Login

Crackshipping and You: Celestiamira

by Fuzzyfurvert

Chapter 1: Fuzzy

Load Full Story Next Chapter

My name is Sultana Amira of Saddle Arabia, and my life is a fairy’s tale. Like most tales told to children, it does not begin happily.

A month ago, I was but Princess Amira, third child of my father, Sultan Amir the III. Mine was a pampered life by any measure, filled with leisure and decadence. But it was not to last forever, for I was destined to live the life of a priestess as soon as I became of age. Mine was not to rule, nor to marry into more wealth with one of our vassal families. No, I was to train and worship in a secluded cloistery among the unending dunes to continue a tradition passed down for over a hundred generations.

That is, until one of the noble families we thought among our most trusted, turned on us and lead a bloody coup that claimed the lives of my father and siblings, as well as the lives of most of our servants and guards. It was only through luck and the last minute appearance of my father’s true supporters that saved me from the same fate. While my life was spared by chance, the danger did not end there. The usurper's’ forces were driven from the palace, but they turned and laid siege to my home.

In the confusing hours after the sand and dust settled, the surviving elder’s council gathered to organize the remains of our warriors and see what was left of my family’s thousand years of rulership. Scared and dazed, my wounds hardly dressed, I was brought before them. Though of royal blood, I was not meant to be Sultan, and the elders feared that the people would not accept a female on the throne. These old men meant to decide my fate just as the traitor’s had, but with words instead of swords. I may not have been destined for the throne, but the blood of my family surged within me and I demanded what was mine by that blood. The council did not see things my way, and for a moment I thought those words of theirs would turn into daggers, but to my great surprise the Sisterhood I had been meant to join backed me. Their support earned me more than a little ire from the elders, but they were not so blinded by bloodshed to refuse the Order that guided the spirit of our people. Begrudgingly, they accepted me for the time being until some distant male cousin could be found and vetted.

After I was dismissed, one of the elder Sisters took me aside and told me of an old legend of their Order that might keep me firmly seated upon the throne that was still warm from my father’s blood. A thousand years ago, the Sisterhood had been formed to worship and venerate the mythical and magical Djinn. Spirit beings of immense power and great beauty, the Djinn controlled the very weather and the way in which our world worked. The most powerful and lovely of which was known as Celestia the Efreet. The Sisters said Celestia controlled the very Sun, and her might was unrivaled among the spirits.

In ancient times, the Djinn would sometimes answer the call of members of my family, and grant them boons. It was through their favor that my ancestors had raised our people from the dark ages and the forged the palace itself from a single stone, placing themselves as the Sultanate. After we took power for ourselves, the summoning of the Djinn waned, but the bond between them and my family’s blood still existed so long as my heart still beat.

The Sisters said if I could call upon this favor as my ancestors once did, then I might yet keep that birthright. I had always seen the Sisterhood as a relic of the past, though my fate was to join them, my heart never accepted their faith. But these were tragic times indeed and I had few options to fight both a hostile council and the usurpers at our gates. They instructed me in a ritual passed down through the ages, one intrusted to them for this very occasion. So I let them bathe me, dress my wounds and anoint me with special oils and perfumes until I stood nude and alone before the altar that all of our people bowed to. I spoke the words. I pledged myself to my people and the land we called ours, so that in turn, I was the tool of the very land.

I felt very stupid for even entertaining the idea that this old legend held truth. Even children know magic is not real.

Until I heard a soft sigh that was not my own. I turned and saw her for the first time standing at one of the tall windows, gazing out over the palace and city beyond. She looked as human as any other woman would, except her flawless skin was as pale as morning mists compared to my shade of wet sand. Her hair was every color of the rainbow and sparkled with its own light, hanging to her feet and blowing in a breeze my coarse twine could not feel. Even from behind, hidden mostly by her strange, gorgeous hair, I could see she was beautiful beyond compare. When she turned to face me, I thought my heart would stop. Her eyes were like the darkest rubies, her face that of a woman fit to be a mother but with a youthfulness that made me feel old by comparison and the softest looking lips I have even laid eyes on. Her body was firm and strong, like a warrior, but also voluptuous. To call it goddess-like would be an understatement.

She was also just as nude as I.

When she came closer, I could see that not only was she colored and shaped...differently, but she stood more than head and shoulders taller than I. Taller than even the tallest guard that served my family. When she spoke it was with a voice made of bells and swords. She kneeled before me and told me she was Celestia, the Efreet of legends and she was at my command.

I thought myself giddy, struck with hallucinations from blood loss or whatever was in those ritualistic oils. Djinn are not real. I laughed at her, that first time we met. Thank my luck that Celestia was unmoved by my behavior. She smiled kindly at me and told me I looked much like the young girl she forged a bond with millennia ago. That she knew I would be a great Sultana if I would accept her and her power.

When my laughter died and I found myself unsteady on my feet, Celestia held out her milk white hand to me. I could feel heat coming off it like sand in the noonday sun. This beautiful giantess offered herself to me for the mere price of my heart. She would scatter my enemies without and turn those within into allies, if I allowed her to linger with me. She offered me protection in a world that seemed to scream for my blood. All I had to do was take her hand.

Like most fairy tales, this one does not start out happily for me. It does not end happily for my enemies either.

That evening, the Sun did not set. I will always remember seeing Celestia soar into the air above the palace, her legs like fire and her rainbow mane flowing outward from her head to become the sky itself. Around me, elders and Sisters alike fell to their knees and prayed. I, the Sultana, forced myself to watch. The army of the betrayers burned. Most survived, but none were untouched by the Efreet’s flames. They were scattered to the four winds, living fire chasing them, biting at their heels. The leaders of the army felt her heat more than most, their tents and pavilions reduced to ashes along with their bodies. It was only then that the Moon and Stars were allowed to rise.

I fear that still not all the conspirators nor all their plans have yet come to light. Since then, Celestia has become my constant companion, protecting me from threats both physical and political. She stays with me even when I bathe or sleep, often directing the servant girls in ‘how to properly serve a Sultana’ with that same smile she offered herself to me with.

So now I sit, a Sultana on her throne, strong in my power and influence. The council of elders listens to my word, even as they take on the task of hunting down each of those that attempted to overthrow us. But I know it is mostly because they fear Celestia and not from the goodness in their hearts that they obey. The people have accepted me, so far, and my once destined Sisterhood has seen a surge in faith. I know, however, we are one crisis away from another revolt or riot. In time, I hope I will not have to rely on Celestia’s might to hold my kingdom together.

For now, I shall swear to use her power for the good of all. Now if I could only just convince her to put on clothing…

Next Chapter: Misago Estimated time remaining: 7 Minutes
Return to Story Description

Login

Facebook
Login with
Facebook:
FiMFetch