Chapter 1
CHAPTER 1: NERVOUS.
Running through the forest in tears, questioning how I got into this mess, how could I get myself out, in this deep void of tears and sorrow would I ever be able to see that sunshine again?
This all starts off with a girl named blossom, who lives in a small tribal village, her parents were the tribe leaders, she was raised in a very strict and upstanding household, life for her was hard, she had to learn many things at a very young age. but blossom was quite the opposite of everything she was supposed to be, blossom was carefree, and wanted advantage, the world was her play ground, and every day was recess.
Today for Blossom was important. She was turning 16, and would soon have her coronation for the next upcoming tribal leader, along with the announcement of who she will be betrothed to.
sitting in her room deep in her thoughts. "I can't be a leader. but how could i tell mother and father that, they wouldn't understand, what am i gonna do!?" Just in the middle of deep thought, her father, Knox, walks in, a tall, structured man, hair rolled into thick locs that are tied back in a simple bun. "Daughter, it is almost time for your coronation. Why aren't you ready?" he asks, crouching down to be at eye level. "I'm sorry father, I've just been thinking..." I paused, scared that he wouldn't understand. But before I could even speak another word my father sits besides me and holds my hand, with a warm gentle touch. "blossom i know i'm tough on you, and i know things like this are scary, becoming leader was scary for me too" he says in a soft voice. "But father, how do you expect me! out of all people, to be a leader. I can barely take care of my brothers, and sisters, let alone a whole tribe!" I exclaim. My father laughed, but I didn't find my worries amusing. He wipes the tears in his eyes and looks back down at me. "Blossom, being a leader of a tribe looks scary, but you won't be running it alone, you will have your husband to help and lead you." My father reassures me. "HUSBAND!?" This was a surprise, as I was not told about MY OWN ENGAGEMENT! "Yes, your husband, a son of a neighboring tribe leader, this will unite our tribes, creating new found allies" my father explained. "Father, I don't even know this boy! How am I going to marry him! I was not told about any of this!" I yell at him. "Yes I know but just as me and your mother we found a way to love each other, you shall do the same." My father rose from my bed to give me a hug, before leaving the room in dead silence. I fell back into my bed letting out a big sigh. "I wish I was 6 again when life was carefree."
I stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing myself. The gown was stunning—layers of soft white linen stitched with gold thread, wrapped delicately around my body. Intricate beadwork traced across the fabric in traditional patterns—symbols of strength, unity, legacy. A wide, handwoven sash hugged my waist, dyed in deep earth tones and vibrant reds, holding everything together like It was supposed to. Around my neck, heavy strands of polished stone and cowrie shells rested against my collarbone. Passed down. Expected. Regal. And then there was my hair, curling outward in soft, full, thick coils that brushed my shoulders. My mother had spent hours working it out, trimming and shaping it to frame my face just right. I looked like I belonged in a painting. I looked beautiful, but I didn’t feel like me. It was my birthday. Today was supposed to be joyful. Full of dancing, firelight, songs echoing across the village, but instead, I was preparing to be crowned, and married to someone I had never met. My throat tightened. Shouldn’t I feel proud? Excited? Happy? Instead, all I felt was small.
Right then, the door creaked open. My mother entered, her smile blooming the moment she saw me. “Blossom,” she whispered, eyes glassy. “You look absolutely gorgeous.” I gave her a weak smile. “Thanks, Mom.” She stepped closer, her expression softening. “What’s wrong?” she asked gently. “I can tell something’s bothering you.” I kept my eyes on the mirror. “What if I’m not ready for this? For any of it?” She moved behind me, adjusting one of the necklaces around my collar. “Of course you’re ready. You’ve cared for your siblings. Helped the sick in the healing hut. Your people already trust you, they love you.” “But leading them? Being married?” I shook my head slightly. “I’m only sixteen. I don’t even know what kind of person I want to be yet. How am I supposed to lead a whole tribe, build a life with a stranger, when I've still yet to figure out who I am?” My mother was quiet for a moment. Then she placed both hands on my shoulders. “You don’t have to know everything today,” she said. “You will grow into it, just like I did. You’ll make mistakes. But you’ll learn. And love… love takes time.” Her voice was gentle, but I still felt the weight pressing down on my chest. “You and Father chose this life for me,” I said quietly. "I didn’t even get a say. None of this was my decision.” She looked at me through the mirror. Her eyes almost reflecting mine. “I know,” she sighed. “And I’m sorry. We did what we believed was right—for the tribe, and for you. But I know you can do it, because Blossom when I look in this mirror I see a queen, a cheif, a learder.” I didn’t respond. I didn’t know how. She adjusted the last piece of my jewelry, then stepped back to look at me fully. “perfect,” she whispered again, tears barely held in her eyes. I nodded faintly. “Thank you, Mother.” But deep down, I didn’t feel ready. I didn’t feel brave. I didn’t feel like a leader. I just felt like a girl in a dress too heavy for her shoulders.
