The beast’s chest is spread open towards the sky, its ribs have flipped from the impact of the heavy ax upon its sternum. Somehow, the first image in my mind is the partially outstretched wings of a butterfly. In some sense, the gory scene of displaced, flesh-laden ribs before me does resemble the insect. I was just distracting myself though. 

“A death too noble for a creature so violent and primitive. Hopefully Selene will find some use for his soul within her grand cosmic plan.”

My father’s words lull demurely in my mind, all except that name. Selene, the Goddess whose namesake- and visage I share. Whose essence my body is destined to house. I look to the stained glass dome circling the moonlit skylight, her image is seen several times. A white cow, with striking red eyes and flowing ivory waves spattering stardust in her wake. Will she be kind to the centaur’s soul? I look at his figure, splayed lifelessly upon the white marble altar, its pristineness now darkened with blood. He’s some kind of feline, with thick brown fur, and six now limp, pawed limbs. His face is still twisted into a scream.Though his eyes hold no life now, I remember the look he gave before the ax struck. And the bellow that followed it, cut short. 

I wonder if anyone else bothered to notice, or cared how much his eyes changed after death. The court sits silently below mine, and my father’s hooves. Their faces reveal nothing, except perhaps boredom. Then, as though the Goddess had just now decided to accept our offering, a light pulse of energy ripples through the room. It elevates my magic, if only for a moment- though in that moment I can sense the condensation gathering in the cloud-cover above. 

“Well, we have more important matters to consider now. This has been an acceptable precursor to Selene’s coronation, hm?”

The crowd across from us nods wordlessly, as my father rises, heading quickly from the confines of the throne room. I follow without question, bunching my navy velvet skirts before falling in line behind him. Before I pass between the pillars flanking the exit, I steal one final glance at the centaur’s inanimate body, and entertain some thoughts I rarely allow myself to consider. Was his life worth the magic we gained, was it worth the small fragment of power the Goddess accrued? What’s a droplet to an ocean? The questions do nothing but deepen the already cavernous expanse in my stomach, so I focus instead on our soft hoofbeats that echo through the desolate halls.

He doesn’t speak for a while, not until we’re deep into the private wing of Vespera’s castle reserved for the quarters of royalty. But suddenly, as though he’s scripted this very encounter meticulously in his head, he turns sharply to face me.

“Are you ready to perform your rites with complete perfection tomorrow?”

I look past his expectant gaze, focusing instead on the large curled shadow his horns cast behind him. 

“Yes Father,”

My voice shakes, I had intended to sound determined, but still subservient. Instead my voice is that of a frightened child. 

My peripherals note the twisted creases that adorn his snout as he wrinkles it. 

“You should be ecstatic. Finally, the Goddess is going to take proper form in our world, she’ll bring untold prosperity to our people, to our kingdom. I thought I’d prepared you better, but still you cling to mortal selfishness.” 

The centaur’s broken frame flashes in my mind. Would my death be just as violent? When the Goddess devours my soul, and takes its place within my husk, will I feel the pain? Or will I simply cease to exist, left without memory of any experience or sensation? I can feel cold water pressing against my lungs. It squeezes them, keeping my breaths shallow and panicked. Perhaps it's not water, but viscous, black bog bile slowly filling my body. 

Suddenly, he strikes me. Pain singes upon my cheek, and as its effects linger the bog slowly retreats. He laughs, the cruel sound rings the same way it always does through my head.

“Good Gods Selene, get a hold of yourself. Enough foolishness. You know your purpose, and you’ve known it since you could understand it. We all serve our Goddess, you will do the same. For your own sake, accept that, and keep your dignity in the process.” 

Without another word, he walks away, his broad, dappled form disappearing into the darkness of his chambers. Once the door clicks, I release a sob, stifling the noise with a hand. Tears quickly blur my vision, so I stick my free hand out to navigate the short trek to my own quarters. My dress is easily torn wide enough to slip out of when I enter. The silver threading sewn deftly into it glints in the dim moonlight as I discard it without thought. 

I don’t care if the Goddess is watching, not now. My time on this earth is finally coming to a close, and though I’ve known it all my life, I still can’t stand the idea. To be soulless? To have everything I’ve ever thought, felt, and remembered- erased. How could I go through with the idea? For the sake of a Goddess, for the benefit of my people? Am I truly selfish for wanting it to go any other way? 

The waters rush back in, encircling my chest, and constrict me with its serpentine waves. All I can do is choke between cries, and wait for it to finally grow bored of tormenting me, and release.