I Think We DId It?

Entry Eleven

THE WITCH’S WOLF

I Think We Did It?

Her cold hand grabbed mine. I narrowed my gaze at the crowd. Hot, sweaty air clung to my skin. Morgan led us through the drunken patrons. The stench of them caused my nose to wrinkle. My head was much clearer than just a few hours before but I was just like the patrons not too long ago. I turned my attention to her. I blocked out the loud bodies. I wanted to cry and hold her tight against me. I wanted to murder her cousin and keep her safe. Why would she do that to her? Why would her family allow that? I forced myself from scooping her up in my arms. She’s not a damsel in distress. I surveyed her face. I can still keep her safe though.

The two of us stopped at the entrance. I let my fingers float just above her left cheek, almost dragging my thumb along her scar again. The Princess pushed herself into my warm touch. My stomach squeezed and turned. Protect. I felt my head move closer to her’s. I was being pulled in by an unseen force. Her sweet lips tugged up, tilting to meet mine. A chair screeched against the floor. I jerked back, putting myself at an arm’s distance, my hand still on her face. Ashlyn stood from the table where we ate our dinner. Zahyn raised his eyebrows with a flirtatious grin. Shadow jumped to his feet, ready to approach. Vincent gripped his sword only for Ashlyn to swat at him.

“Maybe we should just stay. Or you should stay.” We should stay.

“I’m not going to let anything happen to you and like hell I’m letting you go alone,” I said with more confidence than I actually felt. “I wouldn’t let anything like that happen to you again. I’ll make sure of it.” She shivered slightly. For the first time, I think she looked at me, instead of down.

“I will not let anything happen to you, Ears.” She glanced out the window. Small lamps illuminated the dark street as glistening snow fell to the ground. “I can do this myself.”

“Darling,” I mimicked her accent. “By royal decree, we have a mystery to solve.” I smirked. “Gosh, I feel like I’m a Mystery gang member. I love it!”

Morgan clipped my hood and pulled it over my head. I gave her an awkward finger gun and much to everyone's surprise, she remained unimpressed. I returned the gesture, lingering my hands near her face. Together we slipped out of the humid, sticky tavern. Side by side, we walked down the freshly plowed road. Steam rose around my boots. Heat seeped into them finally warming my near frozen toes. I leaned over and locked my arm in Morgan’s as she led the way. Small shops glowed a soft orange, lighting our way. Patrons finished their shopping while others enjoyed their dinner or some drinks. Several families gathered around a roaring fire. A few others walked beneath the stars as well.

We neared the corner of the street. A particularly active building roared with shouts. A woman whistled. I turned my head and she gestured for me to approach. Her dress was cut particularly short. It also showed off her large chest. Not that I was looking! Morgan’s chest- I mean- I don’t look at her chest! I mean I do- Ugh! Morgan held a firm grip on me. The woman rolled her eyes at my partner. What is going on? She then invited us both in. I glanced into the sweaty glass. Men, women, and those who didn’t conform danced with all kinds of humanoids. I witnessed plenty kiss one another. Some walked up a set of stairs. Those who walked down were red faced and dripping with perspiration. Money exchanged back and forth. Wait a minute! Oh…

“I’m sorry but I don’t really know what store this is.” I scratched the back of my neck then grinned with the flare of my nose. “Care to tell me.”

“It is a store for all your fantasies.” She placed her hands on my small chest. I jolted backward into Morgan.

“Hands off!” The Princess sneered.

“I’ve heard Shifters are like wild animals in the bed. Is it true?” She looked me up and down. Her lower lip slipped between her teeth. “You must have paid a pretty price for one, or she paid for a pretty Southerner like you.”

“I’ll pay a pretty price for your head!” I spat. The woman remained unimpressed. “Shit- I didn’t mean!” I turned red.

Morgan dragged me away from my own demise. She giggled to herself while I stammered for an explanation. Morgan, somewhat red in the face, smoothed her shirt down and counted her fingers three times. Maybe I was still drunk, or just ballsy that night, but I grabbed her face and turned it at me. We were still within sight of the brothel. Morgan pulled me in and ghosted my lips with her’s. Before anything happened, I shoved her away and started walking again with a laugh. She glared for a second then calmed herself down.

“That’s for laughing at me!” I continued to snicker.

