Woven Fates - The Prophecy

Whitney

Everly smiled as Whitney chased some butterflies around the garden. When Will had agreed to letting the child stay with them. Everly had insisted on the Elves and Faeries creating beautiful gardens for Whitney to play in. She wanted her to spend as much time in nature as possible.

Whitney toppled forward and fell to her knees. “Oh Dear.” Everly said to herself as she jumped up and ran over. Whitney had always been quick to temper, and these little accidents often led to flare ups that caused significant damage.

Everly dropped down alongside the child and brought her in for a hug. She could see the foul temper the child possessed brewing in her black eyes. She had been born with those and had retained them throughout the 2 years of her life.

“Ohh, where did the butterflies go?” Everly cooed, trying to soothe the child.

Whitney’s heart was racing as her hands curled up into a fist.

“Aaarrggghhhhh.” Whitney roared as Everly covered her ears. There was a sudden crack that echoed loudly through the air. Everly looked around wildly, trying to see where the sound was coming from as she covered Whitney with her body. Nearby, a tree had splintered and fallen, landing metres from where they were. Whitney looked over, seemingly placated as she stopped screaming.

“Whitney, you need to be careful, you could have been hurt!” Everly cried out.

Guards filled the garden looking for an outside threat. They found Everly with Whitney and the cause of the damage immediately became obvious. 

“Are you ok your Highness?” The guards asked.

“We are.” Everly smiled tightly.

Although she was fond of Whitney, she was very aware that no one else in the castle was. From only weeks old Whitney had been responsible for countless damage to the castle. In the first weeks Todd had brought Will to visit but Whitney had screamed and held her breath until Will left. When Esmeralda had finally recovered, she also tried for months but Whitney would scream the castle walls down until they both just gave up.

Whitney didn’t even like Jaime being near Everly. Intimacy was a thing of the past and Everly missed her partner desperately. She was also aware of his wish for an heir or two but that wasn’t going to happen when they couldn’t even share a bed. Whitney screamed all night if Everly did not sleep on the bed in her nursery.

Jaime rushed out into the garden, his hand on the hilt of the long dagger he kept on his hip. “What the devil happened here?” He yelled, standing over Everly and looking around for danger.

“Whitney just got a little angry.” Everly smiled sweetly as she held Whitney in her arms. Whitney glared at Jaime angrily.

Jaime smiled. He knew showing displeasure only made the situation worse.

“As long as ya both safe then.” He said quietly, backing away. “Her grandmother has sent word she wishes to visit. I believe her aunt Rose as well.”

Everly smiled. “Oh, that will be lovely.” She cried. “Did you hear that Whitney? Your grandmother and aunty Rose are coming to visit!”

Whitney stared blankly at Everly. She had had sporadic visits from the pair over the last couple of years but Whitney never showed any sign of recognition.

Everly silently hoped they might stay so she could spend a night with her husband.

She picked the child up and carried her inside to get cleaned up. She could feel the anger emanating from her little body. Rose and Sabrina had expressed an interest in supporting her with her powers, but Whitney had proven to be resistant to their attempts. Her powers could only ever seemed to manifest when she was angry. When they did, they could not be controlled.

When Everly had finished bathing Whitney she opened her cupboard doors. “What shall we wear for dinner my Sweet?” Everly asked smiling. She had had many beautiful party dresses made for Whitney but the child only ever wanted black dresses. Whitney stepped forward and pulled on a black dress.

“Oh Whitney, perhaps we can find something nice for your grandmother? Something with flowers maybe?” Everly asked. She instantly regretted it. She watched as Whitney’s body stiffened and before she could speak, the rod holding the clothes in the wardrobe snapped and the dresses fell to the floor. Whitney toddled over and picked up the dress she wanted.

Everly sighed. Black it was.

Sabrina and Rose sat at the dining table with Jaime, Magnus and Lola discussing Whitney.

Jaime sighed. “Nobody can go near Everly, we can’t talk to her, and heaven forbid I should try to spend a night with my wife.” He grumbled.

“It’s been very hard on Jaime. If Magnus and I try to approach her she destroys the place. I believe she remembers my magical signature from when Em was pregnant. When I am here, I need to ensure she doesn’t see me, although I believe she stills feels my presence.” Lola continued. “She is very dependent on Everly and will not allow anyone else near her. She is incredibly powerful and uses her energy as a threat. She is incredibly bright but unwilling to be trained.”

Sabrina nodded her head quietly. “She is me.” She said sadly.

Lola nodded in agreement.

“Well, I’d be very grateful if I could have a night with my wife.” Jaime muttered as Everly walked in carrying Whitney.

Whitney frowned angrily and refused to look at her grandmother and aunt.

“Please excuse us, we have been requested at the Faerie Castle. It was lovely to see you all again.” Lola smiled as she stood up and opened a portal. Magnus followed her as they turned and waved goodbye. Lola’s eyes opened in alarm as they met Whitney’s. She was smiling, the child never smiled.

Sabrinas eyes widened in horror as she watched the portal go from purple which was Lolas signature colour to black.

