Category: Gods and Goddesses

Lamentation

Alëxios sat and slumped down on his throne with a hand covered over his face. Lady Rüvym massaged his temples to calm him.

“Fret not, dearest. Everything will fall into place in due time,” she coaxed.

He sat straight to look at her.

“How can you be certain? Clearly, I have not successfully wooed Malaykah into my world. For every moment she has felt out of place in the human realm, I intended to give her the opposite here in Phëläniciä,” he said.

Lady Rüvym cackled, “Malaykah maybe but a young maiden in this realm, but she is also a full-grown woman in the human realm. Her troubles cannot be wooed away with trinkets, baubles, and other extravagant treasures. Therefore, you must develop a different tactic so that she can feel secure seated next to your throne. If you have taken the time to really listen to her, you know that you must honor her wish to release the remainder of your harem.”

“It has already been decreed to do so,” he replied with a half-smile.

Lady Rüvym hugged his neck, then said, “Remember that you are to keep no more secrets. Give her the respect and grace to understand who you are without imposition. Her thoughts and feelings are not to coddled as if she were a child. Speaking of children, I have the utmost faith that the gods intended for your union to be a success. You were brought together for a reason. Together, you must discover that reason and hold on to each other.”

After hours into the night, Alëxios brought a tray filled with several succulent dishes to Malaykah’s room. The celebration had been canceled, and the feast was sent out to feed the families in the city. He knocked gently twice before he entered her chambers. There she laid draped across the bed with her face buried in the plush pillows.

He placed the tray on a candle-lit table and called out to her.

“Malaykah, I know you are upset. In truth, I cannot imagine how you must feel because you refuse to let me inside your thoughts. However, I am certain that you must be famished at this late hour. Please eat something.”

She sat up on the bed and listlessly looked at the tray of food. Then, though she did not speak, she rolled off the bed to eat.

“It breaks my heart to have you look at me with such contempt,” Alëxios sighed.

Malaykah nibbled a piece of bread dipped in honey broth and said, “It breaks my heart that I could possibly be the one to hold you back from everything that you need.”

Alëxios sat in the opposite chair. Then, without thinking, he reached for her hand.

“How can you even contemplate such an untruth? I am not held back from anything. When I first saw you, I was well aware of the obstacles that we would encounter. I did not care then, nor do I care now. Malaykah, you are my destiny. Without you by my side, I would not be alive or have a kingdom to reconstruct,” he replied.

Malaykah took a sip of wine from a small vial on the tray, which was sweet and made her feel more relaxed.

“I don’t know how to reconcile my feelings about all of this. You built me up to be this amazing queen, and I believed it. I know that everyone has flaws. In this realm, it seems that my one flaw could cost you everything. In my mind, your one flaw is just as costly to me,” she said.

Alëxios studied her but was still unable to break through the veil.

“Tell me what you need, and I swear to give it to you,” he said.

Malaykah drank the rest of the wine in one gulp. It seemed to have a calming effect. She felt tranquil but determined.

“Tell me more about yourself. I don’t really know all there is to know, which makes me feel out of the loop with everyone else around,” she answered.

Alëxios leaned in closer to her, and his eyes prompted her to be more specific.

“Alright then,” she sighed. “Tell me what the deal is with Sӧlitha. She seems to have had a bone to pick with me since the moment I arrived in the realm.”

Alëxios paused for a moment but was interrupted by Malaykah’s pleading eyes. He rocked back in the chair and locked onto the veil in her mind. Then, instead of another attempt to open her thoughts, he poured his own out like a waterfall.

“In truth, she is of no relation to the royal bloodline. I suspect by now, Titanëa may have already enlightened you on the matter. With my father’s decree, there was no course of action to reverse her adoption. During the time I was kidnapped and held captive, she was the only successor to the throne. The former king did not foresee such a disastrous outcome for any of us. Once I was formally returned to Phëläniciä, she befriended me. We were so alike in that we were orphaned early on. After her mother disappeared, she was raised by royal wet nurses and nuns. Grand-mére ensured to remain within the laws of the edict but sorely did not care for the girl.

Then came a clamor of concern by the royal officials that I was not fit to be king. During my stint with the Sea Pirates, I went on a murderous rampage. In fact, every article of décor, furniture, and weaponry stems from one hundred fifty years of raids. Byakko and I were sent to the monastery temples to train with the ancient monks. It was then that I learned to discipline my wrath. Upon my return, Sӧlitha had come of age and was a fully grown maiden.

She began to plot how she would stay in the castle. Her plan started off subtly, but over time she repeatedly threw herself at me. I would find her naked in my bed chambers or in the bath quarters. Her plans to seduce me were continually thwarted as I remained firm in my stance to turn her away. Finally, she outright begged me to allow her to become either my bride or consort. It was her desire to conceive my heir at all costs.

In my empathy for her position, I could not see fit to cast her away like mere rubbish. I took an oath of silence never to speak about or directly to her to honor my father’s wish. We have all done harmful deeds out of desperation and sheer madness. I had hoped that she would find someone to help heal her wounds and that she would be glad that I did as well.“

~Ch. 19, The Realm Beyond the Stars and Sea~

Maidens Voyage

On Wednesday evening, a loud boom could be heard from inside the Malcolm kitchen. The house fell silent for a few moments. Then, suddenly, muffled voices echoed into high-pitched shouts. Once the shouting picked up, Roxy and Roy could be heard trading insults with Shannon.

