The Veil's Mistresses 3: Luna

Growing up is hard when you know you’re unique. I was reflecting on this as I walked with my mistress toward the town.

The day was breathtakingly clear, the sky a flawless shade of blue, unmarred by a single cloud. The sun cast a warm glow over the vibrant green fields bordering the dirt road.

Everything was picturesque, yet somehow, the splendor of it all seemed distant to me. I often felt as if I’d spent my entire life with this feeling, aware that nobody really wanted me around.

I blamed my father for these feelings, although it was clear they were warranted when I was around others. I was met with indifference and rejection due to the circumstances of my birth, despite never having chosen to be brought into this world.

My story began seventeen years earlier with my mother, a beautiful Willow Faerie, and the daughter of the leader of their Faerie sect. I never knew her, but I’d always heard that she was one of the most beautiful Faeries in the Western Lands.

She was often described as tall and slender, with long, cascading green hair and captivating deep brown eyes. Despite her beauty, she didn’t seem very smart to me.

She must not have been to fall in love with someone like my father. Little was known about him except that he was believed to be a demon, specifically, an incubus.

The story I’d always heard was that he’d lured my mother to him through her dreams, and she’d willingly begun an intense affair with him. This lasted for months until the final night he came to her.

She never saw him again after that night, though he had left her a parting gift from their illicit meetings. She was pregnant with me.

One would’ve thought that she would be horrified, just as the Faeries were when they learned of this. But apparently, my mother was different, and despite the disgrace and disdain she earned by having me, she chose to do it anyway.

What others said didn’t matter to her. She wanted to give birth to me, and she did.

I can’t say I’ve ever understood her way of thinking. I don’t believe it was anything strong or endearing.

Personally, I’ve often wondered if she did this because she felt like she still loved my father, even though he’d abandoned her. I’ll never know the truth because she died when I was born.

The accusation that’s always been hurled at me was that having me killed her, although I can’t say that I feel any certain way about it. Like I said, it was her choice to do it, and I had no say in being given life.

Anyway, since I was such a “disgrace” to my mother’s “prestigious” bloodline, I was immediately cast away from the Willow Faeries, but thankfully taken in by some passing elves. They were the ones who decided that it would be a good idea for me to become a servant as I got older.

Their reasoning was simple enough. No one wanted a female that was a mix of Faerie and demon, so why not let her be a servant and at least have some semblance of a decent life?

This was how I’d ended up becoming a servant under my mistress, a darkly beautiful elm witch named Helga. I’ll admit that I was a bit intimidated when I’d first met her three years before, but that quickly wore off for how decently she tended to treat me.

She gave me good meals, a nice room to call my own, and decent clothes. The only things she asked in return were my obedience in helping her around her home and keeping my face hidden from others, although the second part wasn’t because she was ashamed of what I was.

It was because she detested that others might find me more beautiful than her. Helga was far from what one might call ugly; in fact, she possessed a distinct beauty.

She was a tall, slender figure with long white hair, highlighted by streaks of deep brown, and her large, dark eyes were framed by remarkably long black eyelashes. Her face, though narrow, did not take away from her attractiveness; she had delicate ruby-red lips and a slender nose.

To me, “long and thin” seemed to encapsulate Helga’s essence. Her attire that day was typical of her usual elegance.

She favored long, graceful dresses crafted from velvet or satin, always in shades of black or dark brown. Over her shoulders, she wore a long red velvet cape.

It seemed as if she glided with each step, an illusion likely created by the flow of her skirts. All in all, Helga was quite a beautiful sight, even if she tended to be rather vain most of the time.

We reached the stone bridge right outside of the town, where Helga stopped, moving to the side to look at the water flowing below.

“Isn’t it a beautiful day, Luna? The weather is perfect for our outing,” she remarked.

“Yes, it is,” I agreed politely. “I thank you for allowing me to accompany you.”

“Of course, I do enjoy your company and you are well-mannered,” Helga stated, snapping her fan shut as she turned to me. “Nevertheless, I insist that you keep your hood raised while we’re in town. You are aware of how I feel about others gawking at you.”

“Yes, my lady. I understand.”

I would never argue with her about such matters, even if she insisted on it simply because her ego was bruised by others finding me more beautiful. In my view, my beauty is both a gift and a burden, undoubtedly a trait inherited from being an incubus’s daughter.

My skin is flawless and smooth, and my long white hair complements my cerulean eyes and dark lashes exquisitely. My figure has also been likened to an hourglass, leading Helga to frequently dress me in more flowing garments.

