A Luna Chained

Chapter 2 - Another Year, Another Birthday

Leaves fluttered through the silver light of the clearing, casting tiny dancing shadows into the dimly illuminated grass. Fireflies flickered in and out of sight, and the air was warm and heavy.

Livia, I'm so happy to finally meet you…

The voice echoed in her head even after the dream of a dark wood faded into the bright morning sun that streamed through her window.

Livia closed her eyes and stretched out. She felt stiffer than usual after a long Friday night shift at the bar, but nothing a good stretch couldn't fix. Between school and work, sleeping in was a treat she could rarely afford. But it was her birthday and she had booked the day off.

Her father was busy at the stove when she finally wandered into the kitchen.

“It’s about time, Sleeping Beauty! You were THIS close to missing out on your birthday pancakes!” He announced, flipping a flapjack onto a plate and setting it down with a flourish. “Happy birthday, hunny bunny” He gave her a quick squeeze before returning to the stove.

Joelle rolled her eyes at their father’s display, but smiled a syrupy, blueberry-stained smile at her older sister. “Yeah, hmmppy brrfday!!”

Blueberry pancakes were Livia’s yearly birthday tradition. Even though she was 21 now, she was pretty sure her father would still be making them for her if she was 100.

He wants to make blueberry pancakes for your children’s birthdays, too. Our father is a good man.

Livia stiffened. It was the voice from her dream, but it sounded confident and clear as a bell.

“What’s up with you?” Joelle asked, noticing her sister's sudden mood swing.

She shook her head and the echoing voice faded. “Nothing, just a cramp. I think I slept weird last night.

“As long as it doesn’t stop you from going to that toga party tonight.” Joelle smirked.

“What? How did you know about-” Livia started. She stopped herself because she knew the answer. Joelle was friends with Maya, Jenny’s younger sister. Of course the younger girls knew about the party.

“Besides, Eeeeeeewaaaaaaaan will be there!”

“Dammit, Jenny…” she muttered under her breath.

“Do I want to know?” Their father asked tentatively.

“It’s booooooooy” Joelle teased.

“Mmmhmmm, I’ll be in the den.” Once again outnumbered by his daughters, he tossed the final pancake onto his plate, grabbed his coffee mug, and retreated to the comfort of his man-cave. “Have fun tonight, sweetie! Call me if you need a ride home after the party!” he called back to his eldest.

Livia spent the rest of the day putting together a decent toga for the party. A couple of brightly-coloured bedsheets, some curlers and pearls, and a pair of sandals should do it.

She stepped in front of the mirror. A deep blue makeshift tunic, with a belt of deep golden yellow, reflected her grey eyes into a dark gunmetal blue. Her usually straight dark brown hair was gathered into high curls, encircled by a series of small braids. A small waterfall of curls draped over one shoulder.

She used minimal makeup on her fair skin. She wanted her hair to be the focus since it took hours of internet videos to sculpt.

All in all, she was pleased with her work. She hoped it would make her stand out. Especially to Ewan. If she was going to a party, she wanted to look amazing!

He’s not yours, Livia...We’re still waiting.

She also spent the day trying to push down the voice that kept whispering to her in the back of her mind. By the time Jenny came to pick her up for the party, Livia was starting to doubt her sanity. If it didn’t stop by tomorrow, she’d have to call her doctor.

Jenny pulled up in her old beater of a car. She was wearing a tight off-the-shoulder minidress what looked like a fancy lace table cloth draped over one shoulder - all white, of course.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!” She squealed. “But what’s with all the colour? I thought togas were white! It doesn’t matter - you look AMAZING!

“This is what the Romans *actually* wore!” Livia smiled

“Whatever you say, nerd.” Jenny winked and they took off for the school.

The toga party was taking place on the Classics department floor of the building. When they arrived there were already a couple dozen people milling in and around the classrooms, art displays, and the small antiquities museum.

“Omg, Liv, YOUR HAIR!” One of her classmates exclaimed. It looks like something from a Pompeiian fresco!”

“I barely recognized you!” another one said, “You look so regal!”

Livia barely heard the compliments, though. She was scanning the room for Ewan’s dark red hair. It looked like he hadn’t arrived yet, so she let herself get swept into the crowd of revellers, sipping on punch and admiring each others’ costumes.

