Heart's Gift

Katlyn

I was in a daze as I fixed my dress to hang about me, as I stepped from the carriage with Ashley’s help, as she led me into the castle. I couldn’t feel anything but the rush of heat in my cheeks from my shame, couldn’t see anything but Ashley as she walked with a hurried stride ahead of me. I didn’t even remember the twists and turns we had taken in this vast labyrinth of a castle, didn’t know how far we had gone when Ashley stopped in front of a door.When she turned to look at me, instead of anger I saw pity and sorrow. Her fury had all been at Eric then. She knew it had been his doing that put me in that position, in his lusting arms. I felt my eyes filling with tears again.

“Jeremiah and Robere will guard your quarters unless you want them with you when you venture out.” Ashley explained, laying a comforting hand on my shoulder. Jeremiah and Robere, neither saying a word but looking with barely restrained anger at me, walked around us to take their posts at what I assumed was my door.

“We will let no one pass without your word, your majesty. Not even the king if that is your wish.” Jeremiah said. Briefly, I saw his raven and wolf tattoos on the sides of his face glow an eerie blue. It was so quick, I wasn’t even sure it happened. He offered a small, reassuring smile before turning his eyes to the corridor behind me and scowling murderously.

Robere said nothing, taking up his post and maintaining the same murderous stare as Jeremiah. They didn’t seem too pleased with Eric’s mischief either. Ashley placed both hands on my shoulders to get me to look at her.

“We know it wasn’t you.” She said softly. “We know his vile tricks-“

I furrowed my brow as a sudden thought came to me. “I can understand them-“ I gestured to Jeremiah and Robere. “-knowing. But how do you?” I asked. “When I woke up on that ship and you came to me, you said you had just woken up as well not knowing how you got there. So how could you know?”

She gulped and her expression turned from pity to a mix of fear and worry. “My queen, Aila, I cannot say right now-“

I rolled my eyes, scoffed and walked past her through the door into my chambers. I was feeling just as angry as I was ashamed now. “Can’t tell me, can’t tell me, all I keep hearing is ‘can’t tell you’!” I was screaming, so f*****g angry, with myself, with Ashley, with Eric…Even with the king I had yet to meet who was putting me through all this. If everyone already knew about Eric’s tricks, why would this king force me to travel with the bastard? “I’m f*****g sick of hearing that goddamned excuse!”

I looked hastily around the first room I stepped into, finding it to be an elaborately decorated and furnished salon complete with beautifully crated tea tables, couches, chairs, a desk, and ornaments of all kinds. The primary color seemed to be silver, accenting everything against the darker-toned wood and cushions. Even the walls had the mysterious color lacing in and out of the elaborate paper designs. Silver like my fire, like the moonlight on my skin, Lady Silver… I was beginning to loathe the color.

I felt like screaming again, felt my breath become fast and hard. I shouldn’t hold it in. Ashley had told me once to let it out, don’t hold back. But why should I listen to her when all answers to my questions for an explanation were, “I can’t say…”? I took deep gasping breaths to try and cool the fire threatening to escape my heart.

You might want to think of something to calm her down, Cherub.  A voice, female and definitely not Ashley’s, spoke softly, sounding as if it was all around me and in my head at the same time.

I jumped slightly and looked around for the source. The only other living being in the room with me and now Ashley as she closed the door to allow us privacy, was a great black wolf, lounging in front of the blazing fireplace. Its great head was raised off its forepaws, red eyes looking at me lazily. Its great mouth opened to reveal numerous sharp teeth that could probably rip my head off if it so chose in one fell swoop. I took a step back when it stood and stretched its long body, finding it to be huge, bigger than any normal wolf. Its head had to reach my shoulder while standing on all fours.

I’m not going to hurt you, Queenie. I looked around again for the source of the voice before realization dawned on me.  The wolf was speaking to me.

I opened my mouth, still stunned, but no sound came out. I should have expected this having seen elves and ogres and dwarves in the market place a mere two hours earlier, but that didn’t stop my mind from reeling in shock. A talking wolf! A huge, giant, talking wolf!

“Alright, Katlyn, you’re scaring her.” Ashley said firmly.

