Moon Swept

  As I headed toward the lakeshore, the Falls thundered nearby. The sound of their cascade was soothing, and I found a rock near the waterfall and, pulling my cloak around my shoulders against the chill of the night, settled on it, staring into the water. Moonlight reflected off the windswept surface, rippling like silver glass.

  I wanted to talk to Menolly. She would understand. Delilah didn’t have much to do with love, and that was her choice. She gave little thought to dating or marriage. Menolly, on the other hand, was also dating someone she cared about. She understood me better, and she was more of a rebel than Kitten.

  As I sorted through my feelings, I tried to reconcile what I felt with what my gut was telling me. Shamas and I were intending to go back to the city and tell our families we were getting married. But was this the right time? Right before my initiation? Right before I started a new job? I bit my lip and brought my feet up on the rock, resting my elbows on my knees and my chin on my hands. Maybe we should wait a little bit to let things settle down.

  A whisper inside echoed my thoughts. Yes, let it be for now…The Lady’s voice hit my core. The Moon Mother had spoken. With a long sigh, I returned to the tent. We had waited this long. Another fortnight wouldn’t matter.

  Shamas argued with me, but when I laid out the changes happening in the next couple weeks, he agreed with my point. We spent the day and that night enjoying the water and the outing. Though everything seemed to be fine on the surface, something felt like it had shifted.

  By the time we arrived back in the city, Shamas seemed relieved that we weren’t going to present ourselves just yet.

  “I know that I said we should just move ahead and damned be the lot of them, but I’m tired, and I think you’re right. Waiting isn’t so bad. You’ll be busy the next couple of weeks, and I will spend that time planning for when we do spring the news.”

  We were moments away from his house, but in the privacy of the carriage, he pulled me into his arms and kissed me deeply, his tongue lingering over mine.

  Once again, I wavered—maybe we should just throw caution to the wind. I loved Shamas. Ever since we were little, I had always known that I wanted to grow up and marry him. But as the carriage slowed, I realized we were near his home. He lived with Aunt Rythwar, his foster-mother. While Rythwar loved my sisters and I—unlike most of Father’s family—the thought of Shamas and I marrying wouldn’t set well with her, either.

  Pulling away, I stroked his face. “Two weeks. We wait two weeks, and then we tell them. We’ll meet again on Withrin’s Night and make our plans then.”

  “Withrin’s Night it is, my love. Until then…” He kissed me again. Then, making certain no one was watching, he jumped out of the carriage and gave the driver instructions to take me home. Shamas had all our camping gear secreted out in a different wagon so nobody would know what we had been up to.

  Over the next days, I started my job. It was a difficult transition, but Delilah, Menolly and I were determined to make a go of it, and it made Father proud to see us enter the Service, regardless of what division we were in. The YIA had a lot more potential than the Guard Des’Estar, so we had more chance of promotions and a higher class ranking. And, at the YIA, our half-human heritage wouldn’t matter.

  On the evening of the full moon, I entered the grove of the Coterie and emerged the next morning as a full fledged daughter of the Moon Mother. My heart was so full that I thought it might burst.

  Withrin’s Night was a few nights past my initiation. A celebration of a famous and brave Fae mage who had defended Y’Elestrial against a goblin attack until help arrived, and who had given his life at the end, the celebration was a city-wide affair.

  I wandered through the crowds, looking for the place where Shamas and I had agreed to meet. As I rounded the corner of a stall, I saw him. He was standing there with Aunt Rythwar, Aunt Olanda—his mother, and my father. Frowning, I moved forward, wondering what was up. But then they pulled back and I saw that they were circling a table that had a cake on it.

  “Congratulations!” Aunt Rythwar swept me into her arms. “You start a new job and you take your initiation all in the same week. I’m so proud of you, Camille.”

  Olanda wrinkled her nose, but she said, “Yes, well done. My congratulations, also, my niece.”

  Father nodded to the cake. “We thought you deserved this. Your sisters will be along in a moment to join us. I asked them to run and fetch us something to drink.”

