I’d never admit this to Arius, but I was hoping for a small domain. I knew there were lesser Gods who had simple tasks, like creating new alcohols. If I had something like that, I’d still be able to spend time with him.
But I also knew who I was and where I stood. I was a daughter of Zephyr, King of the Gods. To be given such a small domain would be an insult. My best hope would be that my brother and sister, who were also receiving domains, would take most of the hard ones.
The nymph who oversaw dressing me for the ceremony insisted on brushing my hair until it shone. Then she secured it with a golden band. She stepped back, shook her head, and moved the band down until it was level with my waist. I scowled. After so much time, my hair was practically loose.
The dress she chose for me was simple. White silk with a gold sash. If all worked out, these clothes would morph to reflect my new domain. If it was a large domain, which I hoped it wasn’t, my skin might even change a little.
I ran my hands over my pale arms. Next to Arius, they didn’t look so bad. But with the other Gods, I’d look like a ghost.
If I can be with Arius, I’ll be fine. I reminded myself. Once I had a domain, I knew he’d ask me to marry him.
I’d be his equal, not just his niece.
I stood in front of my father, waiting for him to give out the domains. Beside me, my sister, Lune, played with her bracelet behind her back. I could tell she was nervous, but I couldn’t tell why. She’d be amazing in whatever domain she received. So would my brother, Cyrus, who stood on her other side.
My father’s eyes traveled over us for what felt like the millionth time, lingering on me longer than on my siblings. He wouldn’t give out domains until he had one for each Godling before him. He was probably still trying to decide where to put me.
Finally, he nodded to himself and raised a hand to my brother.
“Cyrus, I grant you domain over our sun.”
All the Gods and Goddesses present applauded lightly. I’d already checked twice. Arius wasn’t there.
“You will also be granted domain over our prophesies, when the time is right.” Our father continued. His arm traveled left, until he was beckoning to my sister. “Lune, I grant you domain over our moon, as well as our hunt.”
If possible, my face paled even more. I hadn’t expected him to give out two domains to each of us. I might only get one. I reminded myself.
But as my father’s arm swept toward me, I had a sinking feeling I was wrong. Something told me I wouldn’t like the domain I was given.
My brother got the sun. My sister got the moon. Like this, I’d be given…
“Celeste, I grant you domain over our stars.” His voice sounded so far away, yet it felt like it was echoing from inside my head. “You will also be granted domain over the wishes of mortals.”
Our audience applauded some more and Zephyr lowered his arm to his side. That was it. The ceremony was over.
Other Gods and Goddesses rushed forward to congratulate me and my siblings. They didn’t come too close, since we were still expecting the domain changes to our clothes. Any physical contact might confuse the magic transfer and lead to a domain mix-up.
I wanted to throw my arms around Bann, God of cattle. Maybe I could take his domain and he could have mine.
Cyrus’s tunic began to glow and everyone stepped back. The white fabric turned orange with golden swirls. His skin glowed faintly, like pure sunlight flowed through his veins. It was a simple change, but it signaled a successful transfer. My brother was now a major God.
I gulped as Lune’s dress, identical to mine, shone and turned silver. It grew shorter, but at the same time, grey leggings materialized around her calves. Her plain sandals turned into silver flats and her skin radiated silver light.
I wanted to run. I knew I was next. Any second now, my clothes would change and my fate would be sealed. I wanted to run all the way to Arius’s castle and hide in our garden.
My dress began to glow and I closed my eyes, not wanting to see it. I felt stronger. I felt powerful. I could hear far off whispers in my mind. When the time was right, and I had domain over wishes, those whispers would be louder.
I opened my eyes, expecting polite looks while my sibling received most of the attention. Apparently, the stars and wishes were more important than I thought, because everyone was staring at me.
Someone brought out a long mirror wo we could see ourselves and I gasped. My simple dress had become a midnight blue evening-gown with a slit up the right side all the way to my thigh and was dotted with little silver stars. I forgot all about the dress, however, when I saw the rest of myself.
Around my wrists and ankles were thick circular bracelets, each glowing with starlight. Another bracelet was waist height, clasped around my hair, which had turned a pale shade of silver.
I wanted to cry. I’d loved my black hair, it had just been hard to handle. I glanced to my side and saw that I’d been the only one to get a complete makeover.
Looking back at the mirror, I noticed that even my eyes had changed. They were a golden yellow now and seemed to glow on their own.
Panic ripped through me and I felt sick. Pain shot through my stomach and I clenched my sides.
“Help Celeste outside.” I heard someone say as hands grabbed my arms.
I had to close my eyes. I felt so dizzy, I was sure I was about to pass out.
Arius. I thought desperately. Help me.
I heard the doors open and I was outside. Instantly, the pain was gone. I turned my head toward the sky and breathed deeply. I felt light as air, like I could float away.
And that’s what I did. My feet left the ground and I floated up into the stars.
I knew I should feel at peace, being in my domain. But I couldn’t. I knew that, if I were to ever not be under the sky, the pain would return.
I could never again visit Arius’s castle.
And he was too busy to come see me.
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