“Lola, STOP!” She screamed as Magnus and Lola entered the portal backwards. Sabrina ran forward as Lola and Magnus appeared unable to fight the pull into the portal.

“Close it down!” Jaime roared, standing up and running to the portal.

“NO!” Lola cried desperately, “Please don’t close it!”

“It has a hold of our bodies, if we close the portal, it will kill us.” Magnus cried.

“Whitney, stop this at once!” Everly demanded, putting the child down on the ground. She had hoped the heavy table between her and the portal might distract her.

“Get Whitney out!” Rose cried as she joined Jaime and Sabrina at the portal. They held on to Magnus and Lola desperately as they fought the portals pull.

Everly snatched Whitney up and ran to the nursery as quickly as she could.

“You can’t help them.” Whitney whispered.

Everly stared in horror. These were the first words Whitney had ever spoken but they showed just how bright she was.

“Whitney please, nobody here means you any harm. Please let them go.” Everly begged.

Whitney smirked at Everly. “We don’t need them.” She replied.

“Whitney please, I do need them!” Everly cried. “Please don’t do this.”

Whitney suddenly whipped her head to the side.

“Whitney, what did you do?” Everly cried, putting her down and racing down the stairs. She ran back into the dining hall to find Jaime, Sabrina and Rose staring at the place the portal had been.

“What happened?” Everly cried.

“The portal closed.” Sabrina whispered.

“What does that mean? Jaime, what does that mean?” Everly was now hysterical.

“We don’t know Everly. We believe the portal has not gone to the Fae castle. Unfortunately, Whitney is the only one who knows what has happened and she doesn’t speak.” Jaime shook his head sadly.

“She does speak Jaime; she spoke only moments ago.” Everly was sobbing uncontrollably.

“Jaime, Everly is in shock. Please take her to lay down.” Rose smiled. “We will care or Whitney.”

“It’s not safe for you to do that.” Everly whispered through her sobs.

“Let us worry about that.” Sabrina smiled.

Jaime put his arm around Everly and walked her up the stairs to their room. He laid her down on the bed and sat beside her,

“Everly, I know how you feel about the child, but she is dangerous. You know I can not name her heir to my throne, and I need an heir, but I am to frightened to do that.” Jaime said sadly.

“She’s just a child Jaime.” Everly whispered.

“She’s just a child who sucked two powerful magical folk into an abyss that we don’t even know if we can trace. They may be gone forever Everly. They may be dead.”

“Or they may be at the Fae castle Jaime. We do not know.” Everly tried to reason with him.

Everly suddenly turned, feeling the presence of the child in the room.

“Oh Whitney, there you are. I just need a little lay down.” Everly smiled.

Whitney stared blankly at Everly and walked over to the bed. As they watched, she levitated off the ground to the height of the bed and sat on the edge. She turned and wriggled her way up to Everly, laying her head down on the pillow beside her. Whitney turned and glared at Jaime.

“Ya cant drive me outta me own chambers lass. I wont have it.” Jaime’s voice calm but his demeanour showed he was not happy.

“Whitney, why don’t you go and spend some time with your aunt and grandmother? They are here to see you.” Everly gently encouraged.

Whitney continued to glare at Jaime.

“Whitney please, I have a headache. I need rest.” Everly’s voice was far more blunt than Whitney was used to.

Rose and Sabrina could be heard running up the stairs. They both burst into the room as the hair on Jaime’s arms stood up. He looked at them in shock as Sabrina began an incantation, her hands moving through the air. A bubble suddenly encased Whitney. The child was trapped in the bubble as Sabrina floated it out of the room and into the nursery. Jaime glanced at Whitney only to see the hate in her eyes. He shivered as he turned to Everly who was shaking.

“What was she planning to do?” Everly whispered.

“We don’t know but we could feel her anger from the dining room.” Rose replied.

The magical folk from all of the kingdoms sat in the library of Jaime’s castle. They had come together to discuss Magnus and Lola. Each had tried to follow the magical signature but it was unknown to them. They could not even tell if Lola and Magnus were trapped in a portal or had exited somewhere other than they had planned. What was known was that they had not reappeared at their planned destination.

“This is grave indeed.” Otis mumbled. “This child is powerful beyond anything we have seen before. I fear it may be time to move her from this place. It is to dangerous to keep her this close to Isabella.”

“Move her where?” Otrix asked.

Miranda looked at Lachlan who nodded. “We can take her for a while. Naturally we wish to continue our mission to bring our own son home, but for Jaime and Everly to have a break and for something permanent to be put in place, we will take her. We can raise her in my home near the forest. I can teach her gardening and Lachlan can teach her to hunt. She will also be with a werewolf to learn to about shifting and hunting.” Miranda offered.

“Of course, we spend so much time worrying about her powers we have forgotten that she is part wolf! Yes, I am in agreement.” Otis declared.

“You are correct, I am also in agreement. Maybe time with other werewolves might be useful for her.” Olga added. “I am in agreement.”

