Sir Nightingale didn't look the slightest bit offended at what Queen Calandra had referred to his lover as. He blinked, and then motioned for us to follow him. "I will say, your Majesty, she's with child. I don't think it would be proper if you were to...well you know..." he said, making it sound strange for some reason. Queen Calandra rolled her eyes, flipping a strand of hair over her shoulder. "Don't be rude. Your lover isn't my taste at all." The silence was heavier as we made it to Sir Nightingale's tent, where he opened the flaps to reveal Isadora sleeping on his cot. Her tawny black tresses were in tangles with pins, and pearls, her hands resting under her cheek like a child's would. She wore a pale gray nightgown, loose on her shoulders, but tight around her belly. Her belly that made her look that she was six months pregnant instead of two or three. "Her stomach is huge." I whispered, not wanting to disturb her. "Yes, otherwordly partners babies' tend
"She has so many scars." a hushed whisper says, as I feel someone touch my tender skin gently. It stings, and I want to wake up, or even slap the hand away from touching me, but I'm too tired to even want to move anything. Eventually, the inky darkness shifts over, and a familiar fog settles over the ground. I'm feeling a little hazy, as I stare at my palms, strange colors emitting from them. "What's going on?" I ask out loud, my voice echoing out throughout the darkness. "Are you alright?" A voice asks not too far away from me. I squint my eyes, seeing the inky darkness shift into a person, and I see a person in a black hoodie with what looks like a scythe, standing not too far away, a concerned expression on his face. "You're beautiful." I say, trying not to trip as I near him. It ends up happening anyway; he catches me by my arms, and steadies me, an alarmed expression on his face. "What's wrong? What happened to you?" he asks, smoothing my hair from my face. His
My face is bandaged from the right side of my temple to the under of my chin. I can't see the skin underneath, but from the red that peeks out from the bandages, I know it must look severe. Even the right side of my hair has fallen victim to my fire magick; the dark tresses are even darker, looking charred, and severed at the bottom. I touch it, wincing at the crispy feel of my hair, and put the mirror back down. "Don't worry, my dear. We'll do everything we can to heal you faster." Quill says, taking the mirror from me, and placing it back on my dresser. I nod, though I wonder if he's as concerned at my appearance. Before I can say anything though, he wheels me back out of my room, and heads for the living room area, where I can hear people talking quietly. As we make it through the doors, the stopping talks, and I can see it's Quill's pack, my father, my brother Caleb, and two women who are speaking to Xolo softly. My father is the first one to run to me, and
I frown at the sound of that and start to wheel off. My chair makes me feel slow though, and I decide to leave it in the hallway instead, struggling to my feet. My legs shout at me to sit back down, my feet crying. But after a few forced steps, I'm able to half limp half walk to the rooms. I know exactly where Isadora is being kept at; in the furthest rooms of the house, all the way on the east wing. It's barely used, as it was a hindrance to leave and visit the estate. My feet move awkwardly but surely in that direction, waving off the concerned and shocked faces of passing by servants and maids. When I finally see the hallway, I listen in for any servants or anyone really. Leaning against the wall for support, I start to run faster. There are four doors, each cleaned and changed in case visitors, or extended family come for a visit. I look at the under of the cracks of the doors for candlelight, seeing the one in the center with just a faint light. It's locked from the
"You've spoken with her?" he asks, and he actually sounds relieved. "Of course. I overheard you and my father talking about the plans you have for her." I said, confused at her tone. "I wanted you to know. Your father wanted to keep this as a secret from you. So, when we were speaking about it, I made sure you were there to hear what was going on." he explained, running a hand through his hair. Seeing his expression, and body language, I decide to believe him. "So, what are you going to do with her? She's too big and frail to even be moved." "Lockhart's been trying to heal her. That's why he's not here right now. And he finds it suspicious that a werewolf pregnancy like this could cause so much damage." Quill explains, and I freeze in my seat. "What do you mean?" I asked carefully. Instead of answering my question, Quill leads me off to a less crowded part of the dining room area, pulling a seat to sit across from me. "Lockhart explained that when humans decide to pai
I know where I'm at when I open my eyes. Death is already waiting for me, a wary look in his eyes. "Oh good. You're back to normal." he says relieved, and I'm confused before I remembered that I tried to dance with him. "Yeah, I wanted to apologize for that. I think that had something to do with the fact that the wolf that bit me is addicted to Fae fruit." I explained, and Death nodded. "Yeah, I figured. Mason's lifeline is a mess. It's coming undone slowly but quickly. If I didn't know better, he's dead but that addiction is making his corpse walk around in the living." Death replied. "About that...what can you tell me about him?" I asked, leaning into what Death had to say. He sighed, materializing two seats for the both of us, as he sits in one, and I in the other. "This whole Fae fruit thing is making him spiral out of control. He has my opposite on edge, and at some point, his heart has stopped twice from him continuing to shovel down that garbage. From what I gathere
We step out the room together, Quill wearing a gray tunic, and long blue pants. He wears his boots that are a little scuffed up. Despite his casual attire, he's smoothed his wild mane of a hair. Despite what he says, I decided to wear a simple blue gown, and since my body is mostly healed, I'm able to wear a top underneath. Wearing matching blue shoes that are flat with no heels, I feel better than I have in days. I place a hand on my hair, still a little self-conscious at the length of it. Quill notices, kissing the top of that hand. "I assure you, my dear, you look beautiful." he says. I want to tell him that that's not what I'm worried about, but then a servant rushes by, carrying small towels, and a bucket of water. At my confused look, and Quill's concerned one, we follow after. I realize the direction that he's going is where Isadora's being kept at. Alarmed, I run after the servant, Alder standing outside her door, wringing his hands. "My lady, it's serious. It's
When we get there, Isadora's bedroom door is already opened, and Alder is running out, his face green as if he wants to vomit. He carries out a metal bucket and says naught as he disappears around the corner. I can hear Isadora letting out some cries, Lockhart trying to assure her. There's a midwife blotting sweat from Isadora's temple, and she holds her hand as she tries to comfort her. The blankets are all but stripped from Isadora, and her giant stomach is in upheaval, moving around. It looks so unnatural, for a moment I think that maybe Isadora bedded a demon instead of a Fae. Stars, if it keeps moving like that, it'll crush her ribs. Lockhart notices me, and he motions for me to stand next to him. I do as he says, and he motions for me to pour the different colored liquids into a vial, stirring them. "It's a numbing elixir. It'll help Isadora combat the pain of this...birth." he explains, and then he faces her as the light shines from his hands once more, leaving and th