Page 3 of Moon Chosen

“And beautiful, like your father,” Leda said as she placed her daughter’s gift on her head.

“Oh, Mama! You made me a Maiden Moon Crown!” Mari took the intricately braided coronet from her head. Leda had woven ivy with willow to create a lovely circle, which she’d decorated with bright yellow flowers. “So this is what you’ve been doing with all of those dandelion blossoms! I thought you were making wine.”

Leda laughed. “I did make wine. I also made you a Maiden Moon crown.”

Mari’s delight dimmed. “I’d forgotten that tonight is the first full moon of spring. I’m sure the Clan’s celebration will be joyous.”

Leda shook her head sadly. “I wish it was so, but I’m afraid this spring moon won’t be as festive as usual. Not after so many Earth Walkers have been recently captured by the Companions. The Earth Mother feels unusually restless to me, as if uncomfortable changes are coming. Our women have been filled with more sorrow than usual, and our men—well, we know the anger the Night Fever brews within our men.”

“They won’t just be angry, they’ll be dangerous. Damn Scratchers!”

“Mari, don’t call your people that. It makes them sound like monsters.”

“They’re only half my people, Mother, and at night theyaremonsters. Or at least the men are. What would happen if you didn’t Wash them of the Night Fever every three days? Wait, I know what would happen. It’s why a Moon Woman’s burrow has to always be hidden, even from her own Clan.” Frustration and fear caused her words to be harsh, and as soon as she’d spoken them the sadness that filled her mother’s eyes made her regret such harshness.

“Mari, you must never forget that at night, even I have within me the capacity to be a monster.”

“Not you! I didn’t mean you. I’d never mean you!”

“But the moon is all that keeps me from becoming more Scratcher than Earth Walker. Sadly, our people cannot call down the moon as can I, so I must do it for them at least once every three nights. Tonight is a Third Night, as well as the spring full moon. Our Clan will gather, and I will Wash them so that their lives may be open to accept love and joy instead of mired in melancholy and anger. You know all of this, Mari. What troubles you?”

Mari shook her head. How was she supposed to tell her mother—her sweet, funny, brilliant mother—the only person in this terrible world who knew what Mari truly was and loved her still—that she had begun to ache formoreof everything?

Mari could never tell her mother, just as Leda could never allow the truth about her daughter to be known.

“It’s nothing. Probably just something to do with the full moon. I can feel it, even here in the cave, even before it’s risen.”

Leda’s smile was proud. “You have my power and more. Mari, come with me tonight. Wear your Moon Crown. Join the Clan’s celebration. It is easiest to draw down the power of the moon when it is full, and tonight it will be as spectacularly full as the sun has been bright today.”

“Oh, Mama, not tonight. I’m tired of failing, and I definitely don’t want to do it in front of a crowd.”

Leda’s smile didn’t falter. “Trust your mother. You have my power andmore. It’s thatmorethat makes your training difficult.”

“Difficult?” Mari sighed again. “You mean hopeless.”

“Such melodrama! You are alive and healthy andsane.Day or night—rain or shine—moon or no moon, you show no sign of madness or pain. Trust that the rest will come with practice and patience.”

“Are you sure there isn’t an easier way?”

“Quite sure. It’s much like how you practiced until you attained the ability to make a flat drawing seem to live and breathe.”

“Drawing is so much easier!”

Her mother laughed softly. “Only for you.” Then Leda’s smile faded. “Mari, you know I must choose an apprentice soon. I cannot put off the women of the Clan much longer.”

“I’m not good enough yet, Mama.”

“And that is another reason you should join me tonight. Stand beside me before the Clan. Practice calling the power of the moon, and while you practice I will be showing our Clanswomen that they may rest easy. Though I have not named you as my official heir, I have begun your training.”

Mari’s lips tilted up. “Begunmy training? Leda, you’ve been training me as long as I can remember.”

“You’ve always been a good student. And stop calling me Leda.”

“Good and slow aren’t the same thing,Mother.”

“I’m well aware of that. You’re not slow, Mari. You’re complex—your mind, your talents, your power—all complex. Someday you will make a fine Moon Woman.” Her gray eyes were wise as Leda studied her daughter. “Unless you have no desire to be Moon Woman.”

“I don’t want to disappoint you, Mama.”