Fucking Pests

Entry Eighteen

THE BODYGUARD

Fucking Pests

I grabbed onto Morgan’s arm, gripping hard. She took a swing. I ducked immediately, letting go. She let out more swears than I could count, throwing any Kalpea to shame with that mouth. I slipped around to the other side of my bed. She scowled at me. Her arms crossed. I watched as her veins darkened. Two horns threatened to break through her skull, sending me into a world of hurt. I dropped my hand to my hilt. She cocked her head. I nodded back, earning an almost playful smile from her. A laugh left her still mouth. Waves of blue flames danced in her eyes.

“Do not ever fucking touch me again, Vincent.” She raised her brow slowly. Her head twitched. “Or I will have to break your fucking hand.”

“Do you ever think about your actions? Truly? Morgan, do you think of the consequences?” I threw the sword onto the bed. “When you rejected Fred’s proposal did you think that it might jeopardize our safety? What about when you decided to hook up with a Shifter? Or the time you fucked Kray’s maids at the party where you were supposed to get engaged to him?! What about Oxsend? What about when you told Princess Carly you didn’t fuck blondes and King Travis nearly lost his mind? Bloodstone? Fucking Bloodstone? You and your fucking Shifters! They deserve to die!”

“Women with scars are undeniably attractive.”

“Your grandfather will never let you marry a Shifter! You have no hope of begging for his forgiveness like that. Not to mention going against Kray!” I laughed out loud. “We could have used him, Morgan! We could use his position to get your crown back! Now you are on a backward quest just so you can ride some Fringer’s cock!”

“I do not need the souls of the dead to rule.” Her eyes flashed black. “I have something better and something stronger.” Blood stained her cheeks. Horns twisted towards the ceiling. Sharp nails extended. Scales so light they were barely visible, formed across her torso. “They say a Shifter’s love can send a witch’s magic to extraordinary levels… That’s why they are still around. She is here for me, for me to use to get to the top.” A lazy smile curved upward.

“You are mad.”

“With her, I will never fucking die!” Fire erupted from her palms.

“So… It comes out, you are fucking her for power?” That only seemed to make her angrier. Fire spread down her arms, the scales outlined in blue flames.

“No!” The scream erupted from her throat. “I would never do that! If anything, I chose to embrace this to keep her safe!” She walked toward me. “What happens with Carter and I is none of your business!” She gritted her teeth in my face. I glared back down at her. You are fucking losing it.

“Does she even know what you did?” Her eyes widened. She stiffened. “That is what I thought. Morgan, you have done some great things. I will not deny that but that does not change the fact you are a wanted murderer. You killed them all. Those students. You even killed the ones in cages… You do not think when you act and it is going to get you killed. Maybe, even your little wolf.”

“I do think.” She cracked her neck. “I just choose to ignore the consequences.”

“Obviously! We should just skip the hero shit and go to Kai! You need to suck up to him while you can. Too many people have already fed him the truth. We must get there with a flawless lie!”

“That is not how politics works. It is a part of a giant chess match. I will convince him that what I did was necessary after I have accumulated enough people to my side. That includes Larken and whatever idiotic peasants come along. If you think about it, how many soldiers are truly in their King or Queen’s pocket? Their parents are farmers. Their parents could be infected. The people control the kingdom because it is the people’s blood that is spilled when royals want to wage war.” Naive.

The flames on her hands ceased. She planted them on my chest. Despite just flaming seconds before, they felt like ice. Frost crossed my skin. A tail flicked my leg. It left a gray bruise. Her eyes returned to the ocean. I could see horrid images of boats crashing inside. Morgan squeezed me tightly. Her head rested on my chest. I heard a sniffle. I looked down to see tears streaming down her cheeks.

“Morgan, I am sor-”

“Do not- Do not apologize because I am an idiot. I am not crying because you yelled at me. You speak the truth to me. That is why I love you. You piss me off and keep me on edge.” She wiped tears away. “I am crying because I have never felt fear like this. I have had moments in my life where death nearly took me. I have become almost numb to it but now I can not stop fucking feeling. She grabbed the cloth above my heart. “I fucked up, Vinnie.” Her voice cracked. “I have cured what twenty Larken Larken but what the fuck? There is so much more to do. I can not be a fucking Empress!” She inhaled sharply, forcing a composure upon herself. “No, I can. I can do it all and I will do it all.”

