Lover of the Queen: Encounter
Lover of the Queen
The music I had waited for all night finally played: her voice. Fireflies and lunar moths made their appearance, presents of the Mother herself, matching the perfect tune of the crickets. Although I felt the danger of losing her was gone, my mouth went dry.
“Is there something amiss?” She spoke for the second time.
I stood there for a few moments, frozen in time, and my face flushed. Staring at her beauty, I struggled to find any words.
“Q-quite the opposite, milady. I must’ve forgotten how to move for a couple of seconds.” She giggled, and my heart skipped a beat. “I’ll call the boys in a heartbeat!”
“Off you go, then. Don’t keep me waiting.” Her playful smirk teased me, and that profound gaze made the hair on my neck stand as I sprinted out to fulfill my duties.
My friends huddled behind a thick, leafy tree, pressed together like baby spiders clinging to their mother.
“What are you doing?” Mayowa murmured through clenched teeth, a couple of golden curls glued to his forehead, sweat dripping from his chin. “Get back there! That green-eyed giant might return!”
“He’s right, Alessio!” Dinesh said, trying to pull his fiery strands glued to our friend’s armpit and chest. “We know you’ve fallen for her, and we’d gladly do anything to help.” He rolled his eyes up, thinking for a second. “Except fight Khenan. Or Fredrik. Especially not during the Solstice.”
“Lucky for you both, I’d never ask you to commit such a sin.” I snorted. “Besides, I came here bearing the best of news.”
“Spill it, then! You’re about to ruin our perfect hiding spot,” the blond urged.
“The Rainbow Mage requested your presence; her sisters want to meet you both.”
The redhead threw himself at me, his necklaces jingling as he whimpered and grabbed my gown.
“Do my ears trick me, or are Lossar’s blessings overflowing before our eyes?”
“It’s as true as I stand here on the Lady’s behalf.” I patted his hand and pinched his cheek. “Now come, it would be rude to delay our arrival.”
My two friends checked each other’s outfits to make sure they looked perfect. When I turned, a trail of floating candles dangled in the air, guiding our way back. My heart pounded, and my palms were wet with sweat as I saw the group of beautiful people gathered ahead.
The Mage with delicate antlers placed a flower on the Rainbow Mage’s hair. Her skin was pale, resembling a pink pearl. Her brown eyes, with long eyelashes, made her look like a doll, one that you’d get on your birthday. The other one had yellow eyes, like a cat’s. Her fair skin was touched with red—a sign she had suffered a little from the sunlight that followed their journey from the world of magic to ours.
As we got closer, I realized that, somehow, the magical torches seemed brighter with them around. They sat on cushions in a circle, and a small table with food and drinks waited for us.
I stepped onward and lowered into a bow, as my lads followed along.
“Milady, I did as you requested.” I unfolded and stood up. “My name is Alessio, and these are my dear friends.”
“I’m Mayowa. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” His curls jiggled as he straightened up.
“Dinesh, at your service.” He squared his shoulders, muscles flexing.
“Welcome, young Khaarians. These are my precious siblings — Zhihan,” the dark-skinned woman said, extending her right hand, palm up, toward the black-haired one, “and Léna.” With her left index finger, she caressed the pink-haired Mage’s face. “And please, call me Anahí. Thank you for joining us this wonderful evening. Please make yourselves comfortable.”
Once her name flew out of her mouth, it floated in the air, entered my ears, and slid straight to my poor, bound soul. My chest no longer had the cadence of a drum; it resonated with those sweet five letters. I had to do everything I could for a chance to taste her breath straight from her lips.
Wanting to be the one the Queen chose pushed me to learn all sorts of Solstice etiquette, even the details most young men ignored. While my friends got ready to join the Enchanted Ones, I went to the table, picked up a bottle of wine, and stood before the woman who had me under her spell.
“Allow me, precious jewel,” I said.
Her lips curved into a grin as alluring as the line of her hips. She lifted her mug and held it out, wrist relaxed; I poured the red wine with care, aware of her gaze, as she murmured, “Thank you.” Her sisters giggled, and my fellows were quick to request their cups to fill them as well — eager to seize any chance to impress.
With all the glasses full, I occupied the cushion next to my favorite Lostany.
“I was eager to ask, Dinesh, are your muscles as well-built as they seem?” Léna took the lead and dissolved our initial reserve.
“They are as real as your adorable antlers, milady,” he exhibited his biceps as a trophy.
“Dear Léna, your curiosity might as well be our doom.” Mayowa displayed a dramatic grimace, hand on his chest. “Those are the forbidden words that turn him into a smug peacock.”
“I thought the men from Sur Nam Khaar learned and became versed in showing off their best skills.” Zihan provoked him.
I held a laugh. My sunbeam friend gasped in mock indignation.
