Chapter 37: Elizabeth's POV
2020 Words
"My dearest little Star fire, will you do me and Taranis the honour?" Killian held out his hand to me with the biggest smile on his face.
I gladly grabbed his arm and exclaimed in joy. "You bet, my red giant!"
He and I ran outside the cave with him leading me by hand. The moment we were outside, he shifted into his majestic charcoal black gryphon. The beast was completely healed and the burn wounds I had left on the entire bottom half of its body were gone. I realised that the river on Mount Moria really had to be something special.
Taranis walked around me in a circle and allowed me to run my hands through his charcoal black feathers and fur. The feathers that covered his head seamlessly joined the fur that covered his body. The beast was so big that I couldn't even reach it's back with my hands even while standing on my toes. I was only tall enough to run my hands through the bottom part of his stomach.
When Taranis finished letting me feel his majestic body, he stood infront of me and lowered his head to me. I ran my hands through the feathers covering his head and touched his forehead with mine.
"Thank you, red giant", I whispered to them.
Taranis sat on the floor and I was able to climb on him. I grabbed onto his neck to ensure I wouldn't fall off.
He started flapping his wings and I was shocked by how much bigger they were upclose. The size of the wings caused a strong gush of wind to erupt as the beast took off and lunged itself into the heavens.
I was holding onto Taranis' neck while we were flying. The wind was blowing my hair in the air. It felt amazing and so freeing.
I looked around and I saw dozens of mountains. They were all similar to Mount Moria. The peaks of the mountains were all covered in ice and a thick mist. But Moria was the biggest and tallest mountain.
"This is freaking amazing!" I yelled at the top of my lungs. I dared to let go of Taranis' neck and tightened my legs that were wrapped around his body. I held my arms in the air as if they were wings and let the strong winds gush over me.
I noticed tears rolling off my eyes. The wind here, it felt freeing, liberating. I couldn't imagine a better feeling on earth. I may not know anything of Maru, but now I got the obsession with being in the sky. I understood the need to fly to these mountain peaks. I even understood why Killain was walking around naked on Mount Moria. I wanted this strong and glorious wind to touch every part of me too.
Then I saw them- dozens and dozens of gryphons in the air. All in different colours and different sizes. There were too many of them to count. And the mountains, they were all frozen at the top, but green all over. There were all kinds of animals on the mountains.
I realised this wasn't enough. I wanted to feel more of this. I needed to feel more of this wind. I couldn't just be a passenger anymore.
I leaped off Taranis and lunged into the air. I started falling at a remarkable speed. I could feel the wind touching every part of my body. This was worth it. The gryphons have no idea how lucky they are. I felt at home in these skies. I wanted to stay up here forever.
I laughed when I saw Taranis dive under me and I landed back on his body. I steadied myself and held onto his neck while I tightened my legs around his body.
I knew the red giant would catch me. He and I would have a great laugh about this.
We started flying towards a gold and white castle and my heart almost ached because I knew we would be landing soon. But I cheered up as soon as I saw a few people standing infront of the castle. I saw Mike. He was alive and he wasn't hurt.
When Taranis landed, I jumped off him and ran to Mike. He picked me up as soon I reached him and gave me one of his legendary big hugs.
"How? How are you here? The inklings, what happened to them?" I had so many questions, but I was glad that he was okay.
He laughed. "Slow down, Liz. One question at a time!"
"Get off my mate!" I heard a growl behind me.
I looked back and before I could respond, Killian pulled me into his arms. The red giant was naked again.
"Killian, for the last time, I am not your mate". I tore off his hand from my waist and stood by Mike.
"Killian, this is Mike. He is my friend...well he's actually more than that. Mike is my brother. There is no Elizabeth without Mike and there is no Mike without Elizabeth. If you can't treat Mike with the respect he deserves then you and I have a problem. Mike, this is King Killian."
An amused smile appeared on Killian's face. "I'm sorry, my little Star fire. I will treat the mutt...I mean, the werewolf with the respect he deserves. It is a pleasure to meet you Mike."
"Uhm, pleasure to meet you too, King Killian."
A tall woman with long black hair and a man who was as big as Killian, but perhaps a bit older rushed to Killian's side. The man had the same long red hair and a long red beard like Killian. They looked almost identical, except the man looked older and he had green eyes, whereas Killian has blue eyes.
The giant man patted Killian on the shoulders. He was beaming with joy and pride. The woman, on the other hand, looked happy to see Killian but she hesitated to even speak to him.
