The Dark Witch And Her Knights

38

As I stalked from the woods I straightened my spine and raised my chin determined to let no man see my tears. If I had to do this on my own I would. Approaching the castle garden the snap of a twig reached my ears freezing my steps.

At first, my brain said Gavrial- quickly dismissing the thought certain it was not him. A deer or some other creature of the wood I tried rationalizing. Yet I could not shake this feeling of a dark presence lurking behind the trees watching me.

I turned around calling out, "Show yourself. I do not fear yee." I would not cower away from what I did not know.

Slowly the figure elegantly stepped from behind a tree. I had expected a ghost, a malignant spirit, or even a demon to appear- something molded from the hands of the devil himself. Not this breathtakingly handsome otherworldly male. His hair was curly and dark- where my hair took on a blue hue from the darkness his took on a green shine. His eyes, more stunning than the rarest emeralds of the land brought out the slight labradorite shift in his locks. The paleness of his skin looked as if he had never walked a day in sunlight. I was taking in his odd clothing when his head tilted to the side examining me, an ear- a pointed ear cuffed in silver split through those long curls.

"What are you?" The words trembled from my lips as my body shirked away from the dark power radiating off of him. It was an effort not to bow my head and fall to my knees before him whimpering for acceptance.

"I am darkness incarnate. That you can sense me is remarkable- a testament to your power." His hands covered in silver rings folded behind his back.

"Were you watching me?" He gracefully and cautiously neared me recognizing the terror running deep through my bones. They shrieked at me to run- run and never look back towards this kingdom.

"I was. Your tale is one of much intrigue. It will shape the future of two worlds. Yours," he closed the distance between us leaning his head in the crook of my neck to whisper to me- "and mine." My whole being shook with trepidation.

His hands landed on my bare shoulders, those cold rings chilling my flesh. I couldn't even run now if I tried. Noting the way I shuddered before him, he chuckled. Those all too pointy canine teeth peeked out from his grin. The features of his face were too sharp, too perfect to be mortal. The glow of his eyes strangely magical and entrancing.

"What are you?" I found myself asking again in a small voice.

"A self-made god." He smirked.

"And a god is entertained by my fate?" He nodded and smiled at me with mischievous intent. His rough hand slid down my arm and pulled my wrist to his lips.

"Don't scream." Gently his lips grazed the pulse there before his fangs pierced my vein and he began to drink faster than my eyes could track. I tried to yank back but too quickly I started to feel faint and my mind foggy. Screaming was the last thing on my mind. Wrapping an arm around me he pulled me against his large frame for support.

"You are the undead," I accused weakly. The scent of mint and winter winds clouded my senses.

His teeth retracted from my flesh and I watch as he bites into his bottom lip drawing blood. He kissed my open wound pressing his broken lip to the punctures softly; his tongue darted out licking away our mixed blood and revealing my unblemished wrist. Taking that same hand he pressed my palm against his chest where I could feel the very real beating of his heart.

"I am not dead or undead, and I shall never die. I am a god and not one of your world. I've come here to fulfill my part of the prophecy." His hand landed on my hip before edging slowly into my deep pocket. The jingle of the small content was unmistakable and the thought of resisting him was terrifying. His hand appeared between holding the gold engraved and enchanted ring I had placed on Gavrial's finger this very morning. "Adorn me."

I could feel the color drain from my face.

"You- you want to marry me?" Not another one.

He laughed and that laugh was too flawless- deep and sensual causing my knees to grow weak. Any wisdom I had swiftly vanished. I would give him anything he asked for. "Oh no. I am already married. I just wish to make a deal- a vow, an oath- whatever term you prefer here." A look came over his face as if his mind had traveled to some far-off place. "But I would not mind a companion for a tryst now and again- maybe even a concubine."

"That is the deal you wish to make?"

"The bargain I've come to offer is a bit more complex than that. Your people are hunted to extinction here and that will not change for a thousand years. I wish to offer you sanctuary in my realm for the witches. You will always remain their Queen but I will be the King of the land in which you will reside. I do not desire that your people worship me like a god- it is their own choice who they wish to pray to. And they are welcome to mingle with any creatures in my land that please them. Everyone has magic there and no one will discriminate against your people. They will be free from the fear of a rope for practicing something that is their birthright."

His words were like honey to my ears. Nothing had ever sounded so good. I couldn't have dreamed it any better. I couldn't have because it was not a possibility in this world. He was a god and he said it himself- the witches were doomed here. I took the ring from his waiting hand not caring about the little details ready to accept the offer.

The ring held fast before his finger when I asked, "What is it you want in return?"

His smirk grew that much brighter. "Clever little shadow, I almost thought I would be free to ask you for anything. For acceptance, I ask for love. For a home, I ask for soldiers. For a Kingdom, I ask for an heir."

"Is it common for your kind to speak in riddles?"

"For some it is. My people will accept yours with open arms in return, I wish that they are shown the same kindness. The witches must fight in my wars when they are called, it is payment for my lands. And for the fiefdom, your first child may only be sired by me."

Too good to be true. My head sunk as I held that ring contemplating. Could I deny a god? If I accepted, it would go against everything I have been fighting for.

"The deal may be fulfilled at any time you wish to cross into my realm but be warned the deal may never be broken," he added.

Even so, I took that ring and added it to his collection. The gold band standing out against all the silver already there. The moonlight reflected off his fangs as he smiled. Then my world tilted off its axis. The feeling of sinking to the bottom of the ocean and crushing water seized me. My joints and ears popped as the pressure of his heavy magic enveloped us- solidifying our bargain. If any of the witches had to endure this let it be me and let me be the last so they may live the rest of their lives in peace.

Some sacrifices must be made.

"When you wish to transport your people," he held out his hand waiting for me to open mine, "take this to a shadow and whisper to me you are ready. I shall come and walk you through the steps. After your people have settled you will have to uphold your promise."

I nodded my head solemnly as he placed the necklace in my hand. The chain was long and silver with a small charm hanging from it. On closer inspection, I realized it was a labradorite eye encrusted in tiny diamonds.

"It will never break and no one will be able to remove it; not even you. Once your end of the contract is complete, you shall be free of it." He took the necklace back and brought it over my head resting it on my neck. The weight of that chain was almost unbearable. The sheer will to shut out the ranting in the back of my head took nearly all my concentration.

As if seeing my inner turmoil he said, "This was fate. And your choice will shape two worlds for the better."

Tongue-tied and gaping like a fish out of water I could not bring myself to say anything.

"Goodbye, Sable, Queen of the Witches." He took a broad step back and bowed sophisticatedly. "Until I get bored." He winked at me just before vanishing like a mirage.