As usual, Jenny was the centre of attention. Her blonde curls, angelic face, and kind bubbly personality naturally drew people to her.

Livia smiled and wandered away from the crowd. It had only been a few hours, but she was already starting to get tired. Although she did occasionally enjoy being at parties, they drained her.

She poked her head into the antiquities museum, a classroom that had been filled with display cases and shelves to display the department’s collection of ancient pottery, tools, and accessories. It was empty. Perfect. She needed a few moments of quiet to recharge.

Slowly, Livia browsed the museum’s offerings. Nothing incredible, but a solid collection nonetheless. She was so wrapped up in the millennia-old fragments of pottery that she didn’t hear another person enter the room.

A hand brushed her arm. “Um, Livia?”

She let out a squeak and jumped. “Whoa! Sorry, I didn’t hear anyone - “

She locked eyes with Ewan and her breath left her. But she didn’t feel the butterflies she usually did when she saw him.

“No, I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have snuck up on you.” He chuckled. He was wearing a beautifully accurate Roman costume - a white tunic with a deep purple toga, edged in gold. He was wearing Imperial robes, which only the Emperor and his family could wear. Livia smiled at the cheekiness of it all.

Ewan’s freckled face blushed pink. “It’s a little much, isn’t it?” He said, striking a comically dramatic Roman pose. He was gorgeous, and seeing him in historical garb just made him more so.

“Not at all. I like it.” Livia said simply, flashing her brilliant smile.

“You do?”

“Definitely! I’m sick of those white monstrosities out there.”

The pink in his cheeks deepened. “You look…incredible.”

From beyond Ewan’s shoulder, she saw a flash of blonde curls vanish from the doorway as the door slowly and silently closed. She should have known Jenny was behind this.

This is wrong Livia…so wrong. He is not our destined mate.

She forcibly shoved the inner voice aside, and, as if in spite of the voice in her head, she stepped forward toward Ewan. With her height, they were nearly eye to eye.

He seemed to panic for a moment at the sudden closeness, but her grey eyes darted from his eyes to his lips, so there was no doubt what she wanted. For that moment, she was a warrior queen, an Amazonian goddess, and she knew what she wanted.

Nevertheless, Livia could scarcely believe what she was doing. It felt wrong, but so deliciously wrong. She could sense the voice in her head protesting, but that made her want to kiss him even more.

Luckily, he caught on pretty quickly and gently placed a hand on her lower back. He looked deep into her eyes and pulled her even closer. Livia took a deep, steadying breath. He smelled like nice soap and aftershave.

Their lips met - softly and tentatively.

A small moan bubbled up from her throat. It had been so long since she’d last been kissed, and her body ached for a man’s touch. She pressed into him, feeling his body’s warmth, even through the layers of fabric that draped over both of them.

Ewan took the hint and deepened the kiss.

Hmm…He’s a good kisser, Livia thought. But there were no fireworks. No sparks. Just a primal need for closeness, regardless of with whom.

She didn’t understand. She’d dreamed of this moment for months!

“I didn’t think you even knew I existed,” Ewan murmured, pushing her curls aside and kissing her neck. “When Jenny told me, I couldn’t believe it. I thought you were gorgeous from the day you first walked into class…” He straightened and cupped her cheek, looking longingly into her eyes. Instead of love returned, he saw disappointment in those grey depths.

“Oh god, was this a mistake? Jenny told me you felt the same. s**t!” The boy took a step back.

“No no, Ewan. I DO feel the same! Or, I think I feel the same…” Livia stammered, embarrassed. “You’re just…so handsome. I always thought so! And god that toga… I just - I want this!” She realized as she said it that she sounded like she was trying to convince herself. Or someone else?

I’m sorry, he’s not the one. And you can’t make him the one.

Ugh! That voice again! Livia’s mind was a hurricane of emotions.

Ewan looked confused and hurt.

She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “I’m sorry, I don’t know what’s wrong with me!” He stiffened for a moment, then softened and hugged her back.

“Ok, I believe you. Maybe we just rushed this.” he pulled back and kissed her hand. Then, he smiled and smoothed a few curls that had fallen out of place. “How about I just give you my number and we can start there.”

Relieved, Livia nodded and pulled out her phone.

"Oh, also... Happy birthday, Livia."

"You can call me Liv."

The two chatted amicably for a few more minutes, then smoothly rejoined the rest of the partying students and faculty chaperones.