That was something many had often called me as I’d grown up. But why not?

The incubi were often referred to as demons of the moon, and many believed that my beauty was the allure they had passed on. Even my name reflected their views of me.

Helga smiled and patted my head as I pulled my hood over it. “Good girl,” she said. “Now, let’s move on. My time is precious, and I loathe wasting it.”

We crossed the bridge together, making our way into the town and directly toward the market district. It was a lively hub, teeming with various beings engaged in commerce, some vending wares from their booths and boutiques, and others buying the goods.

Helga wished to visit this place in search of crystals and herbs for her magical concoctions. Her trade in these items was prosperous, attracting beings from across the Western Lands seeking her merchandise.

As I observed the various creatures intermingling around us, Helga paused at a stall. She was studying the assortment of crystals for sale.

The gathering around us was diverse, including Faeries, gnomes, nymphs, elves, and even animal-like beings such as birds, felines, and foxes. My gaze settled on a female Faerie nearby, and a familiar ache filled my heart.

Though born of a Faerie, I would never truly be one of them.

“Luna.” Helga’s voice snapped me back to reality. I turned to face her.

“Yes, my lady?”

“I need a favor from you. Could you please visit the herbal shop on the next street and pick up the herbs listed here? I’m tied up at the moment, so it would help me out if you could do this,” she said.

She handed me a folded piece of paper along with a pouch of money. I bowed my head.

“Yes, of course.” I didn’t mind doing this for her.

I will confess to a slight sense of pride that she trusted me as she did. It took much trust to hand any servant money, considering we could simply try to run away with it.

But running away would do me no good as far as I was concerned. There was nowhere for me to go and nothing for me to aspire for.

I was simply existing as I was. Yet walking toward the shop on my own, I couldn’t stop wondering what it would be like to have something more than this dismal life of servitude.

What would it be like to be free to make my own choices and, dare I say it, belong somewhere? I’d dreamed of such things for so long, of being able to find a real home and have someone accept me for who I was.

But as I’d gotten older, I’d realized that such dreams could only be achieved in one way for one like me. Only one type of creature could ever give me the free life and care I so desperately longed for.

An alpha. There is a specific hierarchy within the world of the Veil, and at the very top of it are the alphas.

They stood as the epitome of power among all beings, possessing immense strength, exceptional intelligence, and stunning beauty. These creatures were at the pinnacle of existence, commanding respect from all.

Even the rulers of the four distinct lands within the Veil were alphas, regarded as the most formidable to have ever existed. But these alphas also had something else to offer to those lucky enough to be chosen by them.

If they deemed someone the only one they would ever want as their lover, then they could make them their betas. Since alphas were mostly male, most betas were females, and becoming a beta was something many females dreamed of.

To be a beta was to have it all. Not only would you have a strong male to love and protect you, but you’d garner as much respect as they had.

I wanted to become the beta to a powerful alpha and have a perfect life with him. I wanted it all: the respect, the immense physical pleasure, the unwavering companionship.

But most of all, I wanted to feel what it was like to be so desired by such a powerful male and call him mine. Yet I knew that such a thing might only be a vain dream.

If no other creature could accept one like me, then why would an alpha, especially one of the more powerful ones, want me? A half-demon wasn’t worth much to any, and certainly wouldn’t be viewed as a proper beta, no matter how beautiful she was.

I tried to set aside my distractions as I entered the herbal shop. The dim lighting welcomed me, along with the comforting scents of various herbs.

Bundles of them adorned the shelves that covered the shop’s walls, some bound with twine, others contained in glass jars. I grabbed a wicker basket by the entrance and unfolded the list handed to me.

It appeared straightforward, and I was confident I would locate everything with ease. I made certain to keep my hood up as I roamed the shop, gathering the herbs that Helga had requested.

There were a few others in there with me, but none took any notice of me. I stole several glances at the tree nymph behind the wooden counter.

I observed his bark-textured skin and almond-shaped black eyes, yet he remained motionless. Not that such was unusual for one like him.

Tree nymphs didn’t see much reason to move or speak unless they had to, especially the males. I finished gathering the herbs I needed, then headed to the counter and set the basket in front of him.

The nymph nodded, slowly ringing up what I’d brought and putting it in a paper bag before taking my money. Neither of us spoke, only nodding at one another as we finished our transaction.