“That’s not fair, Shannon, you lazy cow! There’s no way in hell we’re picking up the slack for your share of chores,” Roxy barked.

Roy interjected, “Yeah, why should we have to take orders from you. I never see you do anything besides sit on your ass. The only time you get busy is to give mom grief.”

“Listen, guys, if it weren’t for me making this schedule, the whole house would turn into a sty. And, as far as me giving mom any grief, she can take the same medicine she dishes,” Shannon railed back at them.

Malaykah had been sitting in the bathtub all the while. She held her breath and submerged underwater. That seemed to be the only remedy to stop the head-to-toe aches, which came on more frequently. She shut her eyes and began to clearly hear her thoughts.

“There has always been an influx of dialogue surrounding identity. We’re often told not to derive our identity from the opinions of others. The truth is, that isn’t a realistic objective. From the time we’re born, we rely on someone else to tell us and the rest of the world who we are. A name is selected, the birth certificate details all the background information, and identity is created.

We go through adolescence acquiring nicknames, pet names, and the like thereof. By the time we reach the middle of adulthood, we’ve spent half of our lives believing who other people made us. It’s hard to break free from those conditions. Some are lucky enough to reinvent themselves. Others get trapped.

Liberty dictates that we have a choice in what we buy into. Some things can’t be changed, but if we allow ourselves the power to believe otherwise, we can change destiny. I believe that I am truly a descendant of the Goddess Oshun. Her divinity dwells within me. This is who I am, yet I don’t know how to change my life in the human realm.“

She emerged back to her upright position to catch some air. Two loud door slams in the outer rooms caused the house to go silent again. Roxy tapped softly on the bathroom door.

“Mama, I’m going to the Schnyder’s for my babysitting gig. Roy said he would be at Tyler’s bike shop, and I’m sure Shannon won’t be home until late,” she called through the door.

Malaykah did not stir as the pain from her headache held her jaw clenched.

Roxy lightly tapped twice and said, “Well, don’t stay in the tub so long that you turn into a prune. Dinner is in the fridge.”

Once Roxy went on her way, Malaykah slid underneath the water once again. This time when she closed her eyes, vivid images of the marital rituals in Phëläniciä came to mind. There she stood next to Alëxios in a valley of golden lilies next to a rainbow waterfall. They were hand in hand, with enchanted blue laces strapped up their arms. The binding was interlocked with peri dust and specs of dragon blood. The laces began to squeeze tight until they evaporated in the air. A gleam of diamond light shined bright from the sky. The ancient monk announced them anointed by the gods and bound to each other in every realm for all of eternity. With that, she opened her eyes. She sat on a riverbank with her feet dipped in the river within the borderlands of Phëläniciä.

Meikko sat patiently beside her without a word. When Malaykah gently patted her head, the dragon smiled and said, “My queen, it is an hour to greet your arrival. My father and King Alëxios are busy at the castle. I have been commanded to take you there promptly.”

Malaykah took heed and climbed aboard the young female dragon. They shot off into the air like a rocket. Though they were high above the ground, Malaykah could see that reconstruction efforts were heavily underway. The gates were reinforced with platinum-steel beams. All the cobblestone in the city was replaced with azure-toned marble, which gave the appearance of the ocean. Even the Palace structures changed into what Malaykah deemed as Moroccan architecture.

Meikko flew them to a landing strip on a high tower and allowed the queen to dismount. Trumpets with the announcement could be heard everywhere. The citizens gathered below to pay respect. Byakko and the king arrived in the area bearing gifts and flowers. Alëxios place a heavy crystal tiara on Malaykah’s head. Her beaded braids flowed down her shoulders and back with elegance.

Lady Rüvym was ushered to the gathering by her bodyguards. She kissed Malaykah’s hand and signaled for them all to go inside. A glorious feast had been prepared in the dining hall. Malaykah admired the sumptuous décor of furniture, tapestry, and artwork strategically positioned throughout the halls.

“These pieces were acquired from at least one hundred fifty thousand of the king’s conquered territories and have been stored in a neighboring city within the realm,” Lady Rüvym gushed.

Malaykah was led to the throne room before the meal was served, were rows of exotic flowers rested on a small marble stairway with two golden chairs. Alëxios seated Malaykah in the smaller chair cushioned with silk pillows. One of her ladies pulled the footrest out so she would sit more comfortably. The king’s chair was just as grand, only larger with no footrest.

A soldier entered the throne room and banged his staff to signal that court would be held in session. The eunuch Bässäm was escorted in and proceeded to bow before the king and queen.

“Your majesties, please forgive my intrusion. There is an urgent matter that must be decided upon,” he said.

Alëxios rested his hand under his chin with concern and said, “Eunuch Bässäm, you may rise and speak.”

Bässäm stood with his head down, as it was forbidden for a eunuch to look directly at anyone from the royal family.

“Sire, before the fall of our kingdom, an edict had been placed to disassemble your harem and send all the consorts back to their homelands. Only a portion of the proclamation has been carried out. With the untimely attack from the retched Tengu, all procedures were halted. If it would serve the king correctly, I see no reason to continue the measure. The remaining maidens should be left here under my guidance and protection.”

By then, the room was filled with royal knights, soldiers, and citizens alike. Each was moved with shock that the eunuch would dare demand to keep his position after the king clearly had dismissed him.

