Chapter Two
~ 14th Century BCE ~ ~ Nakuru Island ~
"And now presenting to the wildlands of Nakuru and its people Lelani, Queen of Nakuru Island, The Enchanter and the Heir of Four Elements."
A crowd of people began to uproar with applause. Cheering, clapping, hooting, and hollering. Excited to meet the rare beauty of the island who had been tucked away for twenty-seven years. Only hearing the tales of her beauty. As the curtain of vine thorned flowered walls separate, a beautiful human being was revealed. Birds and butterflies flying past her as the leaves and vines were no longer used as a hiding spot.
Montai could smell her scent before the curtain could even reveal her. Sweet honey, with a mix of roses, creme, and a hint of cocoa butter. Milk chocolate skin with a hint of caramel. Her hair was pulled back into a bun with a few strands sticking out from the all-white rose flower crown she wore. A rare three-row pearl choker set sitting around her neck caused her to look just that more elegant. She wore a long-sleeve corset lace white dress. The dress pushed up her breast, hugging her curves. A slit in the middle of her dressing stopping a little over her knees revealing long slender smooth legs.
No shoes and a pearl ankle bracelet. Every time she walked a small trail of flowers grew behind her. Following the tail of her dress. She stood giving a soft nod and the rest of the kingdom followed with a bow. She gave a soft nervous speech. The crowd cheered again and then she was pulled away to meet with the elders, no doubt about the marriage that was soon to come.
He felt one of his brothers judge his shoulder. Boa looked at Montai with a devious but also genuine smile. “Queen of Nakuru, and to think someone as beautiful as that has decided to marry a Lycan and become part of a family of brutes You are lucky no doubt, and I have no doubt in my bones that you two won’t make it as great leaders. Now go. Speak with your soon-to-be wife and Queen.”
With that Montai nodded. Clearing his throat adjusting his all-white button-up collared shirt. Shuffling in his black dress shoes and fidgeting in his dress pants. Never in his life had he ever been this nervous. Approaching the group that surrounded the Queen, clearing his throat as he called out to her. “Lelani my Queen.” He gave a soft bow before standing about to introduce himself when he was cut short.
“No need to introduce yourself, Montai. I know who you are, King of the Lycans. You described yourself quite well in our letters.” She turned to look towards the elders and the other guest nodding her head as she excused herself. Motioning for Montai to join her. Walking side by side until they reached the back of the palace. There she opened the doors outside to reveal a beautiful mazed garden. “You have a lovely home. I… We Lycans look like brutes compared to you. Sleeping outside in caves and trees. Calling nature our home but when I see this… I feel as though we have no home and find comfort under the night sky.”
He looked down to see Lelani’s face sadden listening to her as she spoke. “That sounded just as beautiful as it did tragic.” She took a step out onto the grass walking closer towards the maze. “You should cut yourself some slack. You are Lycans. The only supernatural begins other than me that are tied to earth. You respect nature and you love people. This is why I chose to write you letters across the land and get to know you. When you asked for my hand in marriage I already knew my answer. Meeting you in person changes nothing. I thought of you as my husband years ago when we wrote to each other in our teens. Marrying you now just brings my dream a reality. King of the Lycans and the Queen of Nakuru. We can bring peace to these lands.”
Montai gave a hard sigh rubbing the back of his neck. He didn’t know the full history of Nakuru. The only thing he knew is that Lycans were meant to be protectors of this land. “I.. I was hoping you could fill in the history of these lands for me?” Lelani smiled. The last time she heard or helped tell this story was when her mother was telling it to her sister. Here goes nothing. She thought to herself.
She shrugged, sucking in a breath looking up at the purple, pink and blue sky. A permanent sunset shade even though it was only about eleven in the afternoon.
*“My mother said I was created by gods in the stars. She said they were tired of being alone in blackness. Floating next to just a few dim stars. It’s said the gods looked into the future and saw how broken the world would become and they created a hidden place called Nakuru. The Lands of Nakuru are said to be hidden on an island in plain sight of the mortals. And only if you have magic or a gift inside of you can you see the magical border that divides and separates the two apart. Supernatural beings can live outside the border and must receive an invitation to live inside. For now, it’s only been Lycan, Mermaids, and beings like me Enchanters that have been allowed to be here. Vampires are too wicked and skinwalkers are pure evil. There are other supernatural beings but since we have never left Nakuru Lands we do not know what they are or what they do. After writing letters back and forth for so long I felt like I knew you already. *
History says that Lycans are protectors for the land so it only made sense to marry you so we could become one. Keep this land sacred and protect any of those who find it. I can feel this strange darkness stir. It worries my mother and since our palace is nothing but women she has been quite on edge for me. All the men we did know died off in such an odd way.."
Lelani’s words soon died off, growing quiet as she thought about all the loss her people had endured. It was at that moment she felt Montai’s hand kindly grab her wrist. One hand behind his back as he revealed what seemed to look like a graceful and decorous bracelet. “Lelani you deserve so much more. You deserve jewels and a happiness I’m not sure I can provide. But I will try my hardest to make you happy. This was my great, great, grandmother’s. It’s said that the golden owl will protect whoever wears it. Will help them grant wise choices and will keep you safe when no one else can.”
He placed the gold bracelet on her wrist. It looked so dainty on her. The bracelet was full of magic as the golden owl spread its wings hugging her wrists to fit her perfectly. The owl’s head nuzzled into her wrist quickly falling asleep on his new owner’s arm. “It’s the only expensive thing we own” His face was sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck. Lelani smiled looking down.
“It’s lovely.”
Both of them turned their heads when they heard the bells for the ceremony ring off. Looking at each other with shy smiles as they took each other’s hands. It’s time.