Page 3 of Wolfsbane

“Morel?” Orion chased after me, weaving the lively market. “My king!” I chucked the tapestry into a nearby fire, watching as the flames consumed the material. “Morel,” he huffed, catching his breath. “Care to explain what just happened?”

“It seems fate has a sick and twisted sense of humor.” My eyes glared at ashes floating alongside the swirling smoke of the fire as the cold wind blew them away. “Boletus is Agaric’s childhood friend, the elder son of Scorpius, a vile and viciouskingdom south of here. My brother is but a rat compared to that beast. His mind is sick. He seeks pleasure in tormenting the innocent and yearns to inflict pain. Boletus didn’t attack Hellbore without cause. No, he attacked it for game, simply because he could.”

“What would you have me do, my king?” I gripped the crystal fastened around my neck as I inhaled the night air.

“Hellbore was the only kingdom to aid us in our time of need. It’s time we repaid the favor. Prepare a small party. We leave for Hellbore at first light.” Orion nodded, bowing before rushing to prepare.

It seems fate has altered the path before me, dear brother. Enjoy this time, but know that one day, I will return home. I will come for you, even if it means waiting a lifetime. Our time will come.

THREE

MOREL

Snow crunchedbeneath my boots as I approached the ivy curtain, gently brushing the vines aside, revealing a small garden of death caps glowing in the final hour of the moonlight. I had planted merely a handful of my mother’s mushrooms here long ago, tending to them all these years. Since then, they had spread and overtook the ground entirely, drenching it in their vibrant blue color, casting their fluorescent light all around. It baffled me how such delicate fungi could survive and thrive in such harsh conditions, but it seemed they flourished, much like myself.

Stepping deeper into the garden, I noticed a set of footprints in the snow. My guard instantly rose as my hand slowly reached for my sword, my body on full alert. I listened closely to all around me, the sounds of the fading nightlife gently dancing in my ears. A small crunch made me turn, my free arm catching something as it aimed in my direction.

My eyes blinked, processing that, in my hand, was a large rock.

What in the?—

Before I could finish the thought, a second stone smacked my temple. I stumbled back, feeling where it hit my skull, bloodfrom the wound coating my fingers. My anger boiled as my instincts heightened. I listened carefully, dodging another rock as it whizzed past my ear. My eyes followed it, looking to a small divot on the side of the mountain and catching a glimpse of a figure as it ducked into the shadows.

Enough of this.

My temple throbbed, my face burning with annoyance. Someone had not only trespassed into my garden but attacked me in my land. I didn’t have time for this ridiculousness, but whoever it was needed to learn that what they did was a grave mistake.

I silently made my way towards the edge of the mountain, discovering a small, snow-covered trail leading straight to the divot. I quietly approached, the silhouette hidden in the shadows of the mountain, peeking over the edge. My hand cautiously reached for my sword as I inched closer.

“If you seek death,” I raised my sword, “then you have come to the right place. Death and I are fond of one another. I am his King of Darkness, placed upon this Earth to deliver those who deserve to burn. Now, allow me to deliver you myself.” I raised my arm, the sword angled high as the silhouette turned, eyes almost glowing like silver in the night.

“I hate to disappoint a king,” a soft voice spoke as the shadow slowly stepped into the light of the surrounding death caps, revealing their face. “But I do not fear death.”

My mouth nearly dropped with my sword at the sight of the woman before me. She was unmistakably beautiful, stepping closer with grace, as if the moon herself had fallen from the heavens above and stood before me. Despite her mussed appearance, she was the most fearsome creature I had ever laid eyes on, with hair black as onyx and eyes like sterling silver stars, flickering in the moonlight. Her pale skin was covered in scratches, her hair tangled, and her attire… Well, it wasn’t whatone would expect someone to wear out in the wilderness. She was wearing a large, elaborate white gown—a wedding dress that looked as though she had run through a forest of thorns and mud, nearly destroying the gown that desperately clung to her body.

I had to gather my thoughts, the woman touching the tip of my sword with her finger, pricking it as a small bead of blood formed atop her ivory skin. Her eyes lifted, spying the wound she left on my temple.

“Now we are even.” She raised her finger, smiling. “Blood for blood.” There was something about her that completely took me back. Without hesitation or any logical reasoning, I lowered my sword.

“I would ask if you were in need of assistance, but it seems you are more than capable of taking care of yourself.” I nearly chuckled at my own words, intoxicated by her boldness and recalling her rather impressive aim.

“Despite what you may think, I’m not some damsel in distress, oh mighty king of darkness. I can handle things just fine on my own and am exactly where I am meant to be.” An interesting response. The woman stood tall, secure in herself. There was something about her that dangerously lured me in, desperately wanting to know more.

“You know who I am, but you are a stranger to me, hiding in my land. You have already struck the king. Some would call you a threat.” The woman smiled at the label, causing my chest to ache in an odd feeling.

She circled me, glancing up and down as she spoke. “I’m only a threat to those who would seek to harm me. So tell me, oh mighty king of darkness,” she mocked, returning to face me, “doyouwish to harm me?”

The moon peeked overhead as a light snow began to fall, kissing her blue-black hair. Her eyes stared up into mine, thesilver in her irises swirling with such raw beauty, like two stars burning in the night. I struggled to control my breathing, completely awestruck.

“What is your name?” I asked gently.

The woman studied me closely, hesitating before she answered. “Hesper.”

As the name fell from her lips, my black heart did something it hadn’t done in a very long time: it began to beat. For her. For Hesper.

“I hope you can forgive me.” She grinned, as if knowing my thoughts were completely consumed by her.

“For what?” My thoughts were transfixed by the sound of her voice.

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