Hours Prior
Skye barked a laugh, catching her own self by surprise. “Come on Skye, you can laugh. I know I’m a funny person,” Malcolm snickered beside her. She shook her head and bit back a smile. “No, that was terrible. Do these goddess awful jokes run in your family or something?” Skye still wasn’t sure how it had all transpired, but after switching off with Natalie and Erin for guard duty at the palace, she’d agreed to accompany Malcolm on a walk around La Lune’s capital city, Selene. Now the two guardians stood out of uniform, looking out at the Aurora Australis, with Skye enduring Malcolm’s special brand of cheesiness. Skye couldn’t remember the last time she’d tried not to laugh so hard. Or seen him so carefree and relaxed.
Even after their ignited spark back in the palace, and the close proximity they’d stood while Skye mended his wound, the two were careful not to stand too close to one another now as they leaned against the safety railing. “What?” Malcolm asked, when Skye opened her mouth to speak then thought better of it, focusing on the lights show instead. “Be honest with me,” Malcolm began, and Skye felt a rising sense of panic wash over her. “Do you think the queen mother will make it?” he continued, and she let the tension in her body slowly leak out. A question about Seraphine. She could handle that. “For Rory’s sake, I hope she does,” thinking of the king made her roll her eyes in annoyance. “But she isn’t immortal. Even if La Lune pretends she is.” Skye was referring to herself as much as the other Lunars. Malcolm turned so that his lower back dug into the railing. He crossed his arms, eyes staring ahead at the other visitors. “Forgive me for thinking ill of our illustrious ruler and friend, but a little warning about the Venus Princess might have served a galaxy of good.”
Skye smirked, resting her arms against the railing. “You mean it might have saved Meghan a galaxy of good.” Malcolm found her eyes and gave a rueful smile. “Yeah. What can I say, she’s my sister. She comes first, and I love her.” The words were out before Skye could stop them.
“I love her too.”
“I know.” Skye shot up at Malcolm’s confession, feeling the scrutiny of his gaze. He nodded to himself. “Well, I do now. You’re reaction confirmed it.” Skye turned back to the lights, ill at ease. “I’ll tell you another thing my sister and I have in common. Falling for Lunar’s with ulterior motives.” Skye reached for his shoulder, never having learned how to successfully comfort someone else, but Malcolm shrugged off her hand.
“Hey! What is that supposed to mean-”
“I really thought I could make it work with Amber. I just had to say the right things, do whatever it took to make her parents feel comfortable about the ‘earth-boy’. And I still wasn’t enough.” Skye let out a short, bitter laugh. “What is it with you and Meghan thinking we’re this epitome of high class society and grace? We’re not untouchable. Those raiders proved that!”
“The last person I need a confidence boost is from you.” Skye now stood chest to chest with Malcolm, her face flushed pink with hot anger as she looked up at him. His cold resolve faltered for just a moment, taking in her Lunar splendor before he shook himself from his reverie. She was almost impressed.
“And what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Are you here because I remind you of Meghan?” he demanded, the question ringing in the air. Skye’s eyes narrowed, too flustered to stop herself.
“Do I remind you of Amber?”
“You didn’t answer the question.”
“Ha, and you did?”
Onlookers were drawn to the fight, and Skye stared them down before they returned to their own private matters. Once the neighboring conversations started up again, Skye lowered her voice. “She fell for Rory before I realized how I felt, and by that time I couldn’t do anything about it. I mean, have you seen the way she looks at him? But I think I’m starting to make my peace with that.” Skye pushed past Malcolm, swiping at the tears in her eyes before they could fall. How had she gotten to this point, reduced to crying of all things?
“No, you don’t remind me of Amber. Thank the goddess for that. Um, Amber reminded me of you.”
Skye stopped in her tracks, turning to face Malcolm at his confession. She didn’t bother to hide her annoyance. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” Malcolm shook his head, running a frustrated hand through his hair.
“That came out wrong, let me try again.”
