“Are you jealous?” She turned in his arms and smiled one by one at her broodmates.
“I am.” Kaede’s voice deepened as he leaned in.
“Don’t be, because I love you.”
Cygne attacked Kaede’s mouth, pouring into her kiss every bit of love and the unimaginable sense of relief that was coursing through her.
Belni coughed, just as Akiva was tugging her into his arms. Cygne blushed, remembering they had an audience.
“Sorry.” She cast the Matrons a sheepish smile.
“Come, it’s time to get you ready to present to the Legion.” Belni took her hand.
Cygne hesitated. She’d finally been reunited with her broodmates, they loved her, and she loved them, but now they were being separated again.
“Go.” Kaede grinned wide at her. “We have to get dressed, too.”
“We’ll see you soon.” Meir was vibrating he was so happy.
“All right.” Cygne beamed back at them as the Matrons led her toward the rear door. Her smile widened when Kaede’s fathers surrounded her broodmates, looking unbelievably proud. “Family,” she mumbled wistfully as her eyes watered.
“What was that, my little fledgling?” Belni asked.
“I finally found my family.” Cygne couldn’t repress the tears that spilled down her cheeks.
“Yes, you have.” Belni squeezed her hand as she too teared up.
“So, it was the young Drakes who found you on Braccio,” Jovana stated with an amused shake of her head.
“Yes.” Cygne nodded.
“I’m not surprised those males found their Gallina while touring the Legion territories. In fact, I’m certain that was the true reason behind their trip, when we pressed the matter. Although I am shocked they returned with one of our lost flock.”
“The Zephyrs blow in mysterious ways,” another Matron commented in awe.
Cygne smiled. The Matrons’ demeanor had shifted entirely. They weren’t as harsh as she first believed them to be. They were now jovial and welcoming.
“I know we ruffled Kaede’s feathers. Even his fathers are agitated with us over the way we carried out the Courting Ceremony,” Belni commented with a chuckle as they walked. “Kaede wasn’t exaggerating, he and his broodmates have done nothing but serve the Legion. That’s half the reason we pushed them with this charade.”
Cygne’s mouth hung open.
“From the moment Kaede’s mother died, that fledgling has been way too serious. We never questioned his or the others’ ability to rule the Legion. That’s not why we wanted them to find their Gallina,” Jovana added.
“They really needed a female to balance them,” another Matron twittered in amusement.
“But they never seemed to be taken with any of the females they met.”
“I can’t blame them. Some of the candidates have been beyond unbearable,” old Lori huffed in disgust.
“Back there I was so proud of the way they stood up to us.” Belni smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, this council should be respected, but only if we are serving the Legion honorably. When they professed their love, and refused to give you up, I wanted to shout with joy.”
They’re all like concerned mothers. Cygne’s heart soared hearing the Matrons had her broodmates’ interest at heart all along.
“And you, too. As one of us, we expect you to speak your mind,” Lori, the gnarly old Matron added.
“I don’t know much about Olor,” she reminded them as the weight of her future suddenly dawned on her.
“Ah, but you are everything we said, and you carry a unique and valuable perspective. Plus, we’ll help you.” The aged Matron patted her arm.
“You must tell us how the young Drakes found you,” Jovana asked, looking intrigued.
“They found me singing in the brothel. One of the females was jealous I attracted a crowd and tore off my mask.”
“Why were you wearing a mask?”
“The Braccio thought I was deformed.”
“I’m so sorry.” Belni paused and turned toward Cygne. Her eyes were so sad. “I can’t begin to imagine what you’ve been through.”
“It’s all right. I think I will always feel a bit awkward, but I now know that I’m not ugly. I also know it really doesn’t matter.”
“Wise words, Gallina.” Belni squeezed her hand as she walked on.
“Continue your story.”