“Are you okay, Ears?” She caught up with me. Her arm wrapped tightly around my waist for a second then quickly pulled away.

“Yeah…” I shrugged. “I didn’t mind it… Not like she did anything wrong.” Another grin formed. “So, a real life brothel? I must admit, I’ve never been in one in all my adventures.”

“Yes, it is the only one in Heart.” I raised a brow. “Not that I went there or anything!” I enjoyed the flushed look on her face. “I just know because I visited a couple of times. Heart! I visited Heart a couple of times!”

“So, you’ve never paid for sex?”

“Never.” She smirked rather proud of herself.

“It’s because you’re a Princess,” I snickered.

“No!” Somehow I got her to turn a darker shade of red. “It is because I am that good.” I rolled my eyes and nudged her. “I am just being honest.”

“Well, maybe you should lie.” I waited for a beat. “Or you could prove it.”

The buildings became far and few between. Instead of plowed streets, we stepped through an abundance of snow. Morgan stepped in my foot prints trying to keep pace. The trees thickened, hiding the stars. A screech echoed in the distance. I gulped. In for five, hold for five, and out for five. I looked back. I reached forward and squeezed her hand. I can’t believe this. Like seriously, what the fuck?

Something hit me when she spoke. Her story filled my chest with weights and made my stomach want to explode. I couldn’t just kill them. I already did that to three rather blindly. I had to make sure before I did anything else. I had to know. The stranger, what had he looked like? I wondered where he was and who he was. I needed to thank him. If Morgan died, then I would have never met everyone. I wouldn’t be holding her hand in mine.

I ran through the forest. Morgan gripped me tightly as she followed. I led the way with a path sketched out in my head. I gritted my teeth against the harsh winds. I couldn’t tell if it was the alcohol or the adrenaline from her past, whatever it was made me run faster than I had ever run before. I gave long leaps, pulling Morgan with me. Snow filled my boots. I kept going. The slush stung my skin. The only time I stopped was to help Morgan over a fall log which I had previously jumped over. The nest came up faster than anticipated. I stopped hard in my tracks. Puffs of clouds came out of my mouth. I wiped my face clean. Morgan’s eyes fell onto me. She watched closely and held on.

Fat gray snowflakes floated down. They glistened beneath the moons. I held my free palm. Hot cold burned onto my flesh. I closed my palm. The soft flakes turned sharp. Blood dripped through my fingers. I opened my hand. The scales left jagged piercings across my skin. I dropped the sticky armor onto the ground and hissed as my palm stitched itself together. Morgan grabbed my hand. Black replaced the red. The ooze spread across the wounds until they were just a distant memory. My left hand felt stiff, ice cold. Dead .

We looked up. The flecks of scales fell down like a blizzard. One large head peered over the side of the mess of twigs and leaves. Sisko cast a purple gaze down onto their features. The blue snow along their claws glowed. Black eyes darted between the two of us. I raised my empty palms trying to show them I meant no harm. Morgan shifted uncomfortably. I nodded towards her. Slowly, she presented two limp hands. Her eyes drilled into the side of my face the entire time. I gave her my best ‘everything’s gonna be chill, babe’ smile.

As a kid, I was never really afraid of anything living except humans and even then most things I was afraid of were made by humans. Airplanes were terrifying and died a little every time I went up in an elevator. Humans were meant to stay on the ground. The only natural thing that scared me were caves. The way they choked you out. They appeared unalive but slowly they moved. They shifted and creaked until they swallowed you whole. Living organisms made their homes in their mouth just to live and die without ever seeing the light. People crawled through their tight veins, getting caught in rocks never to be seen again. Another victim to be eaten by the Earth. Was I scared of the Larken? You should be scared of anything that’s been beaten down.

Larken’s weren’t humans according to the laws of the Old War. Neither was I. I wouldn’t call them animals either though, even though we were all animals. I was never afraid to pick up a snake or a mouse. I didn’t care about moose even though I should have. I left them alone and made sure to hide behind a tree whenever they crossed. Occasionally, I’d get nervous in dark water because of my obsession with River Monsters. Even then, I would still swim out as far as I could in Lake Superior. Shit- I rambled again. Breathe. I remained calm. Well, on the outside. I had to be. It was my job to be collected, right? On the inside, my mind raced and my heart nearly broke. Sweat covered my face.

