Bound by Roses (The Bound Series Book 1) (11 page)

The girls, ready to approach the damp, naked man, were stopped when a flash of fire erupted between them and the man. Both children jumped back, as a figure appeared. Tall, and muscular, the figure stared down at the children, “Leave him be.”

“Who are you?” Snow White asked.

The figure crossed arms before a small chest, “I am who guided the Bear here.”

“You are the Fairy!” Rose Red bellowed.

“You may call me that,” the Fairy said with a wicked smirk. Waving unnaturally long and thick fingers in the air, the children’s eyes glazed over. “You will never come to this cavern again, children. Let your fate came, whatever it may be.”

The children blinked and the Fairy was gone. A strange silence befell the cold cavern.

“Where we just talking to someone?” Snow White asked.

Rose Red stared at her, “No, it was just us, and the Bear.”

They decided not to wake the sleeping man. Snow White and Rose Red left the cave to find the young woman, who had continued to sit in the meadow near the ocean, waiting for their return in the afternoon light. She perked up upon seeing them, but a sadness fell upon her brow as Snow White spoke, “I am sorry, but—”

Tears entered the woman’s eyes. She stood and ran away. The girls did not follow. They did not know what to say or do, should they have.

The girls sat where the woman did and stared at each other, “is that the cave we too sought?” Snow White asked.

“Magic is surely terrible,” Rose Red commented, holding Snow White’s hands.

“Let our fate come, whatever it be,” Snow White pricked her finger with a thorn from a nearby bush.

Rose Red did the same before the girls put their fingers together, “Let our fate come, whatever it may be.”

They smiled upon each other.

Snow White and Rose Red walked silently into the woods. Their time was almost over. Daylight turned to dusk and dusk to night. Huffing down besides an outcropping, the girls built a small fire with flint stones that Rose Red carried in her bag. The darkness of the forest melted away. The fire formed a bubble that was theirs alone. High above the treetops, the full moon shone down brightly in the cloudless sky. It was not long before the two girls were fast asleep, cuddled together around the fire.

From the darkness of the forest, the ugly old man appeared. He whistled a forgotten song that only fish knew, when he stopped. From his side he produced a dagger, and silently crept upon the sleeping children.

“What luck! Sound asleep and none the wiser—they shall be ridden of, and the little mermaid’s soul shall be mine!” The creature approached closer, but fell back. The blade dropped to the ground as the moonlight increased, blinding him for a moment. The dagger he dropped buried itself tip down into the soft dirt.

When the light subsided, between the creature and the children stood the most magnificently beautiful woman. Tall, slender, and with hair so blonde it was almost silver. A gown of the softest moonbeams and starlight, it sparkled and flowed downward where it turned into clouds at her feet. Hands were folded before her stomach. Great rings on her fingers were as if she plucked stars to wear.

“You will not harm these children,” while stern, her voice remained calm and caring. Eyes possessed the fire of the stars themselves.

“Who are you to intervene?” The creature demanded of the woman, crooked finger pointed straight at her.

“Many names do I have over my lifetime, none of which have been heard by your ears, creature,” the woman continued to stand tall before, “I am guardian to all innocent creatures during the night. And I say again, you will not harm these children.”

The ugly old man picked up his dagger with a cackle into the night air, “I am not of surface dwellers. Nor do I dwell below rocks and dirt. The Moon has no power over me—”

“You will be silent, damned creature of the deepest depths!” The woman raised a hand into the air, and the creature fell back, his mouth shut tight, “I have seen you struggle to walk upon two feet, yet swim so easily it was if you possessed fins. You may fool lesser creatures into believing that you are of below rocks and dirt, but I have seen glimpses of your true form in the forever-truthful gaze of water’s reflection. I hold more sway and power over you, than you will ever know. You will leave this place tonight—Rumpelstiltskin!”

With a flash of putrid green flame, and shriek into the night the ugly old man disappeared back into the forest, quicker than he appeared. The woman turned and smiled upon Snow White, who sat awake, “it is all right little Snow White. Go back to sleep, you are safe this night and many more—but when you awake, your adventures in the woods will end—by mortal lips the tale must be unbound—do you understand?”

The woman asked, and Snow White nodded softly, “Good. Now sleep, sleep young one!”

The Woman waved a hand across Snow White’s head, and the most delicate stardust of purple and pink fell into Snow White’s eyes. She yawned and stretched and yawned some more before lying back down, eyes heavy. She fell into a dreamless sleep, next to young Rose Red. In her mind, she remembered the name that was told out loud, and her mission in the morning. The woman never left them, until dawn broke.