“I don’t think you should-”
“No, I definitely should. I learned the hard way to be honest with the people I have feelings for,” Malcolm sighed. Skye hugged her arms tightly, unsure of how to move forward. Malcolm looked just as much out of his element. “I put so much effort in that relationship because I thought if I made it work I wouldn’t have to think of you. Skye, I could never tell how you felt and I was scared. Terrified. Amber asked me, and the first thing I could think of was wow, a Lunar sees me.” Skye was quiet, but listened in earnest. “Vain, I know,” Malcolm took a step towards her. “Maybe this is where we stop letting fear get the best of us and go after what we want.” Skye let out a shaky laugh, taking a step back. “I don’t know if you realized, but I’m not all that great with feelings.”
Malcolm pretended to stroke a non existent beard, scratching his head for emphasis. “Really? I couldn’t tell.” He chuckled, taking another step forward, and rested his hands on her shoulders. “I’m sorry, Skye. I’ve been comparing myself for so long and coming up short, I…” He let the words drift off, taking in Skye’s blue eyes. She pulled away again, and something in his heart sank.
“I’m not great with feelings. But if you give me some time…” she let the words trail off as well, allowing Malcolm’s tentative hand to slide into hers. He gave it a squeeze. Suddenly the soft smile on her face disappeared and she jabbed a finger into his chest. “Not a word to Clint or Natalie.” Malcolm curled his fingers around hers, amused.
“I’m serious.”
“There’s the Skye we know so well.” Her cheeks flushed under Malcolm’s gaze, and she walked back to the rail. He sidled up beside her, and they stood shoulder to shoulder in companionable silence.
** ** **
The moon palace had three grand dining halls. The first was completely for show, decked in ornate red, gold, and black decorations. On the surrounding walls, a portrait of each of La Lune’s queens, five in total and an empty space next to Seraphine for Rory’s image to one day hang on the wall too. The second grand hall was for family, a quarter the size of the first, and sometimes the maids and other staff personnel would come in and gather for rest and gossip. Rory and Danielle sat in the third dining hall, the one used for guests, decked in the colors of La Lune. A silver and blue tasseled table runner complimented the silver and white walls as well as the silverware and seats engraved with the crescent moon; La Lune’s seal.
Danielle swirled a spoon in her mineral soup, taking dainty bites as she glanced back at the king. They weren’t truly alone, as two guardians were stationed outside, a tall, darker skinned Lunar, and a shorter Lunar with dark brown hair braided into an intricate updo. Still, Danielle might as well have been eating alone, the way the king’s attention strayed from his own meal. After a prolonged silence, Rory’s gaze found Danielle’s and he offered her a smile, gesturing to the soup. “I know it’s a delicacy, but you don’t have to eat it.” Danielle vigorously shook her head, taking a bigger spoonful into her mouth. “No, no, it’s delicious. Simple but delicious.” Rory chuckled, gently placing his own spoon down and pushing the dish to the side. “I admit that my studies of Venus and its people have been surface level, and I’ve never had the privilege of visiting in person.” Rory sat forward, trying to be a good host. “What’s it like there?” Danielle shrugged, the picture of complete calm as she prepared to fire off her usual responses to the inquiry of Venusian affairs.
“Dry. Warm,” Danielle chuckled. “We don’t have the same gorgeous buildings as La Lune, or hold a candle to the Lunar people,” Danielle blushed as she realized what she said, but if Rory was phased by it, he didn’t show it. “But our sky is pretty magnificent. And in the year’s quarter, you can see the sun cacti bloom. Everything and everyone is vibrant and colorful. There’s a parade and everything.” The parade Danielle took from her memories hadn’t been held on Venus since she was very young. She and her cousins would decorate their hair and clothing with the orange, red, and green buds that would sprout from the cacti in celebration. From their floating castle, they could look down upon the entire kingdom, and Danielle remembered the rainbow of buds that looked back up towards them. It all seemed a lifetime ago. Maybe more.
“I’d rather not bore you with inconsequential details. What was it like to grow up on La Lune? Was mineral soup a staple?” She giggled, pushing her own dish to the side and Rory shook his head, amused. “I’d never met anyone who actually enjoyed it so much they would request it. Then Meghan came along.” Danielle’s smile dimmed just the slightest. “Oh?” she asked politely. “Yes… Of course, I don’t have to tell you what it’s like growing up, being primed to inherit a kingdom with the galaxy on your shoulders. How lonely it gets. I’m the first king in a long line of Lunar queens.” Danielle pursed her lips in thought. “Am I wrong to believe that you and Seraphine aren’t close?” Rory chuckled darkly and Danielle couldn’t transcribe the deeper meaning behind it. “My mother is more dear to me than anyone. But she’s my mother. I confided in her about everything, but she wasn’t my friend.” Danielle nodded encouragingly. “It’s a special brand of loneliness made especially for those who can’t shake the crown.” Rory smiled to himself. “But I’ve found people to make the burden a little easier to bear.” Danielle narrowed her eyes at the king. “Someone, you mean?” she responded dryly, but Rory shook his head, attention back on Danielle. “No. I mean the Guardians.” Danielle stared in disbelief. “I mean no disrespect, but have they not pledged a lifelong service to you? How can you befriend people who are only there to do a job?”
