ashesthatremain

[ashesthatremain]

Hours passed before the car finally came to a stop in a remote village, far removed from the bustle of city life. Selene knew where they were, the gated community coming into view as the car turned onto the quiet cul-de-sac. She had known all along that this was where she would find solace, in the company of shut-ins and writers, among them her beloved aunt Callista.

As the car disappeared into the night, Selene stood alone, a solitary figure under the moonlit sky. She knew that her journey was far from over, that challenges lay ahead. But for the first time in her life, she felt truly alive, ready to face whatever the future held with courage and determination.

[ashesthatremain]

The driver, a man of few words but unwavering loyalty, started the engine and guided the car out of the city, its ancient streets giving way to the open road. Selene watched in silence as the familiar landmarks of her childhood disappeared behind them, each passing mile a step closer to freedom. As the city lights faded into the distance, Selene's thoughts turned to her mother, Diana, a formidable woman whose ambitions for her daughter knew no bounds. She recalled their last conversation, the ultimatum delivered with icy determination, another attempt at pressuring her, despite her arguments.

"You will marry Galanthus. It is your duty, Selene, to uphold our family's legacy."

But she could not bring herself to comply, could not fathom a life bound by duty and expectation. She yearned for something more, something that was truly hers. The car sped on, the night enveloping them in a blanket of darkness. Selene closed her eyes, allowing herself a moment of respite, a moment to dream of a future where she was free to be herself.

[ashesthatremain]

She navigated the maze-like streets, her destination a secluded spot where a car waited, its engine a soft purr in the stillness of the night. The driver, a stalwart figure from her aunt's staff, nodded in silent understanding as she approached. "Take me far away from here," she implored, her voice barely audible above the rushing of wind and the pattering of rain. "Somewhere they'll never find me."

The driver's response was a solemn vow, his gravelly voice a reassurance of safety and freedom. "I understand, miss. I'll take you somewhere safe." She settled into the plush leather seat of the waiting car, the scent of old books and dust mingling with the faint aroma of her mother's perfume that still clung to her clothes. She cast one last glance at the city she had called home, its imposing facade now a mere silhouette against the night sky, before turning her gaze forward, toward the unknown.

[ashesthatremain]

[ashesthatremain]

Selene slipped out of her family's mansion, shrouded in darkness and the weight of her decision. The city's streets, labyrinthine and dimly lit, awaited below the hill her home rested upon, each step echoing her resolve. The moon, a pale witness above, cast a ghostly glow upon the streets of the city, where ancient buildings loomed like silent sentinels, their facades a testament to wealth and tradition. "I can't do this. I won't sacrifice myself for their ambitions." Selene muttered to herself, the words a whispered mantra against the oppressive silence of the night. The weight of her mother's expectations bore down upon her, a burden she could no longer bear. She walked with purpose, each step a declaration of defiance against a life she refused to live. "I cannot marry Galanthus. I cannot live a life where I am not free to be myself."

Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts, a tempest of rebellion against the gilded cage of her upbringing. The city, with its narrow streets and towering spires, seemed to conspire against her, its very architecture a manifestation of the constraints she sought to escape.

[ashesthatremain]

Waiting a few moments to speak, when she did Selene's voice came out in a tremble "But at what cost, Mother? I can't live a lie anymore. I won't marry him and pretend to be something I'm not."

Diana turned away from her daughter, striding to the door. She knew Selene would make the right decision so long as she had the time to make it, she always did, after all. "You will marry Galanthus, Selene. You will uphold our family's honour and secure our future. You will awaken before him each morning and put in your contacts, you will apply your makeup. You will never appear flustered or unmade in front of him or anyone. There is no other choice."

♫

[ashesthatremain]

That is final. Everything was always final. Selene was never allowed to have the last word and had to just take whatever her Mother dished out. She grit her teeth, anger flaring in her eyes, defiance itching her fingers, her spine, her mind. "I can't marry him, Mother. You know I'm not like the rest of Raw society, neither of us are."