Rumpelstiltskin appeared upon the edge of the forest. He could see the dark beautiful ocean. Upon a rock he sat and stared into the water. There, before him, was the face of a haggard old sea witch. Tentacles danced around behind her. Hair white, decayed, moldy seaweed with plump lips, she smiled at herself. “Soon enough my friend, I will be back to you.”

A flash of cold fire erupted from behind the ugly man. He turned sharply to find the tall imposing figure of the Fairy standing. Thick robes of the blackest night ran down the Fairies slender frame. “We had a deal, creature. You were not to harm the children.”

“They are a nuisance that needed to be dealt with,” the creature hobbled closer. The Fairy raised a hand, and the creature stopped.

“Your services are no longer, required, Sea Witch.”

“I have yet to claim the mermaid’s Soul!” The ugly old man hopped up and down.

“The Prince’s fate has changed, he no longer searches for her. The Soul shall be yours as was your contract with her. The children saw first hand the power of the cave, which is what I needed.”

“What do you care if these children live or die?” The creature asked with a wide, crooked smile.

The Fairy knelt down and picked the ugly old man up by what was left of his great white beard, “my reasons are my own, but their fates are important to the realm and its future.”

“Release me!” The creature flopped about as a fish in the Fairies grip.

“As you wish.” A flash of cold grey-aqua fire, and the ugly old man disappeared. The flesh burned away. In the Fairies strong hand was caught a fat woman with grey skin, the Sea Witch.

The Fairy dropped the fat creature, which landed with a disgusting plop in the sand. “Where is the mermaid?”

“I have seen her,” the Fairy began again, “I have altered your contract. Because mermaids possess no souls, she had none to give to you. Upon the sunrise this morning, she shall succumb to sea foam, and turn to a spirit of the air.”

“What have you done?” The Sea Witch screeched.

“Only that which will help unbind the tales,” the Fairy laughed deeply, “Now return to the depths from which you came.”

The Sea Witch in a rage sloshed towards the sea, where she disappeared beneath its depths. The sun rose over the horizon, and the Fairy disappeared as the children appeared from the woods to go home.

      Five.

The Wolves departed the burning city, led by their Queen, the nameless red Wolf. They left behind the death of Saledii Red, and untold others. The creatures traveled without rest. They ran faster than the Wind, as if an invisible force chased or whipped their heels. A great magic encircled them. They could smell it. They could see the tendrils dance upon the ground. The Wolf Queen carried in her mouth, the two shards of the broken Bloodstone. They sparkled brilliantly in the little light that they caught. In that broken jewel, she carried her fate, her future, and her past.

The Wolves remained on the outskirts of civilization, and so did the Huntsman. He followed them as much as he could. From that first scent in the waterway, he tracked most of the Wolves that had come, to the Hessen Woods beyond Zhan’ding. He knew the pack was immense, and of such size that had not been seen since the Great Wolf Queen. He did not linger, for many knew him, and his fate would not be pleasant should they catch his scent as he caught theirs.

The Huntsman continued because the ones he hunted had continued on. Well past the woods. He followed until at last the trail grew dead. The Winds shifted and were no longer ally to him. They blew with their might from behind. Those beasts that hid in the woods masked the scent.

“Such odd direction for the Winds to blow. Some force does not wish me to learn of their ultimate destination,” Avarice commented to himself. His horse huffed almost as loudly, “Powerful sorcery indeed if these beasts masters can call and command the Winds.”

The Huntsman continued on for a short time, for he knew they traveled the way the Winds blew. He travelled before he stopped before a flowing spring. He took the moment to allow his horse to rest and eat.

Six.

A gentle knock upon the chambers door brought Marguerite out of her uneasy slumber. Her mind wandered to Saledii. The dream faded like the morning mist. Her thoughts of the cave and adventures vanished. She barely touched the needlework. She placed it gently upon the windowsill. She rose to open the window wider. A gentle spring breeze blew in. It sent a wonderful shiver through her body. Another knock. Marguerite sighed softly.

“Enter,” Marguerite called back. She knew who it was, so she continued to stare out the window. Kaniz and Iritis entered together. She could see their ghostly outlines in the window.

“That was expedient work, Captain,” Marguerite commented with hands folded behind her back, “Report, please.”

“All preparations have been made, Lady White. Refugees are going to be escorted to Ashok Orai within the hour,” Iritis ended with a bow.

“How many?” Marguerite questioned. Her eyes locked upon the sky. The image of the blazing horizon burned into her mind.

