Mythical Mates

Six

The room was dark and hazy. Colors swirled in front of her eyes as her brain tried to form images. In and out of consciousness she went, dreams and reality colliding. Her mind was swarming with random thoughts that vanished almost as quickly as they appeared. Was this death? Was it an endless state of confusion and dizziness? But then again, her skull felt like it’d been beat to mash. There was a sharp pain spreading across her back like lying on a hundred thumbtacks. If she were dead, how could she feel? Shouldn’t all her pain receptors shut off along with all brain activity? At least that’s what school told her. Slowly, Brie opened her eyes a bit. She had to squint to force her sight to focus. Everything was moving like waves in water. There were brown leaves and vines lined with thorns hanging from the ceiling. Spiders and small insects crawled in and out of the soft textured ceiling. Glowing moss coated the walls and mushrooms that swayed and lit up like jellyfish hung at each corner of the room. Each one, illuminating a different soft colored light. There were no windows to bring in natural light. However there was a circular net covered with curtains of flowers to mimic windows. This was no room she’d ever been in. As her eyes adjusted to the darkness, she looked up. Towering over her was a large crescent shaped bookcase made of tree bark and stone. Brie tried to sit up, but was met with a wave of pain. Her legs felt numb and her back was stung. Lifting her head made her nauseous so she gave up and lay still. She tried to call out, but only a horse breath came out. Her throat felt incredibly scratchy and dry. She coughed, hoping to bring about some moisture from her stomach. It didn’t help much. In fact, coughing once brought about more uncontrollable coughing. The back of her throat itched making her cough that much more painful. A wave of panic engulfed her. Was she infected like the others? Hysterical coughing was an early sign, wasn’t it? How long before she lost her mind like the rest of them? “Calm down, you’re okay.” Cora said in her mind. Relief washed over her at the sound of her wolf counterpart. “Cora, what happened? Where are we?” “I’m not sure.” Cora admitted. “I’d just awoken, same as you. Though, I don’t think we’re in any danger. I don’t think an attacker would have bandaged us up.” Brie lifted her arm and felt her torso. There were bandages wrapped around her as well as a cooling rag on her head. She was also laying in something incredibly soft, like a marshmallow. A thick blanket of hide and silk was draped over her. Cora was right, an attacker wouldn’t have taken care of her like this. “Someone’s coming.” Instantly, Brie shut her eyes and pretended to be asleep. She waited for footsteps, but only heard a soft pitter patter. Whoever it was must have incredibly small feet. A door opened and the tiny steps grew closer. There was a constant clank and the swoosh of water as the stranger got closer. A bucket, maybe. There was a creak beside the bed where the nightstand was and a small gush of wind like something was tossed there. The rag was gently removed from her head and she heard it being dipped into water. Slowly, she opened one eye to peek at the stranger, but gasped. “A fox?” The creature let out a squeak and jumped, started, and fell off the table. It scurried toward the wall, clenching its chest.

“I have a little heart. I can’t take big scares.” the little creatures scolded her. Brie tried to say something, but was only met with more coughing. “I should let you choke for that.” slowly, the creature made its way back to her. It leaped onto the night stand and handed her a stone cup. She couldn’t lift her head very well, so the creature brought it to her lips for her. It was water, but it tasted sour and tangy like there was something else added.

“It’s lemon, ginger, and turmeric. It should help with your headache.”

“Did you…carry me here?” she finally asked.

“Of course not.” he looked slightly offended. “What would I have done? Tossed you onto my back?” He bowed, showing how small his body was. He was no bigger than a rabbit.

“Oh, I guess you’re right. I wanted to thank you.”

“You can save your thanks for my Lord. He’s the one who found you. What were you thinking, jumping off a cliff like that? You nearly died! You’re lucky we showed up when we did. If I were you, I’d be bowing my head at his feet, begging for forgiveness for such foolishness!”

Despite his obvious disdain for her, Brie couldn’t help fighting back her smile at how cute and squeaky his voice was. “Your Lord? Oh, are you like a pet?” he hissed at her.

