Rhea Birthday Story #3

Moon magic didn’t affect all people the same but Rhea took after her mother a full blooded Moon Priestess. Although Jamie and Rhea shared a father their mothers couldn’t have been more different. Jamie’s mother, nobility born, had no magical abilities unless the skill to bring a king to his knees was considered something more than political.

Rhea rolled her eyes as she realized how unwisely she’d tossed aside her mother’s concerns when she left for the trip.

“Maybe I should’ve listened to mother,” Rhea muttered.

Jamie laughed. “Somehow I don’t think this planet is ready for a woman to have a harem. They’re very male-centric.”

Rhea shuddered at the thought of a male dominated society. How ever did they get anything done? “I hope I don’t turn out like my mother.”

To her surprise Jamie squeezed Rhea’s hand in a rare gesture of support. “You are nothing like your mother. You came all this way to help protect me until I could meet my future husband. Your mother would never have offered assistance to anyone not if it meant she might chip a nail.”

Rhea opened her mouth to object to Jamie’s characterization of her mother but she couldn’t deny it. After all the Mother Moon Priestess was a bit obsessed about her nails. Rhea sighed. “I don’t think either of our mothers would win any awards.”

“No,” Jamie agreed, “but even if I’m a bit bitchy I know you’ve got my back sis. If the moons become too much we’ll find you a nice underground cellar to hide you in until we can get you off this rock.”

Rhea smiled. “This rock is your new home.”

A glance of distaste at her scenery reflected Jamie’s opinion of the desert.

“Maybe it will grow on me,” she said. “At least the prince is cute.”

“If he’s anything like his picture then he is very cute,” Rhea agreed. When negotiating their marriage contract the prince had sent several photos showing him at different events. Rhea thought he’d have done better sending a naked picture so Jamie could check out the whole package but their father probably wouldn’t have approved that match.

“Promise me you’ll try out the goods before you decide to buy,” Rhea demanded.

The guard made a choking sound beside her.

Rhea ignored him.

“Did it say anything about that practice in your book?” Jamie’s eyes lit with amusement at the scandalized soldier beside them.

“No it’s practical advice. If he’s a clunker in bed you don’t want to be tied to him for life.”

“Says you. Your mother probably already has a harem picked out for you.”

Rhea sighed.

“Oh my goddess, she does, doesn’t she!” Jamie laughed. “I’m beginning to think I’m doing you a bigger favor than you’re doing me.”

“I- I don’t know there’s something weird about having men at my beck and call. It’s…I don’t know…creepy.” Rhea couldn’t shake the feeling that despite her mother’s insistence, she had a different future.

“From what I’ve heard you’d be doing a spouse a favor. It takes more than one man to satisfy a moon driven mage,” Jamie reminded her.