Blossom grew weary as the time for her coronation grew closer just an hour before she was leader and married! Although she was scared and protested against it she had to accept her fate to make her family proud, to bring a new era to her tribe! But could she do that? was the real question everyone was wondering...
"I can do this, I can do this, just breathe" I thought to myself as I approached the ceremony, the beaming sun slightly blinding me. "this is it... the rest of my life, no freedom, no friends, no finding my own love... Do I really wanna give this all up?" Before I could even answer the question I was being taken to the center fields by my Father.
"Just as many Moons ago I stood here, and my father and his, We have gathered once again to celebrate and Honor the rise of our new leader,My eldest daughter Blossom. It brings me great pride and joy to know she will be taking my place and leading people to a new era!” I stood there in front of my people, my tribe I felt honored, I saw my mother in tears of joy, my father smiling at me proudly, for a moment i had no doubt no fears just pride to be a part of my family, that moment was short lived as for when the realization that i was gonna be a leader, A WIFE! I was giving up everything.
I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out, I stumbled back as I ran off shoving through the crowd so embarrassed.
blossom crumbled to the ground in tears ashamed as she tries to clear her thoughts wanting just a moment of quiet, her Father rushes to find her. "Blossom," my father says quietly, kneeling down. "What is the matter, why did you run off?" my father asks. "I'm sorry father I just got a bit overwhelmed by all the eyes" I lied. "oh just a little stage fright understandable, it's okay darling I'll give you a few minutes and then we'll go back and give your speech and you'll be the new leader" my father tells me.
Blossom wanted to protest to say something! she was scared of what her father would think, would he still be proud of me, would he agree with my decision? Taking a deep breath, Blossom opened her mouth, and she was going to tell the truth this time... she wasn't gonna give up her life for what her dad wants.
"No!" I shouted. My father was taken aback by the raising of voice. "What do you mean no?" he asked skeptically. "I don't want to be a leader, I don't want to be a wife, I want to fall in love! not be forced into love. I refuse to give up my life. I'm just 16 and I've barely started living my life. I'm not going to let you take that away, with responsibilities! Ever since I was born I never had the freedom I wanted, that I deserved! I grew up learning what I had to do, I couldn't do what I wanted! But now I'm going to do what I want and you're going to listen!" I shout at him, throwing my head piece on the ground.
Blossom's father looked infuriated, his eyes burning with flames piercing into her skin, he raised his hand in the air hitting her. "Don't you ever speak to me like that. I am your father you will speak to me with respect! you will go back on to that stage you will give your speech and you will become leader whether you like it or not you will make this family proud! Do you hear me!" He demanded.
Blossom's eyes filled with tears. "NO! I will not listen to you! forget about this family, forget about you, what about ME!" I scream at my father. His voice no longer loud or harsh but cold and quiet. "You are the worst mistake me and mother ever made. Get out..." For a moment the world stopped. I felt the ground beneath me crumble, before I ran out in tears running as fast as I could. Never turning back.
the further I ran in the forest the less hope i had of getting out, "this was all my fault I should have just said the damn speech." slouching against a tree covering my face as I sob.
Blossom seemingly lost and alone was giving up hope.
A soft, low voice drifted from the trees.
“Aww… why so sad?” I froze, tears halting. I looked up—nothing but trees. “Who’s there?” I called out. “Who am I? Who are you?” the voice teased, echoing around me. I hesitated. Maybe he could help, he could be friendly… What do I have to lose anyway?
“M-My name is Blossom. Now tell me who you are.”
A chuckle.
“Lovely name. As for me? People like you call us an assortment of names, monsters, abominations… but you people love blood witches.” The words drug out. My eyes widened. “B-Blood witches?” From behind a tree, he stepped out—tall, moon-pale, jet black curls falling over sharp eyes. “What else did you expect here?” he said, swaying closer as if he was a snake and I was his prey I stumbled back. “A-Are you going to hurt me?” He grinned, slow and wicked.
“Only if you ask nicely.”
A tent of blush spread over my face, before I turned my gaze away from his. "Who are you? Tell me your name, I told you mine!" I demand. His grin faltered to a soft smile. "my name is rye, lovely to meet you"
Although Blossom was scared she felt like she could trust him. His spirit had light in all this darkness.
