Page 12 of Wolfsbane

An older woman approached him with an empty wheelbarrow as he stopped, sinking the axe into the stump he used to chop the wood, and began to carry numerous logs to her. His strength was astonishing, but his kindness even more so. I leaned further, my hair falling along my bare arms as I watched him closely, dazed by him completely. The old woman thanked him and left as he lifted the axe without hesitation.

“Queen Hesper!” The loud shout not only startled me but caught his attention as his eyes scanned the land to see a group of children shouting at me from below, waving their arms and smiling. His gaze lifted to me, locking with mine as I stood there frozen—not from the cold, but from embarrassment.

Morel grinned, crossing his arms as my cheeks burned and blushed. I quickly forced my eyes away, smiling and waving at the children before rushing back inside and closing the window. My heart was pounding. I turned to look back in his direction, watching as he returned to chopping the logs, my thoughts blurring as I watched him, my kingdom’s words playing in my head.

Be like the sky and remain true; an unchanging symphony of the stars.

SEVEN

MOREL

“Come to watch me work?”I swung the axe as it split the log in half. Hesper approached me, dressed in winter attire, her hair free and blowing in the winter wind as she crossed her arms. My mother’s crystal was hanging around her neck, glowing faintly. I tried not to smile at the sight of her before me, wearing the trinket, knowing she had been watching me.

“I came to see if you needed any help.” She eyed me as I tossed the split wood aside, loading a second log.

“Does my queen know how to chop firewood?” I teased, swinging my axe again. Hesper grinned, her silver eyes glistening like stars as she made a cocky face.

“There are many things about me you do not know, king of darkness.” She slowly walked around me, eyeing me up and down as I stood there, shirtless and sweating. I enjoyed the feel of her gaze on my body, my breathing slowly increasing as she walked in front of me. “Just as I am sure there are many things about you that no one knows.” Her sights fell to the many scars along my flesh as she raised her hands and gently ran her fingers along the raised skin.

I tried to remain still and hide my racing heart, but something told me she knew exactly what she was doing and enjoyed it as much as I did.

“Everyone has secrets buried in their souls. Some of us,” I grabbed her wrist as she released a gentle gasp, “hide them better than others, waiting for the day another soul comes along, curious to know more. I may not know much about you, my queen, but deep down, do you not wish to unload those dark shadows of your own heart? To share them with another and be truly at peace?”

Hesper gazed into my eyes, her cheeks blushing softly as she pushed her hand within my grasp, touching the healed scar along my cheek. “How would one even know if such a soul even exists?” I closed my eyes and rested my head in her palm, my hand sliding to her forearm as she did so. Her touch was so gentle, the opposite of how she normally portrayed herself. She was beautiful and strong, like the flower she loved so dearly. My own wolfsbane.

I opened my eyes and placed my hand over hers.

“What does your soul feel?” My own heart nearly leaped from my chest as her metallic eyes gazed deeply into my own. I could sense her guard dropping, longing to know she was experiencing what I was. I wanted to pull her close and ask her, to pour all my feelings out at her feet, but something told me she was still apprehensive. Besides, she was a true queen. I was merely an outcast clinging to a title that held no real merit.

How could someone as absolutely perfect and regal as she ever choose someone like me?

A look flashed across Hesper’s face as she broke from our held gaze, gently recoiling her hand. I wanted to stop her, to keep her there in that moment with me, but it was not my place. I would never force her to do anything.

“I’m afraid my soul is as lost as I am in this world.” She stepped away, taking the axe from my hand. “But I do know one thing.” Her hands twirled the handle as her smile returned.

“And what is that?” I asked. She turned, placing a log on the stump as she gracefully swung the axe and split it into two with little effort. Truthfully, I was both aroused and impressed by it. She turned to look at me, grinning.

“I can chop wood a lot faster than you.” My lips curled as I turned to grab a second axe.

“Bring it on, Hellbore.”

EIGHT

HESPER

“Good!Now, arch your back a little more and keep your head high.” My hand repositioned the soldier’s posture as he let me mold him. “When you strike, you move with confidence.” I stepped back, nodding as the two chosen men sparred, demonstrating the techniques I had recently taught them. Morel’s forces were strong, growing in number almost every day as his kingdom flourished and welcomed the many newcomers. It had nearly tripled in size since my arrival, his armies filled with neglected men and women from other kingdoms, dedicated to him. It was an honor to teach them the ways of Hellbore.

“You have done well, Queen Hesper,” Orion stated, smiling at Morel’s men as he watched them train.

“I wouldn’t have succeeded had you not prepared them yourself.” His smile branched higher as he chuckled.

“Your flattery is sweet but untrue. I am skilled myself, but I am no teacher.” He patted my arm, excusing himself as he headed towards the castle.

“Again!” I shouted as the two returned to their starting positions and sparred once more, this time executing the fighting techniques with near perfection. I couldn’t help but smile, proud of how quickly they all seemed to learn. I watchedthe two men, signaling to another soldier, a young woman. She moved with grace, slithering between the two, knocking them both on their backsides, pointing a sword in each hand at their throats. I clapped, the rest of the soldiers surrounding them cheering her victory.

“Wonderful!” The three bowed, returning to their lines as I stood in front of the army of the night, Morel’s sword in my hand. “You have honored me,” I shouted at them, walking up and down their lines. “Each and every one of you has proven your worth time and time again over these last few months, training endlessly to ensure perfection. I can say with much confidence that you are, without a doubt, the most skilled army I have ever laid eyes on!”

The men and women cheered, banging their swords to their shields as they rejoiced at how far they’d come.

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