Chapter Text
Osha couldn’t remember the last time she had been truly shaken by how much fury her body could hold.
It must have been years ago, when she and Mae were still children, and her sister refused to give back Osha’s favorite doll. She remembers how Mae laughed at her anger, giggling as tears slipped down Osha’s chubby cheeks and her small fists shook with rage. She stopped laughing when Osha had snapped and slapped her, hard , across the face with a sound that vibrated through their shared room.
There was only a moment of silence before the twins erupted, both sobbing with a wrath neither knew how to comprehend. Their room was thrown into chaos, chairs flying and windows shattering around them. The twin’s powers were frightening, to them and to the rest of the world. But they were only children, and the damage was fixed, and the entire incident was forgotten the next day.
But they were no longer children, and the twins seethed.
Mae, who had always been the less restrained of the two, spoke out from where she was standing next to Osha. “Mama, you can’t be serious!” she exclaimed, outrage drenching her tone. Mae’s loud voice echoed throughout the throne room that she, Osha, and their mothers stood in. Not even the gold trimmed walls and beautiful stained-glass windows could distract from the tension in the room.
To their mother’s credit, Mama did indeed look pained. “I’m afraid I am Mae. This is the only way I can guarantee your safety,” she said sadly. “I can’t let this ,” she gestured at the corner behind them, “happen again. Never again.”
This that Mama was referring to was the newest plot to end the Aniseya bloodline. An unknown assailant must have slipped past the castle guard at night, and left behind a thermal detonator in the throne room. If it wasn’t for Mother Koril sensing that something was deeply wrong and quickly ushering them out, all four of them wouldn’t be alive. Just behind Osha was a scorch mark from the detonator that left a jagged, scar-like crack in their otherwise spotless walls. Even though the threat was long gone, the damaged corner radiated darkness that left Osha unsettled.
These plots have been a constant in their lives, an unfortunate consequence to the Aniseya coven gaining influence in a galaxy that would rather see them dead. Every day, the planet Brendok that housed the coven grew in power and numbers. Mother Aniseya offered the planet as a safe haven to anyone who seeked refuge, serving as the monarch of Brendok with her consort and primary advisor Mother Koril. She promised all that it didn’t matter where you came from, you would have a home here. Her rule brought many allies, but it also came with powerful enemies. It seemed that every time the coven came close to uncovering who was behind these attempts, the mastermind would just barely slip their grasp.
And while they may have been used to these threats, it also meant that they had grown complacent. Whoever wanted to see the twins gone had gotten frighteningly close this time.
“Mama, we’re a coven of witches ,” Mae snapped. “We can protect ourselves. No one got hurt, we don’t need to go through with this.”
“No one got hurt this time ,” Mother Koril chimed in. “But what about the next time? Or the time after that? Those who oppose our existence are relentless. We must stay vigilant, and this is the best way to keep you both safe.”
“But marriage?” Osha finally accused, her voice so enraged it barely came out as a whisper. She looked up at her mothers, her eyes full of unshed tears. “What do we even know about this other planet? Their intentions? What would they possibly gain from an alliance with our coven?”
Mama sighed before responding. “The ruler of Bal'demnic is an honorable man. My advisors have spoken highly of him and his militia for decades. He has always been vocal in his support for what we do here on Brendok. He offers protection in exchange for access to a fraction of our reserves. It’s a fair trade, all he asks to solidify our alliance is a marriage with their prince.”
“And nothing is expected of this marriage,” Mother Koril added. “No love match, no heir, just a pure political alliance between two planets. We agreed to make this as painless as possible for you both.”
“Painless. That’s easy for you to say when you’re not the one being married off to some stranger ,” Mae spat out. “We belong here, with the coven. Not behind some foreign walls.”
Mama visibly flinched at Mae’s vitriol before walking down the steps and grabbing one of each of their hands.
“I wish it did not have to come to this,” she pleaded, her weary face making her look infinitely older. “But I won’t lose you two. You’re too important. I hope one day you’ll forgive me.”
Osha did not trust herself to say something she wouldn’t regret, so she forced down the words crawling up her throat and stared at the ground. Her tears had welled over now, making a free fall down her face. Mae ripped her hand out of Mama’s and screamed in frustration, the force of her cry rippling outward to slam chairs into the walls, splintering on impact. She stormed out of the room loudly as Mother Koril hurried after her.
Mama took Osha’s face in her hands. “This is for your own good,” she promised, as a last attempt to make her daughter understand. Osha looked directly into her eyes and saw guilt, but she also saw resolve. Mama had made up her mind, and there was no changing it. Osha made her head nod despite every fiber of her body wanting to resist. She was pulled into a hug, and all Osha could do was hang onto Mama for dear life.
