Edge of Eternity

Sitting on the crushed velvet pillow atop her window seat, Drea slid the yellow band from her thick, green tresses and shook her head to loosen the soft curls down her back.

She wanted to change into her bedclothes, but knew it was too early, her parents would be displeased. Her father would give her that look, the one that made her wish the world would open and swallow her up and her mother would shake her head in disappointment and say, Drea, what are you thinking?

She did, however, remove her yamec. The elders called it the lifeblood of the planet, but the younger generation, Drea included, felt it was an invasion of privacy. The yamec measured all life signs in the individual, and also tracked his or her exact location. Earlier generations felt this was a way to watch over the people. This newest generation felt threatened by the stone medallion and also monitored. There was no where on the entire planet they could go to get away from the watchful eye of the government.

Drea loved watching the world from her tiny spot. She'd sat on this same pillow ever since she was a little girl. She knew, being almost thirteen, she would be going through the bonding ceremony before too long. A heavy sadness crept over her as she tried to imagine being a wife to a stranger and a man. As open minded her parents were, on most things, being attracted to the same sex person was not an area Drea was allowed to bring up.

It was at times like this she wished she hadn't been born on Cadus. If she'd been born on Vadus, her planet's sister, she wouldn't have to think about the ceremony until she was thirty-five. Instead, she was being prepared for her Proteus Occasion, her reward for turning into a teen-ager.

As Drea continued to search the skies for an answer to her problem, her eyes dipped down to the thick forest below her. She swore she saw a green light glowing among the trees, but upon closer scrutiny, she decided it was merely the reflection from the massive sky that was choked with twinkling lights. Drea reasoned the light was green as it bounced off of the trees.

Drea was restless tonight, more so than usual. Her big, thoughtful eyes shimmered in the glow of the full moon and gave her an almost ghostlike appearance. She wanted nothing more than to escape, either to the thick, lush forest below or the full moon above.

Intently watching, she was certain she saw that green light down in the bushes, but only for an instant. She had half a notion to climb out onto the limbs of Simosum, the ancient, gnarly tree right outside of her window and escape Sparrington Manor but knew it would do her no good.

As daughter to Count Norok and Countess Thalia of the entire planet, there were very few places Drea could go anonymously.

“Drea?” “Drea!” Countess Thalia’s shrill voice carried throughout the castle walls.

“Yes, Mother,” Drea barely whispered to counteract her mother’s screeching.

“What are you doing sitting in the window staring off into space? Are you hoping Pallas will fly back and carry you away with him?” Countess Thalia’s derogatory remark stung Drea as much as if her mother had slapped her.

Rolling her eyes, she took a minute before answering to be sure to show the proper respect. “No, mother, I’m not expecting to see Pallas ever again. I was merely looking at the moon. Did you notice it has a red tinge to it tonight?”

“This is no time for moon gazing, child. We need to begin arranging the Proteus Occasion, it isn’t going to plan itself,” the countess fluttered around Drea’s bedroom, opening a drawer over here, and an armoire door over there.

“I’m checking your wardrobe and it just won’t do,” the countess stood in front of the open armoire, staring at the contents and clucking her tongue against her cheek. “I can’t believe how little you have to wear,” she said with that hint of sarcasm Drea loathed. “ I shall ring up Imagi -Knit. We’ll have them whip up a dozen or so dresses to begin and of course, the ensemble for your Proteus Occasion.”

Drea shifted uncomfortably and she could tell her mother saw it. She tried masking her true feelings and pasted a smile on her face.

“Drea, dear, you must become attentive to all of this. You will, one day, be the ruler of this entire planet.”

Drea, dear. Oh boy, when she dragged that one out, Drea didn’t stand a chance. Besides, her mother was right, she was going to be running the whole show. She needed to settle down.

“You’re absolutely right, mother. But I still feel this Proteus Occasion is antiquated. All those poor girls being dragged up onto a stage and ogled by everyone on the planet, and for what?” Drea avoided her mother’s sour stare.

“And for what?!” the countess ground out while raising her eyebrows. “ To get noticed by all the eligible bachelors and to wed properly, of course. Sometimes, child, you astound me with your lack of protocol.

By the time her mother finished berating, Drea was exhausted and went straight to bed.

Dusk found Drea sitting on her cushion, braiding her emerald green hair. She was already in her bed clothes and the moonlight bathed her bright pink skin in a soft glow. Her mood mirrored her physical appearance, and she again was enjoying the redness to the moon when her peripheral vision kicked in and Drea saw something more than usual. She saw that glowing green light. Seeing it plain as day, Drea knew she was really seeing the light.

She quietly unlatched and opened her window, then stealthily walking out on gnarly, ancient, Simosum. As she stood completely on the limb, a four footed, sparkly green, winged, horned creature with gigantic blue eyes flew around the entire tree and floated down to stand next to Drea. Once the creature was standing in front of her, Drea was able to ascertain it was a Komon and the markings showed she was a female.

