Black Knight

Crimson Glow

The clearing started to bustle with excitement. All of the guests gathered in the center of the enchanted forest’s clearing, to make sure the glow of the Red Moon fell upon them. At the head of the clearing, closest to the Fae Palace, King Orin and Black Knight ended up right next to each other, neither seeming to notice, both of their eyes fixed on the Red Moon that was climbing into the sky. The moon seemed to have a pulsing life energy, and bathed the entire clearing in a magical and eerie shade of crimson.  

The Moon was the only thing glowing in the clearing, the floating light orbs having been extinguished at the first sight of the moon. That is until Black Knight and King Kalen started to glow themselves.

***

From the Perspective of Black Knight

I wanted to make sure that I was in full view of the moon. The energy the glow would give me would be invaluable, especially in my current condition. The moon itself seemed to guide me into position, near the head of the clearing, close to the courtyard that led into the palace. I pulled my hood down in preparation, and my breathing sped up. I felt restless, unable to stand completely still. Something was different this time. I have lived through several Red Moons, and normally they are calming. Reassuring. This time there was a drumming energy around me, an anticipation of something to come.

I look around to see that others felt this anticipation. There was a restlessness among the crowd, all of them gazing in primal excitement at the coming Moon. The moon started to Glow. The Crimson light fell upon us all, and I felt a familiar rush of energy. The energy seemed alive, excited, and familiar for some reason. I laughed as the energy played around my entire body, lifting my hair and swirling around me like an old friend. I had never felt anything like this before in my entire life.

I looked down and gasped. I was glowing. I felt compelled to look to my right, and I saw King Kalen glowing as well, also surrounded by the phantom energy wind. We had the attention of the entire clearing, and I could see my knights close by, unsure of what to do, or how to help. The glow expanded, until it held both of us in its grasp, forcing the two of us closer together with its energy. Neither of us could fight it. Kalen looked as confused as I felt. The phantom wind that affected no one but the two of us intensified, and all of a sudden the glow formed a line of light, connecting my heart to Kalen’s.

In a flood of energy and emotion, I could feel Kalen. I could feel him through this bond at our hearts. I could feel all of his emotions, I could feel his panic at this situation, and the worry for me. The Moon wasn’t finished with us yet. The bond intensified, and the glow became blinding for even my eyes. I wasn’t in peak condition, and for whatever reason, this bonding I was experiencing with Kalen was draining me. I knew I couldn’t hold on any longer.

The glow was just beginning to fade, and the last thing I saw before slipping into the sweet oblivion was Kalen catching me as I fell. My last conscious thought was that I felt entirely safe in the arms of the Fae King. 

***

From the Perspective of Fae King Kalen Orin

I could see the shock on Black Knight’s face as the energy wave was pulling us closer and closer together. I could assure you the shock was mirrored on my own face. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see that the entire clearing was frozen, watching their King and Knight Commander get pulled together by a red phantom glow.

When the searing light connected me to her, I felt her. I felt her shock in that moment, but I could see into her mind, into her past, into her feelings. Her true name was Wren. Her father had beaten her. More times than I could count. I could see one lover in her past, and that too ended in beatings. I knew all of this in an instant, the moment I was connected to her. My heart hurt for her.

I also knew one thing, very, very clear. She was my mate. The one my mother told me about years ago when I was a child. She was right, and I had no idea how. The connection I felt to this woman went beyond any feeling I had ever felt before. I now knew she was my top priority in this lifetime. She was my lifeline.

I also knew something else troubling the second we connected. She was hurt. I could feel the injury as if it was lanced into my own side. It was a deep injury that she managed to hide from everyone I assumed.

The bond intensified. I felt the searing heat that held the two of us bound. It didn’t hurt, but it was intense. She was my mate. I would protect her with everything I had in me. I looked into her eyes, and she looked into mine. I could see that this was taking a toll on her. It was draining me that is for sure, and I was at peak strength. She was not. I felt her losing consciousness. I reached for her, and as soon as the red glow was starting to fade she fainted. I caught her well before she hit the ground, since I could feel her before she started to even sway.

The Red Moon was over, and I sat there kneeling on the ground, holding my fated mate.

***

From the Perspective of Fae King Kalen Orin

I had to catch my breath. I had found my mate, and here she was, unconscious in my arms. She was also the legendary Black Knight. I didn’t know what to say.

“Black Knight!” I looked up to see Elden, Eva, and a blonde I didn’t recognize, but who wore the Knight’s crest on her breast, running up to me and Black Knight. Solomon and Jasper also ran up to me.

“She needs medical attention.” I said quickly before anyone could say anything. I didn’t want to answer any questions here. I picked her up in my arms, and Elden walked over to offer to take her from me. I shook my head. I needed her with me. He bowed his head in respect. I almost groaned at how light she was. She had to be underweight. 

I walked into the palace, with all of our friends following us. “Lets go to my chambers. There is enough space for all of us to sit and talk, and some place I can set her down.” I said quietly to them all. They all nodded and followed me quickly.

