The Blessing (Rewritten)

Corrie’s POV Did you know that long ago witches were killed, they were burned, drowned, and tortured. Unfortunately, things really are not that different now for them. Keeping their existence, a secret, too afraid to show they exist and what would happen to them. Now, existence is well known and there are a lot of people that have made it clear they are not welcome. I am not welcome. "Corrie, come here please." My mother called me. I walked into our little kitchen. "Yes mother?" My mother and I live in a small hut in the woods. To my parents it was safer than living anywhere else. Our simple lives are peaceful yet exciting. I travel around places aiding people as much as I can. Other supernatural beings do exist, not just my kind. Unfortunately, my kind were the only ones exposed. Witch hunting started back as something for humans, and it is not hard to tell us apart. Every witch is born with special markings, tattoos that progress as one advances with their powers. Mine are on my hands, they go from my fingers all the way up my arms. Old symbols on my fingers to signify my birthright. When I was 6 large crescent moons formed on the backs of my hands showing I gained my powers. As I progressed as a teen twin snakes appeared on my arms starting from my wrist. At this point they are almost to my elbows. My long raven black hair came to my waist, my eyes are as green as emeralds, I am around 5 foot 4 tall and closer to 190 pounds. I am not fat, but I am far from skinny. “You have a client.” My mother spoke. Her blond hair pulled back out of her face as her heavily tattooed hands worked on whatever she was making in the large black pot on the fire. Her tattoos were suns on her hands with butterflies fluttering up her arms. I had my mother's looks and her green eyes, and I had my father's hair. My father died from witch hunters. He died protecting us, who were both witches. My poor mother is still broken about it, and it has been about 3 years since he died. I was always jealous of their love, now I am broken as she is. I never want to experience this type of hurt she is going through. “Is Quinn napping dear?” I nodded to her as I handed her the ingredients she pointed to. "Yes, she is and what is the job?” I had to extend my services to help my mother out and I needed to supply Quinn with the things she needed. Witches do not get the things normal children get so it was up to me and mother to teach Quinn everything she had to know for life. "Kingdom Vailala, the Prince is getting married. Not only do they want a blessing for a wedding and future, but they have a few issues going on. All the man said was people were missing and they did not know why, just that it was supernatural." I looked at my mother and gave her a knowing look. “I really cannot be going into dangerous situations and on top of that going back to Vailala after everything.” Knowing the prince was getting married was a real heartbreaker and a good enough reason to never return there no matter how much they were paying. I was not about to let him know about Quinn. We were in love, and I had hoped he wanted to be with me. His words and promises were so smooth, and I was all in. His parents found out and chased us out of the Kingdom, but not before he had given me a small going away gift, Quinn. "Corrie, I do not want to send you back, but we need this money. She has paid quite a bit more than enough to get us by without needing to take on much that evolves travel. Your father is gone, and he was your provider. Quinns father is not going to show back up proclaiming his love for you.” She placed a cork into the small vile and handed it to me. "It’s not deadly but it will knock anyone on their ass if they try to mess with you. Just a small splash will do it." She smiled at me. We are all she has now, and I know could never let anything happen to me. I did not want to do this; I knew he would never come to my door proclaiming love for me. He did not even know of Quinn; but she is right, I need the money and business is too slow to survive. I tucked the vile into my traveling bag. “I cannot take Quinn into danger.” My mother nodded her head in agreement. “True I figured I would be the one to watch over her while you are away.” “And if something happens to you?” I asked not wanting to point out my mother has been weakened by her mate’s death. For humans, the death of a mate or lover is not so bad, but we bond with our mates and are connected. “If I cannot care for her, I will make sure she gets to you Corrie please do not worry.” *** Alexander POV Alexander walked down the hall towards the dining hall, it was time for lunch. His mother had been bothering him about having a huge dinner to celebrate his bride-to-be. Alexander was not at all thrilled about this engagement, but he would do whatever he had to do in the name of duty. That was, unfortunately, what it meant to be in the royal family. You did not get to marry for love, but what would make your kingdom stronger? His heart ached, if only he could have. She disappeared before he could ever ask her and in the last 3 years never came back. He ran his hand through his shaggy brown hair. His eyes were dark brown, his build was well fit, you could tell he kept in shape. He was tall, nearly 6'2 tall. He took the corner that rounded to the dining hall and saw his mother and father sitting at the table waiting for him. He sat across from them but did not really pay attention to what his mother was saying. "Alexander, did you hear me?" His mother asked him. He looked at her and shook his head. "No mother, I'm sorry I did not." She shook her head at him, not paying attention when he needed to. It was not long before he took the throne, and he could not even pay attention. "I said I think I have found a way to fix the issue of our citizens disappearing. I have paid a witch to come fix the issue. She looked in bad shape though, so she will send more than likely send her daughter. She is also going to bless yours and Asha's wedding and, hopefully, your future." Alexander wanted to protest the blessing, but his mother gave him a look that told him any talk about this was finished. He had no say in anything at all that dealt with his future. He felt everything was out of control and he felt so much anger over it all. He calmed down by going back in time. He remembered when he was around 9 years old and the strange girl he used to play with. She had strange markings on her hands and his mother warned him to stay away from the girl. Her long black hair and green eyes had him wanting to be around her more. Her warning only made him want to be near her more. He had been ready to cross the line for her and completely disregard his parents and marry her, but before he could ask, she had vanished. He looked for her but found nothing. He did not know if something took his beloved away or if she never loved him at all and used his for his position. He did not like witches, always using to get what they wanted then to leave you in shattered pieces. Why his mother wanted one to bless his wedding and future, he did not know. He spoke up anyway. He did not even want to marry this woman he definitely did not want some strange woman trying to bless it. “Are you sure having a witch here is a good idea, you know how we feel about them?” He took a bit of his dinner. “Yes Alexander, I do. You have fought me about this marriage from the start. I think having someone here to bond you two together will help you see she is perfect for you.” She looked down at her food and smiled brightly. “So, for yours and Asha’s dinner I was thinking roasted duck, roasted vegetables, all the breads, soups, pastries. I mean all the works. We will have everyone here, our family and hers. Friends and family alike.” She was starting to get excited and made Alexander uneasy. “I do not really want that, Mother. It is a lot for someone I do not even want to be marrying let alone meeting everyone in her life. Besides I am not sure a witch is going to bond us like you hope it will. I am a human, bonds do not work on us mother.” She gave him a stern look. “This IS happening, son so get over it. You will make your bride feel welcome and you will do so with a smile like a prince should! The witch will be here soon let us make sure she is on her way home as soon as possible.” Her voice turned to disgust. “You realize that figuring out what is happening to our people may take some time. She will likely be here for a bit, Mother. It is our job after all to make sure this stops. She nods. “Let us hope its another witch, maybe they will kill each other, and the world will be a better place.” She smiled at the thought. Alexander shook his head at his mother. He was unaware exactly how upside down his life would become and how much the witch would change his future.