The creature started moving toward me, and before my eyes shifted shape. A woman stood before me now, an indifferent expression on her face, her long hair hanging over one shoulder, black as her fur had been. Even her clothes were black… breeches, shirt, boots, and gloves. Her pale skin seemed paler in contrast to the dark clothes, and her eyes shone bright and red.

I stopped feeling shocked, instead, feeling exhausted. Too much surprise and trouble in one day. “Let’s skip the formality of introduction and skip to the what are you part please.” I said, sighing and sinking into the nearest chair. I buried my face in my hands and listened.

“You didn’t tell her about me?” The wolf lady said, her voice deep and lyrical.

“I told her your name.” Ashley said and I could clearly see her shrug in my mind’s eye.

“You-“ I pointed in the direction Ashley’s voice had come from. “Shut up. You-“ I pointed towards the wolf lady’s direction. “Explain. Now.” It was the first time since I woke up to find I was a queen that I had used such a commanding tone. I felt their eyes on me, felt their shock, though faintly, and wondered if some of my Heart's Gift made me empathic. “Now!” I shouted, not caring anymore.

“Easy, queenie.” The wolf lady said calmly. “I’m Katlyn, your familiar.”

I lowered my hands until they only covered my mouth, looking up at Katlyn with weary eyes. “My what now?”

Katlyn rolled her eyes and glared sullenly at Ashley. “Your familiar. I am here to assist you in your abilities and to protect you at all costs.”

“So… a magical bodyguard?” I asked blandly. “I have a puppy as a magical bodyguard?”

Katlyn snarled, baring her slightly sharpened human teeth. “I am not a puppy!”

Ashley rushed forward to stand between us. “Katlyn, wait. Aila has had a very…trying time the last couple of days.”

“So what? She woke up on a ship to find she was queen. Big f*****g deal!” Katlyn shouted. “Doesn’t give her the right to insult me without knowing  me first!”

“I lost my memory!” I didn’t realize I had stood. I was shaking with anger, fury, hatred. “I don’t know who I am other than my damn name! I was taken from wherever it is I am from and placed on a boat in the middle of the ocean with a woman who keeps more secrets than she explains and a man who keeps trying and pretty much successfully seduced me! I can’t even call it r**e because I enjoyed it! No one will tell me anything and around every corner is a f*****g surprise and I am tired. So f*****g tired. So forgive my insult, but I have a very short fuse at the moment and would just like some straight f*****g answers! Alright!?”

I was on fire again, the silver blaze swirling around me like a cyclone. This time, I held onto my anger, let it burn gloriously around me while Ashley and Katlyn looked on, stunned beyond words. After a few moments, I took a deep breath and willed the flames to die down, trying to keep a small amount blazing in my hand so I could observe it myself. I couldn’t hold it. Big surprise…

“I get it, Queenie.” Katlyn said, a little softer, her irritation at my outburst subsiding. “I’m sorry you’ve had such rotten luck at the royal lottery.” She took a deep breath. “I came of my own accord. I usually live in the forest beyond the castle grounds. When I heard the king had found a new wife, something told me to come. Like I was meant to be here for you. Now I’ve seen you, and smelled your energy, I am more determined than ever to guard you with my life.”

I narrowed my eyes suspiciously. “You weren’t sent to me by the king?”

She shook her head. “No. f**k the king.”

I blinked in astonishment at her insult. “So, you can tell me what I need to know?”

Again, to my utter disappointment, she shook her head. “Sorry. I don’t like to meddle with human politics much. I only know there is a king who chose a new wife.”

“Then what use are you to me?” I muttered in aggravation, sitting down and covering my face again.

Katlyn growled and when I looked up again, she was a wolf once more and standing nose to nose with me, her breath hot on my cheeks. Do I seem useful to you yet? Her voice asked in my head.

I nodded, my eyes wide. “Thoroughly.”

She huffed and turned from me, returning to her place in front of the fire where she curled up and lay her head on her forelegs, eyeing me with boredom. A sudden question filled my mind and I blurted, “Why do you call Ashley ‘Cherub’?”

Katlyn let out a bark like a laugh, her wolfish mouth broadening into a smile. She looks like a Cherub when she smiles. You know? Those baby angels in paintings?

