Astrid
1392 Words
The last door before Axel and Alex’s was closed. Maude knocked ,and they patiently waited.
“Coming, Maude,” a melodious voice answered.
The door opened ,and the person greeting them was not what Layla expected.
A tall woman, in her late twenties smiled down at Layla.
“Hi, I’m Astrid,” she held her hand out.
“Layla,”
“Come in,” she motioned to the couch in the corner ,and the two women stepped in.
Astrid had long purple hair down to her waist and wore a plum colored bohemian style dress with a gold pair of sandals .Her arms were adorned with gold and silver bangles, and from her ears dangled two elongated pink crystals.
“Yes ,I’m a witch” she confirmed, seemingly reading Layla's mind.
"I like this one," Chalci purred in Layla's head.
With Layla and Maude firmly seated on the couch ,Astrid sat in a chair across from them and crossed her legs.
Her emerald eyes sparkled as she spoke,” So ,you are Axel’s mate,”
Layla’s face turned beet red, and Maude looked at her in surprise.
“Axel’s mate?”
“Yes,” Astrid confirmed ,”The jaguar princess we’ve all heard so much
about.”
Layla covered her face with her hands trying to compose herself.
“Well, don’t be shy,” Astrid giggled. ”I am Aeobheann’s cousin ,from the Highlander pack,”
“Wow,” Layla looked her over,, noticing the striking resemblance to the Queen.
“How did you know,” Layla whispered.
“I was there ,at the queen’s dinner, and I also happen to be Liam’s mate.”
Liam. Where had she heard that name before. Layla furrowed her brow trying to remember. Oh yeah, he was the wolf in the dungeon..
“Yes ,Liam was the one who found you when you teleported into his cell .He told me all about the beautiful princess in her golden armour.”
“He was very kind,” Layla gave Astrid an earnest look.
“Yes, that’s his nature, unless he is forced to be otherwise.”
Layla never had a chance to thank the man properly, or ask why he was there in the first place. She did ,however, remember Madden setting him free on the spot, after taking care of her and Tonya.
“I was ambushed by one of the pack members,” Astrid said, again reading Layla’s mind.
“I’m not much of a fighter,” she continued ,”I was his ex-wife’s attorney. He had beaten her very badly ,and I helped her escape his clutches. Madden banned him from the pack, and had him arrested, but he escaped somehow. Madden and Aeobheann were busy dealing with pack business, and had no idea. He attacked me from behind ,in my own house ,while Liam was out guarding the territory.”
“I am so sorry,” Layla looked down at the floor.
“It wasn’t your fault ,dear princess,” Astrid smiled .”It happened just after the part:, while you and Axel were at Madden’s cabin.”
This didn’t make Layla feel any better at all. She should have known.
We were bonding with our mates, Chalci purred in her ear, reminding her.
“Anyway,” Astrid went on ,”Liam arrived home while the man was assaulting me ,and proceeded to beat the absolute shite out of him. Madden found out ,and had the man arrested under double the guards, then put Liam in jail for his own protection.”
“Not fair,” Layla murmured.
“Maybe not, but he was where he needed to be.” she winked. ”I spent three days in the hospital ,but Liam was there when they released me.”
“Good,” Maude added.
“I wanted to meet you then, princess,” Astrid sighed, ”But you were too busy training and fending off unwanted advances from a certain unruly wolf.”
“You heard about that ,too,” Layla shuffled nervously in her seat.
“Yes, all about how Ian tried to get you in trouble ,and how you gave Axel such a wonderful gift.”
“It was never mine to have,” Layla said humbly.
“Ah, yes, the true power of a goddess ,and a Fae priestess,” Astrid’s eyes gleamed with pride.
“I don’t understand,” Layla said, unsure of where this was leading.
.“I’m sure Madden told you,” Astrid stood ,crossing to Layla.
Layla stood, as Motioned by the beautiful witch, and Astrid took her hands.
“The gift of magic is a test. You had too much, so you gave some of it away, to your precious mate. To have and to give away is where your true power lies ,dear one. When you do what is right ,only then can you truly yield the power bestowed upon you.”
Layla could feel the soft white light of Astrid’s magic engulfing her. The warm comforting feeling spread throughout her body ,as she gave in to the calming effect .In an instant, she went to one knee ,bowing to Astrid.
“Arise, Jaguar Princess,” Astrid commanded, holding out her arms.
Layla stood, allowing the power of the jaguar to take hold .Maude gasped in astonishment when Astrid’s light faded. There was Layla ,in her golden armour and headdress ,with her long flowing hair and Chalci at her side.
“Wow,” she looked around ,holding up her hands. She observed Chalci, who was sitting by her side, licking her paws. Maude was on her knees, bowing to her.
“You are growing stronger ,Layla,” Astrid cupped her cheeks ,”And you will learn every day, if you keep an open mind.”
“Thank you ,Astrid,” Layla hugged her ,returning to her human form in a shimmer of light.
“My pleasure. Remember ,if you ever need anything ,I am right here.” She smiled a lovely smile.
The door opened as they pulled apart. A young girl ,around Layla’s age entered the office. Shy and demure, with long flaming red hair, she greeted them with a bow.
“Hello, Merren,” Astrid greeted her ,”This is Layla, Axel’s new assistant,” she winked.
“Nice to meet you,” Layla responded with a smile.
“I’ve kept you long enough,” Astrid sighed, opening the door to her office, ”Have a good first day.”
“I believe she just has,” Maude winked as they stepped out the door.
“Maude,” Layla turned to her.
“I won’t tell a soul,” the office manager whispered .”No one but me and Astrid know who you are ,and if you want to keep it that way ,I will honor your wishes.”
“Thank you,” she hugged the older woman ,whom she now trusted with her secrets.
“You are welcome princess,” Maude smirked ,”Now let’s get back to work ,I’m sure the boss is going crazy wondering where you are.”
On cue, the phone in Maude’s pocket started ringing.
“Yes, boss, yes she’s with me, as you wish sir,”
“He wants you in the boardroom, now,” Maude chuckled.
“Oh s**t Maude, what do I do?” Layla asked, panicking.
Maude dipped into an empty office and returned ,handing Layla a pen and notepad.
“Knock, and when he tells you to enter ,go stand at his side. He will tell you what he wants you to do.”
“Thanks for the help,” Layla replied with a note of sarcasm.
“Just remember,” Maude grabbed her arm, ”Axel does not f**k around at work. Be professional.”
“Yes ma’am,”
The two women parted ways ,leaving Layla to walk down the hall ,to meet her dreaded doom.
- Writer
