Page 14 of Bound By Stardust
I’d been fifteen then, and those words were not what I wanted to hear. “I don’t understand. You won’t even let me collect stardust with you. What if I want to do something else?”
Grandmother shook her head firmly. “You can’t. Your future is already set. I suppose it’s time I told you. Why do you think I always have you hide your ears?”
“I don’t know.”
“It’s because you have fae blood, child, and your pointed ears would give away your identity.”
My fingers went to my curls, hiding the shape of my ears. “Why? Is there something wrong with my ears? With being part fae? Everyone likes us.”
“Of course they do, because we are the healers, and our fae blood has given us that power. But once, long ago, the Masters warred with the fae and cast them out. That’s why you don’t see any fae around here. This land belongs to the Masters, and it is best we do our duty and avoid drawing attention to ourselves. Perhaps they have forgotten their old enemy, but what if they haven’t? Stay away from them and dreams of living in their kingdom. It’s difficult to hide your true self from those you dwell with.”
* * *
The memory faded,as did the reminder of the fear that gripped my heart back then. Nothing had come of it, and no one else knew the legends of a war between the Masters and fae. Besides, the Masters wore masks; how difficult would it be to hide my ears as I did daily?
In the floating kingdom, I’d finally be able to find answers, about the war and perhaps what had happened to my parents. They left one day for a journey they’d never returned from. I’d always imagined they were stolen away, perhaps by the Masters.
Forcing myself back to the present moment, I blinked and came to a standstill on the marble platform, inches from those golden chariots. Up close, they were even more impressive, the horses standing six hands high, white and silver feathers gracing their wings. I ached to reach out and touch them, still finding it difficult to believe my luck. Within moments, I’d be whisked away to the floating islands to live in a dreamland, surrounded by gold and glory.
The platform was crowded, full of the other woman who’d been chosen. It always went this way. First, the young men were taken, then the young women. Finally, the final wave of Masters took the offerings, food, and animals, and we were left in silence for another year.
Usually, this was the time I turned away and made my way back to home. Alone. Today, as the applause from the crowd came and the young women waved goodbye, I studied the Masters.
They glided along the platform wearing fine robes that swept to their booted feet, made of the finest thread and woven with silver and gold. Their hair – was it possible thatwastheir hair? It was all golden and silky, while their masks were covered in an assortment of jewels, each one creating a distinct symbol. That must be how they distinguished themselves while dressed up.
We always saw them in robes and masks, and I wondered if they wore them daily. The garb was because we were not worthy to look upon their faces, but I’d seen Drazhan’s face and hadn’t died.
My lips burned, and my heart kicked at the memory of him. I wondered if he were above right now, and what I’d do if…nowhenI ran into him again. Would he be pleased to see I’d found my way to the floating islands after all?
A touch at my back broke me out of my thoughts. A white-gloved hand waved, and a low male voice said, “Please, to the chariots.”
I had many questions, but my tongue swelled in my mouth, excitement and disbelief rendering me speechless. Following him—or her, the mask and the billowing robe made it impossible to tell—I stepped onto the chariot.
“Hold on,” the Master said, arms on either side of me.
The smooth edges of the chariot shone blindingly bright, and I blinked against the light and held on to the railing. The reins were lifted, and a shrill whistle sounded.
Wings spread and with a jolt, we were up and off into the air. My ears rang and my belly dropped to my toes as we ascended. Wind tore at my hair, tugging it loose from my messy braid and whipping it around my face. The light intensified, making my eyes hurt. Bile churned in my stomach, and my limbs felt boneless. I sagged against the Master, willing myself not to heave on my first flight.
Up and up we went, whirling across beams of sunlight. The horse floated, wings spread wide, and the roiling in my belly stopped as the ride became smooth.
Fluffy white clouds floated almost close enough to reach up and touch, and the sky stretched endlessly in all directions, displaying hues of blue I’d never imagined. Even though I’d worn my warm cloak, cold air whipped through my clothes, a chill settling in my bones. I blinked wetness out of my eyes, not daring to let go of the chariot as the clouds parted, revealing the three floating islands.
I gasped.
They were much bigger than I’d imagined. From down below, I only glimpsed a triangle of brown dirt and gray rock. Occasionally, the mists that hovered underneath the islands would clear, displaying a glimmer from above, and when one stood on a high hilltop, one might make out pointed towers.
Now, my jaw dropped as I took in the rolling hills, vibrant gardens, and glistening waterfalls. Unlike Terrin, the land wasn’t barren, readying itself for winter, but appeared like a summer day.
Trees sprung out of the ground, some of them in thick groves, but what drew my attention was the palace. It sat perched on the largest floating island, turrets pointing to the sky like fingers, towers glistening white and gold. Yet, there was darkness to it I could not describe.
We flew directly to the front of the palace and landed on a green lawn. My ears rang as I stepped off the chariot on unsteady feet. The ground beneath me was lush, the dirt rich with color. The scent of summer surrounded me, as though the floating kingdom were frozen in time. Only the bite in the air warned me of the coming winter, but I was grateful for the cold air that cleared my head.
The other women had landed and spun in small circles as they took in our surroundings. Their faces glowed with anticipation, and they waved at me, as though we were friends. I waved back, feeling a buzzing sense of joy.
The horses and chariots were led away, and Masters surrounded us. Steps led up to marble columns that framed the palace doors. One of the Masters stood in front of those open doors, surrounded by masked others. Some of them were male, but others were female, wearing dresses and masks that only hid their eyes, not their entire faces. Did that mean the masks were only for the ceremony and not every day?
“Welcome to High Terrin,” the Master standing in the middle boomed, his deep voice resounding with authority. “You are the blessed ones, and we are honored to welcome you here. In a moment, you will enter the palace and strip away all your raiment from Terrin, symbolic of your old life being stripped away as you enter your new life. Nothing from down below may enter here. Once you are dressed in your new raiment, the ceremony to celebrate your arrival shall begin, where we will bestow upon you our highest honor. I’m sure many of you have questions, which shall be answered in due time. For now, relax, enjoy the celebration, and again, welcome to High Terrin.”