“You are VERY disrespectful.” the fox said. “I am a companion and I come and go as I please. Unlike you, the creatures of this forest have respect and a desire to serve his lord for all the kindness he’s shown us. You should do the same.” The fox jumped off the nightstand and left the room.

Brie felt bad. She hadn’t intended to offend him. Was she bad at talking to new people? Was that why she wasn’t socially popular? Was that why Angela didn’t like her? “s**t! Angela!” she remembered Angela running with her, but couldn’t remember anything after jumping. Had Angela followed after her? If she did, did they find her? Is she hurt? Or worse, did she not make it? A part of her hoped Angela didn’t jump, but then that means she was caught by the rogues. Had they turned her into one of them? She needed to speak with the Lord of this place. She tried to sit up again. She bit her lip to keep from moaning out in agony. Her back felt tight and scorned. Her arms were weak and shaky. Just how long was she out. She propped herself against the headrest. She was naked, but that was to be expected. However her entire torso was covered in bandages. She didn’t see any fresh blood so she started unwrapping them to assess her wounds. When they were off, she could see just how severe her injury was. There were bruises all over with deep cuts that ran down to her waist. She touched her back and found a long, inch wide scar to the right of her spine. This must have been the one that nearly killed her. Thankfully, each seemed to be already healed. They were still sore, but the scabs were already falling off giving way to fresh skin. She threw her legs over the edge of the bed. Pins and needles crawled from her feet to her thighs. Seriously, how long was she out? Slowly, she rose to her feet and took a few careful steps. The ground was soft and cool. Her heels sunk with every step. She felt dizzy so took another swallow from the cup the fox brought her. It helped almost instantly. She must have been severely dehydrated. She pushed through the shabby door and entered a dark hallway. There were more mushroom lanterns lining the walls helping her navigate. The ridges of the wall helped her keep her balance. The room smelled of moss and rain. She entered through a curtain of beads into a small study. Three bookcases stretching toward the ceiling were stuffed with old books. Papers and rolled up parchments were scattered across the floor next to a low table and feathered pillow. A single waxed candle was lit on the table with a citrus scent. A small shrine sat to the left of the room illuminated by more mushrooms. Several bowls of fruits and berries set as offerings. A statue carved out of wood stood at the center. It was the moon goddess. The creator of all werewolves. Brie walked over and touched the statue. The wood was smooth, the carvings beautifully detailed. Whoever made it was an excellent artist.

“What do you think you’re doing in here?!” The fox exclaimed. Brie flinched, tipping over the statue. She reached for it, but the fox got to it first. He was awfully fast for something with such small legs.

“First you disrespect me, then you disrespect the lord by roaming through his home, and now you disrespect the GODDESS? If the lord hadn’t instructed me to be nice to you, I would-”

“It doesn’t sound like you’re being very nice, Koda.”

Brie turned her head as a tall man entered through the curtains. He took her breath away. He had long snow white hair pulled back in one long braid that brushed right above his ankles. His jaw was sharp as his skin clung tight to his bones. Light reflected off of him like his skin was made of glass. She couldn’t see a single pore or blemish. His lips were full and a cherry red. He had heterochromia eyes, one as red as rubies, the other as blue as clear skies. He wore a long tan colored robe tied at the waist by a brown sash. His feet however were bare. “Beautiful..” was all she could manage to say. His gaze sent a chill through her. Cora said she didn’t sense danger, so why was she shaking? His eyes fell to the fox.

“Koda, has our guest eaten yet?” he asked. Even his voice rang heavenly like windchimes. Koda lowered his head guiltily.

“I was about to bring her food, but…but she insulted me. Look what she almost did to your shrine.”

“I see, keeping your balance must be a challenge for you. I apologize for making you get up and search for me.”

“My lord,” Koda protested.

“And thank you, Koda, for being here in my stead. Everything was handled without incident because you are an excellent companion. What would I do without you?”