“Hello, Drea, I’m Aurora,” the Komon said in a sing song, feminine voice. “Climb aboard my back and I’ll fly you down under the stars to the lush forest below. There you will discover all things possible, and your dreams fulfilled.”

Drea felt she could trust Aurora and climbed on to her back. Her large lacy wings appeared delicate but had a strength to them. They were glittery and when Aurora moved, green sparkles emanated from them.

“Hang on tight, Drea,” Aurora warned as she prepared to leap from Simosum. As she swooped downward, Drea’s body tingled and her stomach dropped, but the ride gave her a feeling of euphoria and she couldn’t help but yell out, “Wheee!”

Up and down, Aurora soared and Drea loved every second of it. The cool breeze on her bright pink face was refreshing and her green braid was practically standing out straight behind her.

Aurora flew towards the Abos Moon, the huge dark red sphere that appears once every sixty-two days. It was exceptionally large and red tonight and as always, she was in awe of the moon and felt energized being so close to it.

“Hang on, Drea. We’re turning towards the forest now.” Aurora shouted backwards.

Drea was laughing, as Aurora was turning and dipping, Drea’s stomach was sending her on an adventure of sensations throughout her entire body. She felt the tingling begin deep in her stomach and spread from her torso to her limbs. She felt energized and light at the same time. Her whole body vibrated which tickled and made her laugh out loud.

Hold tight as we are landing,” Aurora threw her head back and stiffened her legs to slow down and changed the rate of speed of her wings.

As Aurora landed on a rich velvety carpet of green grass, Drea had a chance to look all around. The entire forest floor was bathed in a green glow. She petted Aurora’s neck and slid off her back. Drea stood looking for a moment, then turned back to Aurora, who was gone. Drea called for her,

Receiving no response, Drea stood perfectly still, wondering which way to go when the green light appeared and grew brighter and began to blink incessantly far in the thick woods. She screwed up her courage and headed toward the light.

Drea was a bit skittish, it was pitch black in the forest. After a few minutes, she was ready to give up and run from the darkness when the green light glowed again. Drea followed with no trepidation this time. She trusted the light would lead her to safety. It made no logical sense; she was going on instinct alone.

Hearing what sounded like twigs breaking, Drea pushed forward. She found herself in a clearing which glowed softly, and that’s when she spotted her. She was peeking out from behind a large, gray, boulder. She had green skin and yellow hair but looked similar to Drea. The green glow emanated from her yamec. Drea was instantly drawn to her.

“Hello,” Drea said timidly, as she moved cautiously towards this girl.

“Hello,” the girl responded with a shy smile. “I’ve been waiting for you. Aurora told me you’d be coming.”

“Who are you? Do you live here in the forest?”

“Kindra is what I am called. I came here from Vadus,” she said with a sultry voice Drea found irresistible.

“Vadus? I’ve dreamed of living on Vadus. I see you also have to wear the yamec. I’ve never seen one glow green like yours does.”

“Ours glow green when we are out on the mating hunt,” Kindra said with a small smile.

Drea’s insides were in turmoil. She couldn’t believe how attracted she was to this total stranger, but every time she looked at Kindra, she felt at home. Peace washed over her entire body. She was confused and elated all at once and longed to get closer to this girl.

“I’ve been watching you since the first time you appeared in the window. I believe you would have been five or six years of age. You were a sweet, lovely child and turned into a beautiful young lady.”

“You aren’t too much older that I. Why is it I never saw you before?” Drea prodded.

“It was never the right time. Until tonight. I knew when I saw that Abos Moon. I told Aurora she could fetch you. I wish for you to come back home to Vadus with me,” Kindra said as she moved closer to Drea.

Drea could see the sincerity in Kindra’s eyes, and she felt drawn to her once again.

Kindra had moved to stand right in front of Drea. She reached her hand out and Drea took it. Kindra’s hand was warm and soft and felt just right. Drea made up her mind in an instant.

“Yes, Kindra, I’ll go with you. I can’t explain it, but I know I want to be with you.”

As soon as Drea said she’d go with her, Kindra’s green light stopped glowing. She had found her mate. She looked toward the moon and closed her eyes. Aurora appeared out of nowhere.

“We’re ready for you to take us home, Aurora,” Kindra explained.

“Home to Vadus?” Aurora cocked her horned head.

“Yes, Aurora, Vadus.”

Drea climbed up on Aurora’s back right behind Kindra and she knew she was doing the right thing. As Aurora left the planet, Drea looked back down at her home for the past twelve years and felt no regret or remorse. She would send word to her parents after she was settled in with Kindra.

Drea finally understood her destiny and she knew she would live a long and full life with this incredible woman.