We wound through to the top floor of the palace, and Solomon ran and got the door for me as I carried my mate into my chambers. There was a large sitting area with light sapphire blue sofas and chairs with more than enough sitting for our friends that had followed us. The large north facing windows provided lots of moonlight along with the lanterns that lit upon my entrance.  I placed Black Knight – Wren – on the bed, on top of the cream colored comforter. She looked so out of place with her Black ensemble. I turn to the crowd of our friends who were eagerly awaiting an explanation.

I explained things carefully, slowly. Of course it only took a matter of minutes, since there wasn’t much to tell. Just that the Red Moon had declared us mates, and that I could tell that the force of the mating was too much for her body to handle at that moment. After my explanation, I went back over to my mate’s side and began examining her. I was a master healer, although few knew it. I could feel all of her injuries just by scanning her. All the old ones that have already healed and the new ones still healing.

She had many scrapes and bruises, but the most concerning was the lacerations to her side. Elden and Eva came over to my side.

“I can call our healer. He can come work on her.” Elden said and Eva had already pulled out her communication crystal. I shook my head.

“I can work on her, but her, um, dress is in the way.” I said, my ears turning red. I had no s****l intentions towards Wren at the moment, I just wanted her better. Eva nodded. And turned to the rest of the people in the room.

“Everyone except me and Aspen, leave the room.” She said, commanding a presence that even made my men instantly listen to her. The door closed with a thud and the three of us, began to slowly take off Black Knights garments.

“Okay listen.” Eva started. “I know you are her Mate, but she has been through hell, and might not accept this. Are you prepared for her to reject this bond?” She asked.

“I could see her memories when we were linked.” I said to her, my heart wrenching at the memory. “I do not wish to make her do anything she doesn’t wish to do. My only desire is for her to be happy and healthy. I cannot even begin to explain the connection I now have to her, only that her well-being and happiness is now my top priority.” Eva gave me a look that said she completely understood and believed me. It has been said that Eva the Witch could detect any lies, so she knew my words spoke only truth. We removed her dress, and I covered her bottom half with a blanket. The wound on her side was severe. Eva sighed.

“How could she keep something like this from me?” Eva asked, heart broken. Aspen put a hand on her shoulder.

“She doesn’t like to put things like this on others. Even if they have only her best intentions at heart. I saw her moving slow tonight, and she wasn’t using her magic to dissolve into the shadows like normal. I knew she must have been hurt, but I had no clue how bad.” Aspen said and Eva nodded.

I ran my hands over the wounds, compelling the skin to start to heal and knit together. I quickly noticed, however, that while I was certainly helping her start the healing process, her body was incredibly resistant to healing magic. Eva nodded to answer the question that was forming in my mind and on my face.

“She doesn’t take well to healing magic. Since she used to be human, her Fae body reacts differently to Fae magic. This is more than I can usually heal her though, which is a positive for sure. That’s why she typically attempts to avoid becoming injured like this, because it can put her out of commission for a while, and make her incredibly vulnerable.” Eva explained and I nodded. That made sense.

“This is as far as she will let me heal her.” I said looking down upon the improved wound. It was a definite improvement to what it was before. I went into my closet and grabbed the medical kit I kept there. I have formally studied as a healer, under the palace healers.  They thought that if I had the gift of healing, I should have the knowledge to go with it. I was as good a healer as they came.

I made a paste out of some medicinal herbs and applied it to her wound. I then began the process of bandaging her midsection, which was still covered in partially healed lacerations. Eva helped me wrap the bandages while I held her torso gently off the bed.

“How do you think she will feel about this?” I asked Eva and Aspen. I needed to know. I would lay down my life for this woman, but I need to know if this is something she would even want. They looked at each other and sighed.

“I am not sure, your majesty.” Aspen said. I grimaced. “She’s had so much trauma, and she’s used to being alone and shouldering her burden. I also know she won’t want to give up the knight’s keep.” I looked back to her surprised.

“I wouldn’t make her. That’s her pride and joy, all that matters to me now is that she is happy.” I said. Eva came up and patted me on my shoulder.

“It will be a shock to her. She isn’t used to others knowing how she feels. She’s not used to having someone to confide in intimately. She may come to love it, and you, but she may not. I’d be prepared for both.” Eva said honestly and I nodded. I was prepared. I wasn’t going to force myself upon her at all.

When she was bandaged to my liking, I helped to gently put a night gown on her. I said a small incantation to turn the white nightgown black. Eva chuckled, and I looked over at her, confused.

“She’ll actually appreciate you for that.” Eva said and Aspen nodded. Eva looked at Aspen and they nodded in some silent confirmation between the two of them. “We’ll leave you two alone. If she wakes up and starts throwing lightning or something, call Elden or myself, we can calm her down if you can’t. She’s a spitfire when she’s upset.” Eva said and I nodded, a small chuckle to myself at the thought of lightning throwing. They walked out, and left me alone with my mate.

I walked and laid on the bed next to her. We weren’t touching, except where I lightly stroked her cheek. With each caress, I sent her life energy. She was so low on energy since the mating bond had activated, I wanted to replenish it. What happened next shocked the living hell out of me. She snuggled, still asleep into my chest. As she settled into my arms, she wholly relaxed for the first time. I just held her to me, savoring how right it felt.

“I will protect you for the rest of my life.” I whispered to her.