“Well, I realized I wasn’t Braccio when I saw my broodmates in the tavern, and I’m sure the barrow dame realized it, too. My broodmates followed me after my mask was torn off, and when we returned to the tavern, the barrow dame saw a way to make even more off me.”
“They were the males the dame forced onto you,” Jovana said in surprise.
“Yes. I’d never done that before, and certainly not with five males at once, so I fled. Except I ended up begging for passage from their ship captain,” she snickered at the irony.
“Do not fear.” The elderly Matron rubbed her shoulder. “We will make sure they are gentle at your Consummation.”
“My what?” Cygne asked in confusion.
“Your Consummation; the first time you come together with all of your broodmates at once,” Belni explained. “Olor females are outnumbered by their males, so we must be strong enough to accommodate them. But the males must also have the ability to be gentle. That is why the elders of a family observe the Consummation. Although in many cases the female has already been gentled by a male or two.”
Cygne was suddenly horrified by what she was hearing. She started to hyperventilate as she pictured being watched by the Matrons.
I might as well be the main event on the coliseum stage as thousands of people watch.
Now she knew why her males pushed her limits that last night on the Sejle. She thought they wanted to possess her completely, before letting her go. Except that wasn’t the case. They were preparing her for this weird custom. But getting accustomed to taking all her males at once, and being watched while she did it, were two entirely different things. She was still getting used to being naked around others.
“I don’t think I can do this,” she squeaked.
“It may be a little difficult since it’s your first time, but we’ll make sure they treat you right,” Jovana promised.
“It’ll be all right. We’ve all been there,” Belni reassured her.
“No, I don’t mean that. We’ve already done that on the Sejle. I mean I can’t have you watch us,” Cygne corrected them.
“Are you saying those broodmates already gentled you, together, all at the same time?” Belni asked pointedly.
“Yes.” She tucked her head in embarrassment.
“Why, those eager rogues!” the elderly Matron cackled. “They had her claimed before they even stepped foot on the planet.”
“Well, those rogues better have behaved themselves with my granddaughter,” Belni declared indignantly.
“I think they did.” Cygne covered her mouth as she laughed. I better not mention the little incident with the toy last night. Belni just might pluck every last feather on their pinions.
“I guess that’s settled,” Jovana trilled as they entered a grand dressing room.
“What about gifts to celebrate your Ascension? There will be lots of gifts, but I want you to have something special from me and your grandfathers. Anything at all,” Belni offered.
With the thought of her males’ rotten trick still fresh in her mind an ornery idea surfaced, making Cygne blush.
“What?” Belni urged with a lopsided grin.
“Nothing. It’s hardly appropriate.” Her cheeks burned.
“Come on, tell Lori what’s making you turn every shade of red.” The ancient Matron tapped her ear.
Cygne couldn’t believe she was saying this to anyone, but Lori was old enough she’d probably heard everything. Cygne leaned in and whispered what she’d been thinking into the elderly Matron’s ear.
“I think we can make that happen,” Lori cackled with glee.
Cygne burst into a fit a laughter seeing the old female’s amusement. She wasn’t sure what her life was going to be like, but there was one thing that was clear, it sure wasn’t going to be dull.
18
Et Tu Brutus
“Death walks faster than the wind and never returns what he has taken.” Hans Christian Andersen
* * *
“What would you like to wear?” Jovana pointed to all the gowns on display.
“They’re all so nice.”
Cygne perused the massive collection. Although all the gowns were white, some were covered in pale jewels, others gleamed with an iridescent shimmer, or had layer upon layer of sheer fabric.
“Well, you can’t go to the Ascension Ceremony in your undergarments,” Lori chuckled. “I think something simple and understated would look the best on you. You’re lovely without all that glitz.” Her gnarled fingers brushed over a silky, straight, strapless gown.
“But there’s no wrong choice.” Belni sat behind her, brushing Cygne’s long, pale hair.
“The one Lori picked is fine.” She shrugged. “Did you brush my mother’s hair like this?”
