The Night I Become The Forbidden Mate

POV: Kaelira The palace had not been so alive in years. As I entered the chambers of Serenya the sound of the corridors pursued me in succession--maids, guards, rearranging, talking, at a distance, about plans already a hundred times debated. It was all in motion, it was all urgent and it was all about one thing. Serenya’s mating. I stood behind her with two maids doing the last layers of her ceremonial dress. The cloth was soft flowing pale silver, to snatch the light at each movement. It was exactly her style, as though it had been tailored to no one. “Still, just hold still, “ I said , and I reached back and fussed with the fastening behind her dress. My fingers were very careful so that it was lying flattened against her skin. “Should this slip in the ceremony you will accuse me till the end of your days.” Serenya laughed a little, the note light in spite of all these things that were going on around us. “I would not accuse you of that,” she said, looking at me out of the mirror. “Maybe for something worse, but not that.” I shook my head a little, a little smile drawing my lips. “That’s reassuring.” The maids withdrew as soon as they had finished, and we were left alone a moment. Serenya now looked at me full upon her face, her expression softening in that manner which she only ever permitted in our company. “You have been silent,” she said. “I have been listening,” I answered. Serenya gazed at me a second more than normal. “You need not keep quiet with me.” “I know,” I said, but I did not say any more. I could say things, ask questions but none of it seemed right now. This was the time of her life. Her destiny was being determined in a manner that had been long planned and whether she had chosen it or not was no longer important. “You look ready,” I added instead. Serenya exhaled, as though to herself. “I have to be.” The door flew open before I had time to answer. The change of the room was instantaneous. Morlena Viremont came in like she owned not only the space, but everybody in it. Her eyes moved over the room one more time and rested on me and the disapproval in her face was immediate and clear. “Why is she here?” Morlena inquired, her voice level and yet piercing. I didn’t move. I didn’t speak. I had long since learned that the last thing to do was to answer her. Before I could think of it, Serenya came forward. “I requested her to come. Any problem?” she asked with calmness and firmness. Morlena turned her gaze to her daughter. “Tonight is not a night for distractions.” “She is not a distraction,” answered Serenya. “She’s my sister.” Morlena’s expression didn’t change. If anything, it hardened slightly. “It is a big night, Serenya. You ought to be thinking of the future, and not of languishing in gratuitous affections.” Serenya didn’t back down. “Kaelira stays. Don’t push me.” There was an interval, which made the tension of the room almost unbearable. Then Morlena sighed, as though she were no longer interested in the argument. “Very well,” she said, but her voice indicated she was not pleased. “But do not let this affect your preparation.” Since then, her focus was entirely on Serenya. She stepped nearer, and made a minor adjustment to the front of the dress, her fingers very fine and delicate. “You are going to the temple now,” Morlena said. “It has to be done in the tradition. There should be no errors.” “I know,” serenya said. Morlena made one nod and withdrew. Giving me no other look, she left the room. As soon as the door was closed, tension was relieved to some extent. Serenya had drawn a breath which it was evident she had been restraining. “She didn’t need to come in here for that.” “She does always,” I said. Serenya gazed up at me now, her face much softer. “Ignore her.” I nodded a little, though there had never been a time when I could so easily ignore Morlena as Serenya was trying to make me think. The guards came a few minutes after, and led Serenya to the temple. The room was filled once more with movement as some last adjustments were done. Just as we were all prepared, Serenya looked at me one more time. “I shall see you tomorrow,” she said. “I will,” I answered. “Please be good.” She smiled and away she went. It was even emptier the second she left. I didn’t stay long after that. No need to. The place which I had had in that room had gone as soon as Serenya left it. I had hardly reached the corridor when a servant came to me. “The Luna demands your presence,” she said. Of course she did. I blindly obeyed, although I was already aware that this was not going to be a good thing. Morlena waited in one of the smaller receiving rooms, and stood by the window with her back to the door. She didn’t turn when I entered. “You forget your place,” she said. “I was assisting Serenya,” I said thoughtfully. “You were standing in a place that you should not be, “ Morlena corrected, and then turned to face me. “Do not confuse the two.” I stayed silent. “The palace will have lots of important guests to-night,” she said. “Allies, suitors and representatives of other packs. They must be treated well. And nothing should be there to provoke them.” I scowled not quite knowing where this was leading. “What do you mean?” Morlena smiled. “Tomorrow you are not going to the mating ceremony.” “I must be there,” I said, before I could restrain myself. “Serenya desires me there.” “What Serenya desires, has nothing to do here,” Morlena said coldly. “ what I want is all that matters, you have to serve.” “I am not a servant,” I said, and my voice tightened. Morlena came nearer, her eyes keen. “No, you are even worse. At least servants are aware of their mission, and they were wanted.” I didn’t respond. “You will amuse the guests to-night, she went on. “You will fill their cups, and speak when needed, and keep them contented with the hospitality of this pack. And if you have to shed off a few dresses, no problem.” A knot was in my stomach. “It is not my job.” “It is now.” I was interrupted before I could say more, by a maid who came in with a folded set of clothing. Morlena took it, and gave it me without a word. “Wear this.” I was indecisive and unraveled a little. This cloth was lighter, and smaller than anything I had ever put on in public. It showed more than it concealed. “I do not want to wear this. I can not wear it.” I said at once. Morlena’s expression darkened. “You shall do as you are told.” “No.” I could not help saying the word. There was a moment of utter silence in the room. Then Morlena came forward and seized me by the wrist, and her hold was so painful that I groaned. “You will not disgrace this family to-night,” she said, in a dangerous voice. “I will see that you wear it, otherwise…. I’ll send you to your worthless mother’s unmarked grave!” My chest contracted, but I made no withdrawal. A second later she set me free and turned to the maid. “Prepare her.” All that came after was too fast. I was ushered into a different room, clad unwillingly and placed in the midst of the staff before I could really digest what was going on. I was at some point pressed into taking a glass of wine, and Morlena insisted that it would help me relax. I shouldn’t have drank it. But I did. I was scared of death. In the beginning, there was nothing different. The guests came, the noise increased, and I was going through the room as I was told and pouring drinks and not looking at the guests as much as possible. Then something changed. It began as a warmth, the low and unacquainted. It propagated gradually, and was lodged deep in my body so that my movements were heavier. I scowled, laying aside a tray in my attempt to compose myself. This wasn’t normal. My breathing pattern changed, and it became uneven with the increase in heat. I was too sensitive in my skin, and any touch of clothing on my skin had a weird effect on me. I tried to get out of the crowd. What did you drink? I grumbled to myself. I suddenly realized it. This was more than discomfort. This was heat. Panic was fast up, sharp and overwhelming. This was not to be, not such, not here. I couldn’t stay here. I unconsciously turned around and pushed my way out of the hall without minding the puzzled glances of the guests and employees. The more distant I got out of the palace the more I could not think. I was shaking before I got to the outer gates. I didn’t stop. I ran. The wood swallowed me up, the cool air making little to put out the fire growing within me. My eyes were a little blurred and I stumbled as my head was in a frenzy. “What was that in that drink?” I whispered again, my voice unsteady. “Why am I in heat?”