The snow was falling steadily outside Kira’s bedroom window, illuminated by the yellow glare of the nearby streetlight. She was lying in bed watching it fall and thinking of him. Again. Always him. Whenever there was a moment where the duties of a Clan-Daughter did not otherwise occupy her mind, she was thinking of him and his damned piercing hazel eyes. The way he looked at her made her uncomfortable. It made her face flush and her heart race. It paralyzed her, and she didn’t enjoy that feeling. Not at all. It made her feel vulnerable. Yet, here she was, nowhere near him and still thinking about him. His head tilted to one side as he watched her pass by. He would let out a low whistle when she did. He had one stubborn dark curl that framed his right eye. The man was nothing short of gorgeous.
Kira brushed her auburn hair from her face. She closed her deep blue eyes and instinctively grabbed her extra pillow into a tight hug. She was feeling extremely agitated tonight, and it was all because circumstances beyond her control had forced her to stand in front of him during the Assembly at school. They had been packed into the small gymnasium rather tightly, and so he had been very close to her. Being almost a full head taller than she was, had allowed him to lean in and whisper something to her just as the Assembly ended. His gruff voice made her tremble, and his words had filled her with both excitement and fear.
“You’re far prettier close-up,” he had said quietly, speaking directly into her ear.
She didn’t — couldn’t — respond to him. Had they been caught speaking, the consequences would have been severe. She wasn’t sure why he kept teasing her the way he did. Surely he knew that if he was seen or heard by a Teacher, he would be punished? Yet, he interacted with her daily. He was either trying very hard to get her into trouble or...
Her cell phone interrupted her thoughts, sounding off. It was Jayne, her best friend. Quickly grabbing it from her nightstand, she answered it and greeted her friend.
“Oh my God, Kira! Everyone is talking about you and Aidan tonight. Did he REALLY whisper to you during Assembly??”
“Yeah, he did, just as it was ending. I thought I was gonna die, Jayne. I can’t believe he did that.”
“Holy HELL. Is he trying to get both of you killed? I mean, it’s bad enough that he watches you openly in the hallways but to actually SPEAK to you? Guy either wants to get punished, or he wants you that badly!”
“I’m thinking he has a death wish.”
“Why do you refuse to believe he might want you, Kira? You’re not ugly or anything, and you even come from a good family!”
Kira bit her lip and groaned softly before answering. “Yeah, nowhere NEAR as good as his. There’s no way we’d be allowed.”
“Never say never, Kira. My Mom and Dad once thought that too.”
Kira smiled, and a notice popped up on her phone. “That’s true. Hey, listen, I gotta go. ‘Lights out’ here in 5 minutes. Talk to you tomorrow morning, okay?”
“Okay, night!”
Kira ended the call and pressed a small button on a keypad on her nightstand. The lights in her room slowly faded and shut off. She replaced her phone beside the keypad and went back to hugging her pillow and looking out her window at the falling snow. She knew she would dream of Aidan tonight, just like every night.
*** ***
The next morning, Kira woke and hurried through her morning routine. She clothed herself in her assigned school uniform comprising relaxed grey slacks, a white shirt, and a simple grey cardigan with the school’s logo embroidered on the left side. Some girls had quietly spoken out against the rigid, strict dress code, but Kira kind of liked it. It was comforting to know exactly what clothes to dress in every single day, and it prevented a lot of stress.
She came downstairs from her room, took her place in line in the hallway of her family home, and awaited the morning inspection. Soon her Mother would come and scrutinize her and her two younger brothers before they would be permitted entry to the dining room for breakfast. Mother would check their clothes for dirt or wear and tear. She would then check their ears and teeth and hands for cleanliness. Finally, Mother would inspect Kira’s hair to make sure it met with the dress code standards for school as well. Failing morning inspection was not an option, and that would bring about immediate discipline, and no one wanted that. Having experienced it only once, Kira went to great lengths never to do anything to warrant a second disciplinary action. Parents followed the same rules as the school for punishments, and unacceptable behaviour or non-compliance was met with a swift and severe response.
