Ultima, Octavia Of The Black Moon

Chapter Nine- Magikal Things

We traveled down several floors to an atrium balcony. Columns with small delicate carvings decorating the inner walls of the room. Forest fairies hidden behind green leafy vines that crept over and across the main pillar. Miniature sculpted Fairies were hiding all across the rounded room in the foliage. Large red perennials were bloomed at the furthest end of this indoor garden, decorating the top of a pillar sculpted with Giants lifting boulders, or maybe a mountain side. Their muscles are bulging and faces lumpy, they seem to come in all sizes, some with one eye others with humps. They all looked severely strong, especially when in comparison to the tiny humans hiding in the caves created in between the large stones.

I sat waiting in this miniature forest for so long I have taken the time to admire the details of it. So much thought went into each pillar showing off the subjects best traits. The lighting this time of day was beamed through the hanging crystals. Small rainbows danced with the fairies along the sculpted beams which held the dome of glass encasement in place. Thin trees stretched out to the top of this room and thick creeping vines filled in along the glass with beautiful flowers. ones I have never known of. Deep blue with the few petals coming to points that extend down with plenty of curl. the vines came with broad leaves. All the plants worked with one another keeping the inside of this room from being in direct sunlight. The table I sat waiting at was a red dense wood, carved with intricate designs, the base resembling wide strands of roots pulling up like a trunk then widening out like the top of a tree with the branches swirled roughly together. It was a gorgeous table in such a well thought out room.

My praises sung were cut short. I can smell him approach before any other senses are aware. My mind tries to steady my hearts pace. His pulse is banging hard within him. I try to calm myself further but I quiver knowing he is moments from sharing this primal room with me. Remain focused. I have tasks I must accomplish. I poise myself accentuating my curves and dominance of the room. Sitting with legs wide open I press one hand infront of my chair as I lean slightly in and on the table.

He reaches the door opening it with the level of grace Tessa would approve of. My eyes stay focused on him and his every movement in his tailor made suit. Black fabric adorned with copper accents. His white shirt was left unbuttoned at the top allowing the black vest to emphasize his revealing sculpted chest. He turned to close the door before taking his seat beside me.

His eyes finally met mine when he grabbed hold of my inner thigh. His smooth lengthy hair combed back so you could admire his facial features. "How was your morning here my mate? I trust your bath went well after I left?” His eyes intensified looking at my every bit, admiring me with ravishing thoughts.

I focus his attention “My eyes are up here my mate, see how the blue and green swirl with one another.” His peaked interest was insatiable, I was flirting with this treacherous demon but I know the weight of the risks. I leaned in towards him and closed my eyes, smelling him deep, satisfying my cravings and satisfying his need to trust in me. “Woods after it rains.... near moss. You smell of my favorite of days” My words true.

My eyes opened meeting his again, Eso's heart was thumping wildly against his rib cage, his blue eyes were now blackened. Ah this is when he is still human but senses are heightened. “Do we plan on eating? Or do you plan on just staring at me like so, while I wither away?”

His little smirk really was adorable, I am positive this murderer was actually happy in this moment. It is slightly painful knowing I will kill him soon, that I am someone who is capable of deceiving another in the most painful of ways before their death. This sort of act is designed for only the most worthy, those in need of recompensing generational transgressions. Not all can choose their path, so we play the role we are destined for. He has his and I have mine.

“Being a Wolf suits you much better." He grins to me, "Your scent too is divine my pet, it is now of the hard apple cider made hot and fresh, every fall harvest.” his eyes flickered over me. “but let me ask of you, what has come of your new pet?” His grin faded with his words though he makes no effort to hide his need to possess me. To intoxicate himself with me as he does his cider.

“Lord Eso, as your wife I wish to set about some changes that would please me” I flutter my eyes at him mockingly but giggle soon after in playfulness.

“Marital requests I take it?” He asks while studying me.

“My mate, I want to make Hailey one of my official handmaidens.” Finesse on each word.

His eyes reveal nothing though his decision is absolute. “Done.”

Wait? Could it really be that easy with him? “That means no one may harm her or demand orders of her OR punish her by any means.” I need to be completely sure he understands what I am asking.

“Keep the pet my pet. If it pleases you then it will please me.” His eyes grew tender with my gifted undivided attentions.

“She will eat at my table.” I persisted

His slightly elevated voice was stern, “No.”

With eyes still soft he reaches to touch my face. The contact sends a warm shiver throughout me, shutting my eyes to the lasting affect he has on me. The sensation intensifies when he strokes his thumb across my lips. I can feel pure bliss begin to enrapture me so I promptly open my lids as I bite down on his thumb, playfully, but with blood as a result. Licking the red drops from my bottom lip I keep my eyes holding his, “She is not a dog to sit beside me eating my scraps. She is to be my handmaiden, she will be welcomed to eat from my table at my choosing. She is an extension of me.” I demand calmly.