My father was a brutal man. He loved me in his own way. I knew he would sacrifice himself if he needed to. I do not believe George ever loved Morgan. I think he knew what she was and what her purpose would be. Even when my father tossed me into the icy cold water, he screamed out his love for me. My red braid floated up beside me. He roared with laughter as I struggled to keep myself afloat. The longship disappeared along the coast. His long black hair flowed in the ocean wind. Tattoos covered his torso. His log of arm waved in the hot Crosspoint air. I screamed for him to come back. I shouted for my father. I cried and cried. It was not the last time I cried but it was the first.

My arms grew tired far too quickly. He always said to practice. I should have practiced. I tried to swim forward but I had no idea where to go. My heavy arms tried to propel me upward. My mother shined down on me from up above. A large ship, larger than I had ever seen, came into view. A large black crown painted itself across the canvas. I screamed out. I scream for help as loud as my lungs would carry. The strange ship appeared unlike anything back home. It sat high up from the water. I feared it would tip over onto me. Large canyons dotted the sides. The wood was dark black with silver and maroon details all over. Slowly, the wind carried it over. I couldn’t keep my head up any longer. The weight of my limbs pulled me down.

Cold water enveloped my body. The dark bottom sucked me down. The bright sun dimmed as I slipped deeper and deeper down. Saltwater wormed its way into my nose, stinging my insides like a jellyfish. I choked as it filled my lungs. I closed my red eyes. Air bubbled out, straining my insides.

Her soft hands gripped my narrow shoulders. Cold ocean air hit my skin. Splashing and shouts took over the waves. Once my back hit the boards, she worked her hands across my chest, pumping in rhythm. I threw the sea onto her as a wonderful thank you.

The girl who dove in for me, wrapped a warm towel around my shoulders. She brought forth plates of food I had never seen before. I stared at the bowl of yellow fruit. I reached forward and plopped the piece onto my tongue. Sour and sweet burst with joy in my mouth. I swallowed thickly and ate another bite and another. I sucked the sticky juice off my fingers. I reached forward toward the plate of meat. A stick stabbed through each piece with red peppers and onions. Juice ran down my chin. I groaned at the taste. The peppers and onions were sweet in my mouth. They contrasted drastically with the spicy steak that was coated with garlic, pepper, and a red powder.

“What is your name?” She asked. Her voice was not rough or loud but instead soft and formal. I stayed quiet. “Mine is Morgan Virtanen. This is my grandfather’s ship.”

“Valr son of Fal-Ren.” I wrapped the towel around myself tighter.

A man entered the cabin. Morgan bowed immediately. I stared. No one but a great warrior deserves my respect. He appeared young but his dark eyes seemed older than life. His flat raven hair slicked back behind his rounded ears. A single strand fell in front of his almond eyes. A black shirt hugged his torso. The buttons were all the way on the right side with tiny gold designs across them. Black pants with similar gold etchings fell below his waist. He moved confidently. His hand placed on what I assumed was his daughter. They shared the same sun kissed skin and facial features. A small smile formed on his face as he looked down at her.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“I see you have made a friend, Morgan.” He crouched down to her level. “The captain was flabbergasted when he burst into my chambers. My darling granddaughter jumped overboard and climbed back onto the ship with a body.” He smirked. “I have not been prouder but your mother is rather furious. As for you, our new braided haired friend, I have decided since my granddaughter cares more about your life than her own you shall be treated with the same regard as her. I, Emperor Kai Midnight, swear that blood is not the construct we live by.”

From there on, Morgan and I were bound. Wherever she would go, I would go and whatever she received I received. Her father did not appreciate me much but Georgie enjoyed having another plaything I supposed. As our youth went on, I realized Morgan loved going through life making the same types of decisions that led us together.

Morgan, at the time, had been spending plenty of her evenings with a maid. It was not anything new. Most maids in the castle had a certain type of relationship with Morgan. If Morgan was not screwing one of them, it was one of the Ladies visiting. On that particular night, I walked into her bedroom. I found Morgan’s tan ass searching for a pair of pants. I shield my eyes, nearly gagging. The fifteen year old slapped my arm. I refused to look until she tugged on me.

