A Dance with Fate - A Celestial Court Novel

I was 10 years old when my parents were chosen to join the Celestial Court and run the newly found Lupus Territory. The Elders scoured through the Citadel library to determine the best bloodlines for each Territory. The stars blessed my lineage with pure Alpha blood, making us an obvious choice to help mould the new world.   I still remember when the Elders entered our estate, shocking everyone with their presence. None of us had ever seen them with our own eyes or even heard of them leaving the Citadel. I never saw anything so elegant, the way they glided into the grand hall, draped in embroidered robes that glistened under the light of the chandeliers. I stood in awe as my parents kneeled and bowed their heads in respect, accepting the responsibility bestowed upon them by the Elders. A moment later we were joined by two other beings, I could feel the power they emitted. I was pulled in their direction, stepping beyond my parents, I held up my hand to feel if they were real not believing my own senses.   I was greeted with a "Good day." when I grazed my hands over the train of her dress. She told me her name was Wren, and I stared at her quizzically knowing she wasn't a Were.   The other being bent down to my eye level and flashed me a pointed smile, “Just call me Uncle Cygnus.” he said.   I recall the confusion I had when my mother grabbed my hand and pulled me into her arms, she demanded an explanation from the Elders not realizing all the details of being in the Celestial Court. The Elders conveniently left out how they were blending the tribes before my parents accepted their offer. A sizeable table, with a marble top, and a dozen captain’s chairs manifested before us. I stayed close to my mother’s side as she slammed her fist into the table asking for answers, the Elders remained poised while they waited for her Alpha blood to cool before they asked Wren to conjure a vision of the future in the center of the table. Peace, unity, representation. All things they thought were never possible. All they had to do was accept a Mage and a Vampire into their ranks.    “You expect high born Weres to withdraw from the war and concede to the enemy?” My mother boomed.  “Alpha Selene, I expect you to put your pride aside and do what’s best for all Territories. We have planned for every possible event, and this is the only one where everyone can not only survive, but thrive. How many times could you have been successful if you had been able to plot the future? Been able to pander to other tribes while keeping your emotions in check?” one of the Elders said.   What appeared to be the only female Were of eight Elders continued “Imagine if Lupus never had to go to war, could protect its kin, and your bloodline would never be threatened. What would you give to see that your daughter’s reign is never vulnerable?” This was the Elder that got through to my mother. She knew that my mother would risk everything to keep her bloodline alive and unchallenged.   Another Elder passed his eyes over to my father “I’m sure the Alqamar is in agreement with us.” he said.  “The Alqamar will be in agreement with his Alpha!” Mother growled; her eyes glossed over in a deep black. One of the quickest ways to provoke my mother was to imply her second in command, my father, would be making any final decisions.   “If I may interject.” Cygnus raised a hand “Why don’t we break for lunch and let the dogs out for a run?”   My father lunged for Cygnus, but he must be blessed by the stars since I had wandered over to Cygnus’ side while the debate raged on, my presence stopping my father from ripping his throat out.   “ENOUGH!” the first Elder thundered “These emotions are the Were’s greatest weakness and only further proves they can’t lead without the conjunction. This is not up for debate Alpha Selene, you and Alqamar Magnus will submit, or we will pick a different bloodline to control the Lupus Territory. Do what you must to pacify yourselves, and then we will work out the details of this court.”  At this point I was in Cygnus’ arms, looking back on it, was he trying to comfort me, or use me as a shield? He looked at me with his big blue eyes and asked “What’s your name kid?”   “Lilith.” I said “Future Alpha of the Ishtar bloodline.”