The Wedding

Airabella felt beautiful in her wedding gown. The flowers were just right. Her hair had been braided by her sister and strung with vines.

Serse had arrived earlier in the day with Dauntice, much to Airabella's delight. She had embraced Serse and held onto her for a long time.

Both Dauntice and Onicent felt awkward beholding their sisters, Dauntice especially since Maiguh crossed his mind as he watched them. They would never be like that with him.

Airabella drilled both of them for failing to find Alora, whom Airabella insisted needed to come to the wedding. Serse bite her tongue. Both Onicent and Dauntice apologized to her, it was amusing for her to see Onicent all up in arms. Soon eough the time she was to be married was drawing nearer and nearer, out of the forest creatures came, odd ones that resembled her, Serse quietly told her they were humans. So many gathered they seemed like a sea. That was when something else caught Airabella's eye, a young woman in a hooded cloak stood on the sidelines, when her and Airabella made eye contact her moved her head slightly to the side. Airabella walked quickly toward her until they were together in the shadows of the trees. Neither brother nor sister saw her go.

"I have information for you lady and aunt." The young woman inclined her head in respect.

"Aunt?" Airabella was confused. So the young woman slipped her hood off. Airabella looked at her strange purple skin and glowing purple eyes.

"I don't recognize you," Airabella said.

"I wouldn't expect you to," the woman said gravely. "I have news of your sister Alora."

Airabella's fists clenched. "Is she safe?"

The woman's lips twisted, "in a sense."

"Where is she?"

The young woman did not answer that, instead she told an awful story about Alora and Airabella's new husband. Feeling left Airabella's hands, as she listened. When the woman was done all was silent. Airabella's mind turned the information over, was Onicent capable of that? She in her heart knew the answer but chose in this moment to ignore it.

"I don't believe you," she said shortly, "bring Alora to me."

The woman laughed lightly, but shook her head.

"Then begone trouble maker." Airabella roared.

"As you wish lady and aunt."

Airabella stalked back to her siblings feeling troubled. But when she saw Onicent waiting for her, a hand outstretched looking like a perfect gentleman some of her fears dissolved.

"You look beautiful," he whispered.

Airabella felt a blush on her cheeks. Then it was time for the ceremony. It was brief enough but romantic. Airabella felt more and more like a queen standing next to her king. That was when the first touch of colour seeped into her skin, a light red. As the ceremony ended, Onicent cried out to the humans, "hail queen Airabella, queen of the universe." She watched the humans kneel before her. Briefly she glanced Serse's face and what she saw on it troubled her again. As soon as she could get away from Onicent for a moment she walked to her sister.

"A woman came and told me things, they have me troubled." Airabella told her, then she recounted the story. She had hoped to see Serse's face hold surprise, but instead she saw anguish.

"It's true," Serse looked away from Airabella. The world came down at her feet in that moment. Anger swelled within her, unfortunatly Onicent chose that exact moment to walk over. Airabella marched up to him and slapped him across the face, once and again. His glamour turned to surprise and then anger.

But before he could say anything Airabella started yelling at him. "HOW DARE YOU TOUCH MY SISTER."

He grabbed her wrists before she could back away. That was when Dauntice materialized at Serse's side.

Airabella continued to scream at him. When she tried to pull away he brought her in closer to him. Serse felt horror pound through her body, but what could she do to stop them?

Dauntice stayed close by her side, and she felt him tensed with the fight. Soon they'd all be fighting, someone would get hurt. That was when Serse thought of something.

"Stop it! All of you!" She began to speak to everyone in the room urgently. They all paused briefly, perhaps surprised since Serse was so passive usually. She explained something she'd learnt from the villages. They ran in counsels she said, one leader has many helpers. That way one member couldn't be taken advantage of. Airabella threatened to walk away from Onicent if he didn't agree. Onicent didn't want to give up any power, but to be left by his new wife so soon, in front of the humans. Dauntice wanted more power then he'd get. But finally they began to settle, Airabella agreed to stay with Onicent if Alora got a seat, Onicent figured this new way of ruling would fall apart soon anyways. So each sibling agreed to build thrones in the main room, the only one who didn't get one was Maiguh, who Dauntice and Onicent didn't even bring up.

And so the counsel of gods and goddess's was born.