Outside the shop, everything was as it had been when I entered, with clusters of people chatting and milling about. The day’s warmth was beginning to take hold, and I inhaled deeply, feeling the heat beneath my hood.

It seemed harmless to lower it for just a moment. Helga need not know, and there were few around to give me a second glance.

The breeze was pleasant as it brushed against my face and hair. I hadn’t realized how stifling that hood had been feeling until that moment.

Pushing my hair back, I stepped into the shade and looked around me. There were others around, but none had noticed me.

That was a relief. Perhaps I could take another moment to enjoy this fresh air.

As I glanced down at my bag, an unusual sensation washed over me. It felt as though someone’s gaze was fixed on me.

Ordinarily, such a feeling would have sparked panic, perhaps the fear of being caught by Helga, but this was different. It was as if someone was watching me with admiration.

He was positioned roughly five feet from me, his gaze fixed on mine as I raised my head. I had never encountered a male like him before.

He stood tall and striking, with stunning golden eyes and white hair that gleamed in the sunlight. His large, animal-like ears were in harmony with his hair, as was the fluffy white tail he possessed.

His shoulders were broad, and his physique appeared robust. The top buttons of his white shirt were open, revealing his pronounced clavicle and the upper part of his chest.

It was like every fiber of my being wanted to be close to him. We stood there staring at each other for what felt like an eternity, though I believe it may have only been a moment, before I forced myself to look away.

What on earth was I thinking, staring as I was? Even if he was an alpha, I was being quite disrespectful doing so.

I barely heard the footsteps that approached me. “You’re quite lovely. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a woman as beautiful as you before,” a male voice said.

I looked up, my eyes widening and pulse racing as he stood in front of me. I hadn’t expected him to come over and speak to me, and it took me quite a bit of effort to find my voice to respond to him.

“I sincerely doubt that you ever have. They say that I am one of a kind.”

“I would believe so, though I can’t seem to place what you are. Are you perhaps one of the Fae?” he inquired.

“You would be half right, but it is better if we leave it at that, and if you forget that you have seen me. I would bring you nothing but trouble,” I informed him.

The man appeared somewhat perplexed. “Why would that be? I have no inkling that you might be dangerous, and I consider myself quite adept at assessing such things.”

“I have no doubts about that, sir,” I agreed, bowing my head respectfully. “However, it is my heritage that might give you pause, so I prefer not to take up more of your time. I realize the significance of such matters.”

“You’re very polite. I’m going to take it that you have been a servant for some time, haven’t you?”

“I have. It is the only place for me in this world.”

“I must express my disagreement with that opinion, particularly after having the opportunity to see you.”

I was on the verge of asking him what he meant when Helga’s voice unexpectedly pierced the air, causing my whole body to stiffen.

“Luna! What do you think you’re doing?” she yelled, rushing over to me.

She hastily yanked my hood up, but not before delivering a sharp slap across my face. “I told you never to take off your hood when we’re outside! How dare you disobey me!”

“I’m sorry!” I apologized.

But before she could utter another word, I heard her gasp. My eyes flew open to see the man who had been talking to me now grasping her wrist.

“That is enough. Even if she is considered your servant, I won’t tolerate you berating her when I am speaking to her.”

“Who…who are you?! You are not from these lands!” Helga managed.

“No, I am not,” he stated, “but I see no reason to hesitate to intervene, particularly when she is innocent. I was conversing with her, and there was no need for her to conceal her face while I did.”

Helga yanked her arm back, a scowl forming on her face as she glared at him. “You must be a foreign alpha, and you dare to enter these lands and touch a woman, even if you disagree with my decisions for my servant,” she declared.

“Not in the least,” replied the alpha. “I’m aware of my rights, and moreover, I’m not just passing through. I’m here sightseeing at the invitation of this land’s ruler, and I’m quite certain he wouldn’t condone your actions toward an innocent woman.”

“No, I most certainly do not.”

A hush fell over everyone as they turned to gaze at the figure approaching us. He was a striking presence, with dark hair, luminous violet eyes, and golden scales adorning parts of his skin.

A long, golden-scaled tail, tapering to a fine point, lashed about his legs, and his gaze was just as piercing as he assessed the situation. His presence was undeniable, even though I had never encountered him in person.

All around me, save for the alpha I had just met, were swiftly bowing before him. He was the ruler of our lands, the chimera known as Merrick.

The alpha approached him while we all stood motionless. “I must apologize for intervening, but I felt compelled to do so. I was in conversation with her and deemed the actions of the other to be quite impolite,” he explained.