Kira’s Mother appeared, and without a word, began the morning inspection. Kira and her younger twin brothers, Devon and Ciaran, stood tall, shoulders squared, and waited. After a few minutes and some extra scrutiny on the boys’ fingernail status, they were all passed and granted formal permission to join the Father at the dining table.
Kira entered with a well-practiced saunter, almost resembling a march, and took her place at the table on her Father’s left-hand side. Her brothers took their assigned places on the opposite side. Once seated, their Father graced them with a proud grin. A single nod from him and all three children placed their hands on the table in front of them, palms facing upwards, and they gave thanks for the food they were about to receive in a stoic and well-practiced prayer.
“Dear Father, we thy children gratefully give our love and thanks to thee. It is by your grace that we succeed in all things and bring the family honour. Without our Family, we are nothing. Without our Honour, we are savages. In our Family, we trust.”
Once the breakfast prayer was finally completed, servants entered the dining room and present each person at the table with a plate of food. Father was always served first, then each child in order of age, and then finally, Mother. The meal was then consumed in reverent silence.
Kira had never really understood why meals were such a formal affair. After all, everyone had to eat, right? It seemed kind of strange to her they were treated with such reverence. She had asked her Mother once when she was much younger and had received a trip to the Sanctuary to speak to the Holy Men as a direct result. They had informed her that the due reverence to every Father for providing food to his family dated back to a time in their world history where things like that had been taken for granted by all. When the Great Culling had happened, all who survived had sworn an oath never to allow that to happen again. Apparently, watching others starve to death was not a pleasant experience. Kira accepted the answer and thanked her Mother for the education, as was proper.
When the meal was over, they would be permitted a short, chaste hug from each parent, and they would then be sent to their travel pods to begin their day. Kira was nervous after yesterday’s “almost a scandal” experience, and she couldn’t wait until Free Period so she could talk to Jayne about it.
*** ***
Mother watched the servants clear the breakfast dishes with a casual eye. They were good people, and they did their jobs well, mostly. They had been very blessed in this, and having a good staff made every Mother’s job far more manageable. After the clean-up was completed, Mother prepared a teapot herself and placed it on a silver tray to bring to Father’s study.
Once inside, she smiled at her mated and placed the tray in its designated place beside his desk. She then stood and waited for him to taste it. He sipped it carefully, and his eyes closed gratefully for a moment as he swallowed the sweet tea gratefully. He replaced the cup and rose from his chair to greet and thank her with two kisses, one on each cheek.
Mother then sat in the simple wooden chair near the tea tray, and Father took his mighty leather chair once more.
“Speak your mind to me, Wife,” he told her with a gentle smile.
“Always, Husband,” she replied with a slight smile of her own. “I am worried about Kira.”
“Has she given cause for this worry?” he asked her with a hint of surprise in his voice.
“No, Husband. Her behaviour is proper.” Mother said. “But my dreams of her are concerning.”
“Share them with me,” Father replied in a soft but commanding tone.
“I see her married and struggling. I see her facing many hard choices no woman should have to make. And yet, she seems happy enough to do so.” Mother’s head dropped for just a moment, and it was apparent she was trying not to show undue emotion.
“It is proper that you should have these dreams, Wife. Especially considering the proposal that arrived this morning.” Father replied steadfastly.
Mother said nothing but waited for Father to explain.
Father looked at her intently for a long moment, then spoke again. “I received a marriage proposal and contract by courier first thing this morning from the Dufaigh Clan Father.”
“Dufaigh!?” Mother exclaimed. “You can’t be serious!”
Father waited for Mother to regain her composure. “Yes, Dufaigh.”
“The same clan that opposed us regaining our clan status?”
“Yes, Wife. The same.”
Mother looked down and took some deep breaths to regain her composure. “I do not understand this move. What are they offering?”
Father showed her the contract and proposal. Mother took several minutes to read through it. When she finally put the papers down again, she looked at her Husband with nothing short of terror in her eyes.
“Your dreams appear accurate. If we accept this offer, and there is no legal reason NOT to, she will indeed face what you have foreseen.”