“A small number to start. To test the waters of Ashok Orai hospitality,” Iritis answered.

“You mean the Ministers?” Kaniz commented with a clearing to her throat.

Captain Iritis bowed his head taking a step forward, “more will surely follow, should that prove accurate.”

Marguerite spun upon her heel and stared at both Kaniz and Iritis, “Speaking of. We must convene the Ministers again.”

“Twice in one day?” Kaniz asked, “They will not be happy.”

“Is this not their job?” Iritis questioned.

“There are things that must be discussed,” Marguerite looked in the mirror upon her nightstand and adjusted her hair. “That much is certain. And as such, the Ministers will have to deal with a little extra work.”

Marguerite pulled her shoulder length hair back. From her nightstand she wrapped a delicate silver chain. It clasped tight, a few strands dangled like delicate snowflakes.

“I will summon them, Lady White,” Kaniz rushed from the chambers.

Marguerite stared at Iritis through the mirror as she examined the silver strand she wrapped around her hair. They sparkled lightly in the sunlight, “What of the lands beyond, Captain?”

“As you have feared,” the Captain spoke, hands behind his back. He cleared his throat before he continued, “the Wolves are growing in number and power. They are encroaching upon the Hessen Forest. And there are few alive to defend Zhan’ding, let alone the realm.”

“Very well,” Marguerite finished listening and exited with the Captain, “We shouldn’t keep the Ministers waiting any longer.”

“For that’s how rumors begin,” Iritis joked.

Marguerite raised an eyebrow as they walked, “Is that so?”

Both laughed at their own joke.

Seven.

Through forest, and over mountain, the creatures traveled with little fatigue upon their bodies. It was if the air itself gave them the stamina needed. They traveled great distances until at last the Wolves crossed a scorching desert, a grand forest, now turned to dust. To that forgotten, foreboding tower. That rested in what was once a stone labyrinth. The Wolves paws sank into the sand as they traversed slowly forward.

The tower they approached was old when the forest that created the desert was new. In the blistering heat and whipping sands, dead vines tangled, wrapped, and choked all about the tower. So much did the dead vines wrap, one could barely make out the dark aged stone.

The nameless red Wolf trudged closer towards the tall tower. The sand smooth like water, she nearly sank to her chest. The Wolves that followed, and protected her stayed back. They knew their place, for they waited patiently. Silent guardians stood upon stone ruins that erected themselves from the sinking sands. Ancient drawings sun-faded could barely been seen through dead vines that leached and slithered their way from the tall tower outwards like veins.

The red Wolf dropped the two halves of the Bloodstone to her paws. They barely disturbed the sand. Their bright ruby color shone bright in the sun. Their weight, soon caused them to sink every slowly into the shifting, blowing sands. The Wolf with her jade eyes stared at the tower and released a melodic roar, “
Open sesame!
”

The howl road the Winds and wrapped itself around the tower.

Neither of her guards moved, or made a sound.

Her howl ended abruptly.

Before it could finish singing upon the Winds that blew through the scorching heat, the vines burst to life. Lush green leaves sprouted. Bright green sparks exploded. Pink and purple flowers bloomed. The vines writhed away, and revealed a sealed archway. The Wolf Queen rushed back to her guards when the ground shook. They themselves remained still as statues. The fractured Bloodstone sank further into the sands, but appeared as bright dawn stars as it was brought upwards. For even the sands did not want such a damned artifact. Dark, damp, and vine wrapped stones rose from the sandy depths, a walkway that the Wolf jumped upon.

The empty stonewall before the Wolf Queen twisted and turned, an archway and door formed. A blue glow emanated like cold fire from the shadows. She passed low to the ground, picking up Bloodstone in her jaw before she entered. The sand fell like a parted waterfall. The doorway sealed silently as the Wolves bushy tail crossed the threshold.

A spiral staircase climbed before her, nearly dark for the tower’s creators built no windows. The way was lit by wisps of blue fires contained within multi-faceted crystal orbs. The orbs hung from bronze chains within the crevices along the wall. The bright orbs seemed to sway back and forth like a pendulum, but only when one did not look directly at it. Should the Wolf stare at the fires, they hung perfectly still, straight down like a weight. The Wolf took her time climbing the spiral staircase. She did her best to stay away from the flames. The Wolf Queen hated them with every fiber of her being. Their unnatural cold heat spooked even her. A moan and a wail pierced her ears. It made her fur stand on ends. Tail between her legs. Her body low she continued up. She tried her hardest to stare at the orbs, for their swaying disoriented her. Like all times before the steps disappeared as she ascended. Exit, and escape prevented.