Alëxios look at Malaykah to study her thoughts. He could feel a weighty gate block the veil to her consciousness. To his dismay, she would not let him in. He chuckled, almost nervously to himself. The entire room awaited his decree.

He looked at Bässäm and said, “Our Divine Queen has returned to us. This should be a time of jovial celebration. Let us put minute matters to the side in favor of doing what is right in this instance.”

Bässäm began to tremble.

“I beg you, Divine King, please do not leave this matter for the birds to pluck till morning light. In this instance, many of your fold wonder what place they have in the new kingdom. Speculations will only become a maddening device.”

Malaykah rose from her chair to walk down to Bässäm. She lifted his face and replied, “Dear eunuch, the entire palace thanks you for your services. You have been a source of knowledge and delicately have cared for the king’s interests over centuries. Your dedication will always be held in high acclaim.”

The room fell in awe at the queen’s words. Even Alëxios was taken back.

She turned to walk away from Bässäm and continued, “However, I am certain there is a way to send all the remaining maidens back to their homelands in a safe manner.” She stood next to Alëxios and asked, “Is there not a way, my king?”

Alëxios sat quietly as Malaykah pulled back the veil to her thoughts. It was made clear she did not want to host any of the maidens in Phëläniciä, and she expected her husband to respect her wishes. He kissed her hand as a sign of agreement.

“The queen has made her decision. I will call upon my brethren, the Sea Pirates, to assist with relocating each and every maiden. After the voyage is completed, eunuch Bässäm will return to wherever country land sent you here,” the king stated.

~Ch. 18, The Realm Beyond the Stars and Sea~

Dragon Dynasty

Back at the Änkhöѐ campsite, Byakko read from a piece of parchment to his fellow dragons.

“The life span of Phëläniciän dragons lasts the duration of twenty-three eons. After that, the eldest dragons retire from civic duties to a monastery temple high in the mountains of Phëläniciä. There, the ancient monks reside as well. The Ultimate Creator, Chrëst, assigned each the task of keeping all nine thousand of the sacred scrolls updated by recording all of the events that had taken place throughout the realm.

Phëläniciä itself was considered a blessed kingdom because no other territory inhabited dragons. Moreover, it is documented in six hundred separate passages of the sacred scrolls that they are the most beloved creatures of Chrëst. That is why the legend of the first dragon queen who fell in love with a peri is retold for every Phëläniciän birth, marital rites ceremony, and death.

Long ago, much of the realm was underdeveloped. Then, Chrëst wielded magic to craft territories and form enchanted beings. The dragons were fiercely exciting in that they could both fly and breathe below the sea. While many of the realm’s inhabitants waged wars with each other to conquer domains, the dragons dwelled on peace. Their ability to defend their turf made them stand out among the rest of the population.

A turquoise-colored dragon queen named Ryoko ruled her kin in the eastern countryside of the realm. She was known as a daydreamer who often traveled far and wide alone. One day, Ryoko decided to tour the Mideastern land occupied by peri folks. Her unannounced arrival caused a stir, as she was considered a threat. An enchanted arrow struck her front left paw, which caused her to fall from the sky.

The arrow was shot by an archer named Pelӧrän. He had an olive-toned skin complexion and long wavy black hair. Just as he was about to slay her with his sword, she wept and begged for mercy. At first, he did not submit to her wish. He felt pressured by the onlookers to act. Finally, Ryoko mustered enough strength to fend him off and flew away. Pelӧrän was then rebuked for not killing her right away. His kin wanted her head on a platter.

Pelӧrän fly after Ryoko. Due to her injury, he caught up in no time. The two beings landed on the ground in a white-leafed sycamore forest and began to talk. She was captivated by his beauty. Pelӧrän was tall for a peri, and his wings looked of gold and silk. He was impressed with the dragon queen’s regal demeanor.

The pair became enamored with each other and decided to run away together. Pelӧrän and Ryoko traveled to the highest peak in the northern lands and created their marriage ritual to seal their union. Within a decade, the population of their offspring multiplied so immensely that Chrëst granted them and expanded territory. At the end of their life spans, each made a final request to Chrëst. They both prayed that their line would remain strong within the realm and find the truest love. Chrëst honored them by having their story inscribed in the sacred scrolls so that every Phëläniciän would know where their origins.”

~Ch. 17, The Realm Beyond the Stars and Sea~

Against the Grain (con.)

Twelve days later, Malaykah was involved in a car accident. Through no fault of her own, she was rear-ended by a teenager. No one was hurt, and the damage was minimal. Malaykah took the incident in stride. She was grateful the mechanic quoted a reasonable price for repairs. The option to take the train to and from work seemed more beneficial than a rental car.

Not long after the accident, Malaykah began to experience body aches and severe migraines. She shook it off and continued to try to find momentum with balancing her life. Evenings on the train were a pleasant break from her usual routine. She was gifted the opportunity to think about her experiences both in the human realm and the realm beyond the stars and sea.

The train station was a mere fifteen-minute walk home. With her eyes towards the sky and head in the clouds, she nearly missed Shannon in the driveway with a man in a car. There was no way to mistake who was inside the vehicle. It was none other than Alejandro. He sped away so fast that he did not see Malaykah walk up to the house.

“Nice night to be out and about,” she said to her daughter.

