The Dark Witch And Her Knights

8

           

Months had begun to pass and I had stopped noticing. I only noticed when the seasons changed. It was something I found solace and peace in watching. When I wasn't watching the changing of leaves, I was hauled up in the library searching for anything that could tell me why I couldn't cast a spell.

Summer had returned. I knew I had been with the witchman for over a year with no progress. It was driving me mad. What was the point? Why was I doing this? My path had become blurred but my determination had become obsessive. I had read every book in the library almost thrice and nothing could tell me why I couldn't cast a single spell.

I made my way through the manor searching out the witchman. He could probably hear the click of my heels through the halls. It was late and he should have already returned to his chambers but when I knocked on his door there was no answer. I was not about to enter his room without permission either. I searched the rest of the house finding him in the training room. Should have been the first place I checked.

The sound of his labored breathing and grunts of exertion directed me. I marched in ready to yell at him about his inadequate book room. My feet stumbled and halted when my eyes fell upon his bare chest shining with the labor he had forced his body to endure. His movements halted as he looked me over. The expression on my face wasn't hidden quick enough before he was able to catch it.

His mouth curled into an odd grin as he stared at me then continued his routine. I stomped my foot angered he wasn't giving me his full attention.

"Shouldn't you be asleep by now?"

"Says who?"

"The moon above."

"We can't even see outside. How would you know if the moon was up?" I questioned playfully, forgetting why I was here.

"I have been out tonight. And the moon is bright and full."

I couldn't help but wonder if the moon was the reason why I was feeling so anxious and alert.

"Why are you here?" he asked, bringing me from my strange thoughts.

I struggled for a moment to remember why I was there, to begin with. "I have read every book in the library." My body felt stiff as I tried to get the words out. His indifference angered me. I stepped forward into his training bubble trying to disrupt his practice. He took this as a challenge and we started a dance of fist and fury.

"What is wrong with the book room," he breathed out between blows.

I blocked and swung with the strength I usually wouldn't try to use during training. My time had made me grow into a woman, almost. And I was unleashing all my pent-up rage and disappointment into this little exercise.

"It no longer holds what I seek," I burst out losing my focus.

He took the opportunity to swing my legs out from under me. It was easy for him since stepping into his exercise wearing heels wasn't a good idea. I flailed searching for anything to grab. I managed to hook onto the witchman's arm bringing him down on top of me. He was so heavy he crushed the air out of my lungs.

The fight in me went with my breath and a lone tear fell from my eye. My frustration had built to such a level it was trying to release itself from my body with unwanted crying.

His hand went to my cheek to brush away my tear only for me to smack his touch away before he could reach me. Aiming for his ribs my knee jabbed up through the slit of my dress. His hand gripped my calf anticipating my move holding it down.

"What is it you seek?" he whispered in my ear moving his hand up to my thigh.

I turned my head as far away from him as I could. My cheeks flushed with heat. My legs quivered with untapped desire. When I felt the feeling I had avoided all these months I began pushing at his chest in defiance. "Get off me, Witchman. You know I hate you."

"If you hate me so much, why have you stayed here alone with me all this time?" He tucked some hair behind my ear as his other hand moved higher below my dress nearing my undergarments. Full-on panic over flooded me. I fought against him with all my might still unable to overcome him with all the time that I had spent here. "Make me get off you."

Tears began to stream down my face. My mind started working through the self-defense techniques he had taught me but nothing was working. The heart in my chest froze, his hand had reached my undergarments and his fingers curled around lace ready to pull. I heard the rip of the material but I couldn't feel it. My body had shut down. Why would he do this to me after all this time? I thought I was safe with him.

"Are you going to let me have my way with you?" His lips came down onto my neck, trailing soft kisses from my collar bone to my jaw. The heat of his lips made me shiver with unfamiliar need. He roughly squeezed my bare hip causing a small surprising moan to break my lips.

Unexpectedly he pulled back sitting up and dragging me by my thighs with him. He wrapped my legs around his waist forcing me to straddle him as he held me in a tight embrace. Pulling back after a while he looked deeply into my tear-stained eyes. "What will we do with you if you can't save yourself from the most common predator out there?"

"You?" I replied lowly. I knew he was trying to help me unleash my potential. But something about the way he touches me, made my body feel- broke me. I feared him but I also wanted him. I trusted him but yet I didn't. I knew him but not really. I couldn't judge how far he would take his little experiment or if it was one at all.

A deep laugh rumbled his chest and warmed my own. I looked up at his handsome face admiring his magnificence; sharp jaw, soft plump lips, his silvery eyes that looked like the moon reflected on a calm sea. I was tempted to run my fingers through his dark thick curls. He caught my stare of wonder. I turned from him trying to hide the blush I should not have. I wanted to walk away just to realize his arms were no longer embracing me but they had drifted down. His hands had come to rest on my thighs which he had wrapped around his waist.

I awkwardly began pulling my legs away and trying to stand. "Wait." His hand went to grab my calf as I stood throwing my shaky legs on heels off balance. Catching me before I could fall on the hard floor he pulled me into his lap. "You never did tell me what it is you are after."

I gaped at him stunned by his actions. "I want to be strong. I want to be a witch. I want to live free and fearless."

"I will help you accomplish all that. I promise."

"What do you get from all this?" I asked as he started to lift me, carrying me from the training room.

"I get to see you become the queen I envisioned. And maybe one day, not another soul will burn for being born as they were; A Witch."

The remaining walk to my room was silent as I pondered his words. He kicked open my door then tried to place me on my unsteady legs. Taking my hands he placed them on his bare shoulders before kneeling. Gently he unfastened my heels at the ankles and took them off before allowing me to stand on my own.

"Tomorrow we will visit an old friend of mine. Dress fit for travel."

Unable to say anything to him, I nodded as he left.