Celise. Only the Alphas are required, or should I say 'invited by default'. Who else would perform the ceremony?"

Niva's hit a patch of ice and – to the fault of her fashionably heeled boot which she was unaccustomed to - stumbled against Zoe.

Zoe, to Niva's surprise, pulled her with a strong arm upright.

"Why on earth did they decide to get married in Winter?" complained Niva. "I thought weddings were summer occasions."

Zoe looked conspiratorially around and pulled her close. "They've been married for two months now," she said in near on a whisper. "This is all just for fun and show. And speaking of showing," she added with an excited giggle, "I'm surprised you didn't notice. You're usually so perceptive."

Niva looked around at the surrounding faces checking for eavesdroppers, then back at Zoe astonished. "Anyone could hear you you know. You're louder than an chickadee in spring," she hissed.

Zoe gave her a tight squeeze. "It's not like it's actually a secret. It's a joyous thing really. Besides, the match has been approved for ages by the Alpha and the council," she added as if to brag. "That's all that matters here."

Niva gave a snort at that. "I'm surprised the council doesn't insist on supervising the coupling as well, the way they lord around here."

"Shh," snapped Zoe, giving Niva a more aggressive squeeze before glancing cautiously around. "Now that is something I would not say even in a whisper."

The glint of unhindered sunlight on smooth ice drew Niva's eyes forward where councilman Grady was looking back with reprimanding eyes. She looked right back, chin up, eyes raised until he faced forward again.

The guests filed into the ballroom which, like everything in Chasen, was grand beyond measure. It jutted out from the manor into a section of the gardens and was lined with tall, arching windows. Decorative columns and ivy motifs adorned the walls covered with gilt whose golden light reflected on a polished floor. On the far end were groupings of small tables for dining each adorned with a candelabras that matched the room. They were split down the middle by a much larger table where the food would be served as a buffet.

Punch was served first with little cakes and canapes. Sunniva took handfuls of both garnering a scornful look to the valet holding the tray. She didn't pay him any mind, shoving the food into her mouth as fast as she could chew.

"Just be sure to wipe the crumbs off the dress when you're done," instructed Zoe.

"And if I soil it beyond repair?" asked Niva with garbled words as she shoved a puffy pastry between her teeth.

"You will become the proud owner of your very first expensive ball gown," warned Zoe.

"Lucky me. I suppose I'll have to be careful then," replied Niva, carefully flicking away the mess.

After a small speech by the groom, servants brought out roasted meats on massive platters lined with roasted vegetables.

The two women skirted the perimeter of the dance floor, moving closer to the tables laden with silver trays beaming with steam.

A line formed and Sunniva found herself behind an older gentleman with paling blonde hair. The line moved slowly and Niva felt her stomach grip in anticipation as they neared the food.

"Liver?" the older gentleman asked holding a long serving fork, from which hung a slab of cooked flesh.

"Please!" replied Niva, with big eyes.

The man slapped the meat onto her plate and then retrieved a second cut and slapped that one on as well. The sconces on the wall danced a line of light across the length of the silver fork making Niva's eyes gleam with delight.

The gentleman gave her a wink and said, "for good measure," as kind as could be.

Sunniva felt the warmth in her cheeks and her lips twitched into a smirk. She didn't know what to say so she gave into the smile, letting her cheeks reach her lashes.

As she moved down the length of the table she piled her plate, not sure what she might like best.

"The food will be out for a while," explained Zoe, noticing Niva's predicament. "You can always get more."

At the revelation Niva decided to forgo a goose leg and followed Zoe to their dining table.

The atmosphere began downright ravenous with people returning for a second and sometimes third helping. There was a special table reserved for the Alphas who were being served instead of fetching their own food. Christoph Langford laughed raucously at a joke told by someone at the nearby and Rue chattered with a few of the ladies she had summoned to sit with her.

As the trips to the buffet slowed, people moved on to drink which flowed in copious quantities giving the ballroom a more raucous air.

Conversations increased in volume spurred on by alcohol as well as competition with their neighbors to be heard. Sunniva caught a familiar voice in an impassioned discussion nearby. It was Joan sitting with her knees touching a man with hair of burnt copper.

Don't understand me wrong darling I don't want you any other way but as the sweetling you are.

Niva heard the sound of wet, sloppy kisses.

But if my brother is to make a display worthy of Alpha, he should have taken the Williams girl and showed the council to their faces that she his is mate.

Sunniva put her hands on her thighs and rose. A hand grasped her wrist.

"Niva, it's not worth it let it go," came the voice of reason.