Rory nodded slowly, thinking his next words through. “I guess from an outsider perspective it seems that way. An insider perspective too… but those six have have grown alongside me.” He laughed, his focus straying from the princess. “I remember when I was twelve or so, and Meghan and her twin were in training. I was feeling especially sick of La Lune and responsibilities and just wanted out. Malcolm dressed in my clothes, and I in his. Meghan told me how she hadn’t been to earth in years, and had no recollection of it, so we snuck off to the interplanetary station. At least, we tried,” Rory explained, and Danielle tried to keep the false smile plastered on her face. “The next thing I knew, we were lost and never got past Selene!” Once Meghan had realized her mistake and convinced herself she’d disappointed her prince friend, she burst into tears. Young Rory wanted to buy a sun lolly to cheer her up, but had no money. In an act of sheer stupidity, he revealed his identity to the shop owner, and instructed her to charge the amount to the Lunar queen’s account. The next thing Meghan and Rory knew, he was being hauled back to the palace to face the wrath of Queen Seraphine.
“What’s wrong?” Rory asked as Danielle pushed her chair out from next to Rory and stood, adjusting her dress. “I just need a moment to relieve myself,” she spoke quickly, annoyance morphing into anger and pounding loudly in her ears. “Oh, okay…” Before Rory could respond, the princess had exited the room. “Don’t follow me,” Danielle barked to the guardians, who shared wide eyed looks and returned to their post by the door. The tall Lunar hesitated for a moment, watching the Venusian princess stalk down the hall. “Nat, is it in bad taste to wish that Rory never became king?” The Lunar with the updo looked back at her friend with shock. “Erin! Yes! How can you say something like that?” she whispered furiously. Erin shrugged her shoulders, gesturing to where Danielle had disappeared. “Did we or did we not just experience the same thing?” she countered, and Natalie shrugged, crossing her arms. “I don’t know, it just sounds like you’re doubting the new king’s abilities.” Erin opened and closed her mouth, stuttering in confusion. “I…um, huh?” Erin sighed, resigned. “You’re right Nat, I should just have more faith. That’s my issue,” she snickered sarcastically.
Danielle wasn’t sure where she was going, and she knew her safety was compromised wandering the Lunar palace halls alone, but she needed to be as far away from Rory, the guardians, and any mention of the earth-girl as possible before she screamed. Danielle walked by a glass stained window before backtracking and stopping beside it. She suddenly wished she could peer out of it. Then she wished she was on Venus and could peer out of her bedroom window. “They ruin everything, and the Lunars rush to their aid like a baby who’s wet themselves,” Danielle moaned, pounding both shimmering fists against the window. They landed with a hard thud that hurt her more than made a dent, but she welcomed the stab of pain. “He thinks of Meghan, he wants Meghan, whatever happened to thinking of his people? It’s obvious all he thinks of is her,” Danielle muttered to the window. Unaware of the shadow cloud that seeped from the seams, Danielle pushed herself off, and it took more effort than she anticipated. She placed a hand to her forehead, weaker and swaying on exhausted legs. “Princess, are you alright?” She quickly turned, catching sight of one of the palace maids who carried a stack of clean and folded linen. She was petite with short pink hair, and one piercing at the top of both pointed ears. Danielle composed herself, offering her best smile. “Would you be so kind as to show me to the mural of the goddess?”
Danielle now stood in front of the mural, nodding her thanks to the maid before her eyes turned back to the three goddesses, represented in silver, flame red, and turquoise. Without thinking much of it, she drew her fingers across Terra, dragging her nails into the flowing dress.
Why should she be worshiped? Why should any of them be worshiped?