Mother’s eyes filled with tears despite her best efforts. “She is to become a Clan Mother then.”
“Not just any clan Mother either. She will face the most difficult of challenges. There hasn’t been a Clan Mother of this type, let alone this young, in over a century.” He paused for a half-second. “And she will be trained by one of the most feared Mothers of the last century as well.”
“I dislike it, Husband. But I know my place, and I will abide by your decision.”
Father reached over and wiped her tears gently from her cheek. “In these chambers, you are my Wife and my trusted partner. I will hear your thoughts, please.”
“If my dreams are truth Husband, she will change. She will change in ways you cannot imagine. She will have to learn to embrace the darkness within, and she will need to learn to walk the edge for eternity.” Mother replied, choking back small sobs.
Father’s eyes closed as he let his Wife’s words sink in. “And if she is successful? The rewards?” Father asked her, almost whispering.
“All will finally develop as it should.”
“And if she fails?”
“All will plunge into chaos. Destruction.”
Father spun his chair around to stare out the window behind him for a moment. Mother could see tears falling silently down his face as he pondered their Daughter’s fate. No other Clan Father ever had a more challenging decision to make than he did right now.
*** ***
Jayne looked shocked as she listened to her friend quietly relay what had happened to her at Assembly the previous day.
“Is he insane? He could have got the both of you EXPELLED!” Jayne remarked excitedly.
“I don’t know what he was thinking. It was so... odd.” Kira replied.
“What was it like to have him stand so close to you like that?” Jayne asked with a smirk.
“Strange. It was both scary and exciting at the same time.” Kira answered. “Every second, I was worried that the School Mother would notice.”
“Good thing for you she didn’t,” Jayne said. “The Dufaigh clan likely could have swept it under the rug for Aidan, but....”
“Yeah. You aren’t wrong, Jayne.”
A klaxon sounded, warning students that Free Period was ending in five minutes. Kira gathered up her belongings, and she stood to make her way to the lineup with Jayne to leave the Great Hall. As she took her place in the long senior student line, a tall figure slipped in right behind her. It was Aidan, of course. He smiled at Kira as he took up a place behind her. Kira kept her composure and willed herself not to react to him. Her pulse was racing, and her skin felt like it was on fire. Although they technically had a couple of minutes left in which she could have spoken to him, she opted for the safe and steady choice of maintaining propriety. This seemed to amuse Aidan.
Aidan leaned forward and whispered once more into her ear. “Enjoy the comfort of the propriety while you can, Kira. Soon, I won’t need to behave at all.“
Kira stood there dumbfounded as the second klaxon rang out, ending Free Period. The line began its systematic march forward, and the students walked stoically to their next classes. Kira tried to puzzle out what Aidan’s words meant for the rest of the silent school day. In the end, she was left with only one answer. An answer that she thought was quite impossible.
There were severe limits on what was permitted with interaction in her society, especially for those considered underage. At school, the only allowed conversation was during Free Period, and a physical distance of one metre had to be maintained at all times, regardless of gender. On Weekends, there were several specific locations where the same level of interaction was allowed. Some places allowed limited interaction paired with physical activities, such as line dancing and sports.
In her society, no direct physical contact was allowed between any unmarried persons. No hand-holding, no body-brushing, no hugging, no kissing, not even simple handshaking was allowed. They used formal greeting or affection gestures instead. It was said that in the centuries-long past, unregulated physical contact was normal, even encouraged, but things had changed.
Things had changed, according to her History Teacher, because of necessity. Too many viruses and bacterium had almost wiped out the planet on more than one occasion. It had become necessary to restrict physical contact to slow down the spread until things were under control. It took many centuries to refine new societal rules of conduct and, of course, getting the population to comply with them, but it had worked. The world had been saved and been made better for it.
According to Mother and Father, things were more relaxed now than in the beginning. It had apparently taken almost ten generations to reach the incredibly delicate balance that they now had, and they had now held it for almost another ten generations since, with no incident. In fact, the successful transformation of societal rules had accomplished FAR more than just disease control, and it had almost eliminated crime as well. For the last three hundred years, the crime rate maintained itself at a rate of 0.5 per cent, in fact.
