Chapter 6
2275 Words
~Glinda~
What on earth is he doing outside my window?! Well, it’s too late to back out now.
Gareth “Where are you going, Princess?”
He asks, sitting on the soft earth of the forest just outside my window, with his back leaning against a tree. If he didn’t speak, I would have thought he was asleep. It’s plain creepy sometimes how calm he can be.
Glinda “I need some pictures. Some rare creatures come out once in a thousand years only on this kind of moon. Are you going to tattle on me again or are you coming with me?”
He gets up, chewing on a blade of grass.
Gareth “Well now, if it’s that important, who am I to stand in your way. Lead the way, Princess.”
That was easy… may be way too easy. I lead the way into the forest where I saw the cocoons, looking back his way every couple of steps wondering why he isn’t stopping me. Seeing the cocoons, I start taking pictures when the butterflies find their way out. For so long they were captured in their prison of silk and finally, they could fight their way out.
Once they started climbing out one by one, their luminous purple and blue wings would spread and they sat there for a minute or so. At that time, I got the most precious pictures of them up close. I am sure there are photographers out there that only dreamt of this opportunity.
One, then two, then three starts sitting on my shoulders and my arms. I put my camera down and slowly walk into the middle of their breeding ground as more land on me. I hear my camera click and fly up into the air and around me. Their beautiful colors flying around and around making me so happy that I start twirling in between them.
It is amazing seeing their colors go by so fast, hearing their wings flap so close to my ears. It’s one of those moments in life you will never forget. You want to burn it into your memory. A branch snaps and they take off in a swarm looking like moonlight. I hear the click of the camera and look in Gareth’s direction.
Glinda “Thank you, that was so incredible!”
I smile, feeling my eyes sparkle with the excitement of the moment.
Gareth “Sure Princess. Now I have to get you home.”
I don’t even fight. I can’t wait to see the pictures I took and develop them. I already have so many ideas of what I want to frame and where I want to put them. Excited I climb back through the window, finding my mom in my room patiently waiting.
Melissa “Thought you could sneak out and I wouldn’t know huh?”
Glinda “But mom, give me a chance to explain. Just look at these. They are…”
We see picture after picture that Gareth took of me playing between the butterflies. When did he do this? I didn’t even hear the camera, except for that last one.
Melissa “Not only a great photographer but also very photogenic. You look absolutely beautiful Glinda!”
Glinda “But I didn’t take these. I didn’t even know that he took these…”
Melissa “Well, I definitely want one or two of them. They are stunning. Now regarding sneaking out. I need you to be up at six tomorrow morning to help in the kitchen in the packhouse.”
Glinda “Why?! Only Omegas work at that time of the morning?”
Melissa “I know, Omega’s and daughters who don’t listen to their parents. Six am sharp! Good night.”
She shuts my door and disappears… That’s so not fair!! She must have known if she was waiting in my room! GARETH! He probably let my dad know that we left! That’s why he was so nice about everything!!
~Willow~
The dinner goes off without a hitch, only instead of taking my place at the table, I decided to take my place as staff. Checking dishes before they go out so make sure they are perfect. Making sure the wine flows and that staff act promptly when called by guests.
Until one member walks up to me.
Staff member “Ms. Willow. The Master wants to know why you aren’t eating with the guests.”
If I send the poor staff member with the message, he might just fire them on the spot, so I glide to the table, taking a stand next to his chair, I rest my elbow on the back of the chair.
Willow “You called Master.”
I say smiling at the guests.
Radagast “What are you doing?”
He asks under his breath trying his best not to lose his temper.
Willow “My job, remember?”
Radagast “Don’t be petty.”
He says slightly louder and I just keep smiling.
Willow “I’m not. Now behave in front of your important guests. You don’t want to upset them.”
He grabs hold of my hand, then turns it to kiss the palm when he sees the Councillor watching intently. Slightly tugging at my arm so I will take my place to his left. A staff member immediately brings me my plate of food.
Radagast “I see you and the Councillor are getting pretty cozy.”
Willow “No, you saw him try and missed where I put him in his place. Is that why you are angry at me?”
Radagast “I’m not angry.”
I know to just leave it for now or he will start drinking too much too fast and before we know it half of the people here will be having a drinking contest while the rest will be totally disgusted with what is happening. I’m not going to allow that at one of my dinners!
Willow “You are going to behave yourself Radagast, or I won’t help you with my sisters. That is a promise.”
My eyes burning with anger and I see him recognize anger in my expression. He turns his head to his right like a proper gentleman and starts talking to the young male sitting there. The poor man seems so nervous he nearly drops his fork while talking to Radagast.
The main course is brought out, then desert, lastly some coffee and chocolate for the ladies and the men excuse themselves for cognac and cigars. Radagast kisses me on my cheek.
Willow “Remember, behave or no sisters.”
I warn him smiling at him.
Anger turning his face red, he leaves the dining room, leading the rest of the gentlemen out.
