Sun & Moon (special preview)

Alcmene holds my hand and she hangs her head again. “I am not the most beautiful of creatures. This is for sure true. I know that’s really why the Powers make me wear the mask.”

“I understand if you don’t want me to see,” I murmur. “But I think the Powers are the ugliest things I have ever seen.”

Alcmene giggles then covers the mask with her hands.

“And I have to walk around seeing their ugly ass faces all the time.” I curl up closer to Alcmene. “Avani is the best thing I usually see. Anything she loves so much cannot be so hideous as the Powers.”

Alcmene turns towards me again and sighs. “You really think that?”

I take a lock of her hair and kiss it. The lock of hair turns lavender, then dark purple and black. “I really do.”

Alcmene strokes her hair that’s changed color and looks at it in shock. “Oh, wow,” she whispers.

I giggle and lean in more. “Even now, I think you’re very cute.”

Alcmene looks at me. “Oh, wow.”

Avani clears her throat loudly and we both turn abruptly to look at her. She stands there, holding a tray of drinks and scowling at us.

Alcmene moves away from me. “What did you bring?”

Avani glares at me. “You’re playing with fire here, Sonnehilde.”

I grin down at her and shrug. “That’s all I know.”

I continue my stolen visits with Alcmene, losing my desire to care about anything the Powers told me. Avani warns me, but she, too, has been enjoying how Alcmene’s mood has been improving.

Alcmene and I have been growing closer and closer. Before, when she would flinch away from me and how close I enjoyed sitting, she now basically sits in my lap. She still wears her mask and dresses that cover most of her skin. I want to build up her confidence, so I try to compliment her as much as possible.

During one visit, I notice she is wearing a robe and she has kept the neck clutched around her throat.

“This is lovely.” I say as I touch the fabric. “Much lighter than what you usually wear.”

“I wanted to show you something,” she murmurs. She releases the collar from her neck. I see her skin, and the start of her chest, and the curve of her ample breasts.

“Being brave?” I ask.

Alcmene lifts her hands up. “Or stupid, like you.”

“Oh! So I’m stupid now?” I grin.

Alcmene giggles and clasps the mask, removing it from her face. I take the mask from her as she slowly raises her head. The robe falls away from her skin, showing off the mottled and splotchy coloring, looking very much like marble with streaks of gold and pearl through it.