Cutting Out My Heart

Moira wanted desperately to say yes, embarrased by her lack of knowledge, she looked down and shook her head.

”No, sorry, I dont- ”

”Incompetance on Rejannos behalf. Come- ” Olvina exclaims teasingly, looking at the King, she wrapped her arm around Moiras as her uncle did and guided her to another tall, red eyed, pale woman, with sunray colored hair.

”I would be honored for you to meet your new Second and teacher, Vyvian, she will teach you about Odiovitae, the common tongue, its people, the way of our land and Odiotivitan customs. She will replace your Seconds and will stand by your side till you are ready. ” Vyvian bowed, grabbing Moiras hand, kissing it, her touch was just as cold as Olvinas.

”My Seconds? I don believe I have any Seconds. ” Moira was confused, trying to sound nonchalant and laughed lightly; she had no clue what Seconds were and was sure she had none. Olvina smiled widely and pulled out her own chair, offering it to Moira; this was a sign of good faith, in other words, to blatantly show you approve of the match, and she sat in Moiras place, instead of being next to Jalla and Boratram Bream, the old codger who would not stop staring daggers at the Odiovitians, Moira was in between a man she guessed he was the Odiovitian Auxiliator, the healer and scholar, and Vyvian.

”My apologies, Dome terminology is so simple, I forget, I mean, your other handmaidens, Zena and the other one. We call them Seconds. ”

”Yes, Tsina and Greyse, they are lovely women and hard workers, I even-. ”

”Well, their work ethic is everything, though, they are half breeds, they do not belong in the palace. Vyviannos was my daughters handmaid, and her daughters handmaid, and soon you will be my daughter, the tradition will not be broken. ” Olvina said so casually it felt like no ill-will was held against them, but Moira could guess the reason for her disapproval.

The King sat at the end of the table, looking as if he could devour the table in its entirety, gripping the sides of the table hungerly; he snaps his fingers twice as the rustlings of people and clanking of dinnerware behind the messhall doors were heard over the music.

Everyone began talking to each other indistincly, Olvina sat across from Moira, asking her simple questions like her education and the coming-and-goings of other lords and ladies, how she was raised as the Kings niece but wasnt a princess but the heir of the Domes, how long Jalla, Tsina and Greyse have served their family, if she had any reservations about the marriage.

Nervously looking from the King to Olvina frequently, as if her uncles face had the answer to all the Representatives questions, but as she was about to question Moira more, the hundred cupbearers and servers came down the isles with plates in each hand. The buttery smell of coq au vin and seasoned fish and salted beef filled the air; charred asparagus topped with steamed tomatoes, oven fried potato slivers garnished in coriander and green onion, red, blue and white miniature potato salad, garlic roasted cauliflower covered in lemon slices, fresh pea and onion soup, yellow greens charred with the garnish, orange lemon rice and what Moira has been excited for, the transported fermented spicy beef with an assortment of colorful vegetables.

Everyone has already been served and was eating, except the Odiovitians, all their glasses have been replaced with metal goblets and metal decanters were placed in front of them. The King seeing every member has been served, stood with his glass raised.

”It has been seventeen years since the war ended, and even longer since our houses have been joined, our lines were once one and now have been separated by the grace of time. Our families go back nearly a thousand years, before the race of Man was extinct, even before the Great War of Man. We have fought alongside each other for centuries until my grandfather broke faith.

”Today we mend the wound. Today the scar fades. Today we fight alongside each other once again. There are a hundred million species on this planet and it is ours that find each other every time. May the Gods bless our family once more. May our ancestors bless the unification of our lines. To Odiovitae! To the Domes! Long may we Reign! ”

Olvina raises her glass, Moira and the room joins him and raises their glasses, cheering and applauding, all seemingly staring at Moira. ”To Odiovitae! Long may she reign! ”