She didn't expect the way Diana lashed out, somehow. It happened often enough but she thought that this time it wouldn't happen. Even as her Mother's hand connected with her cheek, even as her Mother's voice raised an octave, rage and fear streaming through the tone, she didn't expect the slap. "Enough, Selene! You will do as you are told. Your true nature is a secret that must remain hidden. It is for your own safety to do so."

♫

[ashesthatremain]

Her mother's eyes narrowed, the corners of her lips turning up. "It is not about knowing him, Selene. That will come with time. It is about securing our family's power." She stepped closer to her daughter as if to emphasize the point. "You will marry him."

"But Mother, I…" Selene's voice caught in her throat. She knew any argument would be for naught and yet she had to try. She didn't want to be forced to live a life her parents planned for her, any life like that wasn't worth living, not with the secrets she had to keep. "I can't marry someone I don't love!"

"Love is a luxury we cannot afford, Selene. You will marry Galanthus." She waited, Selene's voice spluttering as she tried to find the words. Selene wanted to argue, she wanted to fight, she wanted her freedom, yet her Mother's grip was so tight she worried it would choke her. "That is final."

♫

[ashesthatremain]

Diana crossed the room, handing her the letter in a brisk motion, as though the letter were inconsequential for the conversation, despite the bold and decorative letterhead at the top being from one of the more prestigious families in Raw society. Selene's stomach sunk as she read the first line, looking to her Mother for an explanation. "You have been betrothed to Galanthus Danburite. It is a prestigious match that will benefit our family greatly."

"Betrothed?" There it was, the disobedient tone her Mother hated so much. "But I barely know him!" And it was true. The two of them had conversed maybe twice at society events. He had taken her on a walk in the gardens once, sure, and he had groped her in an inexperienced manner, his breath smelling of whiskey as he did so. While it had been an experience she had welcomed, it wasn't one she wished to repeat.

♫

[ashesthatremain]

Her mother, Diana, stood at the threshold, letter in hand, her presence dominating the room. There was a sense of apprehension that ran up her spine at that sight. Whenever her mother came in with a letter it was never a good sign, never good news, never 'oh, it turns out you were swapped at birth and we've found your real parents, goodbye!'. It usually was a portent of doom, such as the time she was expelled from the all-girls college, or when her older brother had been reported missing in the Semidolcatan jungle during one of his expeditions. "Selene." Her mother's voice was like ice. It left no room for discussion, for argument, and Selene prepared for what was bound to be news she would not like, something she would have to fight for, like always. "I have news regarding your future."

Her future? She hadn't even decided what she wanted to do with her future yet, and her mother already had news of it? Had they enrolled her in another school? Were they sending her away somewhere? She tried to keep her voice emotionless, lest her Mother berate or deride her. "What news, Mother?"

♫

[ashesthatremain]

She sat at her vanity, more storage for miscellanea than makeup, scrutinizing her face in a manner reminiscent, she would claim, of her mother searching for a wrinkle or misplaced hair. She wasn't looking for anything of a sort, of course, but it didn't stop her from searching for imperfections that would cause a needless argument to happen between herself and the woman who had raised her. Candlelight flickered, casting dancing shadows on the walls and her face as she continued to peer, checking to see if her eyes were white enough, if her makeup was opaque. If she wasn't perfect…If she wasn't…

A brisk knock interrupted her preening, shortly followed by the opening of her door. Nobody waited for a response for her, she wasn't important enough for that, she gathered, at least not to anyone who mattered. Still, aiming for politeness, and for a day where she didn't end up with one headache or another, she turned in her seat to confront the intruder.

♫

[ashesthatremain]

♫

[ashesthatremain]

Every time we tell this story it gets lost in translation. Every time we spread our truths it is turned to lies for others comfort. People claim we aren’t as nice as we seem, that we can’t be the innocent party in everything. You want the truth? We’ll give you the truth. And we’ll all burn in the Ashes That Remain. Ashes to Ashes, dust to dust.