Page 27 of Wolfsbane

“What is happening?” he asked his men as they scattered around in a fluster.

“Hellbore is under attack!” they shouted.

“By whom?”

“An unknown army! They just appeared, flooding the horizon with darkness!” My laughter answered his question as he looked at me.

“You made one fatal mistake, Boletus.” I allowed his men to pull me back as I stepped down the dais, grinning. “She’s coming for me, and I can assure you, no one will survive her wrath.”

“Who?” Boletus demanded, pulling his sword from its sheath as Hystrix joined him.

“My wife.”

TWENTY-ONE

HESPER

Grisset’s armytore through the gates of Hellbore, ripping it to shreds as darkness poured through the kingdom. My men easily triumphed over Boletus’, slaughtering them as they flooded the kingdom. Rain began to pour as thunder roared through the skies, lightning flashing. My army remained unphased thanks to the spell we performed. I moved through the kingdom, aiming for the castle. As I neared the entrance, one of Boletus’ men injured my horse, causing me to fall into the mud.

I held my sword tightly, quickly standing as he ran at me screaming. I swung my sword, slapping his away as my elbow slammed into his face, knocking him to the ground.

“Pathetic,” I spat, kicking him in the face. A cluster of my men galloped to my aid as I nodded. “Follow me!” The paint on my face smeared from the rain as I wiped it clean. I charged the castle entrance, followed by my army. “Morel!” I screamed as their horses kicked the doors down with ease, flooding the castle.

I ran inside, only to be instantly met by more of Boletus’ men. I swung my sword as I moved, slicing them down with little effort.

“Morel!” I screamed, moving toward the throne room. Another man crossed me, and we locked blades as I groaned,fighting back. “Big mistake.” I swirled my arm, freeing my blade as I lunged deep into his gut, gripping his neck as I pulled his body closer, my hand sinking into his bloodied flesh. “No man is a match for me.” He stared at me in absolute fear, and I smiled as I flung his body aside, shaking the blood from my hand. An arrow landed in my shoulder as I stumbled back in shock. Pain radiated as I looked up to see an archer just ahead, docking a second arrow. Without hesitation, I ripped it from my flesh, screaming through my teeth as he launched the next, my sword hitting it away. He moved a third time, missing as I charged him, grabbing his bow and snapping it across my knee. “It’s going to take more than that to kill me.” The archer tried to run, but he was too slow.

I adjusted my handle of my sword, throwing it like a spear. It landed deep into his spine, and the man fell to the ground as I walked to his side. I stared down at him, grinning as he watched me slam my foot into his skull, listening to the sound of his brain smooshing beneath my sole.

“My queen!” I snapped my head to one of my soldiers. “We believe Boletus has the king in the throne room!” I looked down at the corpse, ripping my sword from his back as I joined my men, aiming for the large doors.

“Do you know his pet’s whereabouts, Hystrix?” I asked as I watched my men use a nearby fallen pillar to ram the door.

“We believe she is also inside.” They rammed the door again as the wood splintered, weakening at their strength.

“Good. You and the rest are to defeat his guard and clear a path for me. Protect the king at all costs, but remember: Boletus and Hystrix are mine.”

“Yes, my queen.” The throne room doors crumbled as the army of the night flowed into the room, fighting ensuing as they continued, doing as I commanded, leaving me a path.

I gripped my sword, slowly stalking into the corridor as my soldiers attacked, taking Boletus’ men down one by one. Thunder roared, shaking the castle as I stepped into the throne room. I smiled as I locked eyes with Morel, who matched my own expression as he watched me. My heart nearly leapt from my chest as I saw him, any emotion quickly replaced with anger as I noticed the blood from his mouth. My sights turned to Boletus, standing on the dais in front of Hellbore’s throne. My throne. He was pale, drowning in fear as my smile grew. His pet was nowhere to be seen, but I didn’t care. All I saw was red, and all I craved was blood.

My head raised as the army cleared a path, making their way to their king, allowing me to move towards him with ease. I walked like the queen I was, time slowing as I neared him.

My king.

I approached Morel’s side as one of my men tried to free him from the chains, my hand caressing his check as he gazed up at me.

“I told you to never leave me.” He leaned into my touch.

“Forgive me, my queen.”

“Hesper!” Boletus hissed my name as my body tightened, my smile fading at his voice. I turned to address my men behind Morel.

“Free the king, finish off what’s left of Boletus’ forces, and then return to Grisset.”

“Hesper,” Morel protested.

“A kingdom is nothing without its king.” I leaned down, kissing him gently as thunder boomed. “Protect our people. Do not let our sacrifice be for nothing.” As my whispered words hit his ear, I turned to face Boletus, stepping down from the dais.

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