A Queen Among Tempests

Autumnal Ball Part Two - Orenda

Okay, I’m ready for bed.

Besides living with my brother, I’ve been a very solitary being for thousands of years. The most social interactions I experience are when I interact with the Delegation or save someone’s life. Apart from that, I’m happy to do my own thing, so all these back-to-back discussions with so many people wanting to get to know me are a bit overwhelming. The selfies, on the other hand, were going a bit far for some of them, but I suppose they wanted visual proof they met a raitruum.

The moment I’m given a chance to breathe, I race over to the buffet, pull up the bust of my dress once again and help myself to some eclairs. I’m just digging into my second when I feel a wave of serenity wash over me as arms wrap around me from behind. I glance down and see gold flecks of glitter buried against ivory skin. I look behind me to see a bright smile and golden eyes twinkling up at me.

“Kamelya, you startled me,” I chuckle, putting my éclair down and turning to hug her.

“Those pesky human senses of yours,” she muses, squeezing me tight but carefully.

I pull back to look at her, “You look gorgeous!” Kamelya and her sisters, of course, are all wearing their signature gold colour just in varying styles. Her deep auburn hair is up in a high pony that falls down to her butt while her bangs tickle her eyelashes.

“As do you. I can’t remember the last time I saw you in a gown.”

“It certainly has been a while. So, how are you? I hear you’re going to be an aunty,” I gush playfully only for her smile to widen.

“Yes! Can you believe it?! We never in a million lifetimes pictured out family growing, yet here we all are, soon-to-be aunties and Yildiz an expecting mother. I just wish Nuray could have been here to see it,” she says sombrely.

I reach out and rub her arm sympathetically. I’ve learned to expect anything in this life, but the death of an irshiust was not one of them. Ayawamat and I were devastated by the news, and even all these years later it still seems so strange to think about.

“I haven’t had a chance to speak to Yildiz yet, how is she?”

“Radiant,” she says brightly, pointing out her sister in the crowd.

“I didn’t know irshiusts could get more radiant,” I tease.

I look to where Kamelya is pointing and see Yildiz in the crowd in a beautiful, sleek gold satin gown that shows her very prominent baby bump. She looks like the Demi-Goddess she is with golden cuffs around her wrists, and golden neck rings. Her hair is pulled back in a high pony that flows just past her bust with streaks of azure blue popping against the gold. She’s even matched her make up to her dress and hair with a blue shadow and a golden cut crease with nude lips. For anyone else, I would say it’s brave for a pregnant woman to wear heels, but I doubt she notices a difference. She’s smiling and absentmindedly rubbing her belly as she converses with the Empress and Emperor of the nagata, decked out in matching black and gold attire, with the Empress appearing far more traditional.

“Talk about overprotective huh,” Kamelya says with a nudge.

At her words, two familiar silver eyes look over at us and narrow at Kamelya, causing her to giggle. Hang on…silver?! Did…did Jartre lift this curse? When the hell did that happen?

Regardless, Kamelya is not wrong. With every smile and shift, Oshmin keeps his arm locked around Yildiz, his hand protectively placed against her belly. I think it’s adorable that they’ve matched outfits, with Oshmin wearing a three-piece tuxedo with a deep blue waistcoat, a deep black jacket with distressed gold and a matching bow tie with deep blue pants and glittering gold Oxfords.

Now that I think about it, every set of animais around the ballroom matches. The High Priestess of the makkari and her animai are in purple and black respectively, but I can see little accents in makeup and nails that reflect their partner’s attire. The King and Queen of the sirna seem a little more individual but the blues, blacks and purples blend perfectly. And then there’s me. I know who my animai is and yet here I am all alone, and even if by some miracle he was here at my side, I doubt the Demon God himself would stoop so low as to match himself to me. The thought would probably sicken him because I sicken him.

“Orenda, are you alright?” Kamelya asks, placing a concerned hand on my shoulder.

I smile reassuringly, “I’m alright, I just spiralled a little.”

“Really? You should know better than to lie to me,” she tsks.

I sigh, “Just seeing Yildiz and Oshmin so bonded and happy, and then looking at all the other animais around the room it…it just reminded me of what I’m missing.”

Her face softens and she once again pulls me into a hug, “Mother knows what she’s doing. I think he’s keeping his distance because he knows the moment he is alone with you he’ll be unable to get you out of his mind,” she says confidently.

I softly chuckle, giving her a squeeze, “If you said it, then it must be true.”

“I’m so sorry, would you excuse me for a minute? My name is being called,” she says apologetically.

“You go ahead,” I assure her, “These eclairs are calling my name,” I smirk.

She chuckles and rubs my arms, “Don’t ever change.”

As soon as she’s gone, I dive back into the eclairs and help myself to some delicious-looking Daifuku. I have my mouth full to the point of looking like a chipmunk hoarding nuts when I feel a tap on my shoulder. I quickly swallow my food and turn only to be greeted by two very elegant individuals radiating strong energy, enough to tell me they hold some kind of authority.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt, but you’re Orenda, aren’t you?” asks the blonde woman, her turquoise eyes shining with hope.