"I can't Zoe. But I promise I won't break her. Physically anyways."

Zoe watched her in terror as Sunniva weaved around the half-filled tables, the length of her gown flipping back and forth as she skirted the chairs.

The couple hadn't noticed Niva standing there, too consumed nuzzling their noses together and dancing their fingers on each other's thighs.

"What did you say?" barked Niva loud enough to startle them, but not enough to draw outward attention. Joan looked up at her sending a whiff of strong wine her way.

"It's very rude to eavesdrop," she garbled.

"It's hard not to hear when you're as loud a cow," spat Niva.

Joan's curled back her lips and might have flashed dangerous eyes, but as it was she was drunk and her eyes remained an unfocused green.

"Then to make sure you didn't miss anything, I said I can't understand why Kimber didn't just bind you and force your hand. So what if you can Turn or not. If he decides it, you belong to him."

Niva examined at the young man who looked down bashfully. His coat hung from his chair with fraying seams and a tear to the lining. His pants hung baggy likely borrowed from his father or a relative and one side hung looser than the other. Niva realized he was missing a leg from the knee down.

Her eyes snapped back to Joan.

"Are you too stupid to realize you enjoy this luxurious life because you were born to Alphas that allow you a semblance of freedom?"

Joan looked back at her with a sneer. "It's the way things are. Besides it doesn't really affect me so I don't give a snit."

Niva's mouth hung wide at her arrogance and lack of empathy. Perhaps it was the liquor speaking - which Niva hoped it was - but she still had to say something.

"If another took over-" Niva paused and considered what she might say. She'd have to use brutal words to make her point . "If another challenged the Alpha, if he ripped your father's throat out who do you think he might perceive as his mate? Most likely the only unwed woman in the shire who can Turn. He'd drag you into his bed hooded and trussed and force himself between your pried open legs no matter how much you begged. No matter how much you screamed. No matter how much you didn't want it. He'd rape you until he got you got with child. Who knows, maybe you'd be lucky. Maybe he has eyes for your sister instead. He'd kill her husband first since he can't mate a married woman. Then he'd rip the babes from her breast and force her into his bed to secure his own new dynasty. And who would stop him?" she said her eyes resting on her companion's missing leg. "After all, he'd be within his right, performing his duty as your kind has deemed necessary for centuries. As you still, in your privilege, find acceptable to uphold. You'd better pray that your brother does become Alpha when your father no longer can."

Joan had gone a new shade of pale and her suitor looked down.

"Now I'd thank you to keep your voice down. In fact, you're drunk and perhaps you need sleep instead!" As Niva spoke the words her chest rumbled, as if the sound reverberated against stone walls.

Like a stout command, Joan nodded her head meekly and helped her companion rise.

"Niva, you've got more nerve than a cat in a hen house," said Zoe once Niva had returned to her seat.

"Have you ever seen a cat? Much less a chicken?"

Zoe thought for a moment. "Only on my plate... chickens I mean. But I do read and it's a common idiom."

"Far be it for me to suggest experience replace books," replied Niva with a wave of her hand.

A pair of fiddlers in the west corner struck up a jaunty tune rousing a few already loosened by wine and ale to their feet.

The clapping of hands and stomping of practiced feet made Sunniva sit up as pairs swiveled around each other.

"Want to try it?" asked Zoe, referring to the currently-danced forlana.

"You must have had far too much wine to think I'd join in that atrocity." Niva said, pointing a lazy finger at the dance floor.

"I've not had a drop," said Zoe in her own defense, "but I suspected as much." She let out a defeated sigh. "Then we shall just sit here as two sullen maids since no one will ask you to dance with that ready-to-bite-heads-off posture and, based off of prior experience, they certainly won't ask me either."

"Oh I don't know," replied Niva, unconvinced. "Rhys Langford looks awfully intent and appears to be coming this way."

Zoe jerked her head up to, surely enough, see Rhys approaching.

"May I have this dance?" he asked in the heavy, seductive voice all the Langford men seemed to posses.

Niva was briefly reminded of Kimber and glanced past Rhys only to recall that the Earl hadn't been invited to the wedding.

Zoe's eyes grew wide in disbelief as Rhys Langford stood before her with a proffered hand.

"Um, my Lord?" she stuttered.

"Well don't sit there gaping, Zoe, he asked if you wanted to dance," said Sunniva, practically pushing her off her chair with a solid palm.

Zoe shot Rhys a curious scowl and his lips twitched a grin in return.

"I'll be fine here by myself," said Sunniva in another fit of encouragement.