So why then, she wondered, was Aidan being so bold? If caught, he would be publicly flogged at the very least, or possibly even executed for this type of social behaviour. Even as a Dufaigh, they could only protect him so far.
Fortunately, because of their class schedule, she would not see Aidan again. But he had ensured that she would think of him all day, that was certain.
*** ***
Father was running out of time. Kira would return from school soon, and he needed to reply to the proposal before then. Mother’s words hung heavy with him.
She will change in ways you cannot imagine.
Mother was not the type who chose her words carelessly, and that was why he had asked for her hand. She was both sensible and sensitive. Just what a good Clan Mother should be. She was also incredibly beautiful. Even now, so many years later, she was as attractive a woman as she ever was.
Kira was no different. Father had already received and rejected a dozen various marriage contracts for her. Kira did not know this as Father was only required to inform her should he accept such a contract. However, he knew his Daughter well and knew that she would not be happy with just ‘any’ friendly offer.
The offer from the Dufaigh Clan was a double-edged sword, however. They were rich, powerful, and they were also very vindictive. No other Clan Father would refuse an offer from them without the strictest of reasons. And he had none. He could not enter his Wife’s concerns into the decision because it was a business transaction. Though he himself valued her opinion, they did not carry any actual weight regarding legal matters.
So, with a heart heavy from despair, he signed the acceptance portion of the contract, sealed it in its envelope and called for the Clan Courier to deliver it. It was done.
As Father waited for his beloved Daughter to arrive home from school, he cried more silent tears knowing what he would have to tell her, with an appropriately stoic expression, upon her return.
When Mother saw the Clan Courier enter Father’s chambers, her heart sank and broke into a thousand tiny pieces, for she knew straight away what it meant. However, she remained proper as she sat in her chair and supervised the kitchen staff as they prepared the evening’s feast. She had altered the normal menu for the evening and had instructed them to make Kira’s favourite meal instead. This would be a night to remember, though not necessarily a happy one, and it would be appropriately marked.
Tonight, after the shock of the announcement wore off, she would have to have the most important conversation with her Daughter that she would ever have. She would have to do it in a formal tone, and she could not afford to show her feelings about the matter.
*** ***
Kira arrived home with her twin brothers via Travel Pod. It was a simple enclosed shuttle system. Each pod sat a maximum of six people and had mostly glass walls. The pods were almost bullet shaped, and they travelled at incredible speeds. Still, the Braonáin Clan home was almost a thirty-minute trip from the district central school. There were some advantages to living so far away from the hustle and bustle of the main city, but Kira sometimes wished she lived closer to her school friends.
The twins were happily engaged in conversation about the field trip their class had been on today. Kira sat quietly, listening to them. They had gone to “The Fringe” and could explore the protected ruins there. They were naturally excited and curious about the artifacts they saw there. Kira smiled as she remembered her first trip there and noting they seemed to experience the same sense of wonder she did.
“I think it was a torture device,” Devon said to Ciaran excitedly.
“Nope, it was a toy. Teacher said so,” answered Ciaran in his best ‘matter-of-fact’ tone.
“Was not!” Devon fired back. “Teacher doesn’t know everything!”
“DEVON! Mind your tone!” Kira exclaimed. “Do NOT speak of Teacher that way!”
“Sorry, Kira. May the Ancients forgive my indiscretion,“ Devon replied immediately, dropping his head in reverence.
“Be mindful of your arrogance, Devon. It will not serve the Family well. You are forgiven,” Kira replied automatically.
“Thank you for your kindness,” Devon whispered.
The travel pod was slowing down now, which meant they were almost Home. Kira gave Devon a special affection gesture to let him know all was well, and he returned it with a smile. The Pod stopped and a moment later the glass door flipped open so they could depart. The sight that greeted them as they did so made Kira suddenly very nervous.
Mother was there. Mother usually waited for them to enter the Home and line-up for inspection. Her presence outside could only mean one thing. There was something important about to happen.