  “You should have had your servants do that, Sephreh.” Olanda gave Father a long look. “How will your girls ever learn to be mistresses of their own houses if you don’t set a good example?”

  “The servants want to enjoy the night too, Olanda. And my daughters know all about proper behavior. They have been taught well.” Father glared at his sister, then turned back to me. I hadn’t seen this much of a smile on his face in years.

  I glanced over at Shamas. He gave me a short nod, his gaze catching mine. I couldn’t read what was behind it.

  “Shamas…it’s good to see you.” I wanted to rush over to him, to kiss him, but there was something going on that I couldn’t quite place.

  “Camille…congratulations on your victories.” His voice was strained.

  I frowned. What the hell? We were supposed to meet here in secret. Why had he brought them? Or, had they insisted on this party and he was just caught up in their plans, unable to warn me?

  “We have a success of our own to celebrate.” Aunt Rythwar beamed.

  Aunt Olanda nodded, touching the side of her nose. “That we do.”

  Shamas cleared his throat. “We can wait. My news can wait. Don’t intrude on Camille’s celebration.” He sounded so strained that I stepped back and looked around, trying to pinpoint the trouble. He gave me a short, frantic shake of the head.

  Just then, Menolly and Delilah returned. Menolly knew what Shamas and I had been planning and looked around at everyone, confused. She glanced at me and I shrugged.

  Delilah held up a jug of punch. “Do we have cups?”

  Olanda snapped her fingers and a servant appeared. “Take that punch and prepare it to be served with the cake. Hurry up and don’t dawdle.”

  The woman took the jug and scurried off.

  I took the opportunity to sidle over to Shamas. “What’s going on?” I spoke as softly as I could. We all had incredible hearing.

  “I’m so proud of you, Camille.” He gave me a friendly hug and whispered in my ear. “I’m sorry, Camille. I’m so sorry.”

  Sorry? Sorry for what? My question was answered when Olanda clapped her hands.

  “Now that we’re all here, I want to add to the merriment of tonight’s party by announcing my son’s engagement. He’ll be marrying Violet te Avania, cousin to the Queen.” She laughed then, her voice echoing through the night. “We’ve secured a dazzling betrothal for Shamas. Camille, I do not mean to cut into your accomplishments, but we are family and families should celebrate together.”

  Shockwaves radiated through my body. I slowly turned to look at Shamas, who was standing beside me. “How…how long have you been planning this?”

  He squirmed. “I just found out this past week. Mother announced it at dinner after…I spent the weekend away in the country. I wanted to tell you but she wouldn’t allow me to breathe a word.”

  “We had to seal the deal first. You know how complicated these court engagements can be.” Olanda motioned to the servant, who was back with the punch. She took one of the glasses off the tray and raised it. “Let’s drink to the health of Camille and Shamas, both whom have new beginnings in their lives.”

  I accepted a glass and stared into the liquid. Everybody was talking at once. As I looked up, Menolly caught my eye. She was shaking her head slowly.

  Managing to pull myself together, I set my glass on the table with the cake. “If you’ll excuse me, I have to see about something. Please, cut the cake while I’m gone. I don’t mind.”


  I turned and, walking as dignified as I could, hurried off. I managed to get far enough out of sight before I burst into huge sobs, leaning over to catch my breath as I braced myself on a hitching post.

  “Camille? Camille…” Shamas’s voice echoed behind me.

  I whirled around, surprised he had come after me. He looked white as blanket of snow.

  “What the hell is going on? I know this can’t be a joke because your mother made the announcement!”

  He tried to wrap his arms around me and I shoved him away, slapping his chest to push him back. “Don’t touch me.”

  “I didn’t know anything about it—honest! I really didn’t know until yesterday. I had no chance to contact you…” He paused, staring at me. “You look different. Your eyes…they’re shimmering.” He let out a soft sigh. “It’s the initiation. The Moon Mother’s magic…” Looking mesmerized, he reached out to stroke my hair.