He's not even angry with me for making him bleed with my quick bite, I truly thought that would get a rise out of him but I don't give him the satisfaction of seeing my dissappointment.

He appeases me. “It shall be so. My Pet if there are other things that you wish to ask of me lets do this now, I intend to inform you on a small matter when you are through.” He leaned back, still keeping his hand firmly grasped on my inner thigh. His eyes and ears are all mine. Death would befall any who disrupted us, disrupted him, from this energy that possessed him. My energy. What he consumes with my presence, he has been doing it from the moment he burst into my childhood bedroom at the Harth Castle. His apetite has grown but self control is impeccable. I breathe deep and continue on with my requests.

"I intend on keeping up with any studies of my choosing. I have heard of your large buildings of learning unlike any i have ever seen and I plan to study there. I also wish to be free to visit your local people and towns. If possible on occasions, Lord Harth's Estate as well.” I kept an even tone while asking. Not certain he will allow me this much freedom.

He rubbed his face feigning exhaustion but smiled as if the things I ask for are simple. “Things work differently here my mate, You are Lady yes, though you are also Luna, my wife and soon to be Queen. I trust your new little pet told you all about a Luna's position and that only I out rank you.” I just nod to his words hoping he won't suspect any misdeeds in my intentions “Excellent. Then trust that all you have asked thus far will be granted. Was that all You desired My Pet?"

I smile, pleased with the out come of this lunch meeting so far, "There is one last thing. I want Tessa to return safely to Lord and Lady Harth's Estate. Where she will stay." I stay calm but anger stirs in him. He is statuesque as I wait in silence for his response.

Life returns to him just before he answers "Not possible. I have vowed to you already that her place will be here until she is mated or married. That cannot be undone. However I find it curious that you worry for her safety here. You do not trust I can keep her safe?"

Angry at his betrayl already, my words lashed out at him as i attempted to pull my leg away from his clutches. "YOU VOWED She would not have to marry a man she did not choose to!"

He never let loose of his control of my lower limb. Instead he now used it to close in the space seperating us while his tone deepened and menacing, "That is correct. I said 'man'. I would never allow a mere human to claim my mate's sister." The power he exuded, briefly washed over me clouding my senses and judgement.

Dropping my sassy superior tone I offer supplication of my desires, "She is not chosen or fated this life. I want for her to know a happy life of her choosing."

His small outburst of laughter jolted me, "She has no choice in the matter. If she has a mate he will claim her. If a creature of great wealth or resources makes an offer so absurd why, I would be so inclined as to agree to it, reguardless of his origins." He leans back into me, loosening his grip on my thigh so he can delicately glide his hand upwards to gently massage my thigh muscles. "She has no choice, She is someone's lesser. The day will come when she leaves here but not by your choosing and not today. Until then she will be expected to follow her assigned ranking requirements." He sighed before stating "Is that all?"

"Seems to be Lord Eso" I had achieved most of what I set out to do.

Eso nodded than began drinking his wine the young servant poured for him."Now my turn, before you are to be made Luna you will need to defeat the Delta Female proving your rank is indeed above her.”

Oh that grin of his, he is looking forward to this duel. He will enjoy watching me suffer but why is he punishing her, his 'Delta'?

“Why must I prove anything?” I retorted back with my sassy tone refueled.

“Its all apart of the decree my forefathers enforced that we all live by today. 'Only as strong as the one below you until your worth be proven.' Since you have not had any other rank unlike the others who must earn or have been born into their ranks, you will need to demonstarte you are worthy of being the Black Moon Pack's Luna. A 'destined luna' should at the very least be able to defeat my Delta Female.” The insidious expression he carried was for me to enjoy, he wants blood shed but this was not just his idea I sensed.

“For me to fight a skilled Delta I too should be given time to train should I not? Since your Delta has been a Wolf all her life she would likely have the advanced experience I have yet to be equipped with. Am I mistaken in my assumptions?” I love that look he is giving me. I can keep him on his toes and not allow him to fully have his way either.

“You are of course granted this as well, I see no issues with that. You may begin Your Pack assessment and training tomorrow morning. Tonight, during the last full moon of the cycle, you will be announced as My Mate and Future Luna of the Black Moon Pack. Then the following full moon cycle is the rare blue moon, You will be required to transform fully before we can hold the Luna ceremony. At which time you will surrender yourself over to me, swearing an eternal oath. That, or I slaughter everything you ever loved or that has brought you happiness, before I destroy you too." His voice never changed pitch and was still full of lustful energy. The combination turned my stomach and brought out an urge to attack him here and now.

He perked up as the smell of hot sizzling food pierced the room when another young servant boy appeared out of the hidden pillar door. "Now on to more important things” he grins at me “Lunch!”