Page 17 of Wolfsbane

Time resumed as Dr. Altair’s voice broke the spell between us, Hesper’s eyes racing to him with my own.

“Queen Hesper is a queen by birth, and regardless of the ‘legitimacy’ of Morel’s position and title, her hand in marriage alone would solidify any doubt. It would be a most beneficial alliance for the two kingdoms and its people. Grisset is already larger and more powerful than most of the ancient kingdoms, but with Hellbore’s queen at its side, the kingdom of shadows would become nearly unstoppable. No man would dare attack such a force.” The whole proposal was such a beautiful thought, painting a perfect picture, but it was too good to be true. Hesper would not want this. She wouldn’t want me.

“You really believe that a marriage between Morel and Hesper, Boletus would just turn his army away and leave Grisset be?” Orion crossed his arms, obviously unsure of Dr. Altair’s suggestion. I couldn’t speak, my own thoughts speeding behind my eyes too quickly to focus or form words.

“Boletus is no fool. If hewereto attack, his parents would have no choice but to interfere, breaking age-old treaties and igniting a war amongst many of the ancient kingdoms.” Orion looked to me, waiting for a response, Dr. Altair’s eyes shadowing his.

“I—”

Before I could even finish the single syllable, Hesper bolted from the room, a dark cloud hanging over her as she rushed through the doors. My heart began to sink in an odd fear as I watched her disappear from view. This wasn’t right.

“I will make no such choice for another. This is Hesper’s decision, not mine.” I turned to face the door, hesitating,wondering if I should follow her. Every inch of my being felt pulled to chase after her, to grab her and beg her to stay, to let me fight for her.

“But Morel?—”

“No,” I hissed at Orion. “I will not do to her what Boletus did.” Without dismissing myself, my restraint broke as my overwhelming feelings took control, and I began to run after Hesper, my speed quickening as I frantically searched for her.

Please, don’t leave.My thoughts began to sour, fearful that the suggestion of marriage would trigger her and scare her away. From me.Please, don’t leave me.

ELEVEN

HESPER

My mind racedas the sounds of my heart mixed with the overlapping voices in my head, my breathing increasing as I readied a horse. I had remained hidden from Morel and his men all afternoon, impatiently waiting for nightfall to gather what I needed.

“I belong to no one,” I whispered, tightening the reins of the solid black horse as its breath fogged the cold air, a soft snow drizzling overhead. My hands slipped into a pair of leather gloves as I pulled the dark hood over my face and stepped to mount the horse, sensing something behind me. My instincts took over as I spun, a small blade in hand, the tip pressing ever so lightly into the skin beneath his chin. His amber eyes stared down at me with an impressed grin.

“Always the surprise,” Morel whispered. My grip on the blade tightened as I stared up at him, the shadows of the moons hidden behind the clouds, leaving us in a veil of darkness.

“You cannot make me stay,” I growled. My own words ached as his smile faded.

Morel raised his hand, gently wrapping his fingers around my grip as he pulled the blade from his skin and lowered my hand. We stood there, gazing at one another for a moment inabsolute silence, listening to the nightlife, the soft snow falling and wrapping us in its cold embrace.

“I will never force you to do anything, my queen.” I swallowed, my heart nearly skipping as his hand still held mine. “But please, don’t leave.” Morel stepped closer, a soft gasp breaking past my lips as he lowered my hood with his free hand. “Let me protect you.” I struggled to control my heartbeat while steadying my breathing.

“I can protect myself,” I whispered.

“I have no doubt. But Hesper, if you leave, I cannot help you. Your people are here, and they need you. I—” He stopped, almost choking his last word as it lingered.

“You what?” Morel’s eyes lowered. I wanted him to finish his sentence, to say the words out loud, but he wouldn’t.

“I told you,” I ripped my hand from his grasp, “I will never marry for political reasons. I’m not some pawn in a war of men. I am a queen, and I will do what I have to, but I will never marry to further a man’s claim.” I turned to face the horse, grabbing the reins as he forcefully spun me around, his mouth slamming into mine, completely taking my breath away. It felt as though the stars from the heavens had begun to crash upon the Earth, surrounding us in a galaxy of constellations.

My sanity returned as my hand slapped his face, stinging from the impact. His lips broke from mine as he stood there, his cheek red, smiling at my temper. I had to compose myself, tucking my hair behind my ears as the brief moment was replaced by a sad, hurtful anger.

“No,” I pointed up at him, “you don’t get to do that!” Morel only smiled. “Stop it. Stop it!” I pushed him away, shoving him back as he laughed lightly, angering me further.

“If you want me to never kiss you again, then I will do just that.” I raised a brow at him, annoyed with how calm he was behaving.

“No, you don’t get to toy with me! I know this—this thing you are doing isn’t real. It’s all just a ploy to get me to agree to that ridiculous proposal. You say you want to protect me, that you want me to stay, but I know the truth.”

“And what is that?” he asked, growling the question as if I had offended him. My jaw clenched and tightened as I stared back at him.

“You just want me to be your wife so you can claim your title as king and use it to destroy your brother.” The words burned in my throat as they regurgitated at our feet. Morel’s body stiffened as his fists clenched at his side. I knew I hit a nerve, and I hated that I felt terrible for doing it. “You will not use me like Boletus.” Tears began to form in my eyes as the moon peeked behind the clouds, its blue light casting down on us.

“I am nothing like Boletus,” Morel barked, seething.

“Then why else would you agree so easily to Dr. Altair’s proposal?” I tried to choke back my hurt, the pain I felt building in my chest. Morel seemed to notice, his own anger melting as he watched me. I felt as though something inside me was breaking, as if feelings I had buried so deep were finally breaking through the hard surface I had created and erupting from within me. It was overwhelming, causing my chest to pound and race, my breathing to become erratic as I stood there, trying to pretend I was okay, but I wasn’t.

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