There was that voice again. This time, Danielle didn’t shrink away from its presence.
They stood in the way of my heart’s desire then, just as they do now.
Danielle thought of Rory, jealousy gripping her heart. She imagined the earth-girl with her arms wrapped around the Lunar king, and she bit the inside of her cheek so hard, she drew blood.
I can help you, Princess. Think of how proud Venus will be once you pull them from the depths of their despair. I can rid you of the guardian, and you will have what you truly deserve. I will give you your heart’s desire.
Danielle’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw the shape of her face reflected back at her, dark as the the night, but shimmery like her skin too. She quickly stepped back, swaying on her feet, and the figure stepped forward. “Thank you, Princess,” the figure spoke as Danielle slowly sank to the floor.
“Thank you? Is this some Lunar spectacle? Don’t… don’t come any closer… to me.”
“You’re the key to everything. My patience has finally paid off.”
Danielle found it difficult to lift her limbs from the cold ground, a tiredness residing deep in her bones. Everything was fuzzy, and she could hardly keep her eyes opened. Her shadow watched Danielle lay very still on the floor, her slowly rising and falling chest the only indicator she lived. The shadow figure slowly gained color and a more defined shape, becoming Danielle in the flesh. She smirked down at the true princess, bending down so that she was level with her. The shadow cupped Danielle’s cheek. “Precious mortal, I promise your sacrifice won’t be in vain.” She stood up again, and picked up her skirts, stepping lightly over the fallen body. Her smile turned cold and deadly. “Not in the least.”
** ** **
On Venus, a squat, pasty Venusian curled his mustache nervously, peering down at the floating cities among the clouds. The castle was the highest point on the planet, and it had once been a comfort to look down upon the shimmering, bright faces who went about their menial days with such gusto. Felix hadn’t seen or felt any gusto for many years now, and his worry compounded when the day La Lune was attacked with their princess on it. The entire curia regis had come together with visiting Queen Seraphine to combine the kingdoms with the hope of saving Venus, but now Felix wondered if Danielle’s hope was misplaced. “You can’t make the prince fall in love with you,” he’d warned her shortly after the deal was made. “The Lunars don’t marry for love, Felix,” the young princess grinned at her adviser, glimmering cheek pressed against her glimmering fist. Felix pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to get through to her.
“Which is why you must tread carefully, Danielle. If the Lunar prince-”
“This is my sacrifice to make, Councilor Felix. There’s only so much death and decay Venus can take.” The princess fixed him with a somber look, and Felix saw his two youngest daughters in Danielle’s eyes. The princess was all he had left. She was more than a promise to her late grandfather, the Venus king. “There’s only so much I can take,” she spoke again quietly before dismissing him.
“Councilor,” a voice spoke, reaching him all the way in the past, and Felix spun around. Princess Danielle ran into his arms, landing with a soft thud as she threw her arms around him, sobbing. “Princess! You’ve come home? Why weren’t we alerted to your arrival?” he demanded, quickly sorting out who would quickly be losing a job and possibly a life. “I’m so sorry,” she cried, and Felix pulled back to look her in the eyes. They were red rimmed with tears, but extremely bright, like two little marbles. Felix fought to focus on the princess’s words. “It doesn’t matter, Councilor. It’s over, Venus is doomed. The Lunars are not what they seem! They mock us and what we stand for and deem me not good enough to be their queen.” Felix panicked, unsure how to take in the alarming news.
“But, but Queen Seraphine!” Danielle shook her head, swiping away tears. “It matters not what she put into place, they do not honor their revered as they should. The new king was against me the moment I stepped foot on their precious moon,” Danielle raged and ripped herself from Felix’s arms. Never had he witnessed such emotion and aggression from her. “We must right this wrong, Councilor,” she paced, wound tight with anger. “We must fight,” she gasped, stopping in front of her oldest friend, who realized something wasn’t quite right. “Princess, you can’t be suggesting… we’re not in any shape to go to war!”
Danielle smirked, the smile splitting her face in such an unnatural way, Felix jumped back alarmed. Two fire beings entered the room. “Dark m-magic!” he yelled as the princess embraced them. She turned to Felix, appearing less like Danielle, and more ethereal and dangerous. “Gather the curia regris, Councilor. Let them come and welcome their new ruler.”