Blake
After seeing Stefan in the woods, Blake realized he didn’t have time to wait. He had to tell Clarissa everything before she found out from someone else. Or something worse happened.
He would tell her everything and trust their love to see him through. She deserved him coming clean. She loved him. He could feel it in his bones. It would be alright. That is what he told himself as he began confessing.
As they talked, he pulled her into his lap and had to stop himself from checking to see if Stefan was watching. Instead, he accepted that it was probably the case and took devilish delight in it.
But the topic of conversation made him feel edgy. He wanted to move ab
ClarissaHe knew! Blake knew where Stefan was the whole time! He allowed Clarissa to worry and fret without a single word.She knew she should be angry. If it were anyone else, she would be furious! But coming from Blake, the deception hurt more than anything else. Stung to her core.‘What is it?’ Mimi asked, sounding sleepy. ‘Your distress awakened me.’Clarissa's only answer was a flood of raging emotions directed at Mimi. While she was upset with Blake, another issue required her immediate attention.Stefan was human. It was the only thing that made sense. Her mother would never have agreed to the marriage if he weren’t.
Blake Looking at the woman he had loved all his life, Blake felt a terrible ache in the center of his chest. She looked so sad and lost, sitting there with Centra. He hadn’t meant to keep secrets and didn't want them. If he could go back and shred them to pieces, he would. He would do anything to ease the pain he had caused. “Clarissa! Can we talk?” He asked, his chest constricting painfully. Centra looked at Clarissa, and she nodded once. Centra got up and strolled toward the water. Blake sat next to Clarissa as she rested on t
StefanWhen Stefan got back to the small campsite, Clarissa was curled up in a tight ball on her blanket, sleeping. Her heavy breathing came in raspy bursts. Centra sat by her side, gently rubbing Clarissa’s back. When Centra saw Stefan, she lifted a quizzical eyebrow and put a finger to her lips, silencing him. He snorted and went over to stir the dying fire without a word. The wood-burning on the fire beckoned welcomingly with a warm, smoky aroma.It had been a long, difficult week for them all, and Clarissa needed the rest before they could continue on the journey of their quest. He had no intention of waking her. Although he was frustrated to see th
Clarissa Clarissa awoke to a bright sun rising on the horizon. The cool air clung to her, bringing the freshness of a new morning. Birds merrily sang in the trees as they flitted from one branch to the next while the morning dew smelled like renewed life. As she sat up and stretched to the sky, minor aches smoothed themselves out. Her head was no longer pounding, and the sharp pain in her face had become a dull nuisance while she slept. She couldn’t help but smile as she watched Stefan sleep. Centra was sleeping on the other side of the fire, looking so peaceful. ‘Good morning,’ Mimi murmu
Stefan Clarissa lay curled on the ground, her head between her hands. The terrified expression on her face stopped Stefan’s breath as he knelt in front of her. Her eyes were open wide as if in shock, but she wasn’t home in them. “Clarissa, what happened?” He asked as he placed a hand on her shoulder. She didn’t respond. As he was lifting her to carry her back to the camp, Centra came up. She looked concerned as she took in Clarissa’s state. “I don’t know. She seemed fine when she left to pick berries. She even smiled.” Stefan grunted, cradling her carefully in his arms.
Stefan Stefan angrily stormed through the irritatingly noisy forest. Even when Blake was not here, he was still messing callously with Clarissa’s vulnerable mind. Stefan did not understand! He grumbled incomprehensible words. How could a woman as strong as she be so easily deceived by that evil cretin’s guile? She was smart, but she still could not see what was right in front of her. Blake had not even bothered to stick around! Stefan angrily ripped berries from the plant, refilling the cup he found lying on the ground. Her constant obsession with the Old King’s hero stung like betrayal. She was his bride, for Celestial’s sake!