I looked at Ashley who had crossed her arms and was staring in annoyance out one of the tall, silver curtained windows. I could see what Katlyn was talking about even without Ashley smiling. I sat in silence, thinking, trying to understand. I had a familiar who was not here on the king’s orders, vowing to protect me with her life. That was about the only thing that seemed worthwhile so far in this strange, f****d up experience. Maybe I could ask her to bite Eric on the ass for me. Might knock his ego down a bit, keep him away from me.

“I need a bath.” I said out loud, surprising myself.

“Yes, your majesty.” Ashley said quietly, hurrying to the next room without another word.

I should apologize. I said some awful things, even if I didn’t truly mean them. I was angry! Frustrated! Who wouldn’t be in my situation?

My bath was prepared in a small room connected to the bedchamber just beyond the salon. As I passed the bedchamber, I glimpsed a grand four-poster bed with sheer curtains (once again, silver) glistening in the light of flickering candles set up all around the room,  and two plump and elegant chairs separated by a small table in front of a blazing fire. I liked it. It was comfortable. Ashley helped me strip and step into the iron tub filled with steaming, hot water. I sank into with a sigh up to my chin, inhaling a lavender perfume that scented the water.

Ashley went about gathering things for me to bathe with, her expression still set to irritated. “I’m sorry for the things I said.” I told her quietly, feeling she was irritated at me. “I didn’t mean them.”

I didn’t think she heard me. She kept moving around the room, picking up one thing, setting down another, muttering under her breath. I was starting to fear I had pushed away the first friend I had made since I came to this world when she said something unexpected.

“I do not look like a damn cherub when I smile.”

I just stared at her, blinking in surprise and heard Katlyn’s barking laugh two rooms over. I couldn’t help but laugh either and Ashley turned to glower at me. I tried to stifle myself, pursing my lips closed tight, but it burst from me anyway. It felt good to laugh, and I could see Ashley was softening up a bit, too. She was starting to smile. When I had finally calmed down, only giggling, she came over with a brush and a bar of sweet-smelling soap.

“I understand your frustration, Aila, if I can still call you Aila.” I nodded vigorously as she lathered the brush and ran its soft bristles over my shoulders. “You’re anxious and frustrated, and Eric did not help matters in the slightest. If anything, I’m sorry I didn’t fight to ride with you.”

I shook my head and said in a voice to mock Eric’s, “King’s orders.”

Ashley chuckled. “Yes, well. He’s still a jackass. I should have been there to stop him playing with your mind like that.”

I felt the smile die from my lips as I recalled the carriage ride not even an hour ago. How I had felt when his hands were on me, how his eyes had held me captive as he took pleasure from me… how the pleasure he gave me felt. I took a shaky breath, cleared my throat and readjusted to sit up straighter in the tub as the fire inside me burned low in my belly. He was a f*****g jackass… But he knew how to make a girl greedy with need. I should have been glad when Ashley had stopped us, relieved even. I had felt shame at the time, but thinking about it, I realized I had wanted him to finish what he started, to make me scream.

What the f**k was wrong with me? There was no way his Heart's Gift was working on me now! Why was I thinking like this?

Desire is a dangerous thing, queenie. Once tasted, the need grows stronger and stronger. He may have forced you to give in by playing with your mind, but desire cannot be imitated. That’s all you.

I furrowed my brow at Katlyn’s words in my head. What the hell did that mean? Did I want him? Certainly not! Not that lecherous bastard! I hated him! I could feel my hatred for him igniting in my blood, threatening to burst forth again and envelop me in the swirling silver fire.

“All done, Aila.” Ashley said, standing from her kneeling position behind the tub and replacing the brush and soap in their places on the shelf. “Now to get you dressed to meet the king.”

I looked up at her, pouting. “Do I have to? I’m tired… I want to sleep.” It was truer than I knew when I spoke. I felt heavy with exhaustion.

Ashley sighed heavily and I could tell she was about to tell me something I didn’t want to hear. I said it for her instead.

“King’s orders. Yeah, yeah.” I stood, water sloshing off of me. “Let’s get this over with.”

