Welina-Grace and the Forest Uglies

WG - Chapter 9 - Off To Sleep

Zinah went into the bathroom and loved that there was a shower and bathtub. She quickly bathed with Crimson and got themselves dressed. Looking at herself in the mirror, this was the first time that Zinah had actually seen her reflection. She wasnʻt ugly but didnʻt think she was beautiful either, then again, there wasnʻt anyone to compare her human features too. If beauty was what she saw in the almost naked humans she had seen, she felt far from it.

Her dress was long and gathered just under her breasts. Sleeves that went ¾ way down her arm to just below the elbow. Straight across the front. It was a very modest look and Zinah was thankful for that. Her body was changing more and more each week. Her hips were widening and her breasts were getting fuller. Her complexion was flawless and her lashes were thickening as were her lips. But Zinah was also noticing another change in her since returning from Mt. Yamnuska. She was very irritable at everything. At first, she thought it was from her period but sheʻd never felt this way before when she had her period and was beginning to think maybe it wasnʻt after all. The only things that calmed her were Crimson and Duskin. With that being said, Zinah knew she had to be careful around the Queen. She could get herself into a sh*tload of trouble if she didnʻt harness her attitude.

Zinah went down to the throne room to see to her duties. The Queen was speaking with Gorak.

“Well, who do we have here?” Gorak drooled and Zinah rolled her eyes

“This is my new assistant Zinah,” the Queen said

“Oh and my new toy” Gorak replied

“Pfft! As if!” Zinah replied disgustingly

Gorak made for a grab at her arm and was instantly shocked by a force so strong it threw him midway across the room

“What in the f**k!” Gorak exploded

“Do.Not.F**king.Touch.Me!” Zinah slowly pronounced as Crimson hissed at the Ghoul

“Why you f**king little b**ch!” Gorak said as he lunged forward, but Zinah already knew of his intentions.

A rope of electricity pushed forward from her fingers as her jaw clenched and veins could be seen pulsating from her neck. It made itʻs way to Gorak and wrapped itself around his neck and tightened. With a half-smile and pressed lips, Zinah allowed the rope to tighten even more. Gasping for air, Gorak look to the Queen for help but only saw the Queen looking pleased with the sight before her.

Crimson burped which brought Zinah out of her haze. She was shocked when she saw what she was doing. She had unknowingly zoned out and didnʻt realize she could have killed him. And the Queen sat there amused. Like what in the actual f**k, Zinah thought.

“Oh my gosh, I am so sorry” Zinah started to say but Gorakʻs flushed face was painted in anger and aggression

“Donʻt be sorry Zinah, serves him right! Always wanting to put his filthy paws on anything with a skirt. Met your match didnʻt you, Gorak?” Queen Dessa said to Gorak who sulked at the Queen

Zinah was horrified at what happened and the revelation the Queen revealed about Gorak. She knew she needed to be careful around him. But something deep inside made her feel strong and liberated but scared. She didnʻt know how strong she really was or worst yet, what kind of payback Gorak had in mind for her. She needed to sharpen her skills fast.

Queen Dessa boringly went over Zinahʻs duties. Zinah soon realized that this job was a 24/7 position. Sheʻd be at the Queenʻs beckoned call anytime the Queen needed her, hence having her own room in the castle.

The days flew by and Zinah soon found her way around the castle. She also made sure to learn the Queenʻs schedules, likes, dislikes, etc. So efficient was Zinah that the Queen had barely any need to ask for something, as soon as it was time to need, get or do something, Zinah already had it covered. This left some open downtime for Zinah to spend with Crimson and Duskin. She continued to help in the kitchen and the Queen didnʻt seem to mind as long as Zinah had all her work done.

Gorak tried a few times to get back at Zinah but she shut him down before it could even happen. With narrow eyes, he left her alone for the most part but Zinah refused to put her guard down with him around.

Zinah would use the late nights to tend to Crimsons growing needs. Soon her appetite for blood and raw meat would come in and Zinah had to be sure to mask it. She learned how to change Crimson back and forth from human to Ifrit. But little Crimson was beginning to be a handful especially so when in Ifrit form. Sheʻd run or fly and hide in their bedroom and was once almost caught in Ifrit form by Liza who happened to be flying by the window. Zinah wondered where she was going so late at night but Crimson must have been intuitive to the fairy as she ducked in the closet just as Liza poked her head in the window to say goodnight.

Queen Dessa was true to her word and taught Zinah how to use her powers. Zinah had an inkling that Queen Dessaʻs style of teaching was not for the betterment of good, to say the least. Her magic was dark and Zinah hated to admit it but she was liking it. Duskin on the other hand was not and told her numerous times not to get herself lost in the smoke of magic. But Zinah just brushed him off. Duskin was beginning to worry about her.

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Zinah had just finished serving the Queen her lunch and went to get her tea ready. On the way back Zinah could hear Gorak and the Queen strategizing about something that she knew better than to interrupt. But she also knew how the Queen could get when she wasnʻt served her tea.

“Request to enter please,” Zinah asked and the Queen nodded in approval

Zinah set the Queenʻs tea down and readied her lunch tray to take back to the kitchen

“Zinah, tell me, if you needed to attack this village, which would you feel would be the best way to sneak in for a surprise attack?” Queen Dessa asked and Gorakʻs mouth hit the floor at what the Queen was asking the ʻassistantʻ

Zinah looked at the map spread out over the table and realized the attack was on a Troll Village.

“Valerian” Zinah said and walked out with the tray. Gorak was dumbfounded but Queen Dessa was delighted

“What the hell is valerian?” Gorak asked

“Itʻs a sleeping plant. In high concentrated doses Itʻs probably the only thing that can bring a massive troll down” the Queen said

“Ohhkaaay. And how do we get this valerian to the trolls without them knowing?” Gorak said

“Cloudberries,” Zinah said as she gathered the teacup and was ready to leave

“Stop, explain yourself,” the Queen said

“Trollʻs cannot resist cloudberries. I make a tincture that I use as payment over the bridge. They mix it with water to make a juice to stretch itʻs use. Mix the valerian in with the tincture and youʻve got a concoction thatʻll make them sleep like babies” Zinah explained and both the Queen and Gorak smiled wickedly and so did Zinah…..