Shannon shrieked and dropped her house key on the ground. She turned around and glared at her mother. Her hands shook so hard that she was unable to fit the key inside the slot. Malaykah gently nudged her to the side and opened the door with her own key.

“Mom, you scared the crap out of me,” Shannon said with a tremble in her voice.

Malaykah began to hum and said, “Did I now? My apologies, dear.”

Shannon eased inside the house behind her mother, not sure what to make of the situation.

“It was a nice night. Lucky for us, the rain finally lifted,” Shannon murmured slowly.

Malaykah took off her heels and plopped on the couch.

“I do appreciate the rain for my sad little garden outback, but taking the train does make it feel like a challenge,” she said while digging through her purse for her phone.

Shannon sat beside her, completely thrown off by Malaykah’s mood.

“Okay, Mom, let’s stop with the polite banter. Go ahead and lay into me,” she demanded.

Malaykah dumped the entire contents of her purse on the couch without finding her phone. She busied herself with the search for several minutes. Finally, Shannon became annoyed and cleared her throat loudly to retrieve her mother’s attention.

Malaykah looked up at her disgruntled child and chuckled, “Lay into you about what, darling?

Shannon scoffed, “I know you saw who dropped me off just a minute ago.”

Malaykah nodded silently as if she did not recognize the car.

Shannon scooted closer and reached for her hand.

“Actually, the timing is perfect. You may as well know, Dro and I are back together.”

Malaykah sat in silence. She imagined that her facial expression did not reveal any kind of emotional response because Shannon seemed to search her eyes with a penetrating stare.

“Oh my, what an interesting development,” she chimed passively and began to sift through her purse once again.

Shannon became incredulously furious. Without thinking, she snatched the purse to toss it across the room.

“Is that all you’re going to say?” she yelled.

Malaykah tensed up, prepared to yell back. Then suddenly, she looked at Shannon’s visible aggravation and felt empathy. The twins crept out of their rooms to see what all the commotion was about. Malaykah waved her hand for them to stand down.

“What would you like me to say?” she asked.

Shannon stood over her mother and continued to yell. “I don’t know; maybe yell or scream. You could tell me what a no-good loser my boyfriend is. You could do something to discourage me from seeing him.”

Malaykah attempted to soften her tone.

“Do you really need me to do any of that?” she asked.

Shannon glanced at her siblings. Roy looked as if he wanted to pounce on her, but Roxy glared at them both in confusion. The room was silent for a good minute before Shannon responded to their mother.

“Well, no. But jeez, Mom. You’ve changed so much since that awful night. We hardly recognize you anymore.”

“Why aren’t you bent out of shape?” Roxy interjected.

“Are you feeling alright, Mom?” Roy asked.

“How did this conversation shift over towards me?” Malaykah chuckled.

Feeling defeated, Shannon plopped down on the couch.

“Because; we need you to be our mom again. Not this nonchalant fem-bot who can just remain chill about everything,” she said.

Malaykah shook her head and laughed, “Well, this is a first. I’ve been called many things in my lifetime, but never a fem-bot.”

Shannon pinched her on the thigh and said, “Mom, I’m being serious. You don’t seem to care too much about anything these days. You haven’t intervened when the twins team up against me. Your job doesn’t seem to have you stressed out anymore, and I honestly feel like you’re practically giving your blessings for me to date Dro again.”

Malaykah playfully pinched Shannon’s leg and replied, “You’re wrong. I decided to let the three of you hash things out like mature adults should do. Nothing bad has happened yet. My life at the office is purely miserable, but I can’t just quit. I haven’t given my blessings for you to take up with Dro. In fact, I think it’s a terrible idea. However, I know if I allow my irritation to rule over the things I can’t change, there would be nothing but catastrophic consequences. The best I can do is control my emotions and believe for the best results. I don’t want to fight with you, the twins, Alejandro, or my boss, for that matter.”

Both Roxy and Roy came to the couch to hug Malaykah. Shannon, however, was even more displeased.

“What kind of Jedi mind trick is this? I half expected you to throat punch me over Dro,” she exclaimed.

Malaykah pulled Shannon into her embrace.

“What would that solve?” she asked.

Shannon abruptly pulled away and huffed.

“Maybe nothing. Maybe it would make you feel better, instead of suppressing your feelings. Or maybe it would set me straight. It certainly seemed to work on Dro. He’s been a saint lately,” she answered.

Malaykah threw her arms around Shannon so tight she could not escape. After she squirmed for a few minutes, she surrendered. Roxy and Roy continued to latch on to their mother, and they all silently wept.

“I don’t want you to suffer, Shannon. I don’t want any of you to suffer at all. If I tell you to stay away from him, it would only push you further into his arms. I don’t want there to be a rift between any of us. So my hands are tied, but my heart is wide opened,” Malaykah cried.

Shannon raised her head and shook away when Roy tried to hold her in place.

“I know you think you’re being strong right now. Somehow you believe using reversed psychology will make everything alright. Truth is, I prefer the old you who would go at least eight rounds with me to prove a point.” She got off the couch and grabbed her keys to walk out the door. “This new version of you sucks. You’re weak and afraid to actively participate in your life. Whatever happened to you while you were in a coma must’ve been truly unnerving.”

Roy calmly walked over to Shannon and shoved her against the front door.

“You really need to watch your tone, big sis,” he warned.

“Why do you always have to act like a spoiled ass brat?” Roxy chimed in.