"Mother", Killian said as he engulfed the woman in a hug,"you've finally returned to us."
The woman was clutching onto Killian and tears were streaming down her face. None of them seemed to care that he was naked.
There were also three bald men standing very still next to the man I presume is Killian's father or twin. They did not say anything.
"Why did he call you his mate?", Mike whispered while we watched what looked like a family reunion unfolding before us.
"Because he's crazy", I whispered back.
"It is good that Maru has brought you here, Mother." Killian ended the hug and walked to me.
"This here is Elizabeth. I fought her on Mount Moria. Had it not been for Maru's sacred waters, she would have most certainly killed Taranis with her unending waves of flames. I have chosen her to be my mate."
I unwrapped his fingers from my arm. I wanted to explain to them again that I was not his mate, but it looked like there wasn't any need to. None of them looked like they believed what he was saying. In fact, it looked like they knew something that Killian and I didn't know.
I was about to respond to his statement, but the other giant red man said something before I could.
He smiled at his son and then extended a hand to me. "Elizabeth, allow me to introduce myself. I am Maxwell Scarth, King Killian's father. I was the one who demanded that you be tested according to Maru's laws to determine whether you are a warrior. It seems you have passed the test."
I shook his hand, still confused about everything that was happening. He and the three bald men couldn't stop staring at my eyes, something I've become used to by now.
"I am Anha", the woman said. She didn't extend a hand to me though. In fact, she had a scowl on her face. "I am here under Queen Merrida's orders. She asked me cloack you and get you here so that you could hopefully be healed."
"Queen Merrida, the inklings. What happened?"
Mike had a very grave look in his face. "The Silver city was overun by centaurs and witches when we left, Liz. They've probably taken over the capital by now. I...I had to get you out of there."
I balled my fists as I remembered the m******e at the Silver kingdom. "Someone betrayed us, Mike. Someone shot me with one of our own arrows."
He gulped. "It was me. I shot you."
"What? Why would you do that?"
"Because you were going to sacrifice yourself and that was the only way to save you, Liz." His eyes were pleading with me.
"The centaurs would have left if they got me, Mike. Don't you see I was trying to keep everyone safe?" I was trying to control my anger. I have never been angry with Mike; not even once. But this... that was my choice to make and maybe that choice could have saved the survivors. There's no telling what's happened to everyone now.
Mike looked equally angry at me. This wasn't something that has happened to either of us before. We're usually in sync.
"I won't apologise for saving your life, Liz. You were going to sacrifice yourself to the witches. Why do they want you in the first place. Did you think about that when dove head first into danger like you usually do?"
This took my by surprise. He knows we've found ourselves in multiple situations where we needed to put our lives in danger to help others. I didn't do the things I did because I wanted to, I had to.
"How about we get you too bathed and fed", Killian interjected before I could say anything.
"Sure", Mike said.
We walked into the grand castle and it looked even more exquisite inside. Mike was walking next to me. We may be angry at each other right now, but I know he will always be there for me. The man is like a brother to me now.
Killian led Mike to a bedroom and then led me to mine.
"Killian, please put on some clothes", I had been shown into a very regal room and didn't even have a chance to admire it because the red giant was standing naked in my room.
He rolled his eyes. "If you've spent time amongst the wolves then surely you understand that nudity is part of being a shifter, my little Star fire."
"The wolves try to always carry an extra pair of clothes with them so that they won't be naked, Killian. Please put something on." My eyes were still shut. Back on Mount Moria I could excuse his nudity, but we were in a whole castle now. There was absolutely no reason for him to be naked.
I heard him huff. "Fine, I will go. I just wanted to let you know that there will be a ball tonight to celebrate my return. I will send servants to prepare you for it. I'll be announcing you as my mate at the ball."
This made me tear my eyes open.
"I won't come to the ball if you do that, Killian. I am NOT your mate."
He narrowed his eyes at me. "Okay, I understand. You want me to court you first."
"Killian, I don't want you to-"
"Shhhh. I will not announce you as my mate at the ball if that is your wish. But please do come, my little Star fire. You and I fought on Mount Moria and we returned with you riding Taranis' back. That is a tale that needs to be told to others. Please do not say no."
I hesitated for a moment before responding.
"I promise I will behave, my little Star fire. I will not even mention the word 'mate'. I promise."
I groaned as I exhaled loudly. "Okay. I will attend your ball WITH Mike."
His usual big smile returned to his face as he walked naked out of my room.
- Writer