The twins immediately snapped to formal posture and greeted their Mother stoically and then proceeded inside.
“Mother? Is there something wrong?” Kira asked carefully.
“No, Daughter. All is proper. However, there is something that we must discuss. And it cannot wait. Follow me, please.”
Kira couldn’t help but notice that Mother’s formal tone was indeed a little shaky, but she followed as instructed and kept her opinions to herself. Mother led her through their substantial Home to the Family’s private chambers. This made Kira even more nervous. Normally, the only time a child entered the private chambers was to be disciplined.
Mother sensing her concern, turned and spoke at the doorway. “Fear not, Daughter. I assure you, all is proper. You will understand momentarily.” She then opened the door and waved her hand for Kira to enter.
Father sat in a large leather swivel chair at an immense wooden desk and nodded his greeting to her. Mother crossed the room and sat in a chair near a small serving table, smoothing her skirts formally as she did so. Kira stood before the desk in a formal posture and waited. She was trying hard to control her breathing, but it was obvious to Father that she was afraid.
“Kira, you have been called in here to receive news. You may relax in our presence,” Father said.
Kira attempted to relax her posture.
“Today I was presented with an offer of marriage for you. One that I simply could not refuse. It is a smart match and will serve our family in ways you cannot understand. I have sent my acceptance to the offering Clan. Upon your graduation from school, you will be married to none other than Aidan Dufaigh,” Father stated. Kira noted an almost imperceptible sadness in his tone.
Terrified beyond belief, Kira responded based on her upbringing alone. “It is proper, Father. I live to serve my Family.”
Kira’s eyes alone told the story of her mixed feelings. What was it he had said to her earlier? That soon he would not have to behave? He knew! He knew his Father would ask for her Hand!
“Do you have questions about the arrangement, Daughter?” Father asked her quietly.
“I am to become a Wife then?” Kira asked, almost sadly.
“No, Daughter. You will be trained to take over for the Dufaigh’s aging Clan Mother. Aidan has been training to take over as Clan Father.”
Kira blinked several times to maintain her propriety at this answer. “It is well and proper, then. I shall not fail my Family” she said, not hiding her surprise very well.
Mother finally spoke once more. “You will begin your training with me before the marriage, Daughter. Clan Mother Dufaigh will finish it after the wedding, as is proper.”
“Yes, Mother,” Kira said and turned to bow respectfully.
“Go now, Daughter, and prepare yourself for the evening meal. Know that we are proud of you,” Father said in a soft tone.
“Yes, Father,” Kira replied. She twirled on her right heel and marched through the doorway, heading to her personal bed chambers. Once she was a safe distance away, she broke into a run up the stairs to her room.
*** ***
Reaching her bedroom, Kira flopped, face first, down on her bed. She could barely breathe. She knew this day would eventually come, but... Aidan? It was too surreal to comprehend. He was gorgeous and from the premier Family in the District, which meant he could have any woman he wanted, so long as his Father agreed. True, he had been teasing her all school year, but Kira had never once thought he would actually ask his Father to offer a marriage contract.
Kira rolled over on her back and tried to calm herself. The worst part of it all was she wasn’t allowed to tell anyone until the official announcement was made. Not even her best friend. Propriety demanded that she carry on as if nothing had happened until then. The announcement would be made in the District Square as soon as the contract was completed and filed with the Council. It would be public and from that point on, some of the societal limits would be relaxed until their wedding day came. He could then smile at her, watch her, send her gestures of affection even. He would also then be allowed to challenge any other man who dared to look at her for too long in public. Although it was considered an archaic practice nowadays, Kira knew after his behaviour to date that he might actually do so.
She was going to be a Clan Mother, after all. THE Clan Mother of the District, in fact. If she thought her life was stringent now, once she assumed that role, it would be far worse. She would be the Mother that all the other Mothers looked up to. She would have a seat on the Council as well. That meant that in public, she would have to be perfect.