Clarissa Before they left, a little boy came out of the city, leading a horse. Stefan gratefully accepted the horse and thanked the boy with so many gold coins the boy could hardly hold them in his fist. Clarissa was impressed with his generosity. But Stefan just shrugged it off like it was no big deal. “It's my gold, and I can do what I want with it,” Stefan said moodily. Clarissa left it at that, smiling widely at the size of Stefan’s heart. But that comment brought the realization that Stefan wasn’t his usual cheery self. They didn’t have time now, but she would have to talk with him about it later. Stefan questioned whether the boy was alright to head back to his
Stefan From the sky, he could see the entire world below him. Deer led families safely through the woods. Badgers ducked in and out of holes. A busy beaver family was building a dam in a nearby stream. Despite his reluctance to come to this part of the woods, it was peaceful and lovely. The trees and other vegetation were a complimentary variety of greens. While flowers and animals provided a rainbow contrast. They buzzed cheerfully below. He smelled fresh earth and the perfume of flowers. The animals had their scent, too, the musky smell of meat and life. The scent of pine from the trees carried with the others on the wind. The wind brushed coolly across his skin and
Clarissa As the blue cloud dissipated, a sudden rush of darkness overwhelmed Clarissa’s senses. Shadows swallowed the world around. A chill ran through her soul. The bond with Stefan and Blake thrummed with concern, but she was already being pulled away.She stood alone in a broken landscape. The sky was a mass of swirling black clouds, blotting out any light. The ground cracked and crumbled, swallowing remnants of once-great cities. Rivers of molten lava snaked through the land, burning everything in their path. The smell of sulfur and ash assaulted her senses.Clarissa’s heart pounded. People ran in every direction, their screams piercing the air. The devastation was total. The earth shuddered, the once-vibrant land reduced to a hellscape of devastation and despair.Her eyes were drawn to the sky, where twisted winged creatures circled. Once noble beasts like her own Mimi, they were now corrupted and enslaved by the malevolent force that brought this destruction.And then, at the ce
BlakeBlake was eager for the ceremony, having studied its technical aspects all week. Yet nothing had prepared him for the overwhelming magnificence of the experience. The ceremony had not been performed for hundreds of years, as the werecat village patiently awaited the hatching of the sacred eggs. Each generation practiced the ritual in reverence, their chants echoing through the ages in hopes that an Onyx Sage would soon emerge. Now, with the arrival of not one, but three Onyx Sages, the village buzzed with unprecedented excitement. The rhythmic chanting of the villagers infused the air with potent magic, each syllable amplifying the mystical energy that surrounded them. This ancient ceremony was designed to cement the bond between the familiar and the sage, intertwining their souls and enhancing their powers but the effect of multiple Onyx Sages in the same ceremony was uncertain. As the chants grew louder, the magic intensified, weaving an unbreakable connection that would ens
ClarissaBefore the door creaked open, the raucous roar of the massive crowd echoed through the stone hallway, a low, thunderous vibration that pulsed in time with Clarissa’s heart. Each footstep amplified the charged energy in the air. As they stepped out onto the stage where they would bind to their familiars, the blinding sunlight turned the bustling world into a bright blur.As her eyes adjusted, a sea of faces stretching as far as the eye could see came into sharp focus. Hundreds of onlookers packed the grand courtyard, their collective breath held in anticipation. The transition from the thunderous noise inside to the outside’s deafening silence was startling. Heads turned in unison, eyes wide with reverence and curiosity.Stefan subtly shifted his stance, placing himself slightly in front of Clarissa, as if shielding her from unseen dangers the crowd represented. Chief Yungerr stepped forward to address the crowd.“After ages of darkness, the Onyx Sages have been reborn with th
