Prince Meliorn

CHAPTER THREE

Meliorn‘s POV

24 ours ago

The next day I looked up Logan Halses‘ address on the internet. That was the name of my parents‘ warlock friend. For some reason, he enjoyed living in a big-city metropolis of the mortals rather than Idris. It’s been a long time since I last saw him, but I remembered him as a quite a funny guy. My parents always spoke of him with respect. Most people in Idris weren’t particularly big fans of warlocks and witches, since they were always either completely good or completely evil. There was no in-between. An hour later I was in Brooklyn and I rang his doorbell. A man with long black hair and green eyes that reminded me a little of a cat‘s opened the door. He was about my height, just a little shorter, and wore black pants and a brightly colored Hawaiian shirt.

“Du you really think he would be of any help to us?”My wolf Atlas spoke up.

“We have no choice but to try. My parents always trusted him. We just have to find out if this warlock also knows Gregor and knows something more about his plans to seize the throne of the werewolf kingdom in Idris. For example, he might know if Gregor has a warlock as an accomplice. Then he can open a portal back home.”

„Hallo, how can I help you“ asked the warlock. „Hallo, Mr. Halse. It’s me, Meliorn. The son of Merlin and Olivia Whitelow“.

„Meliorn, oh my god how long has it been? The last time I saw you, you were twelve years old. Come in first.“ The decor of his home was a mix of vintage and modern. A black cat stroked my legs after we sat down on then sofa in the living room.

„Nala, behave“ Logan admonished the cat.

„Well, what brings you to me? When I think about it, I haven’t seen your parents in a while either. Are they okay?“ he finally asked me.

„Where am I supposed to start? I take it you haven’t heard of my father‘s death?“

„What? Merlin is dead?“ Logan asked shocked. Pain crossed his face, followed by sadness.

„Yes, and unfortunately not only that. He was killed. Poisoned with an overdose of wolfsbane. It happened almost three weeks ago” I explained in a hoarse voice. „My sympathies. He was a good man and one of my best friends. Do you know who did it?“ A mixture of sadness and anger could be heard from Logan.

„Not yet. The investigation is still ongoing. And unfortunately, my uncle managed to make me the prime suspect. It was most likely he who did it. He and my father have never really gotten along and Gregor has always wanted the throne. Unfortunately, we lack the evidence. Hopefully that will change before the trial.“

„Yes, I wouldn't be surprised if Gregor had something to do with it. He's always been jealous of your father, and after losing his mate in a rogue attack, he became even more bitter. But other than that, I don't know anything else about him. How come you're here in New York?“ I sighed.

„Well, there was a surprise waiting for me in my room. A warlock must have gained access there and opened a portal. When I opened my door, I was immediately sucked in by the portal that brought me here,“ I explained.

„So whoever created the portal must have had New York City in mind? Or even gone through it himself and maybe still be here in the mortal world somewhere?“ he surmised. I nodded.

„That's how it looks.“

„How come you are suspected of poisoning Merlin?“ Logan asked.

„Gregor claims that my father and I used to fight before he died. He also claims to have seen me allegedly put something in his food and drinks and he now has followers who believe him,“ I explained through clenched teeth.

„How do you want to proceed? And is there anything I can do?“

„You already said that you don't really know Gregor but do you know any warlocks that you would think they would work with him and help him rise to power? Also, I would ask you to open a portal so I can go back to Idris. I have to go to court soon and I still don't have the needed evidence against Gregor.“

„Yes, there are definitely some who would come into question. However, I don't know any names off my head. I keep a journal in my desk drawer in my club's office listing all the names of the most important witches and warlocks. If you would come with me we could go through the ones that are considered "evil" or dark witches together and tomorrow I could open a portal to the werewolf realm of Idris for you.“

„Thanks. Shall we go right away then?“.

************************************************

Present tense (before Layla and Meliorn met for the first time)

Half an hour later we were in the office of Logan's Club. Loud music blared in the background. The journal was on the table in front of us.

„OK. These are the good witches and warlocks, the white ones, and this is where the bad ones, -the black ones, start. Oh here! This name sounds familiar to me. I think your father once mentioned him in connection with Gregor. Darius Hubble. He is considered one of the greatest dark warlocks. What the Journal says about him doesn't sound good. I can well imagine that he would be able to use dark spells and dirty tricks to help Gregor become the next werwolf king. Especially if Darius would gain from it, too,“ Logan said thoughtfully.