“I did.” Belni smiled wistfully at her in the reflecting glass.
“What is the meaning of this?” one of the Matrons barked, as the door at the far end of the large dressing room flew open.
“I’m giving you a chance to see reason,” Calesse replied as she stormed in.
Cygne’s eyes widened seeing one of the poachers with the deposed Matron.
“That’s one of the hunters. I think Damro is his name,” she whispered to Belni, with rising trepidation.
“Explain yourself,” Belni demanded as she stood.
“I’ve come to strike a bargain,” Calesse replied.
“But first, pass all your data-pads this way,” Damro demanded.
Calesse nodded in agreement. For someone who’d adamantly insisted her son was innocent, Calesse looked awfully cozy with the poacher.
“I don’t think so.” Jovana crossed her arms over her chest.
“I do.” Damro pulled out his munition and pointed it at the Matrons.
“Calesse, I don’t know what you think you’re going to accomplish here.” Lori passed her data-pad to the front, along with the other Matrons.
The poacher gathered the communicators, dropped them in a bag, then nodded to Calesse.
“You’re all going to retract your previous decision,” Calesse sneered.
“Why would we do that, besides the obvious reason?” Belni gestured toward the vile male.
Calesse pointed her data-pad at the display screen mounted on the wall and up popped an image. Cygne gasped at the sight of her broodmates and the Drakes manacled in the center of the room. She panned them with growing dismay. Meir had a large gash above his eye, which was swollen shut. Tynan and Akiva were slumped over, unconscious, and Kaede had a nasty wound on his shoulder, blood covering his shirt. Cygne started to panic when she couldn’t find Severin in the group.
Please be okay. Please, she begged as she fixated on the large bloodstain on the rug.
“You’re going to announce that my son and his broodmates are the next Drakes. My friend here and his companions will be holding my nephew and his brood till the Ascension Ceremony is complete, to guarantee your cooperation,” Calesse insisted.
The blue-haired poacher on screen pointed his munition threateningly at her bound broodmates.
“I see.” Belni frowned.
“To show that I’m not completely unreasonable, I’m willing to agree to Cygne being our next Gallina. She does, after all, have acceptable breeding stock and seems to be the favorite candidate among much of the Legion.”
“How magnanimous of you,” Belni replied sarcastically.
Cygne listened to Calesse’s demands with one ear as she stared at the display screen. Kaede was staring back at her. He was worried and incensed. There was no volume, so she couldn’t hear what he was saying to his captors, but it didn’t look pleasant. Suddenly something horrifying occurred to her when she processed what was being said.
“Then there’d be no reason to keep them alive,” Cygne hissed to Belni, who nodded in acknowledgment.
“I’d like to know what you have to say.” Calesse approached Cygne.
“She’s merely worried like the rest of us since that reprobate is still pointing that weapon at us.” Belni squeezed her hand.
“It’s going to stay that way till you agree,” Damro replied with a wave of his munition.
The image on the display screen shifted to show the Atelier guards and staff gathered in the grand hall.
“You’re all here because the Matrons are ready to pronounce who will be your next Drakes and Gallina,” Velifico, flanked by his broodmates, announced to the crowd.
She scanned the faces, looking for Svane or Vogel. They’d heard the Matrons’ edict; they’d know this was all a farce. But she couldn’t find them among the guards on screen.
Something’s happened to them, I just know it. Cygne wanted to cry as she imagined all the horrific things that might have happened to her friends. This is a nightmare.
“We’ll make your announcement,” Belni agreed. Cygne’s heart dropped, but they didn’t have much choice.
“You’ll do it from here,” Damro countered.
“Fine, but we’ll be putting on something besides this.” Belni pointed to her underclothes.
“Agreed. It would be unseemly and appear suspect otherwise.” Calesse nodded, looking pleased the Matrons agreed.
Belni and the other Matrons pulled Cygne aside. Some of them slipped on gowns, while others fretted over her.
