Lover of the Queen: Reunion
Lover of the Queen
As the second song ended, the village exploded in cheers. The younglings were too busy catching their breaths, and there I stood, trapped under the Rainbow Mage’s gaze. Those eyes, dark as the night sky, had powers beyond my comprehension — my whole body yearned for her, and the surrounding world no longer mattered.
She smiled at me and nodded, a silent sign that my flute performance met her expectations. My tongue rested uneasily inside my mouth, eager to commit a grave sin — break one of the ritual’s rules and speak to her right away. But the friends I had briefly forgotten made themselves known again. Dinesh threw himself on top of me, and Mayowa tagged along; he dripped sweat and was euphoric.
“Have you thanked the Great Mother today, Alessio?” His words slurred, and a fringe of fiery red hair fell across his nose as his head careened to the side.
“This moment was worth waiting for!” The other shouted, his golden mane waving sideways as he yanked me.
“Hah, I’m glad to see you so elated,” I commented, and wiped my forehead with the back of my arm.
“Are any of those precious jewels to your liking?” Dinesh asked without hesitation.
To my surprise, the Mages separated from the townsfolk and gathered before our group. They whispered and glanced towards us as they giggled and pulled their friends. I sought the vibrant colors of her hair, which the Mother’s hands wove with mastery.
“There are three fine ladies in the direction you’re staring. Which one is it?” Mayowa pointed his mug at them.
“Are you mad?” I growled and pulled his arm down. “Tonight, you want to be at your politest, my friend.”
“He’s right, Mayowa.” Dinesh got closer and murmured, “Don’t blame the Goddess if you don’t get to enjoy any of the women’s company tonight.”
“May She ignore what burst out of your lips just now, Dinesh!” He raised his palms to the sky, an attempt to send the bad omen away.
“What about you guys?” I asked to divert their attention. “Do you have a favorite? Are you ready to fall in love with them?”
“Pink hair over there swayed my heart,” Dinesh pointed his nose her way.
“The one with short black hair, near the rainbow-haired.” As I turned to look their way, Mayowa rubbed his hand over his face. “I think I’m too drunk already. Hey, old geezer, don’t go drinking all the beer; wait for us!”
The kinder I declined, the harder they dragged me to join the adults. I had no time to put my instrument away. We filled our mugs, drank, and chatted, but my mind and attention drifted away because the tips of those small, delicate fingers had trapped them.
I left the other boys and went to my parents, thinking they could have some valuable advice for me. To my surprise and amusement, I found them leaning against the wall of a house, exchanging caresses much more passionate than they did in public. Father Alejandro was panting, while my dad, Brandon, kissed and bit his neck.
I understood they would lend me no help, and I dodged them to return to where the townspeople had gathered. It was hard to hear my own thoughts with the crowd noise, but I was enjoying the change of pace.
Sur Nam Khaar was a quiet place. The liveliest we ever got was during the biannual birthday celebration, when we danced, sang, and exchanged gifts. There wasn’t much alcohol — mostly fruit juice, food, and games.
We only had banquets if the older Enchanted visited us to build, settle disputes, deal with threats, or bless our crops. My people would turn it into a sumptuous event. The adults would be the women’s helpers, providing refreshments and fanning them during their hard labor. They put a spell on the kids – we recognized them as the Revered Ones by their clothes, but couldn’t distinguish their faces.
As we men were fragile beings, we could only watch as they lifted houses, bridges, and storage in a couple of days, or appeased a bunch of wild animals, like bears or tigers, and convinced them we posed no threat. Our finest cooks prepared three daily meals for them, filled with infinite delicacies. When their activities were done, the townspeople held a celebration dinner in their honor, but they still forbade us from joining. Once a year, as they came to tend the crops, a sumptuous celebration followed their departure — a feast to thank the Great Mother for the coming harvest, where we were allowed to join the older villagers
A gentle whistle resonated through the air and caught the people’s attention. The men who had spread around the area returned, including my parents, who looked more disheveled than they had a moment ago. Sur Nam Khaar’s younglings gathered behind the adults; the youthful Lostany moved to the square in the middle of the village and carried the last offering barrels they had collected along the way. The girls sat, and a couple of them moved around to refill empty cups. They split some fruit among themselves while they chatted and laughed
The townsfolk and the elder Mages gathered along a long avenue connected to the square for a heartwarming reunion and urged us to join them. The fathers, single and married, welcomed back their long-time friends and lovers from the Enchanted Land. They introduced the women to their Treasures of Ages, for each of us had been brought into this world by a Mage. Mine acted alike, and I was brought to the Late Sovereign.
