Chosen
Velora sat on the edge of her seat and twirled a small daisy between her fingers.
Seven girls. That was it. Only seven virgin maidens would be chosen. Would she be one of them?
Warm tingles alighted and flowed through her.
She’d trained for it. They all had, and only those from their sect would have the great honor of ushering in the goddess’s blessings at the lunar equinox of new beginnings. Praise Maintra, Goddess of Blessings. And praise The Great Mother, creator of all who allowed Velora to be born in a sect where life sacrifices weren’t made.
Miss Pern waltzed into the circular courtyard surrounded by large columns of stone, her pretty smile fixed in place. She walked in front of them and stopped before her joyful gaze met each of theirs. “I have such a wonderful feeling about this year. After much meditation, the gods have spoken.”
A thrill shot through Velora. The gods often gave signs, but she’d never personally known anyone who’d received the blessing of their communication. Such a great honor, and it was given to their mentor.
Miss Pern reached into her large beige bag and pulled out seven flowers, one a daisy, like the one in Velora’s grasp.
Velora paused and stifled a gasp. It couldn’t be. Dare she hope?
“I wrote out each of your names in stone and—” Her mentor’s gaze fell and locked onto the flower between Velora’s fingers. “Velora, I must have a word with you. Come and stand with me, please.”
Her heart stuttered. Surely it was a sign. She stood and went to her mentor’s side.
Miss Pern’s serene smile widened. “One by one, a flower petal landed on seven names.” She held out the daisy to Velora. “Congratulations. You’ve been chosen. Stand there and wait.”
Warmth flooded her. Such an honor. Praise the gods for their generosity. They’d truly blessed her. And all praise Maintra for blessing her.
She’d practiced the seven sacred dances. Memorized the three different vocal parts to every song. Could harmonize with almost anyone.
Oh, it was going to be wonderful. And Mere, she’d be so proud.
The first song and dance was soft and reverent, their humble way of starting the sacred ceremony. If performed right, it’d capture Maintra’s attention and please her.
The second song and dance was to show their gratitude to their goddess for all she’d given them and everyone on Lumin. Each dancer could add their personal style to the dance to show their individuality, showing their gratitude for their uniqueness.
Maintra’s favorite song and dance was saved third—fingers snapped in front of her face.
Miss Pern’s melodic giggles were like a soft caress. “Come, I’ve already dismissed the others.”
Huh? She looked around. The four curved stone benches were empty, chatter dying away.
Oh. Everyone was leaving.
Her mentor captured her hand and pulled her in the opposite direction of Velora’s peers, the beauty of paradise surrounding them. “Tell me, why’d you bring a daisy today?”
There was a reason in all things. “I’d dreamt of one. On my way here, I had the urge to stop and pick one.” She considered both flowers in her hand.
“Well done, Velora. Continue to keep yourself open to the gods and their messages.”
Wait, they were giving her messages? “Miss Pern, has anything like this happened to you?”
The twinkle in her mentor’s eyes dimmed, yet her smile remained. “No, but we all don’t see or hear the same. To be honest, what happened this morning was the first time I’ve experienced anything.” Her countenance brightened. “I’m so honored.” Her gaze fell to the daisies. “You’re special, Velora. I’ve been blessed because I know you.”
No, not because she knew her. Velora reached over and touched her mentor’s arm. “No, because you’re a wonderful teacher. Maybe you’ve found favor with Maintra.”
Miss Pern stopped and looked her over. “I wish that were so. I feel that Maintra loves us all equally and, perhaps, doesn’t want to show favoritism.” A calm sparkle alighted in her eyes. “Velora, I sense there’s another god or goddess behind this. Whatever the case may be, today I’ll teach you something special, but the others mustn’t know. I’m trusting you to keep this a secret.”
Sacred Seven
Three dresses. One to practice in, one to perform in, one to sleep in. And no one but Velora knew about them. Well, other than Miss Pern.
Seven. A sacred number. The sacred number of their sect.
Seven days was all the time Velora had to learn and practice a different dance and melody for the seventh song, The Sacred Promise. Only her part was seductive, the complete opposite of the innocent dance that promised loyal, meek obedience.
Mere walked in and handed Velora a small box. “Your lunch. Hurry and go practice. Miss Pern tells me…” Mere’s words choked with emotion. “Oh, my precious girl. You’ve brought us all honor.”
A cry sounded from the next room over. Her precious baby brother. Only it was almost time for him to go and live with his pere. Would he ever know he had a sister?
“Work hard. Show Maintra and the other gods your gratitude through your deeds.”
Velora would do her best. Warmth filled her. It was all so wonderful.
She hugged Mere, then put the box in her pack, tucked in her practice dress, and hurried from their small wooden hut. The stairs creaked with each step as she flew down them, and the worn path cushioned her feet.
Seven days. Then she’d sing and dance and praise Maintra.
Velora’s hands trembled, and she couldn’t stop smiling. She bathed with her six chosen peers in the sacred spring by the light of the full moon, rubbed scented lotion over her skin, applied deodorant, makeup, and dressed.
“Velora, your dress.”
She turned and smiled at Filin. “Yes?”
“It’s…different.”
She followed Filin’s gaze and took in the five others. Their dresses were all the same—simple with a square neckline, whereas hers swooped over her chest, was sleeveless, and her skirt airy with a thin, see-through layer on top.
“Why, Velora?”
Velora pasted on her calm mask and opened—
“She carried the same flower the gods sent to her name.” Miss Pern stepped into the bright little clearing. “It’s the gods’ will. Ladies, you each must sing and dance with all your hearts. Tonight, enjoy and praise Maintra. Honor her and usher in the season of new beginnings.”
A shiver trickled down Velora’s spine. Yes. She’d praise her goddess with all her might.
Their mentor held up a leather pouch. “I’ve had something special made for each of you.” She opened it and pulled out a hair comb with pretty rose buds and small pink crystals. “Kralis.”
The gawking girl walked over, and Miss Pern put the adornment in her hair. “Stand aside and wait, please.”
One by one, their mentor handed out hair accessories until the only person left was Velora.
Mis Pern reached in the pouch and pulled out a single hairpin. On it were three daisies and five tiny, sparkling white crystals. It was the smallest adornment, but the way it caught the moonlight and shattered its silvery light was by far the most magical.
“I know it doesn’t look much—”
“It’s perfect.” Her voice left her a whisper. She stepped to her mentor and blinked back tears as Miss Pern put it in her hair. “Thank you.”
Her mentor leaned close. “Another message. Yours is special. Like you.”
Another message. Her heart swelled. Maintra be praised, and the same to all the gods who watched them. No matter what, Velora would do her best and bring them honor.
She hurried to her place as the last in line and gave a quick nod to Filin in lead.
Once every seven years seven maidens of the age of fourteen were chosen to perform seven dances for their goddess, Maintra. And she was part of it. Tingles flushed through her. Her own mere had been chosen when she was fourteen, and her aunt, too. But none ever received a different dress, let alone three, or a hair ornament. Which meant their performance that night was special.
She followed along in silence and took in the wondrous atmosphere. A lunar equinox: when the moon perfectly aligned where the celestial equator intersected the ecliptic. Day and night everywhere on Lumin were completely equal. Only a lunar equinox re-energized the celestial magic that pulsed throughout their planet. And if they pleased Maintra, then she’d bless Lumin and share Her bounty with all.
Peace washed over Velora.
Maintra. She’d dance for her. She’d dance for herself. And she’d dance for the future.