Kira had watched her Mother over the years with fascination. The attention to detail and the effort she put into maintaining propriety in the Home was excruciating. Mother took her duties incredibly seriously since they reestablished the Clan. Kira was sure that Mother took it more seriously than most others because of their renewed status. Once Kira’s training began, she would learn all the secrets of being a Clan Mother. and that thought was more than a little terrifying.
Kira often wondered what life was like for those without an official clan. They lived on the outskirts of the Districts, in the wilderness, and had their own school system. Not much was taught about them because they were considered barely above savages by polite society. She had heard rumours, of course, claims of being allowed to touch each other freely and not having arranged marriages. Kira had shuttered at the thought. Imagine someone just being allowed to walk up and touch you? It was unthinkable.
Kira’s personal alarm sounded, telling her she needed to dress for dinner and so she got up and did so, her hands still trembling.
*** ***
Mother was directing the servants for dinner, but her mind was thinking of her Daughter. Good thing she was well practiced in the ritual. Even better that her loyal family servants were just as well practiced. She was scared for Kira. Her dreams had predicted that Kira would suffer many hardships to grow into a Clan Mother and she did not want that for her. Kira was a curious soul, yes. But she was a good girl who deserved to be happy. Mother knew that she found Aidan Dufaigh attractive, but she also knew that Kira feared him because of it. Rightly so. Couples who married and were attracted to each other initially often suffered the most gruelling of times. Attraction led to jealousy and possessiveness. It was far better for the attraction to form later on in the marriage, from a sense of partnership and compatibility.
Mother had heard talk of Aidan amongst the other Clan Mothers. All of them were terrified that he would choose one of their Daughters. Mainly for the same reasons. Many of the Daughters found him insanely good looking. Just last week, a neighbouring Clan Mother had confessed that she had been forced to discipline her Daughter for a diary entry about Aidan. The Daughter had penned about an inappropriate dream of him the night before, describing it as ‘deliciously wicked and seductive’. Eyva had felt sorry for her. It was a serious breach of propriety. Social women were expected to keep such things completely to themselves.
She doubled checked on the dish placement of the Family table for a moment before letting her thoughts resume.
Eyva thought back to her own wedding contract. It had come to her small village via courier and her father had opened it without knowing what it really was at first. Her father ended up having to travel to the free council chambers in the Eastern District to find out what it was and what he should do. It had been quite the traumatic experience since her father knew almost nothing of societal ways. They had been expecting him, fortunately, and had assigned a young council assistant to provide service to him. Many hours later, the contract had been signed, and he returned home.
Upon his return home, her father did his best to explain what had transpired and Eyva had been packed up and sent to the Council for Women in the Eastern District for formal training the very next day. She had been completely terrified upon her arrival there, not having any clue what to expect. What sacred secrets she learned there changed her forever. Not only was she taught proper societal ways, but the world she thought she knew had been turned upside down and inside out for her. She had been born a savage and was then transformed into a Clan Mother. Even without her dreams, Eyva knew Kira would be transformed once her training began. It wouldn’t be as severe as her own experience was, but it would be eye opening.
Eyva never even met her husband before the wedding. The Council would not allow it until she had successfully passed her Societal and Secrets training. The first time she saw him was when she walked down the aisle to meet him in front the of Chief Councillor. She found him handsome and thought him sturdy. In time, as she was told she would, she even grew to love him. She had borne him three children. As always, the Daughter came first. When she discovered she was carrying male twins, however, there was concern. Normally, identical twins were aborted in polite society. However, a dispensation had been granted to them because of their newly reinstated Clan status to allow them to grow their clan properly. It had been a tense time for them, waiting to find out if the pregnancy would be allowed. The allowance had been made public to avoid any misconceptions from the other Clans and had provided them with a unique standing.
Mother moved into the kitchen and began the final inspection for dinner. All was well and proper and so she sent the electronic signal to the children to gather for inspection.
About the Creator
DV Wood
Self-Published Canadian Author
DV Wood is happily married and began writing in March 2020 after a thirty-year hiatus. Previously, she published several poems and one short story but has now completed two full-length fantasy novels!
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