Malaykah wiped her face without so much as a word. It took her a few moments to realize her children were about to come to blows. She banged her fist on the coffee table to get their attention and said, “If you took up with Dro because you couldn’t help yourself, I understand. If you did it to serve as a wake-up call to me, I understand that too. The question you need to ask yourself is, who are you really angry at? As a mother, I’ve done all I can and then some to look after you all. At some point, you have to fend for yourself and deal with the fallout from whatever consequences that may come. Yes, it’s risky. But ultimately, it’s up to you to make it out on the other side of any dark tunnel you find yourself in.” She got up and walked towards her bedroom. “I pray you never spend a day in my shoes.”

~Ch. 16, The Realm Beyond the Stars and Sea~

Against the Grain

Mr. Jung peered through the blinds of his office window at her. He casually strolled out onto the main floor in mix-matched polka dot socks. The rest of the department carried on as if they did not see him. He walked near Malaykah’s cubicle and waited for her to get off the phone before gesturing with his index finger for her to come see him.

Malaykah sat in a chair directly across from his desk. Her mind was hazy from all of the impended demands of deadlines. She did not have time to sit and chat but did not want to appear disrespectful. Mr. Jung entered behind her, but rudely began typing an email in silence. As soon as he pressed send, he turned around and looked at her.

“I called you in here because we’re in a bit of a jam. As you know, we’ve been short-staffed for several years. The hiring process has taken a toll on our department. As a result, we can’t get ahead to stay out of the red on the budget,” Mr. Jung said.

Malaykah sat confused and wondered why Mr. Jung called her in his office to tell her things she already knew. She gave a silent nod to show attentiveness.

He stood from his swivel chair and continued, “Some of the people in this department; I don’t know how they were promoted in the first place. They lack perseverance and always complain when times are hard.” He looked at her smugly and began to rub his left hand on top of his right hand. “You were promoted pretty fast, even though you hadn’t been with this company long. You’d better be grateful that Mrs. Jones was in charge during that time. She’s retired now, but with the current administration, I doubt you’d be here.”

Malaykah was taken back at Mr. Jung’s statement. His words were like a kick to the gut and deflated any enthusiasm she had for being there. In her mind, he implied she was not promoted because of her hard work, but only because of Mrs. Jones, who just happened to also be a black woman. The gall of Mr. Jung’s arrogance and racist remarks clarified why everyone thought he was shady.

Obviously, this matter would have been easy to a complaint with the human resources department. However, Malaykah was exhausted as a person of color to experience such a demeaning encounter even after the Rosemont Retirement Facility encouraged years of cultural competency training. She knew Mr. Jung would use his snake charmer skills to convince everyone he only intended to give a motivational pep talk It would be his word against hers. The leadership was never top tier, but prejudices and racism were not supposed to be acceptable by any means.

She swallowed all the vitriol swelling in her throat and simply said, “I need to get back to work.”

~Ch. 16, The Realm Beyond the Stars and Sea~

Divinity Exchange

The deliberations concluded with a difficult compromise. Governor Cläuveous was reluctant to repent for not sending his army to support Phëläniciä against the Tengu clan. He was adamant that it would not be in anyone’s best interest to exhaust resources and manpower. He also remained firm that it was not prudent to risk the lives of Bäussëll soldiers, who were mere mice compared to the likes of a War God.

Alëxios reprimanded Cläuveous for being in breach of Bäussëll’s obligation to fulfill every aspect of the ancient-old alliance with Phëläniciä. This meant their province could lose rights to royal protection from vandals and robbers at the ports, which would disrupt trading posts and cause a catastrophic financial loss.

The impasse was settled when Cläuveous agreed to dispatch Eleven-hundred Bäussëll soldiers, seventy medics, and thirty scouts to assist the Phëläniciäns with recovery. At dawn, the Phëläniciän caravan set out for a territory 900 kilometers east called Änkhöѐ. Byakko and seven well-abled dragons flew ahead to ensure a safe route of travel. It was a great relief that the remaining dragons did not succumb to any life-threatening injuries.

The area served as a refugee camp and had been abandoned for several decades. Phëläniciä had not been challenged, notably due to reluctance to battle the War God-King. Severe drought also plagued the land, which stark contrast with Governor Cläuveous’s effort to resurrect the royal tents. Unevenly plotted mauve-colored sheepskin tents flapped in the wind, on the brink of blowing away. A Phëläniciän soldier stepped on a large mound, which turned out to be the royal flag and banner. Several men had to excavate them from a sandpit. The air was hardly breathable from the thick aroma of wildlife carcasses. Every aspect of the scenery felt ominous, lifeless.

Alëxios commanded the troops to rally in the center of the camp. He was determined to keep his unit strong with encouragement and re-establish his position as their formidable king. He stood, appearing valiant and full of vigor, on a stone ledge to make his address in front of the masses.

“To wake from slumber out of the hellish nightmares that befell our beloved kingdom, we must rise to the dawn of a new day. Our homeland, once bountiful and full of promise, has been diminished to rumble. Our kinsmen were mercilessly slaughtered by the monstrous appetite for dominance of the Tengu clan. Yet, as brave Phëläniciäns, we held ourselves to the task of defending our territory. By no means was this a loss because we were able to retreat safely to Bäussëll. Though through arduous persuasion, Governor Cläuveous was gracious enough to remember and tactfully keep our treaty in place for such a time as this.” He held his katana firm in the air and continued. “I say to you now; it is alright to weep for the dismantled life we once knew. But once you have come to the end of your grief, the real work will begin. We, as Phëläniciäns, are known for resilience. The road to recovery will be a long, laborious haul. I have no doubt there will be plenty more obstacles assigned to deter our success. However, we mustn’t allow anything to block our way, and we certainly will not wallow in despair.”

