Lost Dreams

Chapter 1

She sat, feeling the wind blowing through her hair, her head leaned back against the old iron bench that sat at the edge of the Onyx Lake. Her fingers traced her collarbone, outlining the thin gold necklace that held her own piece of onyx gem. It rested delicately on her chest. The only morsel of a life she never knew. A sigh left her throat as she sat up, looking out at the dark water of the lake. Something about this spot always called to her, gave her a sense of peace away from the bustling of Droake. The castle loomedbehind her. It’s stone walls casting a shadow in the setting sun. She felt herself shudder, she had to go back soon. Once again her blue eyes traveled over the lake. It lead off in the distance, somewhere meeting the sea and a world completely unknown to her.

“Cora!!!” She heard her name shouted. “Coralee Mangata, get your behind back in this kitchen!” Cora sighed, standing up and brushing the wrinkles from her dress. Her Mother, Portia was standing at the top of the bank with a hand on her hip. She could tell me the castle shadows it was close to dinner service, which meant Portia was waiting for her to set the plates in the dining hall. Begrudgingly she scooped up her thick dark gray hair and fastened it behind her. “Coming Mother!” She shouted back. Gathering her skirt she jogged up the hill. “Pfft, girl, King Jagson will have your head if he’s sat at the table with no plates laid” Portia chastised. “Always down here at this lake, dreaming off about things no kitchen girl will ever find” she continued. Cora just shrugged. She knew her mother was right, but she couldn’t help the pull she felt next to the water, and the deep yearning she had to be elsewhere. Someplace different from the cold stones of the werewolf kingdom she never asked to be a part of. She looked at the woman who had raised her and her sister Novalynn. “Sorry Mother, I just needed some air, the walls feel suffocating after standing in them all day.” Portia shook her head. With a small sigh she linked her arm in to her daughters as they walked in step toward the door that lead to the kitchen.

“ My child, I may not have carried you as my own pup, but the Moon Goddess blessed me with you and your sister to raise as my own, and I do swear, just as I found you stubborn and squalling as an infant, I find you the same today as almost a woman” Portia said, her tone filled with love and a mother’s chide.