The room shook as the storm of fury inside her raged on.
The next few days inside the castle were frantic, with staff and coven alike preparing for the Bal'demnic’s cohort visit. The king and prince, along with their council, would be visiting Brendok to negotiate the terms of their agreement.
The tension of the castle was palpable, with everyone giving both Osha and Mae a wide berth when walking near them. Mae had a perpetual storm cloud hanging over her, a sneer permanently etched onto her face. Neither of them were remotely satisfied with the events that were taking place later that day, and Osha was sure her emotions were also clear as day.
The day of the visit, Osha had no responsibilities today except getting herself ready for the cohort, but even that task seemed daunting. She and Mae sat in their room in silence, waiting as their handmaidens drew their baths.
“Who do you think he’ll pick?” Mae asked, breaking the careful quiet.
During the initial meeting between the two kingdom’s representatives, it was made clear that there was only one prince. Only a need for one marriage, though both twins would go to live at Bal'demnic for protection as Aniseya strengthened its numbers with the help of their militia. The only condition was that the Prince would choose which of the two he would marry.
Osha looked at her, searching her face but Mae’s expression surprisingly gave nothing away. “I’m not sure,” Osha admitted with a shrug. “Does it matter? It’s just political, and we’ll both be stuck there anyway.”
“How can you be so okay with this?” Mae asked angrily. “ Doesn’t this upset you in the slightest? He’s a stranger !”
“Don’t assume you know what I’m thinking,” Osha hissed back. “Of course I’m upset. But there’s no fighting this. Don’t waste your energy.”
Mae opened her mouth to give a retort, but stopped short as she turned to face the fresher. She looked back at Osha’s confused face and held a finger to mouth and signaled her to follow. Osha couldn’t hear anything, but she knew better than to not follow Mae’s lead. Mae had always had better intuition, a stronger connection to the Thread that Mama said connected them all.
They creeped towards the door, with Mae pressing an ear and Osha copying her. They could just make out their handmaidens conversation, eavesdropping when they heard their names.
“What’s the prince’s name again?” Tala, Osha’s handmaiden, asked.
“I’m not sure,” Corde, Mae’s handmaiden, answered. “But I heard he’s hideous.”
Tala giggled. “Well, I heard he’s terrifying. And that he’s got these horrible scars from all of the battles he fought.”
“Duh,” Corde responded. “He’s the general of Bal'demnic’s militia. You don’t become the leader of an army that formidable without some scars.”
“He’s the general?” Tala implored in disbelief. “How did he become a general as a prince?”
“He’s not actually the son of their king,” Corde explained. “He showed unwavering loyalty to Bal'demnic during their battles with warring planets. He basically single-handedly slaughtered everyone in their way. The king trusts him so much that he made him heir to the throne.”
Osha mulled that thought over in her head, wondering how much blood he must have on his hands. Enough to be promised an empire. Osha felt sick.
“Who do you think he’ll choose to marry?” Tala asked. That seemed to be the question of the day.
“One of the advisors told me he’s obsessed with power,” Corde said. “And that he’ll do anything to get his way. So if he’s going for power, he’ll choose Mae.”
Osha felt a sick sense of relief wash over her, grateful that she wouldn’t be chosen to marry this monster. Mae must have decided she’d heard enough, because she flinched away from the door and walked back towards her bed. Osha stared in pity as her sister flopped onto the bed with a groan and joined her with a sigh.
“At least he’s probably not boring?” Osha offered. Mae groaned even louder and began attacking her with a pillow. They both dissolved into giggles, and it wasn’t long before they were full-blown cackling. For a moment, they felt young again, forgetting about the burdens of being the future of the Aniseya coven.
But their laughs faded out, and it wasn’t long before the room was quiet again. The fresher door opened and their handmaidens beckoned them in to prepare getting ready in earnest. Osha started walking, but was stopped when Mae’s arm shot out and gripped her so tight she was sure there would be bruises later.
“You have to promise me,” Mae whispered desperately. “Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”
Osha’s heart broke at Mae’s expression, seeing that she was truly scared. She knew that only one thing could soothe her sister in this moment.
Osha held out her hand. “You’re with me, and I am with you,” she began.
Mae’s face softened as she reached out her hand and pressed it flat against her sister’s. “Always one, but born as two,” she continued.
“As above sits the stars, and below lies the sea. I give you you.”
“And you give me me.”
Osha bowed her head down to connect her forehead with Mae’s. “We will face this together. I promise.”