The Wolf Queen stopped before an ornate archway. Bricks a deep azure, that held tight to black gems. They speckled brilliantly throughout. She paused as she always did and stared into the empty room. She knew this to be a rouse. Looking back, there was nothing but a bottomless black abyss where the stairs once were. Far below, stars swirled within a violet, milky vortex. The blue fires extinguished, save for the one next to her. Though its own light was nothing compared to the sun that shone in through the doorway.

“
It is rude to merely stand there waiting,
” a shrill voice called from the empty room. The doorway rippled. The Wolf Queen winced back. Her paw slipped upon the step. She would rather have jumped, then enter.

“
Well?”
The voice called a second time, “
Enter.
”

With a huff, and great reluctance, the Wolf Queen entered the door. A cool numbing rushed her body. The sensation of hot cobwebs dancing upon her fur did not leave until she shook. 

A four post bed, massive wardrobe, and many other odd magical apothecary scattered about appeared in a puff of sparkling pink-rose smoke that filled the room, and her senses. It smelled sweetly of vanilla and dark sour cherries. Mirrors sparkled to life. Hundreds littered the walls, wooden beams high above, and all around. The Wolf Queen shook her head and blinked her eyes thrice to remove both the dots of light from reflecting Mirrors, and the scent of she who had spoken.

Before the Wolf an imposing woman, with hair the color of corn stood before the window in flowing silk robes of pink, and baby blue. The woman’s golden hair fell in waves. Blonde locks twisted, turned, and wrapped all over the room. They wove around the posts of the bed. The Wolf Queen looked back, and found she stared at a reflection. Her breath fogged the Mirror until she could not see herself.

“About time you have returned, Conwenna” the woman looked upon the creature coldly. The woman tapped her foot.

The beast shed its bright red fur and growled naked before the woman, “My name is Asena Aithne!”

On the windows ledge, two dried husks of what would have been ravens were ritualistically placed. They disintegrated into dust as a harsh dry wind blew in. The dust disappeared in the light of the sun.

“Oh yes. Conwenna was your mother,” the woman chuckled with a click of her tongue, “How is she?”

Asena ignored the woman’s personal question. A question she had no answer to. A huff, before Asena ran a hand through her thick flowing red locks, “Alive. Yours?”

The mysterious woman scoffed at the naked beast before her. With a wide smile that could have eaten the moon, Asena approached with hand outstretched. The fractured Bloodstone clinked gently as the two halves touched. The red glass shined and shimmered brilliantly in the sunlight that streamed in. Asena was blinded by its brilliance. Jade eyes squinted as she looked upon them.

“And you want what? Praise? For bringing me broken trinkets? Perhaps you waste away as a Wolf too long,” the woman cackled.

“Fix it!” Asena thrust her hand forward, the broken Bloodstone rolled towards her fingers. They clinked and chimed like bells as they touched.

“This is not—”

A low growl in Asena’s throat cut the woman off,

“You will fix it, Witch!”

“Tell me all I need to know. Then I will fix that which you have broken,” the Witch crossed her arms and.

“I did not break it!”

“Then why should I fix it?” The Witch crossed her arms before her plump bosom. Her voice gave off a laugh.

“Fix
my
Bloodstone!” Asena thrust the jewel again towards the Witch.

Pursed lips and raised eyebrow, the Witch turned back around, “Ah, I see. The fabled Bloodstone—”

“Once you have fixed it, I will tell you what you want,” Asena played with her fiery red locks with a single finger.

“Very well,” the Witch smiled with a crooked lip. She raised her hands into the air and wiggled her slender and unnatural long fingers around. They sparkled pink as the two halves of the fractured Bloodstone removed themselves from the creature’s palm. The Bloodstone spun around. Great light and heat emanated from it.

“Bibbidy Bobbidy Boo!”

The two halves touched. A great golden light cemented and sealed the two halves together in a shower of lights and sparks. It lingered in the air, pulsing like a heart. A flick of her fingers and the stone delicately found its way to the Witches hand. It rolled to her fingers where it was held tight between two. There she stared at it with great curiosity. A golden corona surrounded it as the suns warm light laid its eyes upon it. Asena took a step forward, but the Witch threw a hand in the air,

“Tell me, what you know, Wolf,” the Witch played with the Bloodstone. She rolled it in her palm with a finger. She loved how it felt massaging the muscles and skin. Its magic tingled her flesh lightly.

Asena fought the Witches magic that kept her in place, “Return it!”

