Chapter 5 Learning #3
We stay here for a while until I hear Zeta come down the stairs, “Oh Luna, I am so sorry! When I came down last night I found him down here with you. I was trying to move him away, but you cried out in your sleep not to take him, so I left him. I hope that’s okay?”
“Zeta, I absolutely adore this boy. I have never felt this drawn to people before, and this feeling of love and acceptance is unmatched.”
Zeta’s eyes began to water as she spoke, “Okay Luna, if you are okay with it then so am I. I heard you humming last night and Asher has been singing ‘The Queen of the Cosmos’ almost every day since I sang it to him. I am curious though as to how you know it?”
“I don’t know Zeta; I remember it from when I was a child. It was never sung to me, just hummed. So, I don’t know the actual words " "Would you like me to sing it for you Luna?” I nod and listen to her soft beautiful voice as she sings the song:
In the heart of the hollow, where the shadows grow deep
A secret is stirring while the weary world sleeps
Not with a sword, but with hands made of light
The Queen of the Cosmos steps out of the night
Her crown is of stars, her eyes blue and wide
With the strength of the pack and the moon as her guide.
Oh, Lycan Queen, with the long flowing white hair
Bring forth the mending for the burdens we bear
From the howl of the lonely to the hearts that are torn
In the wake of your mercy, a new day is born
She doesn't come for the hunt or the kill
She comes with a touch that can make the world still.
She walks through the city where the stone hearts have bled
Placing white lilies where the spirit has fled
The fur on her shoulders, a cloak for the cold A story of kindness that’s yet to be told
The scars of the broken begin to subside
As she calls to the spirit that’s buried inside.
Can you hear the shift? The change in the wind?
Where the beast and the blossom at last are akin
She bleeds for the suffering; she heals with a roar
Turning our spirits to what they were before.
Oh, Lycan Queen, with the White in your hair
Bring forth the mending for the burdens we bear
From the howl of the lonely to the hearts that are torn
In the wake of your mercy, a new day is born.
The white moon rises...
The mending begins...
The Queen of the Cosmos...
Washes away our sins.
Just as she said the last word Asher woke up, he sat up, rubbed his eyes with the backs of his hands, and then leaned over and kissed my cheek “Good morning, I love when mommy sings that song.”
“Good morning,” I returned as I ruffled his hair.
“Let’s have some breakfast.” We all go over to the table and start eating but when I notice housekeepers in the kitchen I freeze.
They have slaves, I thought, and my heart dropped.
Zeta saw the look on my face and followed my eyes.
“Oh, my sweet girl, we hire housekeepers. Everyone is here on their own free will. This is Stella and Georgia, and Jeff and Mike work on the building and yard. I need a little more help than normal since I am pregnant again.” She said, rubbing her belly.
“Well, that is an absolute blessing, congratulations Zeta. Would it be alright if I invited them to eat with us?” I asked, “everyone deserves a fresh meal.”
“Absolutely,” Zeta said, and she waved for the girls to come over.
Then she stuck her head out of the window and called the men over too.
“Luna, I know you are going to go back to the library today, but would you be able to spare a minute of your time?”
I looked at her and nodded, “I know we have bombarded you with so much information the last couple of days but, this inn is technically yours and was yours even before your birth. The people here have chosen to live here to await your arrival. You choose who can stay and go, but everyone works here,
they aren’t slaves. Please on your own time, decide if that is okay, or if you would prefer, we will all move onto the pack lands.”
I laughed so hard. “Zeta you’re joking right, these people waited here for me, and you think I would just cast them out? I don’t know how big this inn is but if you all want to stay here that is okay with me. I don’t come from much, but I know the value of hard work.
If people choose they want to leave I am sure we can build more homes, maybe not right away, but I can discuss all of this with Aylin, once I can.”
When I looked up everyone had smiles on their faces.
I continued, “I don’t know what is expected of me here. I am new to all of this. But if what you tell me is true, I am Luna which means you are my people, and I am going to treat you all as my family.
I have had a very hard and unfair life up until now and the last thing I want to do is make anyone else’s life harder. I also have never had family I can rely on or friends for that matter, so please do not take offence if I take a while to warm up to you.
I will give this new role 100% of my time and effort. I am excited to see what the future holds. Zeta, I thought this was an Inn. Am I mistaken?”
Zeta shakes her head, “The downstairs is an Inn and homes to our workers and the upstairs, where you have been staying is Aylin’s flat. You have been in his guest room. Which was supposed to be your old room, the room you were taken from.” Her eyes look so sad with those words.
“I love the room I have right now, and it was not your fault I was taken.”
I told her. “If we need more space, please let me know. I’m sure we can figure something out once Aylin is home.”
Everyone smiles and we finish eating while discussing roles in the house and getting to know each other a little bit.
Zeta and Archer have been married for 40 years and have four children and one on the way.