Koda made a noise and looked away, blushing in the best way he could. “O-Of course, my lord. It was no problem.”

Brie found this equally adorable.

“What is your name, my dear?” he asked her.

“S-Shouldn’t you start by introducing yourself first?” Brie asked. She heard the low growl coming from Koda. The man didn’t look offended. Insead he gave her a subtle smile.

“My name is Phyn and I am the lord and protector of this forest. Who might you be?”

Brie raised her head and took a deep breath. “I am Brielle Dunchane, daughter of Isaac Dunchane, alpha of Moon Risen Pack.” This was how her father had taught her to introduce herself. Usually it was meant for high officials during events, but considering he was the lord of the land, it seemed befitting she introduced herself this way. His face didn’t reveal recognition or surprise.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you Brielle. Are you hungry? You’ve been asleep for quite some time. You must be famished.”

Now that he mentioned it, Bri’s stomach felt there was a watermelon sized hole in it. It grumbled angrily. “Exactly, how long?”

“Three days.”

“Three days!: Bri exclaimed before slapping her hand against her mouth. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell.”

“It’s quite alright. It’s normal to be shocked considering the circumstances. You were in critical condition when we found you. You are very strong to have survived such a fall.”

Now it was her turn to blush. Hearing a compliment from him was like receiving a kiss from a celebrity. He pulled the curtain aside.

“Shall we eat?”

The food he prepared for her didn't initially look appealing. It looked like mush with a few pieces of meat and veggies mashed blended together. However, she was hungry enough to eat anything, so she took a bite. It was actually better than she expected. The spices were blended thoroughly and spread evenly. It was salty and sweet accompanied by soft warm bread. “This is amazing. What is it” she said, placing more food onto her plate.

“I’m glad you like it. It’s duck meat with an assortment of vegetables I’ve collected from my garden. Please, eat as much as you like. I prepared it for you and your friend, however she’s been very reluctant to accept food from me.” Brie choked and coughed away from the table.

“I’m sorry, my friend? You mean Angela? She’s here?”

“She hasn’t told me her name, but yes. She only slept for a day. I insisted she rest a bit longer, but I don’t think she trusts me very much. She insisted I let her outside, so I’ve given her the freedom to come and go as she pleases inside my estate. Since then, she hasn’t come inside to eat.”

“You let her out there alone?” Brie asked, worry stretching across her face. “There were rogues chasing us, she could be in danger.”

“You need not worry. Your friend is fine and well. My estate is large, but veiled by an enchanted barrier. No one can leave or enter without my permission.”

“So…we’re trapped?”

“Not at all. I have no desire to hold you prisoner. Your friend wanted to take you and leave, but I didn’t think that would be a wise decision while you were still recovering. I told her you were both free to go once you’ve awakened. However, I wouldn’t advise you to leave right this moment. These rouges you speak of have been sniffing around outside my barrier for quite some time now. They seem…unhinged.” Brie looked down at her plate.

“That sounds like them alright.”

“You are welcome to stay and regain your strength if you wish. If not, I will prepare a travelbag for you for your journey.”

“I…should probably talk to Angela first. See what she thinks.”

“Of course.” he looked to the side, his eyes giving the slightest hint of alertness. “Ah, speaking of which, it seems like she’s returned.” Brie began to rise, but he raised a hand to stop her. “Please, finish eating. When you are done, come out and she will meet you in the garden.”