Malaykah felt a stir in her soul as she watched his words resonate among the people. His fearless demeanor made it easy for her to understand why he was well-revered throughout the realm. At first, she assumed it was because of his status as both a God and king. But, slowly, she began to appreciate the balance of strength he harnessed and distributed to his kingdom. He had the character and convictions of a man who intended to use his power for good instead of evil.

Her heartbeat loudly through her body with a surge of boldness, which provoked her to speak.

“Now is the time! This moment right now is where you must find the resolve to pick yourselves up and move forward. This very place where we all stand is the first test of many trials meant to be endured. If we let it stay as it is, a disastrous gravesite, we would be allowing hopelessness and defeat to win. So, let’s change our circumstances, little by little. We may not be able to rebuild Phëläniciä today, but we can regain our dignity by fixing this plot of land up so that it can be a pleasant space for our living quarters,” she said.

Only the sound of muffled mumbles and gasps was heard. Not everyone had been informed that the king had taken a bride. The whispers were meant to respectfully deliver the news to the unknowing members of the audience. However, Alëxios took offense.

His emerald eyes glowed like a neon sign in the pitch-black night. His body began to radiate a shockwave that dispelled through the entire area. Everyone, except Malaykah, bowed with their faces low to the ground in fright. He looked at his queen, whose sunflower emblem beamed brightly on her forehead. She did not appear to be afraid, and her brown eyes blazed. She motioned her lips for him to stop.

Alëxios yielded his chaos but did not calm his rage.

“Hear me now, all of Phëläniciä and Bäussëll! You will address this divine goddess as your queen. From here on out, you will bow to her as you bow to me. Her word will be decreed as both royal law and testament written in the sacred scrolls,” he bellowed.

One by one, the crowd began to chant loudly, “All hail Divine Queen Malaykah, a long life may she live!”

Within an hour, the camp took on the task of cleaning up their area. All the quarters were sectioned off properly for soldier squads, medics, and citizens. The kitchen staff helped assemble the meal by gathering a hog, game hens, and all the assorted herbs the queen asked for. Malaykah assisted with the cooking to formulate a broth boiled with healing herbs and pain-reducing spices.

It was no later than sunset when the area beautification project was completed, and the evening meal was served. Everyone made a toast to the king and queen after he placed a sapphire bangled earring in her left ear to officially signify their union. After that, the mood became light-hearted and festive as everyone ate their meal. Malaykah made bottles of wine from a specific fruit known for its high potency levels.

Some of the Phëläniciän musicians found the old instruments left behind decades ago and cleaned them off. They brought out large bronze goblet drums, bongos, harps, and maracas. A thunderous melodic beat vibrated through the ground. It reminded Malaykah of the Caribbean soul music she listened to both as a child and dance instructor.

The Phëläniciän musicians certainly had their own distinct style, but the flow of each instrument made Malaykah’s hips sway side to side in rhythm. Her dance became more flamboyant with high kicks, dizzying twirls, and flailed arms. She was the center of attention, with all eyes entranced.

None dared to blink, watching their new queen work herself into a tantric sweat. The air, which was once dank with the rot of death, had a sweet mist. The light sprinkle turned into a downpour of warm raindrops. Malaykah did not stop her dance, nor did the musicians stop playing. The people merrily lapped in the rain while Alëxios held his gaze on Malaykah.

He stepped over to her without lifting his eyes. He took her hand and led her away to their sleeping quarters. The king’s massive tent was a sight to behold. In the middle of the space was a golden silk-pillowed lounge chair set at the foot of a cushioned mattress. The covers were made of the finest linens. They walked across a fur-skinned rug holding hands.

Alëxios silently sat on the lounge chair with his arms spread across the backboard. His eyes commanded for her to undress. Malaykah slowly removed her dress but remained in her velvet bodice and briefs. She straddled his lap with a kiss. Their passionate kiss made the ground gently tremble.

Lady Rüvym and Sӧlitha’s shared quarters were in the tent directly across from the king’s Lady Rüvym giggled when she felt the tremors, but Sӧlitha blinked with wrath.

“See now how they carry on?” she asked. “My brother had just barely been revived from the brink, only to have our kingdom fall. Where the devil was there any time to marry a soul?

Lady Rüvym finished rubbing her moisturizing creams on her hand and face in silence. Then, she turned to Sӧlitha and said, “I assure you, child, every traditional practice was performed during their marital rituals. The ceremony was upheld by Őrapäm, the elder monk who trained Alëxios and Byakko,” she answered.

Sӧlitha glared at her with a malicious smirk.

“I suppose you are pleased with how well this fiasco is going,” she said.

Lady Rüvym removed her headdress and fluffed the pillows on their mattress, then coyly asked, “My dear, whatever do you mean?”

Sӧlitha snatched the linen covers and plopped on the bed.

“Don’t play like a shy fox now. You know what I meant,” she said.

Lady Rüvym peeled the covers back and slid next to her.