“Good evening, gentlemen.” She pulled both my dads into a tight embrace.
“It’s an honor to be in your presence again.”
“Alejandro, please, enough with the formalities,” the former queen chuckled. “Being married to this goofball for ages should’ve taught you to loosen up.”
“He’s still learning his way,” Brandon provoked and made him smile. “My dear Ji-Ah! It’s clear that the Mother’s blessings are overflowing in your life.”
“And by the looks of this fine young lad, the Goddess has shrouded your household with Her goodwill, too.”
The woman stared straight at me and peeked at the bottom of my soul. I gulped dry and squeezed my flute in my hands.
“Indeed, She has. You remember Alessio, don’t you?”
I held my breath and bowed.
“Of course. How could I ever forget those big amethyst eyes?” The woman smiled. “Do we Mages look how you imagined?”
I blushed as I gathered the courage to answer.
“If I may be blunt, I imagined women were fair, but nothing prepared me for this vast field of beauties.”
“My, I’m glad you turned out to be such a handsome and honest Khaarian.” Her gaze reached my fathers’ and returned to mine; their smiles were wide and radiant with pride. “Are there any of my daughters who sparked your interest?”
My ears turned red as a hibiscus, and my sight slid to the crowd, searching for the rainbow colors, a bee drawn to an exquisite flower. Was that a trick? What would happen if I answered what was on my mind? Before I left my reminiscent thoughts, my dad took the lead.
“Daughters? I was aware the Lostany also received their Treasures, but I didn’t know there could be plenty for each of you.” He frowned.
Ji-Ah took a big gulp from her mug and pointed it at the group ahead. “All of them are my children. Women care for their offspring as a group; none of us raises a child alone.”
Alejandro let out a low chuckle. “I can hardly imagine feeding this many mouths in the wee hours. Brandon and I slept in turns through Alessio’s first year,” he rubbed his forehead as if the memory itself gave him a headache.
“Indeed, but that is another trial we must undergo during our lifespan.” Ji-Ah giggled and covered her mouth with her left hand.
I noticed her arm was full of scars and burns, golden and carved deeper than I’d seen on anyone, even Fredrick. His brawling with animals was a spar, when you come to think of it.
“Those brown ridges on your skin… I thought the lives of the Lostany were easier than an otter in the lake, with wizardry doing the hard work for you.” Alcohol still floated in my veins, and the words rushed out of my mouth faster than my reserve was able to hold them. My parents spat out their wine.
“Son, that’s not the courtesy we taught you!” Dad reddened and apologized for my behavior, while the former queen and my father caught their breath.
“Do not censor the boy!” She rolled her other sleeve up to give me a clear sight of the extension of her bruises.
“Women are born with magic, yes, but we must awaken and nurture it — as you do to a child. Besides,” she ran her fingers through a dark and smoky mark, “there are battles covered by the holy veil that the people from Sur Nam Khaar can’t see. We must face animals and unspoken dangers so we can be ready to protect those that our Goddess loves with all our strength.”
“Blessed be Lossar and you, benevolent Mages, for what you have done for us.” Alejandro raised his hands to the sky. “We can never repay you for the happiness we’ve experienced since Alessio came to us.”
The Old Queen smiled, took his hand, and kissed its back. He mimicked the gesture — the respect and tenderness in that moment made me feel both moved and guilty. Maybe I was just a spoiled child, longing for a toy beyond my reach, wasting years of prayers and our goddess’s time on something never meant for me.
“I’ve loved our conversation, but duty calls. I need to head to my children for the next part of the ritual. It was wonderful meeting you again, my dears. I’m looking forward to seeing you before sunrise.”
My parents hugged her, and she spun on her heels to leave. I saw her take a couple of steps, but in a split second, she stood in front of me, her deep blue eyes ethereal as ghost fire. The woman leaned on my shoulder and whispered.
“I know that you seek something beyond answers here tonight. Think carefully if this is your true desire; the Mother has been listening. Are you sure you’ll relinquish what you possess to dive into the unknown?”
Her voice echoed inside my soul, like a stampede running from grave danger. As Ji-Ah backed up with a smirk, my parents continued to wave at her and talk amongst themselves, as if nothing had happened. Cold sweat sprouted on my temples, and I shivered. That instant existed for no one but me and her.
That was a power I couldn’t fathom. But now I wanted to see it all, more than anything.
Editor: Shannon Hensley