“I thank ya lass, but I must warn ya too. That wee one is tiring. Please be careful.” Jaime nodded. “I am in agreement.”

Miranda and Lachlan stood up. “We will take her now.” Miranda smiled.

“We will pack for ya.” Jaime said standing up.

“She will need very little. Some dresses and pants and shirts.”

Jaime nodded and stood up to go and speak to Everly. He knew she would not be happy, but it was what needed to be done. He had watched the life slowly seep from his wife and he couldn’t allow it to continue. He had tried so hard to support her, but the child hated him. She only ever wanted Everly.

Miranda and Lachlan walked towards the nursery and found Whitney in her bubble on her bed. She was glaring angrily at the door. Her face softened when she saw Miranda.

“Hello Whitney.” Miranda smiled, sitting on the bed next to the bubble.

Whitney eyed Lachlan suspiciously as he came to sit on the other side. He smiled and although she would not smile in return, her face had softened somewhat.

“Whitney, we live in a small house near a forest. We have some animals and a lovely garden. Lachlan here is a werewolf like your Dad. We would like to take you to live with us for a little while so you can learn about werewolves as well. Would you like that?” Miranda asked.

Whitney crossed her arms over her chest angrily, glaring at the wall. 

“Perhaps we could get you a puppy?” Lachlan added.

Whitney looked at Lachlan curiously.

“A little dog?” Lachlan asked.

“They aren’t common in this world Lachlan and Whitney has never left the castle.” Miranda reminded him.

Lachlan nodded.

“I will go.” Whitney said thoughtfully. Miranda gasped. She was not aware the child spoke. “But on one condition. No portals, we must ride. I want to see the world beyond these walls.”

Lachlan laughed. “We are going to be fast friends my dear because I feel the same way. I love to travel on horseback.”

Whitney giggled. “Then it’s a deal.”

Sabrina entered the room hesitantly knocking on the door.

“I just wanted the chance to say goodbye to my granddaughter.” She smiled as she sat in the armchair near the bed. “Whitney, I need you to know, your aunt Rose and I love you so much. We have been so sad since your birth because we lost our mates, your grandfather Liam and your uncle Jordan. That was never your fault, and we are sorry if you ever felt we didn’t care.”

Whitney sat on the bed watching Sabrina for a moment. Sitting beside her Miranda felt something. Was the child an empath?

“I believe you grandmother and I would like it if you and aunt Rose were to visit.” Whitney smiled. Sabrina burst into tears. It was the first time she had ever seen the child smile.

“May I hug you, Whitney?” Sabrina asked.

“Of course.” Whitney smiled as Sabrina burst the bubble around her granddaughter.

“I’ll go saddle the horses.” Lachlan smiled as he stood up and walked out of the nursery.

“You will have such adventures with Miranda and Lachlan.” Sabrina smiled as she hugged her granddaughter.

“They’re going to get me a puppy!” Whitney exclaimed excitedly.

“Wonderful.” Sabrina exclaimed.

Whitney slid off her bed and held up her arms waiting for Miranda to pick her up. Miranda smiled and took her hand, walking towards the door. Whitney stopped, a little unsure of herself.

“You are such a big girl now and you know, the more you walk, the more adventures you can have. And you must learn to move quickly if you are going to keep up with a puppy.” Miranda laughed.

“I think Miranda is right.” Sabrina laughed, taking her other hand as they descended the stairs.

As they reached the bottom of the stairs, they found Everly waiting. Her and Jaime had obviously had a disagreement and Everly’s face was tear stained.

“My precious little girl.” Everly breathed, picking Whitney up and holding her. “Please know you are so loved, and you will always have a home here.” She kissed Whitney’s chubby little cheek.

Whitney smiled. “I know.” She said as she hugged Everly back.

“Please take care of her.” Everly’s eyes were pleading as she spoke to Miranda.

“Like she was our own child.” Miranda smiled. “Whitney has declared she will only travel via horse so may we borrow one of yours?” Miranda asked.

“Jaime and Lachlan have already chosen one and are preparing her now for travel.” Everly replied.

“I tell ya laddy, watch her.” Jaime said as they buckled the saddle on the horse they had chosen for Whitney. “It’s like she bewitched Everly. The world began and ended with that child.”

Lachlan laughed. “I always thought that was what parenting was all about.” He said.

“Not like this. Please, heed my warning.” Jaime’s face was deathly serious.

“Of course, old friend. We will be firm with her; I swear to you.” Lachlan replied solemnly.

Jaime nodded as they walked the horses out of the stables and to the large fortress doors at the front of the castle. They were met there shortly after by a crowd of people to see them off.

“Can you ride?” Lachlan asked Whitney.

“She’s never had lessons.” Everly said worriedly.

“I will be fine.” Whitney smiled, hugging Everly once more. “Will you visit?”

“Of course I will.” Everly promised.

Lachlan helped Whitney up onto the horse and got her properly seated. He took the reins to lead the horse beside his own and they left at a slow trot, turning to wave their final goodbyes.