I get up and lead the ladies to the ladies sitting room. Some of them wanting to know when Radagast and I tie the knot, are very surprised when they find out that I’m his sister-in-law and we aren’t “romantically involved”.
Okay fine, so it’s not proper yet in social circles to admit that I’m his official mistress. It feels like the night drags on forever with all the pleasantries and being the perfect hostess! When the last ladies leave and I take a deep breath and make my way to my room when a pair of strong arms grab me from behind and push me up against the wall.
Radagast “You dare threaten me? In front of our guests.”
Willow “I didn’t threaten you. That my darling is a promise. Now let me go!”
Radagast “I… I’m sorry, I’m sorry Willow, I just can’t lose you as well. Don’t, please, don’t leave me.”
His grip softens and he lowers his head down on my shoulder.
Radagast “You know I can’t do anything without you.”
Willow “Then remember that the next time you try and remind me of my place! I will be sleeping in my room again tonight. I need to be up early to greet our guests when they leave in the morning and you smell of drink!”
Radagast “But I need you.”
Willow “No you don’t. Now go to bed.”
I call one of the servants standing near the entrance to help him to his chambers. Tomorrow we start by planning to take my sisters. I can’t be seen half-drunk and smelling of his touch!
Walking into my room I drop my shoes on the floor, unzip my dress and walk to the bathroom to take off my make-up.
Something shiny catches my eye and when I look towards my dressing table, I see a little black box with a silver bow around it. That wasn’t there when I left my room earlier. There is a note behind it with my name on, in handwriting, I don’t know.
“Dearest Willow,
Thank you for the warm welcome we received while staying at castle Silver-fox. Your hospitality will be remembered in the future.”
A gift from the witch’s council! This is a very rare honor! I’m almost too scared to open the little box and my hands shake when I pull open the bow and lift the lid, revealing a pin with their seal on it!
I quickly read the rest of the note.
“We have taken the liberty of giving you your council pin already. The secretary will be in contact with you to arrange the details for your initiation ceremony.
Kindest Regards
Witch’s Council”
A council member?! Me? I wonder if Radagast knows. He has to. They wouldn’t have decided this without consulting him. I’m sure of it! Wow! I feel like a Princess!! Is this how my sisters felt when they shifted for the first time?! That once in a lifetime experience?
I twirl around my room excitedly. I have to sleep so I will look my best in the morning when I see them off, proudly wearing my pin! Putting it back in the box, I safely put the box in my drawer and almost skip to the bathroom. What felt like an evening of utter hell had just turned into a life changer for me.
~Melissa~
I have to meet with our coven to let them know about the latest developments, but I don’t want Frank and the girls to know. For a change, I am to be the one breaking the rules and sneaking out without protection. I work a spell to make sure all of them sleep deeply, putting on my cloak I sneak out the trap door and through the forest.
When I reach the coven mother’s house, she has already assembled everyone, knowing that I am on my way. Her psychic abilities focused on a fine art.
Moonstar “Melissa, what is this about Willow returning?”
Melissa “Yes, I’m afraid she has. With that monster of a man Radagast! We fear they might try and attack again! Frank has extra guards protecting our girls, but we all know how unfair the council fights. They won’t care for the lives of others!”
Moonstar “Melissa, you always underestimate your wolf family.”
Melissa “I don’t! I want them to be safe! Look at what happened to my darling Isobel when I let her go with that man!”
Celestial “Melissa, you cannot stop destiny from happening. You know that.”
Melissa “No! I won’t believe that! Isobel was not destined to die so young! Her baby would not have been destined to die before it was born!!”
Moonstar “You are too close to what is happening my dear. You can’t see clearly.”
Melissa “Then look on my behalf so I can change what might go wrong!”
I beg them with tears starting to form.
Melissa “I can’t lose another daughter… not to that man!!”
Moonstar “Darling, you know I would if I could. You know the price for doing such magic and you aren’t willing to pay for it.”
Melissa “Take my life. I will pay with mine!”
Celestial “NO Melissa! You will stop this nonsense this instance! Not only won’t you be able to change destiny if you are dead, but I won’t allow one of our coven members to sacrifice themselves for a council witch! Daughter or not!”
I fall to the ground crying and Celestial bends down, taking my chin in her hands.
Celestial “My baby girl. You aren’t alone. Remember that. We are all in this together, okay? We will stand with the wolves like we always have and protect your family. Trust in your family. Trust in us. Now go home. Your spell will soon wear off and then your husband will realize you are gone.”
I thank them and quickly make my way back home. Upset and not fully concentrating where I’m going, I stumble over a tree root and twist my ankle, crying out in pain. Oh, that’s just great!! How do I explain my being out here without a guard?! I try getting up, but it’s impossible, the pain is too much. I have only one option left…
I have to crawl to the trap door, pull myself through, and hope to the goddess that nobody sees me!
***
Just as I close the door, I hear footsteps on the stairs and cry in pain.
Frank “Mellissa?! Melissa! Where are you?!”
Melissa “Over here! I think I might have twisted my ankle.”
- Writer