“We’re going to be fine. I don’t want you to worry.” Belni said as she grabbed a random gown with several flounces for Cygne to put on.
She frowned at her grandmother. There was something determined but also resigned in Belni’s voice that she didn’t like at all.
“If there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that you’re strong and intelligent.” Old Lori gave her a hug. It felt so final.
Cygne had a very bad feeling as the Matrons glanced conspiratorially at each other. They were planning something. Her broodmates weren’t the only ones who became a liability once this announcement was made.
“We are ready,” Belni announced after they were all dressed.
“Good. Cygne, come here.” Calesse gestured impatiently.
Belni nodded to Cygne in encouragement. She took a deep breath to steel herself, not relishing the idea of getting close to the diabolical duo. But out of everyone here, she had the least to fear from the pair, since she was an integral part of Calesse and Velifico’s plan.
As the ruler of the Legion, this was likely the first of many precarious situations she’d find herself in. Except Cygne hadn’t planned on being tested so soon. Somehow, she imagined she’d be eased into things slowly.
When does life ever wait for you to be ready? The thought nearly made her laugh.
“Speak,” Damro rumbled to Belni.
“Good eve citizens,” her grandmother spoke to the gathered throng. The Atelier guards and staff bowed to the broadcast screen. “Because you work with us so closely in service of the Legion, we wanted you to have the honor of hearing this news before it’s broadcast to the rest of Olor. Many of you have eagerly watched the Courting Ceremony, so it probably comes as no surprise that we have chosen Cygne as our future Gallina.”
A cheer rose up from the crowd as Cygne stepped into view. She bowed to the broadcast image.
“Greetings friends.” Cygne ignored Calesse’s agitated expression as she unexpectedly addressed the group. “I have had the privilege of meeting many of you and would like to thank you for the kindness you have shown me.”
“What are you doing?” Calesse hissed.
“I’m making this charade look good,” Cygne whispered. She took a deep breath, uncertain if she wanted to go through with her reckless plan as she turned back to
the broadcast. Belni at her back bolstered her courage. “As your Gallina, my first decree is that you take Velifico and his broodmates into custody for acts of treason. And send a contingent to this dressing room,” Cygne quickly added, as Calesse scrambled to cut the transmission.
“We’re being held prisoner,” Belni shouted before Damro fired at the display screen, killing the broadcast.
“That was incredibly stupid,” Calesse screamed. She grabbed Cygne’s arm, her nails digging in.
“You just sealed Kaede’s fate!” Damro pointed his munition at the Matrons.
What she just did put her broodmates at risk, but she’d played out all the scenarios. Cygne had to stand up to the traitors now. Things would only become more tenuous the longer this went on.
“I wouldn’t do that!” Cygne snarled, letting her anger surface and drown out her fear. She yanked her arm away from Calesse, ignoring the gouging pain, then stepped in front of Damro’s munition, her wings spread wide to block any shots aimed at the Matrons behind her. “Currently my guards are taking Velifico into custody and are on their way here. Your cohorts may have my broodmates, but regardless of what you do, none of you are getting away with this.”
Damro growled as he stared her down. There was no telling what he would do, now that she painted him into a corner. Cygne’s heart beat out of her chest as the male lifted his weapon.
“No. Wait!” Her eyes widened in horror when he put the weapon to his temple then pressed the sensor.
Cygne recoiled as gore splattered everywhere, and Damro hit the ground. She stepped back as the pool of blood around the lifeless body quickly spread.
“No!” Calesse screamed and lunged for the dead poacher’s weapon.
Cygne ignored the mess and went for it but came up short.
“You’re coming with me,” Calesse roared, as she pointed the bloody munition at Cygne, then goaded her toward the door.
Calesse was attempting to push her down the corridor, when she heard booted feet approaching and turned to see the Atelier guards hustling around the corner.
Ruffled Feathers (Once Upon a Harem Book 5) Page 18