Brie stumbled through the tunnels of the hut trying to find the exit. She should have asked him for directions before he left. When did find it, she ascended up a flight of stairs and opened a cellar door. The top of the house was a large tree decorated by small huts that hang from each branch. Little mushroom lanterns on each door. She could see squirrels and other small animals taking shelter in the little huts. Soft moss covered the exterior of the tree, giving it a colorful glow. It reminded her of the homes in fairytales. The lord, or Phyn must have built his home underground so as not to disturb them. The air smelled sweet and earthy unlike the air at home which was strange considering she and Angela couldn’t be that far from home. She made her way through the trees, taking in the bright and lively atmosphere. The forest was a lot more active here than it had ever been at home. She stopped suddenly as a white buck crossed her path. He glanced at her, his big brown eyes seeming to look straight into her soul. She reached out to tough it, but he turned away from her and continued on. The clouds parted giving way to a silvery crescent moon. When the light touched her face, it was as warm as the sun. a distant howl echoed across the sky and the urge to join in overwhelmed her. “Isn't it beautiful?” “It is.” Cora replied. “Should we join in?” Brie thought about it. Nothing filled her with more dopamine than a good long howl. “Angela’s probably waiting for us. Let’s meet up with her first.” Brie continued walking until she reached a circular opening in the forest. Rows and rows of vegetables and flowers came together at the center. The outer layers were surrounded by moon lilies, flowers that glowed and only appeared at night. In the center was a lily tree. Sitting in a hammock chair was Angela. “Angie!” Brie yelled.

Angela’s arms were crossed over her chest when she looked up to see Brielle waving to her. She had a big goofy smile on her face as she ran to meet up with her. She opened her arms, but Angela stopped her. “What are you doing?”

“Um, hugging you.”

“Why?”

“I don’t know…seems appropriate, I guess.”

‘Well it’s not, it’s weird.” Brie dropped her arms awkwardly.

“Sorry, I guess I was just really happy to see you. I was worried you might have gotten hurt?”

“Oh, you mean from that reckless ass jump you did? Unlike you, I don’t have a death wish, so I didn’t backflop into a river. I actually did a proper dive and aimed for the deep end.”

Brie blushed and rubbed the back of her neck. “Yeah…that was pretty dumb, huh? I guess that’s something else you’re better at.” Angie’s face softened a bit and she nudged Brie’s shoulder.

“Still, I’m glad you’re okay. I’d feel really shitty if my first attempt as a gamma ended with you dying.” Surprisingly, both girls laughed. Brie sat on a bench facing her.

“So, what have you been doing out here? Phyn said you’ve been out here for two days. What have you been eating?”

“Phyn?”

“Yeah, the landlord guy with the white hair and different colored eyes.” Angela made a hmph sound.

“I’ve been trying to find a way back home. I’ve been roaming for hours, but I’ve been running in circles because I always end up back here. We didn’t even run that far so why does none of this look familiar?”

“He says this place is enchanted. He has to actually let you leave.”

Angela threw her hands in the air. “Great, so we’re stuck here.”

“He says we can go whenever we want.

“Great, so let’s go tell him we’re ready to leave.” Brie grabbed her arm to stop her.

“Wait, I haven’t fully recovered yet. There are rogues sniffing around, I think we should wait for a bit. Maybe a day or two.”

“You want to stay here? With that strange guy? Tell me you’re not serious.”

“I know it sounds weird, but if he wanted to kill us, he would have already. He wouldn’t have bandaged me up.”

“Sure he would. Isn’t that how most hostage situations go? What about your family? What about the pack? Aren't you worried about them? It’s been days, they could have all been turned into zombies by now, yet you wanna stay here sitting pretty with a stranger?”

Brie frowned. “For someone who cared so little for this pack a few days ago, I find it funny you act so concerned now.”

“At least someone cares,” Angela spat.

“I do care!” Brie argued. “I love my family and every member of my pack. It’s been my birthright since the day I was born. Don’t step to me like I’m some naive little kid. I’m just not stupid enough to think I can save all of them, by going back and getting myself killed. Maybe take your own advice and stop thinking so recklessly.” Angela grumbed, but stayed silent.

“Then what do you say we do, princess? Twiddle our thumbs?”

“Just give me some time to regain my strength, okay. Two days, max. Then we leave.”

Angela stared at her for a few seconds before rolling her eyes and turning to leave. “Whatever, have it your way. But I’m not going back to that guy's house. When you’re ready to leave, howl at me.”