  I slapped his hand away. “Magic…our future together is crumbling and all you care about is the magic? Yes, I am different. I underwent my initiation last week. I’m a daughter of the Moon Mother now. I am also—or thought I was until five minutes ago—your fiancée.” Struggling to regain my composure, I braced myself against a post. “What are we going to do? Has she made the announcement public yet?”

  He shook his head. “No, not yet.” There was a petulant tone to his voice that set me on edge. “So tell me…what was it like? What was facing the Moon Mother like?”

  With a step back, I glanced up at the waning moon. She shimmered down on me, and I could feel the Moon Mother whispering in my ear.

  You know in your heart what this means. Listen to me daughter, so that you don’t make a terrible mistake. Listen to your instincts…

  “What are you going to do, Shamas? Are you still willing to speak up? To stand up for me…for us? Do you love me?”

  He winced. “I love you more than you can imagine, Camille. But Mother…this arrangement…it means everything to her. How can I break her heart? How can I turn down the Queen’s niece? I have no more interest in marrying Violet as I do in becoming a political pawn. I’m caught between a rock and a hard place. I love you, but if I tell my mother now, you know she’ll do everything she can to keep us apart.”

  I stepped back. The confusion in his eyes was real. So was the love. I knew he loved me—I knew it in my heart and soul. I also knew that he didn’t want to be married off like a prize pig. And I also knew that he wanted so much to have what I had—a connection with the magic…a connection with the gods.

  “Shamas, if you could have me now, without any thought of Violet or arranged marriages, would you be able to handle the fact that I’m a daughter of the Moon Mother? If nothing else stood in the way, would you be able to stand on the outside of my magic, forever watching and hungering for the link I have with the gods?”

  He fell silent then. No protesting. No dancing around the subject. After a moment, he let out a long breath. “Honestly? I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to keep my envy in check. I love you, Camille, and I’m happy for you, but as great as that love is, I envy you. I would change places with you in a second if I could. To be brought up free from Court expectations? I would give up so much. But, I don’t know if I can disappoint them. Either way, I’m going to hurt someone.”

  At least he was being honest with me. I struggled, wanting to protest. I loved him. I had never loved anyone else. But could I live a life with someone who envied the core of what made me, me? Even if we could convince the world to bless our marriage, could Shamas withstand his hunger to be part of the magical world when he wasn’t called to serve?

  “You could be my mistress. It’s perfectly acceptable.”

  I frowned. Acceptable yes, to society. And the arrangement didn’t bother me in terms of any morality. But I knew myself. “I won’t ever be anybody’s second best, Shamas. I’m better than that.”

  “Then, are we at an impasse?” He grabbed my hands and drew them to his chest. “Camille, I can’t believe this is happening.”

  “It’s not me that’s forcing the issue. You either accept your family’s life and choices or you strike out on your own and make your own rules. Are you a rule breaker, Shamas? Can you face what it would mean for you? To be considered a windwalker? To be taunted about your wife? I thought you could, but now I’m not so sure. And, more importantly, can you face being married to someone who you envy?”

  He hung his head, kissing my hands. “I don’t want to end things like this.”

  I forced back the well of tears clogging my throat. “I don’t think we have a choice.”

  “I can’t walk away from you.” He pulled me into his arms then, and fastened his mouth to mine, his tongue searching, gently entering my mouth. I groaned, wanting him. Wanting every inch of him. One last time…just one last time to have him moving inside me, having him touching my body naked and free under the night sky.

  “Camille…Shamas…They’re starting to wonder.” Menolly’s voice broke through the hunger that swept around us.

  I pulled away, turning to face her as she caught up to us. “We’ll be there in a moment.” I turned to Shamas. “Go back. Now. Just go.”

  “What about you?”

  “I’ll be there in a moment. We’ll celebrate…both our victories.”

  “No matter what you say or do, I’ll always love you. I’ll never stop loving you, Camille. I’ll prove myself to you—there will be no marriage for me.” A bitter look crossed his face as he stomped off, back toward the others.