„I need to get back to Idris as soon as possible and find out if he and Gregor are working together, find evidence and put my uncle in his place once and for all.“ Excitement shot through me. I wanted to finally put an end to this and I was concerned for my mother and Reyna.

„It's already late. You need your rest first. Tomorrow we'll take care of opening a portal“, Logan tried to have a calming effect on me.

„Okay, I'll go to my apartment then. We'll see us tomorrow“.

„I'll walk you out.“ We left the office together and suddenly there was a beautiful scent that stood out despite the many sweaty people dancing closely together. I couldn't place it.

„Meliorn, you really have to be careful. That Darius guy sounds very dangerous. If he really works with Gregor...“ Logan began.

„Yes I know. I'll be careful,“ I assured him. This scent, which seemed to be a mixture of coconut and a hint of jasmine, intensified and I could feel Atlas getting restless. There was also the urge to find out where it was coming from. Come on, do it! Follow the scent my wolf urged me impatiently.

“Atlas, what's going on?”

“Come on! Follow the scent! he practically yelled at me.”

“Okay calm down”

„Is everything okay, Meliorn?“ I heard Logan ask, but I left him alone and started to follow the coconut and jasmine-like scent. Suddenly someone bumped into me. A second later I was looking into the most beautiful and alluring green eyes I have ever seen. The girl had long, wavy dark brown hair and not too much nor too little curves in just the right places. She wore a short, red fitted dress. l**t shot through me and images of me removing that dress flooded my head. „Mate,“ I whispered. She looked at me confused.

“Mate, mate, mate!”Atlas exclaimed enthusiastically. “Calm down buddy. Let's not scare her,” I giggled at my wolf. Various emotions flooded through me as the girl and I stared at each other intently. There was concern that I had found my mate here of all places in the mortal world. What future would this hold for us if my place is in Idris and she was mortal? But above all there was joy to finally have found her. I had longed for my mate for so long. There was something about her scent and her aura that made me unsure if she was truly mortal. In fact, I was pretty sure she was at least part werewolf. However, that didn't matter if she was raised as a mortal. Because that meant I still couldn't drop the bombshell about us being mates and especially not about werewolves, vampires, fairies, witches and warlocks and Idris. That was quite a mess.

„Ehm hi, I'm Layla,“ she broke the silence first. „Layla...“ I tried her name out on my tongue.

„Nice to meet you. I'm Meliorn,“ I said, smiling. „What an extraordinary name, Meliorn.“

„Not necessarily where I come from. Would you like to dance?“. I decided to take it easy and get to know her the normal way mortals do. „Yes very much“. Her smile was breathtaking. The music was a little slower at the moment and I bathed in the feeling of how perfectly her body felt against mine as we danced to it. I held Layla close to me after putting my hands on her waist. She had her arms around my neck. That was perfect. She was perfect. Atlas happily wagged his tail in my subconscious.

„This might sound crazy, but I've never met anyone like you. You're fascinating,“ she said suddenly. „Look who‘s talking,“ I replied, grinning.

„You are so beautiful,“ I said, bringing my face closer to yours. She has such beautiful, shapely lips. I wanted to kiss her. But before our lips could touch, a voice spoke from behind.

„Layla, there you are.. oh sorry I didn't want to interrupt. Ehm, Nico and I want to leave now. But if you want to stay a little longer with.. .“ I turned around and a girl and a guy holding hands together looked at us curiously.

„Oh no, no it's getting late. Let's go“. She started to turn, but I couldn't just let her go.

„Wait! When can I see you again?“ I asked hopefully. She smiled.

„Not far from here is a nice diner called Pearl. If you like, can we meet there tomorrow evening at 7?“

„Yeah, yeah that sounds good. I'll see you tomorrow,“ I said eagerly. I watched her disappear with her friends.

„Meliorn, what's going on?“ Logan suddenly appeared behind me.

„I found my mate,“ I said, smiling softly.

„Oh... a mortal?“ he asked.

„No. I could tell that she's at least part werewolf. Either way, I think my return to Idris will be delayed...“