“Ears.” Morgan took a step in front of me.

“Princess.” I took a step ahead of her. I dropped my hand in front of her. I gotta fix this.

The Larken landed on all fours in front of me. They cocked their head. Each step was few and far between. They judged every movement we made. Their beak cracked together so slightly I could barely hear the faint clacking. A low growl escaped their throat. I tried to remain strong as still as stone. Their scaly head bowed before me. Is this real? I reached out with my left palm but Morgan reached out, gripping my wrist. Her eyes fixed and narrowed on the creature. I assured her with a look. She let go and I reached further. My palm pressed against their forehead. Their skin felt like ice against me. The chill spread across my entire body, attempting to put out the fire inside. The tips of my fingers froze blue. The freeze traveled up my dead hand, to my wrist, and took over my entire forearm.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Hello? Hello? Can you hear me? Please?! My family and I are trapped! Pain!” I flinched where I stood, unable to peel my body away. “Every second it burns! Please- Please help us!” My son- he was injured in Blood Pool!” Young men and women screamed in my ears. The charging of horses trampled my ear drums. “A woman gave him a potion and it transformed him! He attacked! But he’s my son! You must help him! Please we can’t take this any longer!” A loud screech erupted from his jaw. “Each day, we lose ourselves!”

Every nerve in me overwhelmed my senses. Heat turned to ice. Tears froze against my cheeks. A burn crossed my chest, slowly stopping everything inside. A mother’s cry rang throughout my skull. Mom? Morgan placed her free hand on the Larken. She whispered a language I didn’t recognize. It allowed me to pull my hand away. She held onto me tight as she continued to whisper. The Larken collapsed to its feet. I noticed a burning blue flame in Morgan’s eyes. The whites around them turned gray. Her veins thickened and darkened. Two horns broke through the skull. The base of them were black with blood but their tips were the color of the fire in her eyes. I gasped out as the blood dripped down her forehead like a tattoo. Each she took, a gust of freezing air left her mouth. The chanting never ceased, slow and like that of an expert.

The Larken let out a screech. Its body jutted and jerked unnaturally. I shoved my fingers into my ears trying to block out the sound of cracking, popping, and crunching. Feathers shedded from its body. Scales retracted themselves into its skin. Its two front feet thinned out and formed arms. Hands stretched out towards us. I watched its beak shrink back into his face. A Kalpea stared back in the end. He was as naked as a baby. His skin was gray and nearly purple like a Tumma’s. His eyes matched with a swirl of the colors taking over his irises. Light scales, barely visible, covered his hairy chest. Two tiny horns protruded from his dark black, shaggy hair. He let out a cry so loud the trees wept with him. He buried his face into Morgan’s stomach. He thanked her through the sobs. She stroked his hair and looked over at me.

One by one the Larkens flew down from their nest. Her eyes never stopped burning. Each member hugged her. They promised to make it up to the Empress. She refused whatever they offered. Instead, she wrapped her cloak around the mother. I did the same to their son. A large scar presented itself across his heart.

“They jumped on me so fast.” Tears filled his eyes. “The healer kept me alive long enough for my parents to come to the border but I was scared! I knew it was going to happen but I didn’t want it! I didn’t want to die! I had just turned sixteen!” He sobbed louder and grabbed onto my shoulders. “Those Kapinar bastards! They laced their blades with poison! It’s this fault my friends died! Everyone! Everyone I knew” The father pulled the son into his arms. “I didn’t mean to! I didn’t want to!”

“It is okay.” The older man hugged his young child tighter. “It’s okay. They have saved us. Please, my ladies, grace us with your names.”

“I’m Carter O’Connell and this is Morgan Virtanen.”

“The Heir,” He gasped.

“The Exiled Heir,” His wife muttered. “We’ve heard the rumors.”

“She’s not in our eyes!” He clapped. “It means nothing from a couple of… Creatures such as us but you have our support, Empress.”

“When I sit on my throne, all those infected and turned will be free to walk among the rest of the continent.” She looked at me. “Shifters will never have to worry about their standings.”

“Please, my Empress,” The son muttered. “The war… The Kapinar will kill us all. Instead of sending us to our deaths please let us act in defense. The generals wouldn’t listen. Wave after wave we would go into the valley and each time we were demolished. Promise me you’ll stop the war.”