“That would be me, I’m sorry, do we know each other?” I ask curiously, trying to place her face.

She’s toned and beautiful in a one-sleeved, glittering, turquoise gown with a sweetheart neckline and a slit up to her hip with a bustle of turquoise silk flowing from her hip accentuating her curves. The shoes make quite the statement being eight-inch holographic platforms with diamond straps and a diamond starflower as the buckle. She looks like royalty but based on the familiar energy, I’m going to guess an Alpha, which makes the handsome gentleman with his arm around her, her Luna. His jet black hair is tied back in a half-up pony and is in a matching three-piece turquoise suit with a white button-down and white tie, with turquoise suede loafers with gold tipped toes.

I’ve never had the privilege of meeting a male Luna before. I’ve met a few female Alphas in my time, but sadly either their Lunas weren’t present at the time or the Alphas in question were sadly rejected by their animai for being born strong women. Immortality comes with many drawbacks, and one of them is witnessing the utter division of the human race for one reason or another. It wasn’t like this once upon a time.

“No, no, we’ve never met. I’m Alpha Ambassador Amelia, and this is my animai, Luna Marcus,” she proudly greets.

Luna Marcus extends his hand to me with a strong, but gentle smile peaking out from his beard, “It’s an honour to meet you.”

I smile graciously and shake his hand before offering it to Alpha Amelia, “It’s an honour to meet you both as well.

“I’ve noticed everyone swarming you and I really didn’t want to be another person to overwhelm you, but I just didn’t feel right seeing you here and not taking the opportunity to thank you,” she says with a grateful smile.

“Thank you?” I echo in confusion.

“Yes. You see, some decades ago you saved my grandparents from an eyti attack. You’d been sent to Invictus to aid them and well, I wouldn't be here now if it hadn't been for you,” she says warmly.

I think that over, trying to recall the instance she’s speaking of when it finally comes to me as I gasp in realisation, “Alpha Alden! Yes, I was sent by the Delegation because eyti had been spotted in the area, which made sense. I recall there was an issue with a female Beta I’d spoken with,” I say, the memory somewhat fuzzy.

Luna Marcus looks at Alpha Amelia with curiosity.

“Ah, Beta Romona Mathers,” she says reluctantly causing a guttural growl from her Luna.

“f*****g hell, just how far back was their line rotted?” he questions.

Alpha Amelia shrugs and rubs his side as she addresses me, “Let’s just say her offspring and their offspring were even worse than her.”

“But they’re all dead now,” Luna Marcus gladly assures me.

“Congratulations?” I say uncertainly.

Luna Marcus chuckles, “Sorry, that probably sounded dark as hell.”

I smile comfortingly, “I’ve heard far worse, but I’m glad they’re no longer a plight on your pack.”

“Thank you,” says Alpha Amelia.

“Now that I think about it, I think I was regrettably responsible for your grandmother ending up with a nasty gash on her head,” I say awkwardly, “Lightning can be a bit hazardous.”

Amelia smiles and waves me off, “She tells the story quite fondly and don’t worry, she healed in no time.”

“Benefits of being a mutolupus. Can’t say the same for myself.”

“I don’t follow,” says Luna Marcus in confusion.

“When in our bird form, my brother and I are virtually indestructible, but when in human form, we’re just that. No exceptional speed or heightened senses, not even advanced healing. We are truly human in every sense of the word.”

They both stare at me wide-eyed and mouths agape, “Wait, does that mean in human form…you could die?” Luna Marcus hesitantly asks.

“I’ve never tested the theory, but I believe so. But we’re able to shift incredibly fast and our abilities still work even in human form,” I assure him.

“Forgive me if this is morbid, but if you were shot and then you shifted…” begins Alpha Amelia.

“Then I would heal immediately,” I smile at her.

“Wow. I’m sorry if this is intrusive, it’s just I know so much about other beings yet raitruums seem to remain a mystery in so many ways. You’re kind of blowing my mind right now,” she chuckles.

I smile at them, touched and a little flattered that they want to know so much about me. As overwhelming as it has been to be asked so many questions at this ball, it is nice that people care enough to take an interest.

“I don’t mind at all. And you mentioned you’re an Alpha Ambassador, is that to the US?” I inquire.

“Yes, it is,” she replies proudly.

“She’s not bragging nearly as much as she should. Amelia here was the first Alpha Ambassador in history,” says Luna Marcus proudly, smiling at her with so much love and warmth in his eyes I can’t help but feel envious.

Alpha Amelia smiles back at him and places a tender kiss on his lips. Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Zarseti’s eyes fixed at the far end of the ballroom as she casually makes her way to the centre of the room, and I can’t help but feel a sense of foreboding in the room.