"rye is a nice name.” The compliment came from unease. "thank you it's my nickname my full name is Rayloom my mother thought it to be pretty for a boy." He sighed, almost embarrassed. "I think it's beautiful," I mumble.
Though everything about this moment felt wrong for once in her life she could care less. They talked for hours exploring each other's lives, connecting, a friendship to say the least. "So what brings you into this forest, trying to hunt down handsome blood witches such as myself," he jokes. I chuckled slightly, nudging his arm. "no... to tell you the truth, today was my coronation–” my smile soon faded. “I'm supposed to be the rising tribal chief– but I really messed up and I'm pretty sure my father hates me.." tears welled up in my eyes.
A displeased frown printed on Rye's lips seeing my tears, not sure what to really do. "o-oh no d-don't cry uhh please, im sure your father doesn't hate you." rye gave a look of discomfort. Noticing this, I pull myself together and wipe my tears away. "s-sorry"
"n-no it's ok, I'm sorry it's just I don't really understand emotions, one thing blood witches are known for is controlling people's bodies, so we don't see a lot of human emotions." his eyes flickering from mine to the ground.
“I can understand that, my family taught me to be cold towards others, to keep to myself and obey what I'm told, it was my responsibility as the oldest to never show weakness..." He looked surprised that someone like me could understand how he felt, his eyes fell on mine studying my words. He had the most beautiful eyes, velvet black and turned a silverish gray in the sunlight. "You know it's almost dark and blood witches start to come out at this time." he informed, breaking the moment. "I should probably head back. I'd rather not get into any more trouble with my father." laughing awkwardly.
They both stood up and he gave her a cold yet warm look. "It was nice meeting you blossom, I hope–" He stopped before he could say something to embarrass himself but continued anyway. "i hope you find yourself in this part of the forest again, I wouldn't mind chatting." he said looking away clearing his throat. For the first time I felt a feeling, so to speak– Butterflies. I was so distracted I almost forgot to answer. "maybe…” I mumbled. “It is quiet here, a great place to think." My lips curled into a gentle smile. "yeah," he breathed, scratching the back of his head. Before I could even respond the trees started to shudder and the sky swirled with thunder, it was almost as if the forest started to come to life. I could sense the danger in the air.
Rye’s gaze turned weary, his body instinctively tensed,he had to act quick. "I'm sorry, I hope you can forgive me." he raised his hands, eyes burning into mine, as a suffocating pressure built threw me, everything started to compress contouring, I sobbed out in agony, as my limbs no longer felt like mine, but threaded on string as if I was puppet. "shhhh,” he hushed, whispers swaying in the wind, ringing in my ears. I no longer thought for myself when everything went black.
I woke up in my bed disoriented, everything fuzzy and unclear. I looked around to find my dad sleeping in a chair near me, I sat up and stared at him, thinking where am I? How did I get here? My memory was even worse. I could barely remember anything, I went to stand up and my legs gave out from under me, and I felt myself falling when a pair of rough calloused hands caught me placing me back on my bed. It was my father, seeing his eyes of resentment that still left my heart icey, but even though I could feel his anger I also saw his relief and love.
The silence between us was like screams begging to be set free, yet we stayed silent, our pride too high to let the other admit to their wrongs and apologize, the air thickened with every movement, until a sweet voice cut through, my mother.
"Oh blossom! I was so worried you had disappeared. We feared we lost you as the witching hour started just before your reappearance." my mom thankfully explained. "I'm sorry I scared you mom, and messed up the whole coronation." I hugged her. "oh sweetie it's ok just don't ever do that again, and as for the coronation, it's ok, it's a lot of responsibility to handle at such a young age. how about this we'll postpone till next year for your 17th birthday giving you one last year to yourself to have fun?" my mom suggested.
I smiled widely and nodded. "Thank you!" enthusiasm filling my words
my mom kissed my temple before leaving the room. leaving me and my father alone. "one more year" his voice was almost hateful and upset. "Then you'll be a leader, and this time i'm not giving you a chance to escape, i've loved you and cared for you since birth and you will give me at least the common courtesy of listening." my fathers words like poison weakening my heart. but I stood my ground and glared back at him. "You can't force me to do what you want! I'm not some puppet" I spoke in an edgy hiss like tone. "Little girl watch your mouth" he hissed back. "You were right, I am the worst mistake you ever made, and I'll make you regret that." When I look back into his eyes this time I could see the disappointment. "One year" he swiftly turned around and left, as a heart wrenching feeling washed over me. "what did i just do”