“I agree, and you had the right to act as you saw fit,” Lord Merrick acknowledged. He then addressed Helga, “While I recognize that she is your servant, I cannot condone you striking her simply because you disapprove of her refusal to cover her face. You do remember the rules I established regarding the treatment of servants, don’t you, Helga?”

“Yes, I apologize for my actions. I lost my temper and acted without thinking. It’s not in my nature to do such a thing,” Helga affirmed.

“Far be it for me to interject, but I find that hard to believe, especially after your rant about her removing her hood. Is it customary for you to have her conceal her face?” the alpha inquired.

“Who are you to question me?!” Helga retorted with disdain. “These lands do not belong to you, so my commands to my servant are not your affair!”

“He may be concerned considering who he is, and I will be lenient since many of you have not yet met him. He is one of the heirs to the Northern Lands, Jekia’s eldest son, Rayne,” Lord Merrick informed her.

My heartbeat quickened again as I heard this. This alpha was one of the heirs to the Northern Lands?!

Helga tensed as she heard this, though she was quick to amend her explanation about me.

“I acknowledge that my actions may seem harsh, and I regret any disrespect shown to Lord Rayne. However, it is imperative that Luna stays concealed from the world. Her unique heritage could bring significant difficulties if she becomes too conspicuous, and my intention has always been to protect her and those around her.”

Lord Merrick’s attention turned to me as he heard her say this, along with Rayne’s. I wished I could pull my hood up and hide, but I knew better than to do so.

Showing disrespect to either of them could have serious consequences.

I remained motionless as Lord Merrick approached. “She certainly seems different, and I overheard her mention to Rayne that she is part Faerie,” he observed.

He grasped my chin, peering into my eyes. I stayed as still as I could, feeling a wave of relief when he finally released me.

“Ah, now I understand. I had questioned whether the tales of her existence were factual. However, you must be aware of the dangers you face, Helga. Your insistence on her repressing that aspect of herself might bring grave repercussions for her future.”

“I have acted according to what I believed was just, yet I am aware that I cannot ensure that aspect of her will remain hidden forever, my lord. She is unique in our realm, and thus, much about her remains a mystery,” Helga admitted.

“Indeed,” Lord Merrick conceded. “However, I find little solace in taking risks in this matter. I shall take her out of your charge and proceed as I deem appropriate with her.”

A twinge of fear went through me as he stated this. It was obvious that Lord Merrick knew what I was.

Did this mean that he planned to imprison me because he feared what I may end up turning into?

With a snap of his fingers, Lord Merrick summoned his mage. The mage, young in appearance yet exuding wisdom, stood beside him.

He had translucent wings and sported black and yellow markings on his hands and neck. His hair was the color of honey, crowned with two antennae, and his deep brown eyes studied me with curiosity.

“How interesting. It would appear the rumors were true,” he noted.

“Let’s table that discussion for later. For the moment, we need to take this girl away from here. There are too many prying eyes and ears for the conversation we need to have,” said Lord Merrick.

I had little time to survey our surroundings before being enveloped in white smoke. Suddenly, I found myself in a stunning courtyard.

Nearby stood a grand palace of white stone, its walls and expansive windows sparkling in the afternoon sun. The vast courtyard was adorned with an array of flowering plants and trees dotting the vibrant green grass.

It took me a moment to realize that I wasn’t alone. The mage was standing near me, as were Lord Merrick and Rayne.

“That was a rather quick exit, Merrick. Were you that concerned over what may end up happening with that witch?” Rayne asked him.

“Not particularly. My concern was more about the commotion that might have ensued once those around us realized her true nature,” Lord Merrick replied.

He stepped in front of me. “Please excuse my bluntness, but I trust you grasp the delicate situation regarding you. Some time ago, I heard a rumor of a Faerie woman who had a child with an incubus, yet it remained unconfirmed whether the child survived. Rumors claimed the child was stillborn, but it’s clear now that was a ruse to obscure the truth.”

Releasing a long breath, I said, “I can’t control what they’ve said about me or their choice to keep me concealed, but I have no plans to cause any issues. If remaining hidden is necessary for safety, then I will comply peacefully.”

“Let’s not be hasty now. That would be quite cruel, wouldn’t you agree, Merrick?” Rayne interjected.

Merrick showed no sign of surprise. “You have ulterior motives for this, don’t you, Rayne? You wouldn’t have approached her if that weren’t the case.”