Zoe accepted the invitation gathering up her silk skirts to join Rhys Langford in a lively cotillion.

Sunniva, legs ironically tired from sitting, took a place off to the side to watch Zoe enjoy herself. A content smile flitted over her lips seeing both of them put up the facade of 'practically strangers' and attempt to hide their smirks.

Niva wondered what had possessed Rhys to ask Zoe to dance in such a public forum when a glass of cold champagne was pressed into her hand. She glanced to her left to see the marchioness standing there holding one herself.

"Forgive the distraction. I didn't wish to leave Miss Lane unattended. Come. Join me at my table."

The marchioness wore a gown with embroidered green and gold floral with a standing collar.

Despite the champagne still untouched, Niva noted a sour taste in her mouth that hadn't been there moments before and she tightened her lips. "Is that a request or a command?" She'd never spoken directly with Lady Langford, but considered her an adversary as she did the council all the same.

"You don't take well to commands do you?"

"Lady Langford," Niva said, making certain she had her attention, "probably less so than you even."

Rue studied her for a moment with a grave face. Sunniva noted the shape of her nose and twist of her lips, clear from whom Kimber had inherited some features.

The side of Lady Langford's mouth slipped into an upward curve - amusement or something sinister, Niva couldn't tell.

"Let's begin it as a request," said Lady Langford politely.

Niva curled her fingers tightly around the fluke, chilling her fingers to icicles. The room was filled with prominent dragons and though she found it difficult to decline a challenge, a scene would be disastrous. She feigned a swig and suppressed a face at the taste despite not having swallowed.

"After you, Lady Langford," she said, holding out an inviting hand.

Rue coiled her arm around Niva's, forcing her to walk at her side.

The table had been vacated and no one would dare there without an Alpha's explicit permission. Lord Langford was at the opposite end of the ballroom speaking to one of the gameskeepers, giving them relative privacy. Plan or coincidence, thought Niva.

"How are you fairing since you've arrived in Darkfrith?" asked Rue as they both sat.

"Perfectly well Lady Langford thank you for asking."

"And how are you actually fairing?" she asked, her volume much lower.

Niva refrained from granting her an answer.

"I can't expect you to give me an honest opinion of any of it, really."

"It is unfortunate how you came to be here. And it's unfortunate how my son treated you. Were he still a boy I might have beaten him, but then again young boys are interested in making mischief, not searching for mates."

Lady Langford brought the champagne fluke just to her lips, if only to moisten them.

"Our males can be quite aggressive. And once an Alpha chooses a mate-" she paused for the right words. "No, that phrasing would be disingenuous. When their own nature compels them to take a certain woman they are nearly helpless to resist. Nearly."

Niva scowled at her own drink drawing her lips into a tight line.

"I was a runner once, my escape flawless. It took nine years to be discovered and the Alpha was forced to hunt me." She glanced across the room, her eyes falling lovingly on her husband.

"He didn't even know who I was at first, much less that I was a woman. The first one to Turn in over four generations," Rue shared less proudly than expected. "Can you imagine his desperation? Or the desperation of the council?"

Niva shifted unconfortably in her seat.

"After much ado, Kit," continued Rue, deliberately using her husband's short name, "ultimately gave me a choice: come back here with him or disappear with my freedom forever. That's a powerful thing to give as someone responsible for a species facing extinction."

It was something Niva had never considered. The harsh rules and rigid structure perhaps a result of a people determined to survive. She didn't get the impression that the marchioness was sharing this with nefarious intent, but what her purpose was had yet to be revealed.

"And yet you're here," noted Sunniva.

"And yet I'm here," confirmed Rue. She took a real sip this time from her champagne. "I chose to come back. I won't deny that love had something to do with it. He drew me, as Alphas are naturally drawn to each other."

Rue's expression grew grave. "But I also made that sacrifice so our sons and daughters-" she added a gesture emphasizing every one in the room "-could have something better than what my husband and I were born into."

"Forgive me, Lady Langford. I wasn't born here so I couldn't judge whether there have been any improvements," she said sounding slightly brittle.

Rhys waltzed by tugging a grinning Zoe with. Both women watched them – Lady Langford with a tickled smile and Niva curiously – as the two flitted away across the dance floor.

"I'd consider it a failing as a mother to not recognize when my sons are in love."

Niva studied Rue with apprehension. "This is the first time they've danced. How could you possibly think that is love?"

Rue shot her a quick side glance.

"The Lane girl. She's quite pretty. Exotically beautiful in fact. Very sweet too. Hardly looks like her sister. Older though and still unwed. Curious."

She brought a tapping finger to her lips and drew her eyes to Sunniva.