Osha fidgeted with the hem of her gown as she tried her best to sit still. Her anxiety grew with each passing minute, and a quick glance to her left confirmed that Mae wasn't doing much better. She turned to the right to see Mama sitting stoically on her throne, looking composed as ever. Osha swallowed down her resentment and faced forward.
They all startled in their seats as the doors to the castle swung open, and Bal'demnic’s cohort entered their home. Their footfalls echoed loudly throughout the halls, but in sync, almost as if they walked as one.
As they walked towards the Aniseyas, Osha was able to get a better look at the garb of the cohort. She took note of their long, billowing dark layers that hid most of their figure and features. Their faces betrayed nothing as they came to a stop in front of Mother Aniseya, bowing their heads and taking stance.
“On behalf of the Aniseya coven, I welcome you to Brendok,” Mother Aniseya announced, her voice commanding the room. “Thank you for agreeing to meet. I trust that your travel was smooth?”
A tall, sturdy man stepped forward. “I thank you for allowing us into your beautiful home. I am Master Sol, ruler of Bal'demnic, it’s nice to formally meet you,” he said kindly. “And yes, our journey was pleasant.”
Osha tried to not let surprise show on her face. This man, Sol, did not look like a king, his clothes barely differed from that of his advisors around him. He also talked so gently, Osha would have mistaken him for a citizen.
“We shall begin negotiations soon,” Mother Aniseya shared. “But first, may you introduce your prince?”
Osha felt her stomach drop, she’d almost forgotten what they came here for.
Sol looked almost sheepish as he responded. “Ah yes, of course. I apologize, but unfortunately he has been called on different matters, so he can’t join us yet. But he will as soon as he has finished his business elsewhere.”
Mother Aniseya raised an eyebrow. “With all due respect, what could be more important at the moment than these negotiations?”
“I deeply apologize,” Sol repeats, but he does seem genuine. “But I know he will be here soon. My advisors and I are more than glad to begin negotiations now.”
If there’s something Mama wanted to add, she held her tongue and responded. “As you wish. Let’s begin.”
Minutes blur into hours as Osha sat through excruciatingly boring negotiations talk. She knew she should be paying attention, and at the beginning Osha really did try to participate. But as time dragged on, her eyes glazed over and she began wondering what her new life would be like. Would her bedroom be black walls like the clothing that they all wore? Black curtains and black tile to match her black bed. Mae would despise that, she loved the rich purple of their sheets. Osha felt her heart pang as she realized that she wouldn’t be sharing a room with Mae anymore, since her sister would likely have to move into the prince’s. Maybe if Mae snuck out at night then she could -
Osha was so lost in thought that she didn’t notice the room going silent, only shaking out of her reverie when Mae sharply nudged her foot with her own.
It seemed like everyone was holding their breath, either looking at the twins or the new figure who had entered the room when Osha wasn’t paying attention. The figure was wearing similar cloaks to the rest of the cohort, but also donned a hood that obscured his face. The quiet in the room was stifling as Osha gulped, feeling like she wasn’t getting enough air.
“Qimir!” Sol exclaimed with a smile, breaking the strain of silence. “So nice of you to join us. Now take that hood off and properly greet our hosts. Let me introduce the crown prince of Bal'demnic, Qimir.”
Osha felt her heart in her throat as the figure, Qimir , reached to remove his hood. She steeled her nerves, determined to not let any emotions show on her face.
When he finally looked up, he surveyed the room before stopping at Osha’s face. His eyes, from her angle seemingly all black pupil, bore into hers with an intensity that could rival suns.
Whoever had told Corde that the prince was hideous was a filthy liar.
His face was all sharp angles, complete with a strong jaw and full lips. His hair was about shoulder-length, styled up in a way that was probably for convenience but just made him look roguishly handsome. His clothes didn’t give away what he looked like underneath, but he presented himself in such a confident manner Osha couldn’t help but assume he was well built.
Osha let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, unused to being on the receiving end of such severe attention. She broke eye contact to look at Mae, who was already staring at her back in subtle disbelief. Osha almost had to stop herself from laughing, knowing that Mae was just as shocked as she was towards Qimir’s appearance.
“Thank you for having me,” Qimir spoke to Mother Aniseya, bowing his head. “I apologize for my lateness.”
HIs voice was quiet like Sol’s, but his tone could not be more different. While the king’s voice was gentle, the prince’s voice felt smoother, like he could talk his way out of any situation. Like he could convince you to turn on your own men. Osha suppressed a shudder.
“Well, we’re glad you could make it,” Mother Aniseya replied. “We just finished negotiating the terms of our alliance, I’m sure your king will fill you in on the details. Please, allow me to introduce my daughters, Verosha and Mae-ho Aniseya.”