“Jesus, Vincent! We have known each other for years! Grow up!”

“You- You are my sister! I do not want to see your fucking naked ass!” My jaw dropped as the maid scurried away in nothing but Morgan’s bed sheets. “I- Morgan!”

“Vinnie,” She dragged out. “It is okay and besides, she rather enjoyed it.”

It is not the only thing the maid enjoyed, unfortunately. I rolled my eyes as Morgan got chewed out by her father. There was more to the story than Morgan getting eaten out by some random woman. The maid did not want to be a maid anymore and Morgan could not exactly give her a bastard to raise her status. The two of them decided it would be fun to steal from the maid’s older brother who owned a brothel. Obviously, the man complained. George was forced to ‘deal’ with him. That night, the King screamed until his face turned red.

Another time, a time that was definitely more understandable, she put herself in trouble again. The captain of the guard was an awful man, even for Sorrow. He was Georgie’s best friend. I guess those people tend to gravitate towards each other. He had been harassing women in the castle and around town. He had more than his fair share of bastards. The problem was he had not done anything toward a royal or a member of the church so no one else really cared, except for Morgan.

I walked into her room. She had him bound to her bed with lace. She must have promised him something to get him in that position. I witnessed her clench her fists. In that instance, she took the man’s final breath. She exhaled happily. His face turned pale. His lips turned dark purple. His body immediately became cold. I ran over. I checked his pulse, feeling nothing but my own heartbeat. I tried to untie him in time. Georgie witnessed it anyway. He swung. Morgan’s teeth knocked out onto the floor. The male soldiers and even some of the female ones stopped respecting her. I guess it didn’t matter because Morgan figured with one snap she could bring them to their knees. With a trained enough look, she would eventually cause their heads to explode. As her bodyguard, it was just fucking hell.

“I want to save this town.” She smirked. Her tail snapped. “It will be practice for Gray Keep.”

“Gray Keep,” I sighed. “Just go to Kai!”

“You do not know him as I do!”

“He loves you!”

“He wants me to prove myself!”

“Fuck, Morgan!” I stormed out of my room.

The innkeeper shot me a glare as I stomped down the stairs. She gestured toward a pile of dishes. I quickly cleaned off a couple of places before being able to exit the establishment I was paying to be in!

A couple of the townsfolk turned their heads. I was the only man clad in armor for miles and apparently, they enjoyed the spectacle. I waved to one of them. She let out a giggle. Blush spread across her face. The two friends linked their arms and ran behind some house to gossip. Another scene forced me to slow down my rampage. Carter and Ashlyn cornered some girl next to the bridge. I approached hearing them rain down a list of questions. My jaw twitched slightly. The blonde shoved her finger into the girl’s face. Carter sniffed her like an animal. What does Morgan see in that creature? I stared at the Shifter indignantly. I mean I did not mind if they were in the cities but they had no place being in a royal court. Maybe Morgan could have her as a consort but never her Queen. In fact, a consort was too much.

Slush splashed up my boots. I griped as it stung my soft skin. I missed the heat of the Sorrow and sweet oranges. The same scenery over and over was becoming rather dull. I slipped my helmet off. The wind whistled through my now shaggy hair. I had hoped Winter-Star would have a barber because none of us thought to get tidied up in Herat or when we were near Noose. On the run, take every chance you get. I could not help but groan again. Trees swayed softly around me. They creaked and moaned in the wind almost as if they were alive. Heavy snow slipped off the branches joining the mucky sticky stuff on the ground.

There was a girl in Sorrow. I used to take her on walks through the orchards when I was visiting from Bloodstone. She loved oranges and peaches. We would pick and eat them as we strolled. Her father was one of George’s Lords. He sat on the council with him. Her face, it was a pretty thing. Many thought it was plain but to me, it was utterly perfect. It reminded me of the girls I used to blush at on the ship. Her long blonde hair was often pulled back into a braid. Her green eyes sparkled with gold flakes in the sun. Every time she would stare up at me, we both blushed darkly.

