Fate's Pawn: First Bite

Chapter Seven: Visitors

“Easy there.”

I didn’t know if he was talking to me or the pegasus. There was no way I could run for it, it was hard enough to hobble around. “What do you want?” my voice sounded far braver than I could ever be.

“To help you.”

“With?” I relaxed a fraction but still glared at him and his earthy brown eyes in defiance. Something about him was beyond strange.

“I’m not going to hurt you, alright. What did that guy call you, Willow? Willow, I’m not here to hurt you or even touch you.”

“How do you know my name?” I took another step backward. Maybe I could try to escape on the pegasus?

“In the woods.”

My eyes widened. “Wait, the wolf?” I tilted my head as I studied his shaggy sandy locks. Those were the same brown eyes that had been so rage-filled before. “Wait, you’re a person?” I scratched my head. “I don’t understand.”

“I’m a werewolf,” his admittance came with a flush to his skin as he looked away from me.

“I knew you existed, but I didn’t think I’d ever see one.” I took a step forward and moved too fast as I winced again and fell o the ground.

He knelt beside me his eyes searching. “That other guy, he hurt you didn’t he?” His nose wrinkled as he got closer to me. “You smell like poison.”

“Poison?” I shook my head. “I don’t know what you’re going on about. Orion is my-” I stopped. How could I ever admit that? “My mom owed him a huge debt, and I’m expected to pay it off.”

He lifted my skirt before I can stop him and traced a finger over one of my welts. “Why are you staying and putting up with this? You can get away, right now. Just leave.”

“Can’t.” I grabbed my skirt him and shoved it over the marred flesh. “Ash, my prince, he’s a bit of a mage. He could find out where I am and bring me back.”

“If you stay here, you’re going to die.”

I blinked and stared up at him. “What?”

“You heard me.” He repeated his eyes now looking straight into mine. “You should get out of here while you can. I doubt they’re going to have time to do a spell on you.”

“What’s going to happen?” I demanded as I got to my feet and grabbed his arm. “Are you going to attack them?” Fear for Ash consumed me. I could never let anything happen to him.

“Not me,” he defended with a shake of his head. He was jerking his head from side to side and peeled my fingers away as he took a step back. “I have to go. I just wanted to warn you, please, Willow, leave. Your week is just going to get worse.”

I tried to come up with something else to say but my tongue was a knot. He nodded at me and then just dashed out of the room. I hadn’t even got a name from the strange man. I wasn’t sure if I believed his claim of being a werewolf, but his eyes had been identical. I turned back to the pegasus that had stopped shifting and was relaxing again. “What do you think, boy?”

Of course, it didn’t answer me but it butted its head against my chest and I smiled. It would be nice if Orion was torn to shreds and I didn’t have to worry about him anymore. I pat the animal’s forehead and sighed. A snap from behind got my attention and I turned to confront the new stranger. It wasn’t the brown-eyed one this time, instead it was the one I had met the night before while with Orion.

“Oh, I had forgotten you’d be here.” He frowned and looked beyond me at the animal that I was petting. “He likes to bite.”

I glanced back over and shook my head. “If he does, I haven’t seen it yet. He’s been sweet.”

The pegasus leaned into my touch and rolled its eyes at the stranger as if denying the accusation. He did not look amused.

“He usually likes to bite.”

“Do you take care of him?” I only had eyes for the pegasus now as I continued the pet session. “Such a good boy.”

The man snorted. He had moved closer but kept a huge distance between me and him. “You don’t know him as I do. Are you planning on staying here all day?”

I shrugged. “As long as I can. I’m enjoying the peace and quiet.”

He chuckled. “Until I ruined it?”

“You’re not the first.”

“What?” His lake blue eyes darkened as his face hardened. He was all business now. “Was there someone else here?”

I remembered the stranger and frowned at myself. Should I tell this random guy about the first? I wanted to protect the nameless one for some reason. “I’ve just had a bad time ever since I got here.”

He nodded to himself. “I should get going. They’ll come to find me soon enough.” He gave me a searching glance. “If you get along so well with him, I can let you take him for a ride sometime.”

“Ride him?” I stared. “Are you serious? I’ve always wanted to ride a real pegasus! Oh to be free and away from everything!” I giggled and realized he was staring at me. “I mean if you’re sure. I would love that, but I thought this stable belonged to the prince of this kingdom. I don’t think he’d approve of me. I heard he hates women.”

“Yeah, he does.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “But, I think he’d make a single exception since the grumpiest animal here thinks you’re safe enough.”

I bit my lip. “You’re the prince, aren’t you?”

His eyebrow arched. “How do you imagine that?”

I shrugged. “A feeling.” The way he carried himself was a good indicator as well. It was the familiar way that Ash tended to stand as well. He expected people to obey him without question. I tried to curtsy but did an awkward wincing rendition instead. “My name is Willow. Thank you for being so nice to me.”

“Doesn’t seem like you’re used to it.” He agreed. “My name is Adrian. They’re going to send a search party for me soon. We’ll take that ride later.” His eyes studied me for another long moment. “I’ll send a guard later to accompany you. It’s dangerous even here. I wouldn’t put it past the monsters to attack the castle itself.”

He turned and left and I was beside the pegasus again. I glanced up at him and he blinked at me with his clear blue eyes. “Guess it’s just you and me for a while boy.”

The pegasus nickered and leaned against me. I closed my eyes and wished that I could just mount the beast and fly far away as the werewolf had suggested. Maybe I should have warned the prince, he didn’t seem like a bad guy, but I had learned early that appearances were usually extremely deceiving.