“The war will be stopped. There is no need to conquer Kapina other than some old man’s ego. You have my word.”

“What are you going to do now?” I asked.

“There is a farmer that shares your last name. He’s an older man. We went there before we fully transformed. He is kind… He will take care of you until your lover’s coronation.”

O’Connell. I was told my grandfather lived nearby. I looked at my hands. My mother never brought me to him. Could this be him? I shook my head and held onto Morgan’s arm. My family is at home. Wait- Did he call us lovers? I shook my head and held onto Morgan’s arm. I practically almost passed out. Morgan looked over and smirked at the redness crossing my face as I stumbled for words. Her arm tugged around my waist.

The family, with our cloak wrapped around them, slipped through the trees disappearing among the nature. I waved goodbye as Morgan squeezed me harder. Her cold body clashed against my heated one. The fire in her eyes slowly disappeared as she looked over my face. The horns that broke her scalp shrunk back into her head like they were never there. The only remnants of their being was the dried blood across her face. I glanced down at the veins on her neck. They retracted into her body. Blackness faded away and they disappeared behind her tan skin once again. She bit her red lip. A scar, so tiny and faded, disappeared from under her teeth. I could only imagine what it had been like split open. We were just inches away. I growled at the sight.

“Ears?”

“Morgan- Oh- Umm…” I cringed hard. “So… We figured out the truth.” My hand went to my neck. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do but I know we can help the rest of the nests!” She started to smile. “We can do something good. I can do something good.” Looking back on my actions, my stomach grew a deep pit. I should have done something different.

“You are right, Ears… For once.” She cupped my face. “Kray is fucking wrong. I am going to prove it and shove it in those fucking Hero faces!” she blushed. “Well, I am going to help people as well… That is what I am going to do.”

“How did you do it?”

“I do not know, truthfully.” She appeared ashamed at the fact. “Shifter’s can be stunted for several reasons but most of the time a powerful druid or witch can help them. Everything I used for Shadow did not work though!” She frowned and crossed her arms. “Maybe it is because I am one of them or at least a part of them… In a way.” Her eyes narrowed. Her gaze shifted past me and became distant. “I have dreams where I fly above the continent. I hear their cries in my nightmares. I will see the blood of a family member that is not my own. Maybe these nightmares come from a past life or maybe it is the hive.” Her head cocked. “Maybe my speculation is wrong. Maybe I am wrong. An abomination forced to parade around in a crown… We should tell the others. Ashlyn may not approve but I fear it does not matter.”

“I mean she helps people, right? That’s what she wants to do and if she agrees with then Kray will agree with us. He definitely seems passive.”

“You appear the same.” She glanced at her nails. “If I were to say Larken are abominations themselves and I need to cull them in some sick act of self hatred, how would I react?”

“I think we should start seeing other people.” I cocked a grin. “What about Bloodstone? I don’t know about you but that seems rather important.” In a drunken state of lust, I admitted it didn’t matter to me. Does it to her though?

“It is but I know it will piss you off.”

“Not a good start.” I laughed.

“So, if I murdered an entire school and then told you it was for the best, would you believe me?” In this moment, Morgan conveyed the innocence of a child. Her face had turned dark red. Her eyes lowered and her breathing shifted. Knowing Morgan, I had a feeling she did a lot of stuff I wouldn’t approve of but we led different lives. She was a Princess and I was some ex-adventurer's adopted daughter.

“Is that an omission?” My jaw opened a little. My hand gently held her chin.

“Let us remember you are not a violent or confrontational person.”

“So, the rumors? They’re true, aren’t they?”

“You carry my bags and open doors for me.” She bit her lip. “So far in this relationship, you have agreed with me in everything, even my sarcasm.”

“I believe you…”

“Good, darling.”

We walked arm in arm. I followed the tracks we left behind trying not to get frostbite. Morgan remained pressed up against me. Even I admitted it was a little chilly. I should’ve worn a fucking sweatshirt. I felt bad for the Princess though. She only wore a crop top because of course, she did. It made me send a mental note to swear at her later. Actually, I would never do that. I would simply throw a blanket on her. Even if Larkens were colder than humans, she still had no clothes that would classify as warm. I don’t believe she made any attempt to buy any either. The only time she wore anything warm was when she took my clothes. It made me happy for some odd reason. Reality smacked me, as I quite literally smacked my face on a tree. Ow. Morgan gasped and pulled me face first into her chest. No complaints.

