Page 5 of Moon Chosen

“I know, Mama. I’m sorry I sounded like that.”

Leda squeezed her hand. “Don’t be nervous. Trust yourself.”

Mari was nodding tightly when a mini-whirlwind hurled herself into her arms, hugging her tightly and almost knocking her off her feet.

“Mari! Mari! I’m so, so glad you’re here! You must be feeling well.”

Mari smiled at the younger girl. “I am well, Jenna. And I’m glad to be here, too.” She touched the Maiden Moon Crown that circled Jenna’s dark head. It was woven beautifully from lavender and ivy. “Your crown is really pretty. Did your father make it?”

Jenna giggled, looking more like six than sixteen. “Father? No! His fingers are like stumps and he says they all turn into thumbs when he tries to weave. I made it.”

“Well done, Jenna,” Leda said fondly, smiling at her daughter’s friend. “You did a wonderful job of weaving the lavender into the center pattern of the crown. You’re showing real talent.”

Jenna’s cheeks flushed an adorable pink. “Thank you, Moon Woman.” Her smile was bright as she bowed formally to Leda, arms down and spread, palms open and facing outward to show she hid no weapon or ill will.

“Oh, Jenna! You don’t have to be so formal. It’s just Mama,” Mari said.

“She’sjustyour mama. She’smyMoon Woman,” Jenna said cheekily.

“Who is also your friend,” Leda added. “Which type of weaving are you most drawn to—thread work or something less intricate?”

Jenna spoke softly, shuffling her feet, “I—I want to weave beautiful scenes, like the Earth Mother tapestry in the birthing burrow.”

“Then thread work it is,” Leda said. “Tonight I’ll speak with Rachel about being sure you are properly apprenticed.”

“Thank you, Moon Woman,” Jenna said quickly, her eyes bright with unshed tears.

Leda cupped her face and kissed her on the forehead. “Your mother would do the same for my Mari had I passed on to join our Earth Mother before her.”

Mari moved closer to her friend and linked arms with her. “Only I am as hopeless with weaving as your father, which would have baffled your mama.”

“But you can draw anything!” Jenna gushed.

“Moon Woman! Our Moon Woman is here!” From the Gathering a strong, male voice called

Leda smiled and acknowledged the greeting with a cheery wave. “As usual, your father is the first Clansman to see me.”

“Father will always be first to see you—first to be Washed by you. It’s because he loves me so much,” Jenna said proudly.

“That he does, Jenna,” Leda said.

“Xander is a really good father,” Mari agreed, smiling at her friend, though to herself she acknowledged,lucky for Jenna that Xander seeks out Mama without fail every Third Night. If he didn’t she’d be worse than an orphan. She’d be raised by a monster.

“Our Moon Woman is here! Light the torches! Ready the Clan!” The women of the Clan took up the greeting and the Gathering Site exploded into activity. From all directions they came to take their proper places. The movements of the women were practiced, and though they weren’t in perfect step with one another they wove a serpentine pattern through the trees, vegetables, and foliage with an earthy grace that reminded Mari of the rhythm of water flowing over river rock.

The Clan formed a semicircle to welcome their Moon Woman. Aged women first, then mothers with the Clan’s young beside them, then maidens of mating age all crowned with gaily woven headdresses, and then, finally, the Clansmen, who held torches and stood protectively around the edges of the clearing. Mari could feel their predatory presence—a barely controlled chaos that she could imagine drifting in dark, roiling eddies of unease throughout the gathering.

Mari couldn’t help glancing nervously at the men. Ever since she’d first realized as a young girl the changes that Night Fever brought to the Clan—the deadly melancholy it caused in women, and the dangerous madness it caused in men—she kept a watchful eye on any Clansmen, especially as sunset drew near.

“Don’t stare at them. It is Third Night. We will Wash them and all will be well,” her mama whispered to Mari.

Mari nodded tightly. “Lead the way, Mama. Jenna and I will be right behind you.”

Leda took one step forward and then paused. She held out her hand to Mari. “Not behind me. I would rather that you were beside me for all to see.”

Mari could feel the excitement in Jenna, but she hesitated before taking her mama’s hand. She searched Leda’s gray eyes, looking for reassurance.

“Trust me, sweet girl,” Leda said. “You know I have your back.”