Page 24 of Wolfsbane

“No, I’m afraid…” His eyes moved from me to Hesper’s, falling to her stomach, his words suddenly making sense. “No. No!” I pulled her back, moving away from the old man.

“What is it?” Hesper asked.

“We will not do that!” Dr. Altair sighed, nodding.

“Do what? What?” Hesper pushed from me, glancing between us both. “Answer me, Morel!” I couldn’t form the painful words.

“You would forfeit your ability to bring life into this world.” Dr. Altair’s words stunned her as she remained still, pale as a ghost.

“We will not do it. Hesper…” I approached her as she stepped away from me. “Wolfsbane,” I whispered, “please.”

“Morel.” She looked at me with an odd expression. “Our people need us. If this is what must be done to protect them, now and forever, would it not be a worthy sacrifice?”

Our people.Hesper was willing to give up any chance of having a child for them.

“And what of Grisset’s heir?” I asked.

“You are a prince banished from his kingdom, a king born from the darkness. I am a queen forced from her kingdom. Would it not only make sense for Grisset’s heir to come from an outcast like ourselves, chosen by us? They would have no less right than a child of our own. We may give up a chance to bring life into this world, but think of how many lives we would save. How many children would be born into the shadows because of our sacrifice. A king is nothing without his kingdom.”

If there was any room left in my heart for my love for her to grow, it filled that space and overflowed. She was right. A king was nothing without his kingdom, and I was nothing without her. She was all I needed, heir or not.

I stepped close, pressing my forehead against her, nodding as I placed my hand across her stomach. She laid her head against my heart, knowing the sacrifice we were making was worth it.

“It is your body, and I will follow you whichever path you choose. You are my wife, and you are all I need in this world and the next.” Hesper kissed me softly, breaking away as she addressed the old man.

“Do what you must, Dr. Altair,” Hesper whispered.

“Grisset will be forever grateful to you both for your sacrifices.” Dr. Altair came to my side, book in hand. “I will also need the crystal,” he whispered.

Hesper glanced up at me as I nodded. She removed the necklace, placing it between the fold of the old book, listening as Dr. Altair began to recite the ancient words.

“As the goddess watches from above, we come to you, humble servants of the night, laying our sacrifice at your feet, asking for your protection. May the moon bless the people of Grisset for all of eternity and protect them from outer forces.May it give them the strength to fight, the courage to remain strong, and the ability to thrive under your light and in the shadows of the night.” The crystal began to glow, rising from the book as it levitated. Hesper groaned in pain, falling to the ground.

“Hesper? Hesper!” I fell at her side, unsure of what was happening or how to help her. “Dr. Altair!”

“We present this sacrifice, bound by love, and ask for such an exchange,” he continued to chant.

“Morel,” she whispered, groaning as she cradled her stomach, writhing in pain. She grabbed my hand, gripping it tight as sweat formed across her face, tears falling down her cheeks.

“I’m here.” I squeezed her hand, brushing her hair from her face. “I’m here, wolfsbane.” My heart nearly shattered watching her suffer, unable to do anything to help. Anger began to consume me as I listened to the old man’s words while my wife cried out for me.

“You better hurry,” I growled up to Dr. Altair. “I swear to the gods, I will kill you if this doesn’t end soon!” Hesper rolled as I clutched her body, holding her close, trying to comfort her. “I’m here,” I whispered over and over. “I’m here.”

The old man fell silent as the crystal changed from a glowing white light to a pale blue, glistening light resembling stars trailing from it as it hovered. He closed the book as Hesper calmed, huffing and weak in my arms.

“It is done.”

“Hesper,” I whispered, wiping her forehead. “Are you alright?” She nodded weakly.

“You must take the crystal outside and release it beneath the moon to complete the spell.” Dr. Altair stepped back, bowing. “Grisset thanks you for your sacrifice, my king and queen. We are forever in your debt.”

Hesper slowly opened her eyes, clinging to my neck as I stood, holding her in my arms. I carried her to the crystal as her arm reached, carefully grasping it. The light changed color from a pale blue to a lavender. She looked up at me as I nodded, holding her close as we left the room.

Dr. Altair followed as we stepped outside the castle and down its steps. Orion spotted us, rushing to Dr. Altair’s side as he helped him down the stairs and remained close behind Hesper and me.

“What is happening?” he questioned within earshot.

Hesper looked at me once more, the pain in her eyes now absent. I smiled, kissing her softly, a tear falling from my eyes onto her face. She had made the sacrifice without hesitation. This world did not deserve her.

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