Page 22 of Wolfsbane

“Nothing is too much for you.” She smiled again, admiring the ring closely.

“Where did you get it?”

“It was my mother’s.” Hesper’s face shot up as she tried to remove the ring. “Stop,” I whispered, placing my hand on hers.

“It’s too much. You have already given me her crystal. I cannot take this too.”

“Yes, you can. You are a daughter of the night like her, but more importantly, you are my wife. My mother would have given you everything, just as I plan to do.” My hands grabbed her face. “My last gift to you, my love, will be my promise to do whatever I can to avenge your parents, to save Hellbore. I will ride into battle myself if I must and deliver Boletus’ head at your feet.” Hesper placed her hand over mine, fighting back tears. “If you wanted the moon, I would face the goddess herself, destroying the stars and heavens to give it to you. I would burn this whole world, drown in their blood, and sit at her feet as I watch you rule on my throne. I may be a king, but you, Hesper, you aremyqueen.Mywife. And I will do anything for you. I would laymy life on death’s door for you, and smile from the darkness if it meant saving you. Wolfsbane,” I choked on my words as she cried, “my heart and my soul do not belong to me. They are yours.”

“Morel,” she cried, lunging into my arms, hugging me with all her strength. “I would destroy every soul on this Earth and fight death itself before I let you do such a thing!” I held her tight, our hearts racing in our chests, matching in rhythm. “If you think I would let you sacrifice yourself for me, you are a fool! Death and his lost souls should fear the day I step into the darkness to reclaim you. I would battle every demon, the devil himself. You are mine; death cannot have you!” she cried into my skin, the two of us embracing in passionate love.

“I guess neither of us can die, then, can we?” I teased. Hesper pulled back as I cleaned her tears.

“Never.” She tucked my hair behind my ears, her beauty and strength on full display. “Let us ride into battle together, side by side, a king and his queen. We fight as one, in every battle, until fate decides we are too much for this world.” My head tilted at her words, realizing what she meant.

“Hesper,” I wheezed, “are you sure?” She smiled, kissing me softly.

“As sure as I am that I love you more than life itself.”

Until the heavens fall upon the Earth.

SIXTEEN

MOREL

The soundof Grisset’s army filled the air, their shields pounding into the ground at a perfect rhythm, as if the Earth had a heartbeat, welcoming me as I stepped into the middle of the field, shadowed by Hesper. Orion was waiting for us, standing at the top of a large platform, reaching high enough to see out and be heard far. He was grinning as we walked closer, knowing what I was preparing to do.

I held my hand out, helping Hesper up the stairs as she flashed me a smile, the crystal around her neck and ring safely around her finger. We dashed up the stairs, stepping onto the wooden platform and gazing out as the winter wind blew across our faces. The army of the night filled the field, reaching as far as the eye could see in a sea of darkness. I stepped towards the edge, their shields halting as I raised my hand, the world falling into a natural silence.

“Army of the night, people of Grisset,” I addressed them, yelling out for all to hear, “I come to you with unfortunate news. As you know, our neighboring kingdom and friends in Hellbore have been attacked, the kingdom falling under the influence of an imposter named Boletus. Well—” I stopped, looking at Orion as he nodded. “It seems Boletus and his army are on their wayto Grisset, searching for Hellbore’s queen. Queen Hesper has trained you, teaching you as she lived amongst you.” I looked back as she stepped to my side, removing her glove. “And now,” I smiled, “she is not only the queen of Hellbore, but she isyourqueen!” I raised her hand, revealing the ring to all. “Boletus comes for her. I will not let that trader, that murderer, take my queen! Will you?” My army began to pound their shields. “As your king, I ask you: will you fight by my side and defend Grissett? Will you defend its queen?” My throat burned from yelling out into the air, my heart racing from the adrenaline, listening as my army continued to pound their shields.

“A symphony of stars!” one soldier cried out.

“A symphony of stars!” another repeated, voices rising until the entire army was chanting alongside the beat, shouting loud enough to shake the mountains.

I beamed with pride, turning to face Hesper as she stepped forward, retrieving her sword and raising it to the sky.

“Army of the night! I shall ride alongside you at dawn, not as your teacher, not as Queen of Hellbore, but as Hesper, your queen. The queen of Grisset!” The field erupted as the army cheered. “May the world fear the army of the night and kingdoms of shadows!”

Hesper lowered her sword as our forces continued, stepping back to me, smiling as she bared her teeth. “Let us rain darkness on Boletus and his men.”

“As my queen commands.”

SEVENTEEN

BOLETUS

I sat on my horse,staring out into the frozen land, the mountains rising high as the sky, snow covering every surface, leaving the world in a thick blanket of freezing isolation. The idea of anyone choosing to live out here in such ridiculous and harsh conditions baffled me, but Morel always was a fool.

Hystrix suddenly appeared, stepping over a hill as she walked to my side, her whip wrapped around her torso as if a part of her. Despite the cold, she remained dressed in her usual attire, her face still hidden aside from her cloudy white eyes that nearly glowed.

“What news do you bring?” She slithered closer, the sound of my army's horses restlessly filling the air as they awaited my command.

“It seems Hesper is not only alive and hiding in the kingdom of shadows but has married the king of darkness. Hesper, daughter of Hellbore, is now their queen,” her sultry, low, hissing voice hit my ears, igniting a fire of anger and rage inside.

“So, Morel has not only broken our deal, but he’s chosen a side.”

It didn’t surprise me that the viperous little runaway found her way to his kingdom, but for Morel to wed my bride, well,that was something I did not foresee. And for such a betrayal, I needed to rethink my current plan of action. As strong as my combined armies were, I knew if Hesper had taught Morel’s army, we would not stand a chance. His numbers were unknown, but her skills were familiar to me.

---