“Gods, Ears!” Her hands landed on my head, shoulders, and arms. It was her usual routine of making sure I was still operating at full function. “What were you thinking about?”

“Oh- Yeah! I was just thinking about how you never wear warm clothes.” She started laughing. A cute snort came out. Immediately, she threw a hand over her mouth and put on her ‘oh I’m so so tough’ look. “It’s true! You’re always complaining about being cold and you still do this!” I gestured to her shirt and shorts combination with a laugh.

“Well, I don’t see you complain when I get dressed.” I flashed red. “Plus-” She pressed up against me. She was shorter than me but felt so much taller- “You are rather warm.”

“Awe, so sweet.” I was tempted to scoop her up.

“Well, this is a surprise!”

Fredrick- I mean Fun Sized- I mean the Prince of Coldheart! The Prince exited the trees with a heavy coat hanging off his shoulders. A pair of bulky boots pressed into the snow leaving behind giant holes. How big are your damn feet? His torch illuminated the woods. Shadows fluttered around us, shaking with the wind. A dusting of snow swirled around his body. He had no weapon on him, just a wide smile like a child in a candy store. The tiny beauty mark on his cheek raised with his lips. Icerion, what is he doing here?

“I mean do you know what this means for the Empire!” He shouted with glee. “We now have a new species!”

“They are not new!” Morgan shot back. “They have been around for ages- What are you even doing here?”

“Well, you see I have been studying the nearby nests for months. Well, more like watching and not really taking notes. I don’t know why but it is as if Icerion demanded it from me plus it helps me avoid training and lessons. Then I found you and it seems you have the cure!” Cure? I looked at Morgan. Cure. The young man practically cheered and danced on the spot. “This is crazy! How did you do it? Horns exploded from their heads! You had horns! The Heir of Midnight had horns! The Heir of Midnight is a Larken!”

“You will tell not a single soul!”

“No! I would not dare!” He held out his pinky. “I promise! I swear on my life. I can’t believe this! I was right! This is going to change everything! The course of the war and utterly every battle! Larkens are natural healers and mages! This will go down in history! It will be bigger than The Betrayal! The Prince of Norkden led the Larken to victory against the Kapinar alongside his elder brother!”

“Yes…” Morgan trailed off. “So, I would like to go to bed. Now.”

“Yes! Of course, you two look exhausted!” He winked and charged off into the night. The Princess rolled her eyes. I swear they’re gonna get stuck one day.

My room was rather lonely. I sat on the edge of my bed fiddling my thumbs. A couple of candles lit up the door. I cracked my knuckles and stood up. No, don’t bug her. Morgan was exhausted when we returned. She went right to her bedroom. She wants to be left alone. I walked over and grabbed the handle. I whipped it open. Morgan stood. Her hand was reaching through the air. She walked in without question and shut the door silently. Her eyes turned darker as she looked at me. My heart fluttered. I stared with wide eyes. She glanced down at my lips before meeting my eyes again. Flames roared in her.

“Can I kiss you?”

“I would love nothing more.”

Morgan grabbed the back of my head and pulled me into her. I slipped my arms around her waist, pressing her against me. Her freed hand held onto my lower neck with a hot want. Her nails dragged my scalp earning a groan. She pulled my head back by my hair. I gasped out as her lips attached to my throat. I exploded. The tightness in my stomach grew. Teeth grazed my skin. I started to whimper. She pushed forward until my legs hit the bed and threw me on the mattress. Morgan crawled on top of me, rocking against my stomach.

We kissed feverishly at first, feeling each other as much as we dared without moving on to anything further. It turned into slow, long kisses. Sweetness dripped from them. I held onto her and she onto me. Time disappeared until Morgan, unfortunately, pulled away with a final deep kiss. She hugged me, resting her head on my chest. I held her close, pressing my lips on the top of her head. She planted kisses along my shoulder while I lazily stroked her back. Occasionally, she fiddled with the strap of my white tank top. A yawn came from her. I let my thumbs massage along her spine, watching her drift further away. We held each other until our eyes fluttered shut.