"Kimber courted her, did you know? Well, they went on a walk once anyways, only for him to return complaining of utter boredom. I honestly was eager to see when his younger brother had the nerve to break with a useless convention."

Lady Langford's face reached a subtle intensity as if to say something without words.

"She reminds me of myself as a young woman. The only woman in an entire tribe with a Gift. I know what it's like to hide. I know that face because for years I saw it staring back at me every time I looked in that polished tin I had for a mirror."

Niva tried not to betray the realization that Lady Langford knew what Zoe was.

Rue's eyes softened a bit.

"But on you, that face doesn't fit. You've tried it on like a mask, many times, but it never looks quite right. The base is too small or the feathers far too quaint to contain that terrible beast. Some quality that just doesn't fit."

Rue placed a soft hand on Niva's arm.

"Maybe that quality that Miss Lane and I lack is exactly what's needed. It's exactly what I lacked when I took my place at Kit's side. I applaud your courage. And I applaud your discipline since you've been here. But you must know there are other ways to resist."

The marchioness seemed so confident and dauntless when they'd sat down. But now, with her eyes wide and pleading, she looked like a spectator in a zoo watching as wild animals paced around their cages, and despite her desire to free them, could not find the key.

Sunniva realized that Lady Langford was not her enemy. She was a wife, a mother, and a leader who longed for change. But her words were so riddled - rightly so in a room full of dragons - that Sunniva had trouble parcing her true meaning.

Rue's head snapped up as Lord Langford approached. She returned to calm composure as smoothly as polished pearls.

"My love," she cooed, with an outstretched hand covered in jeweled rings.

Her husband bent down placing a lasting kiss on her lips, one she eagerly returned. He stood up straight and gave Niva a lordly nod, slow and with little incline of the head.

"Miss Williams, a pleasure to have you here. I hope I'm not interrupting."

He glanced back at wife, as if they shared a deep secret.

"Not at all Lord Langford. We were just finished," replied Sunniva standing to leave.

"Do stay," he directed in a polite tone. "The cakes will be brought out in moments. I can already smell the icing."

Niva inhaled smelling nothing, wondering if his nose was actually that acute or if the timing was just right.

"I'll consider it a tactical advantage," she said, sinking to her seat. "Sitting here I won't have to break any noses to get the largest piece."

The Alphas both broke into genuine laughter.

The sun now hung low in the horizon flooding the large windows with light, stretching through the ballroom like the hand of a goddess reaching for her lover. It wouldn't be long before the night came and since Niva had no forests to traverse and the moon would be in full bloom - she'd counted thrice and carefully - she saw little risk in leaving after sundown.

In the middle of an indeed very large slice of a cake, Niva felt an indicative crepitus beneath her flushed skin. Her head snapped up, her eyes scanning the room. Beyond the dancing, behind young maidens flaunting their necks at prowling men, near a side set of doors was a hint of darkness, of shadow slipping by the guests along the western wall.

He was coming closer and closer and Niva wondered how contrived her current seat at the Alpha's table was. But as she met his eyes she found only surprise and curiosity.

Kimber looped around behind the table as if to keep his appearance as minimal as possible.

"My Lady. My Lord," he addressed his parents in the formal fashion. "Miss Williams," he said with a low bow.

"What are you doing here?" she asked curiously.

"He's come to retrieve The Lover's Blood," Lord Langford said reaching into his pocket.

"The...what?"

Christoph placed a stone into Kimber's open palm, which he then held before Sunniva to see.

It was a ruby as big as a chestnut, unpolished and hauntingly red proving its name had been apt.

"It must be returned to it's resting place with the others," stated Kimber.

"Others?" Niva asked suspecting there were more unique stones just like this one.

"Throughout our history the drákon have acquired a collection of powerful gems", clarified Rue.
"They belong to the tribe, but it is the responsibility of the Alpha family to guard them."

"Kimber, perhaps it would be prudent to show Miss Williams. After all, she is a member of the tribe," suggested Lord Langford with a scheming smirk.

"I think that is a fine idea," added Lady Langford.

"Only with Miss Williams permission of course," said Kimber.

Niva looked across the dance floor at the celebration in full swing. Rhys and Zoe were still tightly embraced and didn't as though they might separate any time soon. Niva had no longer had an obligation to stay and the Alpha family - whether through careful cunning or coincidence – had her trapped with her own piqued curiosity.

"With all these thirsty dragons here, perhaps you could use an escort. A drunken ball is a dangerous place for a treasured gem."

She smiled and offered him her hand, which he gladly took.