Lycandra's Pov:
The gardens were in full bloom this time of the year. Dark clouds loomed ahead as Chief Acwulf and I strolled through the daisy and hibiscus blossoms, the pitter-patter of the rain and our voices the only sounds for miles.
Our surrounding was enclosed by a perimeter of greying stone walls with algae clawing it's way through cracks on the wall. Lanterns hung on the walls but the rain had quenched most of the light.
The hem of my silver palus was covered in mire and my sandaled feet kept making a sloshing sound as I walked through puddles with a palm fond weaved basket cradled on my arm.
"I feel more alive now than I have in forty years." My father's voice boomed in my hearing.
I looked at him under the dark umbrella he was holding to shield us from the rain and examined his features thoroughly.
"Well I've heard a palace garden stroll works wonders." I smiled up at him.
He still looked pale but at least the light in his eyes was quite the opposite, they glowed with life. We made a left turn down a patch of red, white and blue roses. Watching as the rivulets dropped on the rose petals, I made a mental note to pitch the idea to Leonard.
"Watch as the rivulets drop on the rose petals, it's almost poetic, I'll mention the idea for a new painting to Leonard once we get back."
"If little Lee had his way he'd turn the entire palace to an art workshop and we'd all become acrylic statues in his grand galleria." Pa chuckled.
"We should hang up a few of his paintings in the throne room or hallways for his fourteenth." I suggested, trying to get lucky.
Saying the throne room was a stretch to be honest, I knew Pa wouldn't agree.
"The throne room?" Pa exclaimed, bubbling with laughter, "The council would think we are hosting art exhibitions now. To the council the throne room is quite sacred."
"Oh well I'm sorry to burst their bubbles but once I'm made Chief at the blood eclipse, I am going to hang four of his paintings in the throne room. The council can disappear for all I care." I said, pouting my lips to the side.
"Ssh... Andra the walls have ears!" Chief Acwulf proclaimed in a hushed tone.
Leaning closer with an innocent look, I whispered back, "Do they?"
"You can be so dramatic, Lycandra Love."
"Hmm not sure if I got that from you or Ma."
"I wish I could say you got it from Avada but I think you got it from your grandfather." Pa responded, looking lost in thought.
"Chief Leonard the first, him the dramatic?" The thought made me giggle.
"Oh you have no idea." He said as I crossed arms with his, "I must say I love the confidence with which you spoke about the blood eclipse. I want you to also know that I've never doubted you."
I gulped, "Even when I turned out to be a late bloomer?"
We stopped walking now and Pa looked at me as he spoke, "Especially because you turned out to be a late bloomer. Andra with your heart and how you don't care about what anyone has to say, how you're willing to do anything to have that peace, how– I can't even believe I'm about to admit this– how you'd tell the council to shove it..." He paused and laughed, "I don't know what else makes a good leader. In the long run Winter Pack will draw from your strength and I just know under your reign we will all thrive."
Choking with the magnitude of emotions in my small heart, I hugged him tightly and he embraced me back. The rain falling all the around us.
"Thank you."
"I love you Lycandra Love. You're my special special girl."
Pulling back, he kissed my forehead while I sniffed back the tears clouding my eyes.
"What did the doctors say was the problem anyway?" I asked him, carried away in thought.
I needed to know if it was terminal or just something minor. Loosing my father wasn't a part of my agenda for the year. Lycans hardly had health issues but when they did, few made it.
"Minor seasonal flu found it's way to my lungs."
"Flu? This time of the year?" I exclaimed in surprise.
"Well the doctor has another assumption that I must've inhaled chemicals my lungs couldn't filter during the war. Those cursed werewolves were so prepared if not for the silver moon we would have all been taken." Pa replied.
Guilty. My subconscious mocked me.
In my attempts to save the boy I loved, I ended up putting the life of the only parent figure I had remaining on the line.
I gave him a cringe smile, "Let's not dwell on the past anymore, yes? I'm glad you're finally okay."
The rain had gradually reduced to a drizzle and I looked on as Chief Acwulf squatted to pluck a red rose, handing it over to me. The scent was celestial. I placed it in my basket.
That's when I remembered what I had been knitting the other day. Gingerly I picked out the cream colored winter cap and handed it to him.
He chortled, "What is that?"
"A winter cap so you don't catch a cold next." I giggled, placing the cap on head and securing it under his chin with a knot.
He muttered thanks and cleared his throat signifying it was time for business. Time to address the issue that brought us out under the rain in the first place.
"You said you wanted to talk about something, a dream?" Pa asked.
"We should seat." I said pointing at the bench under an iron canopy.
Seconds later, I sat with my palms clasped between my knees and sighed deeply.
"I had a strange dream the other night. Someone keeps trying to reach out to me."
Chief Acwulf looked grim, "Any distinctive features of note?"
"I mean I saw red hair–"
"You think it's your mother?" He asked directly.
I was silent awhile, conflicted even.
"Does the name DACIANA mean anything to you?"
It was my father's turn to be silent. I watched his adam's apple move up and down his throat as he stared straight ahead, purposely avoiding my gaze.
"We do not talk about her..." He finally whispered after a long while, heaving a sigh like the thought made him shudder.
I was bewildered, I knew my father knew something but now I had a feeling I wouldn't like how the story unfolds.
"Why?" My voice cracked.
"Queen Daciana–"
I interrupted, "She was a Queen? And no one would talk about her?"
"Daciana wasn't just a Queen. She was the first female alpha of Winter Pack. They called her The Virgin Daisy. One day she showed up out of the blues and our people believed she was some goddess fallen from the skies with the power to control the sun and moon in her tiny palm. She was beautiful with waist-length red hair and heavenly blue eyes and she was so powerful Kosmos worshipped her but that didn't last long. Some certain members of the council, the male betas precisely didn't like the fact a Woman was Alpha so they began conspiring and then..." Pa paused, the story seemed difficult for him.
"What happened next?" I questioned, feeling dread like a bile in my throat.
"You see Andra, beauty always has a past, usually an ugly one. And Daciana, well she was originally from Orbis from a family of rather royal descent called The Crescents."
Puzzled, I asked, "I thought Orbis was a world for outcasts?"
"It wasn't always like that."
"I see, please continue with the story."
"She was banished by her father for killing her mate. Daciana was referenced as a goddess in Kosmos but when a realm traveler uncovered the dark secrets of her past, the council prosecuted her for treachery and..."
"And what Pa?"
"She was blood eagled on the night of a crescent moon but that was after she swore her return for revenge because in fair speaking, Winter Pack betrayed her. She gave us everything and our ancestors payed her back with the most undignified death."
I exhaled, this was a lot to take in.
"Now you see why it is forbidden for anyone to speak about her. The name Daciana is a pronouncement of doom among Lycans." He finished, "You would do well to avoid anything relating to her if you're going to be our leader."
"But Pa there has to be a reason she's appearing to me. Why me? The late bloomer?" I asked, my eyes hurting.
"Only Daciana herself can answer that question, Lycandra."
"How do I communicate with the dead, Pa?" The little hope that had risen inside of me had vanished.
His large hand covered both of mine, "You're Lycandra. I know you'll find a way. We should head back."
I nodded and followed him back to the Palace although I still had so many questions but right now I had been given the right headstart.
* * *