Clarissa Glowing purple flora illuminated the bath cavern, casting a soft light over the shimmering pool of teal-lit water, as Clarissa scrambled out of the tub and grabbed the robe hanging just inside the door of the bath chamber. Mimi followed her. But she didn’t see the mysterious elf anywhere.Where had she gone? Clarissa bolted down the hall, checking down every corridor she passed. But they were as empty as her understanding of the elf’s words. Who was going to ask her to go somewhere? Where? And even more confounding, what truth would be revealed there?The cave’s corridor pulsed with flickering light, ancient runes burning like warning embers. Shadows twisted violently as Clarissa sprinted after the mysterious woman, her breath sharp, the air electric with impending doom. Each step echoed louder, pushing her forward through the narrowing path.At the last corridor, Clarissa gasped and her eyes widened. An old woman in a lavender robe huddled in the corner. Her familiar wise e
Thank you for being such an amazing reader! I really want to hear what you think about the story so far. It's important to me that you enjoy it. Please leave a review or send me a message! It has been a difficult couple of months but I intend to finish this book next month. Stay tuned to find out how the ceremony changes everything and what will be required of them to bring peace and love to the world. And if you want to encourage me to keep writing, gems are a great way! Thank you for the gems you have already given. :-)
Clarissa Clarissa lifted her sleepy head from the table, her thoughts spinning sluggishly. The knock that woke her sounded again. Jumping up, she ran to let Stefan in. She fell asleep waiting for him. Disappointment gripped her when she saw the werecat ready to show them to their lessons again. She rubbed her eyes and stared at her confusedly. There was no way it was time already. She hadn’t even been to bed yet. Blake came out of his room looking refreshed and rested. Clarissa felt the dry spit on her face and knew that her hair was a mess. She couldn’t sit in front of everyone all day like this. “Good morning.” Blake greeted them, smiling warmly. Clarissa tried not to let his chipper attitude bother her. But she was exhausted and frustrated. Ignoring his cheer would be challenging; however, it was not his fault that she had not slept. “Just give me a minute to get ready.” She asked, realizing that they had not brought breakfast this morning. She went into her room to cl
Stefan Clarissa kept making strange faces at him throughout dinner. He didn’t appreciate being stared at while he was eating. The chipper conversation rubbed him raw until he could no longer sit still. But once he had Arcadia and Evander in his room, the pressure started to lessen. He had to focus on what was going on back home. Those affairs required his attention now. But his mind forced itself back to the fact that Clarissa had chosen to sit next to Blake during dinner. She hadn’t even sat across from Stefan. A wicked voice in his head questioned what they were doing under the table. The question made no sense. Clarissa kept her hands visible the entire meal. But did Blake? Stefan couldn’t remember, but he did remember the pink flush of her cheeks as she ate. “What do you wish to discuss?” Arcadia asked, sounding like a soldier reporting for duty. She and Evander stood near the closed door at parade rest. Stefan rumbled low in his throat, uncomfortable with their carefu
Clarissa As Chief Yungerr attended to his people without breaks, the day swiftly disappeared. Every time someone left the room, another person entered. The sun was casting long shadows throughout the room when people stopped coming in. Mimi observed everything from the corner of the room. Everyone seemed surprised to see him. He unnerved and distracted them momentarily. But Mimi remained quiet and motionless throughout the day. Clarissa sighed, and Chief Yungerr looked over at her. She stretched her back, realizing now how stiff she had gotten. Chief Yungerr’s chair cushions were essential, and she wished her seat was more comfortable. “So, what have you learned?” He asked, interested. “We saw many people today, and they each asked for something different. But every request seemed to have the same core desires. I counted six of them.” Clarissa said, checking her notes. Chief Yungerr listened attentively. His ears twitched. Smiling, he motioned for her to continue. “More p
Clarissa As Chief Yungerr attended to his people without breaks, the day swiftly disappeared. Every time someone left the room, another person entered. The sun was casting long shadows throughout the room when people stopped coming in. Mimi observed everything from the corner of the room. Everyone seemed surprised to see him. He unnerved and distracted them momentarily. But Mimi remained quiet and motionless throughout the day. Clarissa sighed and Chief Yungerr looked over at her. She stretched her back, realizing now how stiff she had gotten. The cushions on Chief Yungerr’s chair were completely necessary and she wished her seat was more comfortable.