“What did I tell you, Alessio?” Anahí shrugged, confident. “I knew bringing all of them together would make everything more lively.”
“Oh, don’t fall for her tricks! That little fox loves being right.” The yellow-eyed woman protested.
“I’m afraid I might be doomed already!” I replied.
Not in a hundred years could I fathom how wholesome the Solstice would feel. The women amused us with their playful bickering, telling more about themselves.
We found out that Léna was rather lazy and hated rainy days, as they made it harder to go out and hunt. Her cooking was as good as her fighting skills; she created recipes from scratch and taught them to her siblings. Anahí was awful in the kitchen, but her conjuring and sorcery were among the most powerful. She could work spells as ancient as time itself. Zihan was their best singer—her voice could soothe even the most fearsome beasts. They were always together, writing new songs and playing.
My friends and I returned the gesture, telling stories about our childhood, our friendship, and our adventures. They were surprised to learn that we held only a few celebrations during the year and that Old Man Shu and Jacob were strict during our art practices. “Granpa seemed to be a nice man,” they said.
The conversation flowed on, warm and unhurried. It brought a comfort that closed the distance between us and allowed shy fingers to risk touching.
Sour and sweet mixed into our mouths, and brought flavors that we knew and those we were about to experience. The smell of fruit and its ripe taste filled our mouths and stomachs. Only after a while did I notice something uncanny: no plate ever emptied, no cup stayed low for long. Whenever food or drink faded, it was renewed, as if by unseen hands, without a word needing to be spoken.
Each burst of laughter widened the gap between the Queen’s tales of evil and the ways of the Mother’s chosen ones. Beyond their singular beauty, the women were kind and joyful, and they showed genuine interest in each of our stories, no matter how trivial they seemed. The Mages listened with unwavering attention, asked questions, and shared feats from their daily lives.
With every toast and sip, our spirits lifted. Our words grew softer, then a little slurred. Lips caressed shoulders and necks; fingers ran down the arms, found their pairs, and intertwined. Distance came down to willpower, and we Khaarians still had to wait for a sign before taking the next step.
Dinesh and Zhihan disputed an arm wrestle, while Léna whispered things I forbade myself to imagine into Mayowa’s ear, drawing a brazen chuckle from him. I rested close beside the Rainbow Mage as we emptied our cups once more.
“For the Goddess’s sake, you girls can hold your drink.” I sighed. “Only elder Shu could keep up with you.”
“Haha, don’t be so hard on yourselves. It’s remarkable to see that you and your lads are handling it just fine,” she cracked up.
A gentle breeze played with her hair. Her talking filled me with joy and sparked the desire I’d been holding back since I first saw her. That was all I needed to speak my mind.
“Anahí?” My calling resonated like a prayer.
“Yes, Alessio?” She slid her night sky gaze at me, the invisible chains of her power tightening around my heart.
“Has anyone ever told you that your laughter is delicious?”
My courage took a leap of faith, and its reward was the lustful smile that traced her lips, a snare I no longer wished to escape.
“Is flattering people with sweet compliments one of your talents, Khaarian?” She leaned toward me, close enough so I could smell her warm exhale.
“No, but praising you, now that I’m blessed with your attention, is.” I mimicked her gesture, shortening the distance between us. “And I promise there are other gifts I can offer to please you, Revered One.”
My breath came in short bursts, and I felt my body react to the tension between us. The Mage didn’t flinch. She stood up and reached out to me.
“Come.”
I had no will to say no. She took my wrist and pulled me up with a quick motion. She was strong for her size. Once she had made sure I could walk straight, she led me to the patio.
To my surprise, everyone in the building headed there as well. Not a question crossed my mind; the butterflies that surged in my stomach revolved, but sent a jolt of excitement through my skin.
Once the last person arrived, Anahí let go of my hand and stood in the middle of the crowd, arms wide open.
“Younglings! May our bodies and souls roam wild; it’s time.”
The instruments, which had been weaving soft melodies, burst into a powerful overture. The drums called to the mandolins, and together they drew the flutes into harmony. As the sound flooded the air, screams and claps erupted, and people danced and lost themselves in the music.
I spun and raised my arms, forgetting every doubt or worry I’d had that night. There was no more choosing between the sorceress and the Queen, just the warmth from the surrounding crowd.
The heat made me sweat, and drops ran down my mane and face. As I stepped forward, I noticed the lights were dim, and the floor was covered with shoes and boots of all kinds. Curious, I gazed up. Both the Lostany and Khaarians were dropping their gowns, as the women guided their chosen ones to more reserved corners of the courtyard.
That made me laugh, as I imagined my friends being dragged somewhere, but then it hit me.
“This is odd. Where is…?”
In an instant, any trace of alcohol left my body. I looked around, and dread replaced the excitement inside me. Anahí was gone.