“If you mean that I am pleased that my beloved grandson has finally found his lifemate, then yes, I am ecstatic. Her divine lineage is merely fate. He discovered a descendant of the goddess, Oshun, on his own merit,” she said.

To that, Sӧlitha rolled over and pulled the covers overhead.

“Do not revel in triumph just yet, ancient one. This futile union will provide no heir to the throne. Have you forgotten she is half-human and well past her fertile years?” she asked.

Lady Rüvym scoffed. “You make our queen sound like a dried-up old mapleberry Malaykah is hardly past her prime, and her maidenhood needn’t be in question. She still yet receives her courses in the human realm. There, she has produced three healthy offspring. Here, we just witnessed that her divinity is her dominant trait. The fall she took out of the tunnel would have killed any other from her realm. Her limitations as a human could very well be overridden.”

Back in the king’s tent, the pair intensified their passion by clawing to rip away the remainder of their clothes. Alëxios paused for a moment to assess the situation. He had never considered himself a brute during love-making. Nevertheless, it was apparent that they would send the entire camp into a terror frenzy if they could not control themselves.

He led her off the lounge chair onto the mattress. She sat perched on her knees as he came around back and began to kiss her neck. The energy surges between the two lit the tent. He grabbed her hand and eased it down between her legs. She moaned loudly with exertion.

Without moving his lips, he said, “Calm yourself, love. Let go and take control all at once.”

Malaykah heard his words like a sensual whisper in her soul. He guided her hand back and forth with such care that her thighs became weak.

His voice echoed, “Know yourself so that you will know me.” Then he moved her hand and placed his own inside her.

They both felt the catch and release of each with the force of ecstasy. The shifts and exchanges of celestial power made them float above the bed. Hour after hour kept them engulfed in flames of lust and love.

~Ch. 15, The Realm Beyond the Stars and Sea~

Kingdom Suffers Violence

Alëxios grinned with lust still seeping from his emerald eyes. “Grand-mére, please forgive my misconduct. I merely wanted to cut through the long-standing ceremonial procedures of which I have been at the forefront for centuries.”

Lady Rüvym cut her eyes at him indignantly. “Ah, yes. Traditions be damned, I suppose,” she replied.

He kissed her on the cheek without removing his eyes from Malaykah. “Only in favor of love,” he said.

Malaykah snapped out of her trance with his words. “Love. Like, actual real love? He loves me. He loves ME? Or, does he love that I am like him?” she pondered. Titanëa’s theory that she was selected to be his queen only because of her divinity stuck out in Malaykah’s mind. It made sense, given that Alëxios lived a tragically isolated existence. His desire to connect with a companion who would understand the depth of his spirit was relatable.

Before she could give a reply, Lady Rüvym had already whisked him away. The rest of the entourage followed suit inside the castle. They walked through the corridors, out to a candle-lit amphitheater where dinner was served. Byakko and his siblings, this time a total of twenty-five, were already situated and eating. A long round marble dining table for the royal family and kingdom officials lay in the center.

Malaykah was far enough behind Alëxios to see that he slightly limped instead of his normal steady gait. His mood was cheerful, and he seemed well at ease. Either no one else noticed it, or they dared not to make mention it. He sat at what was considered the head of the table, as a king should. Lady Rüvym insisted on sitting next to him. Malaykah did not protest in favor of getting acquainted with everyone else. Oddly, she chose to sit at the opposite end of them next to Sӧlitha. After several minutes of awkward silence, Malaykah realized she was being ignored on purpose by Sӧlitha. No matter how often she conjured any small talk, Sӧlitha abruptly began to speak to others at the table. Just as Malaykah had given up, Sӧlitha addressed the room.

“I have to give my brother, king Alëxios, credit where it is due. His endeavors and military excursions have always been successful. Yet, for the life of me, I cannot fathom his desire to explore other realms for the likes of lowly humans. In all of Phëläniciä and this entire realm, he could not be satisfied to find a maiden pleasing enough to become his bride. I suppose Lady Rüvym is to blame for filling his head with anecdotes about how their bloodline is better than the rest of us,” she said.

Lady Rüvym nodded with a grin. “My grandson was birthed from the loins of a God. There is no other way for him to think. It is in his divine nature to find another deity as his lovemate. He has done just that, nothing short. His maiden is every bit his equal. No one among us can say as much,” she quipped.

Sӧlitha reached out to retrieve a piece of round mixed-berry cake on a platter. She stood, held it up in the air, and said, “Ah, yes. The Divine Maiden is among us. I grieve both for and with my brother’s harem of concubines. It is undoubtedly a somber occasion. If this bitter pill we should have to swallow, let us eat it with cake.” With that, she picked up the cake with one hand and shoved it into her mouth.

Lady Rüvym mockingly returned the gesture, which made Sӧlitha plop back in her seat with a scowl.

Every time Alëxios attempted to make eye contact with Malaykah, she pretended to be engaged in a deep conversation with the other table members. She had no way to make sense of what just occurred, so she thought it best not to cause another scene.

~Ch. 10, The Realm Beyond the Stars and Sea~

Cry to the Moon

Friday morning started off as an ordinary, usual day at Rosemount Retirement Facility. In the accounting department, numbers were crunched, meetings were held, and the copy machine was out of commission. The only thing that broke the monotony was the announcement of Miracelle Ruiz’s engagement. Instead of joining the exuberant celebration, Malaykah Malcolm sat in her cubicle and silently wept.

