Angelique's Story

Chapter 1

My heart burned. A burning I had never felt before. It was not an uncomfortable feeling, just... New. But I did not understand the reason for it. How could something as simple as a word set me on fire inside?

"Welcome."

Such a rich voice, dripping with the love of the world, the love of the Goddess. And indeed the woman bearing the voice could very well be a Goddess herself.

"Please, Madame Moonfyre, do come in."

I had forgotten myself, lost in thought in this near Goddess' voice.

"Of course. Thank you for inviting me into your home."

"It was my pleasure. Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Amora Skye."

I flushed at the sound her chosen Craft name. Yes, very nearly a Goddess indeed.

I curtsied deeply, responding, "Angelique Moonfyre, most graciously at your service."

Amora smiled at this. She seemed somewhat taken by my appearance. I am a tall woman by most standards. My hair is short and snowy white with glints of silver in it. I do not look young or old, just slightly aged with the stress of life.

She gazed at my eyes. They are dark compared to the rest of my appearance. Deep green brown with flecks of gold. Amora sighed, and I wondered if she saw the haze that covered the pain in my soul.

I shifted uncomfortably in the doorway, wishing she would give me some clue as to what she thought of me. It was all I could do to keep myself from staring. We'd been writing for months, but never in my wildest dreams had I imagined the woman in the letters would be so beautiful. Would look so much like her.

"Erm... Amora?"

Her eyes cleared and she flushed, her olive skin turning a slightly pink hue. She quickly stepped out of the doorway and motioned for me to come in. As I did she quickly apologized.

"Forgive me; I don't seem to be myself tonight."

I smiled warmly at her and murmured, "I feel about the same."

As we stepped into the full light of the room I let myself take in the full beauty of the woman before me.

Amora wasn't much smaller than me. She didn't look to be too much younger either. Her hair was long and dark; it fell in soft waves over her olive skin. She had a perfect figure with sleek curves nearly begging for hands to roam over them. Her eyes were a striking blue, boring deeply into the soul of whomever her gaze rested on. At that moment... Me.

I shivered slightly. There was only one other person I had known with eyes like that.

Suddenly it was difficult to breath. I clutched my cloak around myself and slumped into a kneel.

Oh Goddess, no. Please not now

But it was too late. My cloak feel from my shoulders as my wings flared out. I had gone to great lengths to conceal them and yet, a simple memory made me lose my careful control.

No! I thought franticly. Goddess, please!

I didn't know how much longer I could hold on. I felt my darker half clawing to get out. My hair grew longer and turned to a deep black with tints of deep blue. My vision blurred as I fought for control. I willed my body to go limp as tears streamed down my face and sobs racked my body.

I was focused solely on one thought: Keep Daemon away from Amora.

The harder I focused the easier it became. A tingling on my scalp told me my hair was shortening and turning back to the white I loved. No doubt there would be more silver in it though. That's how it always was when I fought her.

Finally, my body began to relax and my wings no longer beat the air around me. I shamefully clutched my tattered dress around me. This is why I lived alone. I didn't want the world to see me like this… Out of control… Unstable.

I flinched as I felt hands on my face. My head was lifted and I looked into Amora's deep blue eyes. They were softer now. Not boring into me anymore.

"It's ok," she whispered softly, "You're ok."

There was no judgment in her voice. Only sorrow and that made me even more ashamed. I dropped my head, wrapping my wings around me.

"I'm so sorry," I sobbed, "I never wanted this to happen."

Amora gently lifted my wing and knelt next to me. She gently turned my head to look at her again and murmured, "I know. It's ok. I want you to stay with me tonight. You can stay in my bed. We'll find you a different dress tomorrow."

She stood up and picked my cloak up from the floor as I stumbled to my feet. We both flushed at my nakedness and she quickly wrapped the cloak around me and led me to her room.

"If I'm in your bed, where will you sleep?" I asked.

"On the floor. I have plenty of blankets for the both of us."

I nodded and practically collapsed onto her bed and she carefully covered me in warm blankets. The last thing I remember from that night was a feather-light kiss on my cheek and a soft caress on the curve of my wing before falling into an exhausted sleep.