It took another hour or so to decide what I was going to wear as we all congregated in the bedchamber, Katlyn lounging on the bed. Everything was silver. I didn’t want silver. I was tired of silver. Ever since Eric called me “Lady Silver” I detested the color. Even Katlyn snuffled and growled at most of the dresses Ashley showed me. Finally, we settled on a purple dress with minimal silver accents, crystals sewn into the bodice, skirt swirling gracefully around my feet on the floor. When I walked, it trailed behind me like a small train. My shoulders were bare which allowed the silver chained choker with teardrop amethyst dangling to shine brightly against my pale skin. A silver tiara embedded with a large amethyst surrounded by smaller crystals was woven into my hair. It was all very beautiful. Yet, when I looked in the mirror, the smile I had been wearing at the glorious ensemble vanished.

I looked…out of place. My short-cropped blonde hair seemed stringy, and my dull green eyes had no sparkle. My nose was too high, and my breasts too small... Queens were supposed to be beautiful, and I was not.

A knock on the door sounded and I pulled myself from the mirror. Katlyn was growling at the door as Ashley crossed to answer it.

It’s him. The one who took advantage of you. Katlyn said.

I furrowed my brow. “How do you know?” I asked her curiously.

I smelled him on you earlier. I smell him now. She explained.

She was right. I could hear his voice speaking with Ashley, but I couldn’t hear what he was saying. And then Ashley shouted. I heard every word of that.

“No! I am coming with her! I won’t let her be molested again!”

“You have no say in the matter!” Eric shouted back, obviously riled. “The king desires that I accompany her alone!”

Katlyn was looking at me. He can’t control me with that ‘king commands’ bullshit. I’ll go with you. Her eyes held determination.

“Before we go out there,” I said quietly. “When I was in the bath and you spoke to me… Can you read my mind?”

She c****d her great head at me curiously, tongue lolling as she panted. It was kind of adorable. Sometimes. She said, then turned to the door, tongue back in her mouth, and strode gracefully to join Ashley and Eric, me close behind.

When I saw Eric, dressed in black and gold finery, a scimitar dangling from his decorated belt, my heart stopped. He looked so very regal, elegant... I felt hot and breathless, images from our tryst in the carriage glaring sharply in my mind. I had to push them away, but one look at Eric’s slight smirk told me he was doing this, planting them in my mind.

I steeled myself and raised my chin, standing tall, ignoring the sensations his imagery brought with it. “It’s alright, Ashley. I’ll go with him.” Eric gave Ashley a smug grin. “But I won’t be going with you alone, Eric.” I gave him a smug grin of my own when his eyes whipped around to me.

I gestured to Katlyn, her mighty wolf form sitting majestically at my side. Eric scowled at her but didn’t object. He offered his arm to me, no longer grinning.

“A familiar, Lady Silver? I don’t think the king has given permission-“

“The king does not command my familiar. She is bound to me and will remain at my side.” I glared at him, taking his arm. “I care not for your opinion on the matter. Shall we go?”

I looked back at Ashley, grinning as she bounced silently and grinned with glee at my queenly manner. Katlyn stood and stretched, walking ahead of us as Eric led me from my rooms. When the door closed behind us, and we passed Jeremiah and Robere who nodded to me and smiled, I suddenly felt my nerves take hold and my knees felt weak. I would have collapsed if I was not holding onto Eric’s arm. He grabbed me quickly, pulling me to his chest to steady me, his eyebrow raised.

“What is it, Lady Silver?” He asked, grinning ridiculously at our closeness.

Katlyn growled at him until he put a little space between us. She definitely wouldn’t let him take advantage again. I shook my head and pushed off him, finding my legs would hold me now.

“Nothing. I just… I guess I'm just a little overwhelmed.”

Eric chuckled darkly. “Yes, well the last two days have been very trying for you. And now you're going to meet the man that caused it all.” He stepped toward me, offering his arm again. “It’s too bad we couldn’t finish what we started first." He lowered his voice, causing me to shiver at his seductive tone. "If only you would dismiss your familiar-“

I am not so easily dismissed, ass hat. Katlyn growled.

Eric sneered at her. “Very well. Let us go to the throne room to meet your husband, Lady Silver.”

I pursed my lips to keep from laughing at Katlyn’s insult to Eric, content to just grin.