“I was with her the day she met Danny, six months ago. She was so nervous about being around such a sexy man that she begged me to attend most of their dates. Of course, I never had a date of my own to make it a double. Danny didn’t seem to mind in the beginning. When was it—-about two months ago, I stopped receiving invites. I guess Mir finally got herself together, and Danny was more than ready to cut the cord. Maybe I should stop sulking and go tell her congratulations,” she thought.

Malaykah dabbed her eyes with several Kleenex, then got up from her desk. A long line of eager coworkers waited to give well wishes. Malaykah waited patiently for her chance, though her heart wanted nothing more than to flee the scene. When she finally stood in front of Miracelle, they both broke into tears.

“Thank you so much for everything. None of this would be possible without you,” Miracelle sobbed as she threw her arms around Malaykah.

“Don’t mention it,” Malaykah said while she tried to wiggle herself free.

Miracelle chuckled and unclasped her hands. “It’s no hay problema,” she said.

The two women struggled when Miracelle’s giant sapphire engagement ring was caught in Malaykah’s afro puff. Miracelle’s screamed in panic for ten minutes until the ring was safely untangled. She tried to apologize for her erratic behavior, but no one was cheerful by the end of the party.

~Ch. 1, The Realm Beyond the Stars and Sea~

Blessed Alliance (p. 3)

Hours later, after Malaykah had been successfully sedated, Alëxios was finally persuaded to attend the deliberations regarding the siege. Over in the garrison cabin, Mayor Cläuveous sat seething with his staff and the Phëläniciän royal officials in the defunct war room. What once used to be an old black oak cabin located in the central portion of the compound had been painted a light teal with marble wall and floored room for dining. It was apparent the Mayor no longer wished to be associated with sieges, wars, or aid.

Alëxios strolled inside the room with a clenched jaw and fist. It was not apparent to anyone whether he was still worried over Malaykah or was furious with the Mayor. The hushed silence from anticipation kept the Mayor’s staff in dreaded suspense. Then, finally, the highly revered king stood at the head of several marble podiums for several minutes before taking his seat.

“Well, Cläuveous, it appears you did not allow your eccentric madness temper you enough to destroy our sacred stalls. The ancestors must be relieved,” he grimaced.

Cläuveous scoffed, “I only decided not to part with them because they give the room a bit of character.”

Alëxios stiffened his entire body as if to prepare for combat.

“Have you no remorse for turning away from tradition?” he asked in a sharp tone.

Cläuveous shifted in his seat with an uncomfortable smirk.

“Sire, whatever do you mean? I think the room looks delightful,” he replied.

In a blink, Alëxios stood and swooped over to him and said, “I did not come here to sweeten the seriousness of this matter.” The words shot off his tongue like darts.

With a whimsical chuckle, Cläuveous replied, “My Lord, I do not speak in folly. I believe you to refer to this room we occupy. You might have switched to the subject of the siege without my awareness.”

Alëxios pressed his lips together and unsheathed his sword.

“Your distasteful decision to destroy this sacred congregation room that our ancestor created to deliberate over war strategies and cowardly lack of assistance during the collapse of my kingdom are both acts of treason and blasphemy. I have watched you for decades; your role as a vain deceitful jester is nearly played out. It cannot be possible you have forgotten the township of Bäussëll is a province under Phëläniciän jurisdiction. Yet I, your king, stand before you bloodied and battered from a battle you chose not to draw nary sword or arrow in,” he growled.

The Mayor shrunk in stature from terror. He had only experienced a handful of encounters with the king of Phëläniciä. Each occasion was met with a clash of opposing views on leadership and other politics. The king’s fierce stare penetrated clear through his skull. Cläuveous choked after a gulp and slid out of his stall onto the floor. After mere moments of a coughing fit and flailed arms, he realized no one from his staff dared to intervene. The defeated Mayor cleared his throat and straightened his tunic to regain composure.

“Your Highness, I beg for mercy. In truth, I did send scouts to report as soon as we heard disturbances from the northern territory. It gave me great cause for concern to learn the matter of flying Tengu running amuck. There was a second report to describe swarms of the airborne Tengu exploding in the sky,” Cläuveous quivered back to his stall.

Alëxios shrugged and paced about the room.

“The Tengu clan have decided to wage war against us once more in another feeble attempt to gain dominance over the realm.” He slammed his fist on a podium. “Their sheer audacity to meddle with dark arts ultimately led to their undoing. Though they were granted wings, they also unexpectedly became time bombs. General Torahgän’s daft insight led to the slaughter of many, including his own men.”

The Mayor sprung to his feet in agreement.

“I imagine he did not count the cost to retake flight. There certainly was an advantage in the beginning. My scout reported on the massive destruction of the palace, conservatory, and temple,” he replied.

A pale-faced Alëxios returned to his stall and placed both hands over his face in disgust.

“Not to mention, our evacuation bridge was blown to bits. As a result, my queen and subjects nearly plummeted to their deaths instead of traveling a safe passage to Bäussëll,” he said.

“Indeed; many congratulations are in order, Sire. We are all grateful that your new bride and Phëläniciän subjects survived intact. However, one of my scouts was not as fortunate from the bridge collapse,” the Mayor snidely interjected.

A reverent pause echoed through the room. The tension in the air remained steady.

~Ch. 14, Somewhere Beyond the Stars and Sea~