Chapter 29 Fate
Everyone applauds at the end of the king's speech. But their faces are still serious and hesitant. I swallow hard, feeling my stomach churn. The tension was in the air, and I had to fight to maintain a confident posture.
Seven priests, men and women of high wisdom, approach us in sacred robes. Their reaction would guide the people. After all, they would decide if our bond was strong enough and if I had truly been chosen by the moon.
The oldest priestess raises her arm towards the center of the valley, and a moonstone pedestal rises from the ground. A small silver flame sits atop the pedestal. The priestess extends her hand to me, and I accept.
She guides me to the center of the hall, where the pedestal stands.
"Upon the fire of the moon, it will not burn if it is the true Luna," the priestess explains, stepping back.
I gaze at the enchanted silver flame. It can't possibly go wrong, right? I may be a hybrid, but even so, I didn't manipulate the mate bond. The Moon truly chose me to be Conrad's mate.
Attached to this, I draw closer to the enchanted flame. I blow on the fire lightly, closing my eyes. The flame grows and I step back.
The silvery flame grows and begins to form designs. A full moon appears and then it is divided in two. Soon the flames change and begin to form a luminous tree with its large roots descending in spirals.
A wolf of light forms next, and then a wolf of shadow follows. The shadow wolf was a symbol of hybrids and the forgotten. The moon that split at the beginning reappears.
The two sides that were divided now unite and the moon grows and becomes large. The moon begins to pulsate, as if it were a living heart. Then the flames gradually diminish, until they become small. Everyone stares at it with open mouths.
The priestess calmly steps forward, noticing the people's unease.
She raises the moon wand and says to the people:
"The moon spoke tonight in an ancient way."
The hall falls silent.
"Some symbols do not belong to the eyes of all, but only to those who guard the rites. What we have seen is not a harbinger of downfall... it is an announcement of change."
She turns her gaze to Maya, with restrained respect.
"The new Luna has not come to repeat the past, but to open a path that we do not yet know how to name."
And she concludes, to dispel any doubt:
"The moon cannot be explained. It guides."
Silence fills the valley for a moment, which seemed like a century to me. The priestess's words still echoed in my mind, and I believe the same was true for everyone. Judging by everyone's reaction, this was not something common.
The priestess approached me with a gentle smile.
"It's a pleasure to have lived to meet you, Your Majesty." She speaks and then bows.
Everyone, perhaps influenced by the priestess, kneels before me. I look towards Conrad, who looks at me with a proud gaze. The priestess offers me her hand, and I accept. She guides me back to Conrad's side and has me sit on the throne.
"Sit, Luna Maya. May the people recognize you as our queen, just as the moon did." The priestess says, her face serene and her voice calm.
Another wave of applause sweeps through the valley. Conrad sits beside me on his throne, and I look at him with a smile.
"Everything went well." I whisper so only Conrad can hear.
"It couldn't be any other way." Conrad replies, briefly returning my smile.
With a bad feeling, I glance to the side. There was a place reserved for the pure ones, a small crowd. It showed how rare they were. Their gazes in my direction were serious.
Perhaps the event didn't go as well as I imagined. A part of the people disapproved of me. A small group, but they possessed great value. From that place, the queen stared at me seriously. Her disapproving look was clear.
I take a deep breath, turning my attention to the other part of the valley. An alpha comes to us, with gray hair and a gentle smile.
"It's a great pleasure to be in your presence, Your Majesty!" The alpha says, bowing, and I return with a nod. "My pack is near the sea, and we are rich in pearls. I had the most beautiful accessories made with them. I hope it pleases Your Majesty."
The members of his pack come and open 10 small boxes. Necklaces, crowns, and bracelets. White, cream, and pink pearls. They were fabulous.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The pieces are unique and fabulous; they will certainly be among my favorites." I thank them, and the alpha seems satisfied.
More and more alphas approach, all bringing an abundance of gifts. The gifts were being placed beside me, and if, by the end of the event, the number of gifts was countless, then the night will have been a success.
"Besides the fabrics and sandals I bring to offer you, I brought something special, and after the moon's revelation, I believe this belongs to your majesty now." An alpha speaks, drawing my attention.
He opens a small box, and inside I can see a simple amulet. It was an old metal pendant, half gold and half dark. It didn't form a complete moon, just an incomplete arc. In the center was a small carved spiral.
"This fragment was used by powerful figures who tried to unite the worlds. But they always failed. Perhaps it is Her Majesty who is the true owner of the fragment," he says, handing me the box.
I take the box and immediately feel a kind of magnetism pulling me. As if that artifact were inviting me to touch it. I was absolutely certain that this artifact did not belong to the pure ones, since I recognized its aura.
It was hybrid. I knew that it was something from the people I was descended from. I take the necklace out of the box and hold it firmly in my hands.
Fate willed that something from my people would end up in my hands. It was destiny.
"Thank you." The alpha smiles contentedly, surely noticing my fascination with the piece.
The next alpha approaches and I put the necklace back in the box, leaving it in my lap. But when I raise my head, I feel a discomfort hit me.