  “Are you okay?” Menolly rubbed my arm. “Is there anything I can do?”

  I shook my head. “Nothing…there’s nothing anyone can do. Even if he goes through with it and disappoints his family by not marrying the girl, I know in my heart that after a while, he couldn’t bear to be around me. He loves me, yes, but he loves magic more, and he hungers for it. Oh, Menolly, he wants it so bad that I feel it burning a black hole in his heart.”

  “Desire can be a dangerous addiction.” She leaned up to kiss me on the forehead. “Your face—you look like you’ve been crying. There’s a water pump over there.” She led me over to the water pump and I washed my face and swallowed deeply, rehydrating myself.

  “Come, we’d better get back. Father will be angry if I ignore our aunts and the trouble they went to this evening.” Straightening my shoulders, I shivered once and looked up at the moon. “Give me strength to make it through this evening, Lady.”

  And she whispered in my ear once more. You will be stronger than you ever can imagine, Camille. And you will love more than you ever think possible. Shamas has a long, hard road ahead, but it is his path to walk, not yours. Dry your tears and look to the future.

  With her promise ringing in my ears, I steeled myself and returned to the party, leaving my first love behind me to fade into the past.

  IM-PURR-FECTLY MATCHED

  Delilah and Chase spar their way to an unexpected finish line.

  Takes place during Witchling.

  I stared at the FH-CSI building. I’d been to the Faerie-Human Crime Scene Investigation headquarters before, but always with my sisters. Now, I had to go in there and keep Chase company. He had asked me to help him sort through some research at his office for a case we were on. We were searching for the whereabouts of a man known as Tom Lane, who was—according to Grandmother Coyote—both human and not human. Somehow, this would supposedly lead us to one of the spirit seals, which a Degath Squad—a trio of demons from the Subterranean Realms—was hunting.

  I wasn’t sure how I felt about Chase. I enjoyed teasing him. Full blooded humans—or FBH’s as we called them—were easy to tease, and it was fun to watch him jump. Of course, my inner Tabby also liked playing with toys, and I had a feeling that my subconscious viewed Chase as one giant mouse. But Chase could also be a horndog, and he followed my sister Camille like a bloodhound, sniffing at her skirts. She wanted nothing to do with him,
but that didn’t stop him from trying.

  Sliding out of the Jeep, I headed over to the building. I wasn’t sure exactly why Chase had asked me to help him out, but I knew he was rattled about the concept of fighting demons, and the information about the spirit seals had all but laid him out for the count. So I figured that he was probably nervous, and scared of overlooking something. And truth was, I had the keenest eye for detail among my sisters and me. Half the time, my undercover identity as a P.I. left me feeling like a fraud considering how lackadaisical I took my business, but when I put myself to the task, I usually came up with results.

  The building fascinated me. I wasn’t much into military or legal matters, but I had a secret love for weaponry and the sense of purpose that seemed to propel Chase’s staff of officers. There was something about the hum of the office that gave me a little thrill. As I swung in through the doors, I turned left to go into the police headquarters. There was also a medical unit on this floor, and several other stories below ground, but what was in them, I wasn’t quite sure, except that the armory was on one level, and the morgue, another.

  As I entered the room, I caught sight of Chase. He looked pissed. That he had arrived just moments before me, and he’d been in a relatively good mood, made me wonder what had gone down in the time it took me to pull into the parking lot and enter the building. I made my way over to him and sat down in the chair next to his desk.

  “What’s going on? You’re stewing over something. I can see it on your face.” I leaned back and crossed my legs at the ankles, shoving my hands in my pockets as I glanced around at the hustle that permeated the room. Yugi—another officer in the department—was scurrying by, his arms full of file folders. Chase nodded as he passed. I knew the two were friends.

  Chase gave a surreptitious look around the room, then motioned for me to lean close. “Devins just read me the riot act. It seems that a case I handled—and solved—caused a stir in the news and he wasn’t credited with the collar. Never mind the fact that if it hadn’t been for my work, he never would have found the guy. He thinks I’m out to take his job.”