The Witch held tight to the Bloodstone, clutching it until her knuckles turned white. Her gaze turned to the Wolf in Human skin.

“Why were you sent to Zhan’ding?” The Witch asked the Wolf Queen. Asena struggled to remain silent, but knowing that she lost the upper hand, bared her teeth and reluctantly huffed loudly.

“It is not there,” Asena played with a strand of hair. It curled naturally around her thick finger.

“Lies! The Mirror had to be there! You searched all of Zhan’ding for it? You did as instructed?” The Witch screamed. Finger like an arrow pointed at the Wolf. Words short and precise as spit flew about. Blonde hair wrapped around the room twitched violently. Wood of the four-post bed moaned in agony. Asena heard everything creek terribly.

“Answer me!” The Witch shrieked.

The Wolf Queen rolled her eyes with a shrug of shoulders, “My subjects and I found nothing. In the end, that little bitch of a ruler, Lady Red, would rather die than give us any information!”

“You killed her!”

“She killed herself,” Asena laughed, “I merely watched her fall.”

“I am not prepared to wage war!” The Witch bellowed, “The House of White is surely to be alerted, if they are not aware already!”

“Lady Red was too stubborn to send for help,” Asena justified her actions and agenda. Her eyes greedily locked upon the Bloodstone, “She deserved whatever fate
she
chose.”

“FOOL!” The Witch’s voice shook every Mirror. Hair, once tangled all around, rushed upon the Wolf Queen. The Witch’s hands were balled high in the air. A great pink and blue fire raged around her. It swirled around her and it danced upon her skin. It was a thick aura. The light of the sun cowered away at her might.

“IMBECILE!” The Witch bellowed with a guttural rage to her voice.

Asena jumped away from the enraged Witch. Body contorted and grew fur. Wolf form low. She growled. Teeth bore. Her tiny attempt at challenging the Witch failed. The mighty Wolf yelped as strands of hair wrapped around her paws and neck. With ease, the Witch lifted the beast off the ground, and brought her close.

“I should drain every ounce of your life for your insubordination.” Nose almost touched the creature’s snout, “But the Fairy assures me, that you may still have a purpose.”

Asena growled. Her jaw snapped at the Witches nose. She pushed her away slightly, unable to stand the smell that came from the Wolves mouth. It was of rancid blood, and flesh. The Witch wondered how much belonged to Lady Red. She did not care for a high, deep voice called out from the darkest shadows of the tower,

“
Not a significant purpose, but a purpose all the same
.”

Almost on command, a bright wisp of aqua, and grey smoke sparked to life near the Mirror that the Wolf entered. Asena bit at the strands of hair. The creature whimpered and howled as the strands wrapped tighter around limbs. The wisp of smoke approached closer, “
Speak. Beast
.”

Every word spoken by the wisp of smoke was precise and well formulated. The strange voice sent chills down the Wolf Queen’s spine.

“Lady Red. Thought I meant—the spell book. But she knew other. Things,” the Wolf spoke in spurts as the Witch’s hair tightened its grip around her neck. Asena gasped for air.

“What things?” Hair stopped writhing about, but still held tight.

“Release. Me. Witch!” Asena barked. The beast struggled, but another strand held tight around her ankles.

“Tell me, and then we shall see if I am in a mood to release you.”

Asena huffed and puffed for air. Air that was becoming less and less available to her lungs, “She chose to die. Than—say anything.”

The Witch’s hair released the beast. She fell to the floor hard as human. Her tongue licked her sore and bruised wrists tenderly. The Witch’s hair receded back. Several strands wrapped around pieces of furniture. She took a step forward and towered over the naked woman on the floor. A sharp finger with great gold ring pointed down, “Continue, mongrel.”

“That which has been hidden, shall not be found,” Asena coughed, the Witch rushed past.

“Stay where you are, my pet.”

The woman’s delicate rose pink gown looked almost like mist to the Wolf Queen. A layer of baby blue was magically mixed in like water at sunset. Scent almost as delicate, delicious to the Wolf. It smelled of vanilla and almonds, but with an odor she could not place. It scared her, but made her heart race wildly with lust at the same time. She wanted to pounce upon the Witch, and claim the bitch as her own. Put her in her place, as servant to the Wolves. She wanted to feel the Witches tongue run over every inch of her body, before their fingers enjoyed one another until sexual release. Deep inhale, and the intoxicating scent was gone. The idea of ripping out the Witches throat. To enjoy the taste of her sweet flesh and blood returned. She wanted to pounce, but her legs were numb. She was cemented to the floor, unable to move a single muscle.