Osha repressed a squirm at the use of her full name and offered a bowed head in his direction, with Mae doing the same. Qimir just stared back, his eyes looking like he was searching for something in her own. It was hard for Osha not to flush under his gaze, but she refused to back down this time. Lifting her chin in defiance, she glared back with what she hoped was a fierceness to match his.
Whatever he was searching for in her eyes, he must have found it. The corners of his mouth lifted in a smirk and he turned toward Mother Aniseya.
“We’ve arranged lunch in the dining hall to allow us all to get better acquainted with one another,” Mother Aniseya started. “We will break for meals and meet again at-”
“There is no need.”
Osha whipped her head to look at Mama, who looked stunned at the fact she was interrupted. “I beg your pardon?” she asked, sickly sweet. Sol let out a deep sigh and rubbed at his temple.
“I’m sorry,” Sol said, exasperated. “He must have forgotten his manners. Qimir, please, we talked about this-”
“There is no need,” Qimir repeated, cutting Sol off. Osha stared, slack jawed, at how candidly he was allowed to speak to his king. “Thank you for making the arrangements, but I wouldn’t want to take up any more of your time.”
Qimir looks directly at Osha as they make eye contact yet again. It doesn’t burn any less.
“I choose her. Verosha.”
Osha wasn’t able to control her expression as her eyes widened, mouth opening in surprise. She vaguely felt Mae grabbing her hand and squeezing, but she was too disoriented to squeeze back. Osha stood frozen, unable to do anything but gawk back at the supposed monster she was to marry.
Qimir’s smirk grew as he drew closer, and Osha fought every fiber of her being to not run. She felt like her heart was beating too loudly, surely he would be able to hear it. Osha imagined this is what being hunted feels like. This is how the rabbits that roam their woods feel when a fox stalks towards them.
He slowly reached a hand out, palm up.
Osha stared at Qimir’s hand, and then back at him. She realized that he was waiting for her to react. He had made his move, and now she had to make hers. Osha could spit in his face, alliance be damned, and walk out with her head held high. A part of her wanted to, just to spite everyone in this room. They were all responsible for her and Mae being political pawns, she should let this all go up in flames. She should laugh in their faces as they beg-
Osha’s train of thought was cut short as Qimir tilted his head across from her. His eyes squinted, as if he were trying to read her mind. For a moment, she was scared that he could, and that he’d see how fragile her self-control truly was. His eyes cleared and his face adopted an expression Osha didn’t know how to name. It was almost… admiration.
Osha let go of Mae’s hand to shakily place her palm on top of his. She could feel his hand underneath hers, rough from calluses. Her blood rushed loud in her ears as he raised their hands to press a kiss atop hers.
‘Warm’ was the only thing Osha’s brain unhelpfully supplied. She was too preoccupied with trying not to vibrate out of her own skin.
Just like that, the moment ended as Qimir dropped her hand and Osha became painfully aware the room was still full of others. With one last nod of his head towards her, Qimir turned and walked out of the room with his cloak billowing behind him, hood raised once more.
The room erupted into equal parts apologies and outrage. Sol stuttered out his regrets, profusely apologizing to an infuriated Mother Aniseya. Many of Bal'demnic’s advisors had hurried after him, shouting questions and demanding answers. Even Mae joined in, urging their mothers to rethink the alliance. In the chaos of it all, no one noticed Osha slip into the hallway and run up the spiraling stairs to her room.
Slamming the door behind her, Osha ripped off her outer layer, feeling entirely too hot. She rushed to the fresher to splash cold water on her face, anything to cool down. Catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror made Osha freeze, shocked at who she saw staring back. Skin flushed, pupils dilated, she looked down at the hand that Qimir had kissed.
Osha backed up into the wall and slid down, head in her hands. In the past 5 days, she had survived an attempt on her life, thrust into a political game of chess, and was now promised to a demon. She wanted to scream, to cry out at the injustice of it all. But in the end, that wouldn’t make a difference. Her only hope now was to persevere the next months and come out the other side stronger. If she could just prove to Mama that she was strong enough to protect herself, to protect the coven, she might be allowed back home. If she could uncover who was behind the countless attempts on their lives, the coven would welcome her back with open arms.
With a renewed sense of vigor, Osha stood up to examine herself in the mirror again. The woman who stared back at her looked deadly, desperate. She might have to leave her home, but she wouldn’t stop until she found out who was responsible for forcing her into this alliance. And then, Osha would make them pay.
The mirror in front of her cracked, pieces flying and clattering loudly onto the ground. Her reflection became disfigured, almost grotesque from the fractures.
Osha’s monstrous reflection smiled.