One Big Happy Story- Part 1

Lissa leaned out of the open carriage window, letting the cool night breeze play with her crimson curls. A swollen yellow moon gleamed in the night sky above them as she stared out at the lovely dark landscape the carriage swept pass. 1

“A good portent, Lissa,” her apprentice murmured from the opposite seat of the carriage. “The Mother’s Eye so full and bright on our night of arrival.”2

“Yeah,” she replied absently, tapping fingers against her jaw thoughtfully.3

“Are you well, milady? You look worried.”4

Lissa turned and smiled at the young girl. Atreya was developing into a lovely young witch. She was one of the best apprentices Lissa had ever trained and she was glad that she was with her. They were going to do well during the trials.5

“I’m fine, witchling.” 6

Lissa turned back to the window just as the tall peaks of the castle rose into view. It made her shiver, just as it always did. She could pretend all she wanted, but she was not fine. The imposing towers and bridges of the massive construct were both dark and beautiful and she was nervous about going into those haunting halls again.7

Atreya made no secret of her reservation. “My goodness, it’s … imposing. Did you really go to school here with all the other races, Lissa?”8

Lissa made sure to ignore the girl’s question. “Just remember everything you’ve been taught and you’ll be fine. The summits never last long. It can actually be really fun times if everyone behaves. You’ll meet some great and potentially dangerous people.”9

The girl yawned. “I love the Mother’s night as much as any other witch, but why must the proceedings be so late?”10

“I’m pretty sure the vampires threw a pissy fit about bursting into flame and getting sunburns last year.”11

Atreya blushed brightly, ducking her head. “Oh. I didn’t think.”12

As their carriage pulled through the tall gates and onto castle grounds, Lissa straightened her shoulders. “We are representing the witches, Atreya. We’re sophisticated and intelligent, calm and collected, the very embodiment of the elegance of the Mother.”13

The smartly dressed driver came around to open their doors and Lissa, leaning against the door, promptly fell out to the ground. The driver tried to cover his snicker as Atreya leaped out to help her mistress to her feet. 14

Lissa marched into the castle with her head raised high and her cheeks burning as bright as the curls that danced down her back. She imagined that her silken robe swayed invitingly around her slender frame. She was beautiful and she was skilled and she didn’t have to be so nervous about this. 15

So what if this was going to be the first time since she saw these people in years? She was not the gawky and awkward teen witch that she was before.16

The great room had been warmly decorated and it was a spectacular sight. They were led in by a courteous, quiet servant and it took them a moment to get pass the dazzling view of diamond-dripping chandeliers, vaulted, painted ceilings and gleaming marble floors.17

Lissa was prepared. She would be glamorous and intriguing, a witch fully realized and in the prime of her power. Gawking at the surroundings, Atreya tripped and knocked into Lissa, and just as everyone turned at her entrance, she went stumbling halfway across the floor.18

Shivering with frustration as she stood to her full height, she tried not to lift her eyes as she smoothed her dress. A warm hand reached out to steady her, taking her elbow.19

“Are you okay, my dear?”20

She froze in place, ignoring Atreya’s babbling apologies as she looked up, feeling stupid as the dark, sardonic voice melted over her. She stared into the feral, gold eyes of the Alpha of the werewolves. His pack mates lounged behind him, smiling and doing little to hide their amusement at her lack of grace.21

“Fine, thanks,” she mumbled, pulling her arm away. After another toothy grin, the Alpha stepped back and bowed his head before moving away. Surreptitiously, Lissa watched him stroll away. 22

“Who was that?” Atreya whispered.23

“That was the wolves pack leader. He was the “bad boy” of our school days,” Lissa whispered back, too astonished to be properly annoyed with her apprentice.24

“And he’s still a jerk,” a new, velvety voice said.25

Lissa could barely contain her squeak as she turned and sighed as the vampire gracefully executed a bow. He grinned, ethereal and beautiful as all the vampires were, before tipping an imaginary hat to her.26

“I’ll be sure to see you later, my dear,” he crooned, before strolling away with the rest of his group.27

“And that,” Lissa told Atreya before she could ask. “That was our resident jock and god-among-boys. I had a huge crush on him.”28

Recovering from her earlier graceless entrance, Lissa pulled Atreya over to a corner of the room and pointed out things for the girl. “See, the vamps and the wolves will always group on opposite sides of the room. They have an ageless feud, very Westside Story.”29

“They sing?” The girl squeaked, delighted.30

Lissa sighed. “No, of course not. Don’t be stupid.”31

“Oh. Sorry.”32

“They dance, of course. They have dance off’s all the time.” She gestured to the corner where a bunch of tall, slender blondes stood. “Those are the Elves. They’re the Prima Donnas of our world.”33

“Where are the boy elves?”34

“They’re right there, among the girls.”35

Atreya squinted at them. “Oh. They’re all pretty. But they look the same.”36

“Yeah, that’s normal.” 37

Lissa stopped talking as the crown Prince strode into the room with his entourage of servants and handlers. The young human strode to the center of the room and bowed lavishly. “Hello, my guests! I hail you- vampires, shifters, witches, fair folk—” 38

Each race shouted and raised arms as the Prince hailed their individual group, trying to top the others. The Prince waited, hands on hips until everyone died down. Then he swept an arm out to the tables laden with food.39

“I bid you welcome, my brave subjects. Please, be merry! Drink, eat, celebrate this night! I’d like to thank the wolves for bringing all the bottles of holy water, garlic pizza, garlic sticks and . . . well, cloves of garlic.” He grinned. “I’m sure the vampires all appreciate the sentiment.”40

Everyone waited until the wolves and vampires stopped growling at each other.41

The Prince continued, “And thanks to the vamps for supplying the, um, chew toys and puppy pads. Oh, and the silverware too. I thank you for the wolves, whom I’m sure really like all of that.”42

He waited again, patiently, for the howls to die off. “After we eat, we start the tournament, everyone. So enjoy!”43