I would not inherit any lands from a parent but being so close with the Emperor made me eligible to receive many. Everyone knew Morgan was Heir and that I was her guardian, her brother, bound by a life debt. Many Lords and Ladies would send their younger daughters my way after being unable to secure anything themselves. I did not care for them. I did not have the pressure of any royal either, just the pressure of taking care of Morgan. I did not have to provide a hair or marry to secure an army. She had to deal with everything I did not though. She was an only child and her father had no intention of remarrying.

“When we marry, will we have a wedding like your ancestors or mine?” She asked with a sly smile. I found myself turning red and not just from the heat of the sun.

“When we marry?”

“I intend to propose, you know?” She pressed a kiss on my cheek. “I do not care about what Morgan will give you. I just want you. I would want you even if you were just some foot soldier.”

Two weeks after the day, I was back in Bloodstone. Morgan was ranting about some secret conspiracy the other professors had. I ignored most of it. She saw my irritation and sent me away. She demanded I teach Tyler how to fight. A month later, Morgan disappeared down south in a storm of fire. I had not seen Lila since. I doubt her father would even entertain me now. I had lost everything. If Morgan fails, I am no one, and certainly, a Lady cannot be with no one.

I pressed my back against a tree. I refused to cry. My heart ached and my stomach twisted and churned. I refused to let it out. My hands clenched. For comfort, I reached for my sword. Shit. I had left it on my bed during my fit of well deserved rage. I brought my fist backward, heavily smacking the tree. The soft lining I had in my gauntlets softened some of the blow. I released my breath. I had to remain strong for Morgan. I could not let my emotions get the best of me like her. I was her bodyguard. It was my job to keep her safe. I was not supposed to get any land. I was supposed to stand at her side and protect her crown. I would protect the woman she married and their children.

I continued through the forest. The sun slowly descended in the sky giving everything an orangish, red tint. A whisper of wind swooshed behind my ears. Instinctively, I grabbed the back of my head. Another whisper occurred. I turned around seeing nothing. The whisper hit again. I whipped back around. I continued to go around in a tiny circle for longer than I liked to admit. I cursed myself and headed down the trail once more. The whisper occurred in my ear. I smacked it. I turned to the side and started to shout for whatever it was to come out. Nothing happened. I waited. A tiny giggle whispered in my left ear. I slapped it only scratching myself in the process.

“I knew you were an idiot!” A squeaky voice shouted. I turned around. My jaw dropped to the ground. Flying with a pair of nearly translucent wings like a butterfly’s. It was such a tiny creature. It appeared like Morgan’s doll. Its pink hair spiked upward. Its head was no bigger than my thumb. As for its limbs, they were long and stringy, all thinner than toothpicks. It dressed itself in a leaf. Strands of grass wrapped around its tiny foot making little shoes. It continued to snicker in my face. “What? Never seen a Fairy before?! God! You Southerners don’t know anything!”

“Fairies are not real!”

“Umm… Hello?” It cocked its head at me. “You can blame my species' lovely disappearance on those Mighty losers. The ones, not these stupid new ones who are somehow even more lackluster!”

“What do you want?”

“I’m not gonna let you take any more!” It opened its abnormally wide mouth revealing thousands of razor sharp teeth. They appeared to descend all the way down its throat. I ducked as it dove for my head. The tiny creature landed on the back of my neck. I tried to swipe it away screaming as it scratched me. It sunk its teeth into my skin earning another shout. I ripped it off only to have it try to take a chunk from my hand. I threw it against a tree. Sadly, its wings stopped it from actually hitting anything. It just kept laughing. It laughed and laughed. It called me names like some school kid. “I had stupid idiots! Loser! Loser!”

“I have no idea what you are talking about!” I held my bleeding neck. I swung at it with my fist. A wave of heaviness washed over me. I stopped and fell face first into the snow. It felt like I was drowning in air. It continued to cackle. I felt two tiny points of pressure fall on my head. “What…..”

“Vincent!”

“Oh fuck!” The pressure disappeared. “Let me out of here!” I heard a tiny high pitched scream. “You bitch!”

“Shit! It bit you didn’t it? Dammit!” Morgan shouted. “Just try to relax! It is not deadly, just umm… paralytic.”