“Yes, I do,” Rayne conceded. “But I assure you, my request will not bring harm to either of you. I merely ask that you listen to what I have to propose.”

“I suppose that wouldn’t hurt anything. Go on.”

“I understand this is unexpected, and she is indeed one of your subjects, and also regarded as somewhat risky, but I cannot ignore my attraction to her. Therefore, I wish to take her to the Northern Lands and claim her as my own.”

Lord Merrick regarded him with skepticism. “You intend to appoint this woman as your beta? Are you aware that you’ve only just encountered her and what she is?”

“I’m aware,” Rayne responded promptly. “However, I’m not concerned. I believe that claiming her as mine might be in our best interest, and I am confident that I can prevent any harm from coming to her.”

“Perhaps, but it involves a risk, and it’s a significant request of her,” Lord Merrick said, turning to me. “I understand that being taken away as you were may be overwhelming, but I would rather you make this decision on your own.”

“Am I allowed to do so?” I asked him.

“You are your own person. A female is not obligated to consent just because an alpha desires her as his own. Regardless of your identity or origin, you possess the liberty to make choices about your life. Should you decline his proposal, I have no plans to confine you here. Instead, I will make certain that you are kept away from any circumstances that might bring you harm,” Lord Merrick explained.

“I understand.” I paused to consider my choices. Although Rayne’s proposal was exactly what I had hoped for, his quick decision to make such an offer seemed rather hasty.

However, I didn’t perceive it as something negative for us. The attraction between us was mutual, and I felt that we would complement each other well.

“I am not opposed to Lord Rayne’s proposition, and while I value the opportunities you present should I remain, I believe aligning myself with Lord Rayne would be the more favorable choice for me.”

Lord Merrick nodded. “I understand, and I shall not dispute intuition. It is well-known that it should be trusted, and despite my reservations, I am convinced that Rayne is not being hasty in this decision.”

“I am certainly not,” Rayne interjected firmly. “I’m acting on instinct and my sense of what’s right, and leaving here without this young lady would be difficult for me.”

“So you say, but you do not even know my name,” I pointed out.

“Indeed, and I apologize if I’ve been impolite,” Rayne expressed with remorse.

Advancing with a courteous bow, he introduced himself, “Please, let’s begin anew. My name is Rayne, younger son of Jekia, and an heir to the Northern Lands.”

Goodness, I’ve never had anyone act so properly toward me, though I did manage to muster up my proprieties and curtsy.

“I am Luna. It’s nice to meet you, Lord Rayne, and I hope I can be the beta you wish for.”

There was a pleasant smile on Rayne’s face as I raised my head. “There is no need to worry about that. I am certain that you will be.”

“I concur, however, I must inform your father about this matter. You understand that it wouldn’t be proper for you to take her back without his knowledge,” Lord Merrick told him.

“I understand that, and I have no issue with it. I will also speak to him myself about everything,” Rayne promised.

“Very well, then let us leave it at that,” said Lord Merrick, offering a polite bow.

“Forgive me if I seem abrupt, but I have some matters to attend to. I wish you all the best in your new life, my lady.”

I inclined my head with respect and said, “I am grateful for your kind wishes, my lord, and for the honor of being brought here to have this opportunity.”

I felt a jolt of surprise as Lord Merrick moved closer, gently sweeping my hair aside and gazing into my eyes once more, as if he were examining me all over again.

“Hmm, I’m quite certain there’s nothing to worry about regarding you, but knowing you’ll be in capable hands still brings me peace of mind. Take care of yourself, young one.”

A warmth filled my heart as I observed Lord Merrick depart alongside his mage. Although I had often heard praise for his remarkable leadership, it was only now that I truly grasped their meaning.

Despite his commanding presence, he showed benevolence to his subjects in their time of need, including those like me.

I harbored the hope of one day repaying his kindness, even though the means to do so eluded me.

Rayne smiled at me as I turned back toward him. “How about we leave now? I want to take you home before it gets dark so I can show you around.”

“That sounds lovely, but are you certain this is what you wish to do? You have heard what I am,” I reminded him.

“I’m quite aware, but I see no reason to worry about it. You are who you are, and I know you will make the perfect beta for me,” Rayne assured me.

I couldn’t have imagined how true his words would end up being as I allowed him to take my hand. Nor could I ever have imagined the changes my life would go through now that we had met.

Yet at the same time, neither of us could deny the pull we had to each other.

Was it the first signs of destiny at work? Only time could answer that question.