Elspeth- The Unwanted Princess

Covens Heart-Levis Special Gift

As the Bengalis made there way back to there suite it wasnt unnoticed how tense the home was around them. Nobody demanded things from Earth City and got there way. Ever since their rise to power not a single family dared cross Earth City and its powerfull witches. They were rumored to curse families and strip them of good fortune.

The servants just stared in awe at the Bengalis wondering what they could possibly offer that would cause them to yeild

"Well son its time to send you home. I need you to report to your grandfather that we were successful in negotiations. Your Grandmother will want to be preparing a potluck for our return." Seth stated to Ashton after entering the suite.

"Are you prepared for this dad? What if they figure it out? Levi seemed to see what I did." "I would not stress too much about it they signed it, the only way to void it now would be to tamper with the princesses rightful dowery piece. As a powerful witch she is entitled to inherite a piece of the heart. Thankfully the little mountain village to the north of us has Air witches. The best seers on our side of Pangea"

Evelyn saw the concern on Ashtons face and made sure to smile her reassurances. "Its ok my son. My sister lives up there, she will lend us her magic to ensure your future bride is not sent with a fake dowery heart"

Ashton wasnt an expert on witches, but he did know that each had there own specialties. It was related to the elements of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. Each of those had sub categories and that heirarchy was not unlike those of his ancestrial shifter family. They could cast spells within there covens without the need of a full moon because of something called a heart. Nobody knew what it was exactly, but Ashton suspected the ceremonial purposes of it were not dissimilar from when his family inducted warriors into the clan. Blood oaths were mostly outdated, but his tribe kept the tradition and to this day we have always believed it kept our tribe healthy during these sketchy times with Earth as our ruler of state.

"Well I guess I can only trust you both. Stressing over it wont fix things so lets get me packed and sent on out back to grandfathers house I go" Ashton jokingly said to his parents. "Alright red riding hood keep the wolves at bay". Seth replied to his oldest child. Today was a good day. He couldnt wait for this part to be over.

Ashton quickly grabbed his overnight bag and said farewell to his parents before being escorted to the waiting limo that would take him to the helicopter in the city. Tiger clan didnt have a huge airport but they did have a spot that was used for emergency landings of life med since the town was so small. They were borrowing it today to ensure Ashton made it home quickly to get wedding preperations started.

.........................

Elspeth could her the forest shouting its fears as the chopper landed for Ashton. She grabbed the lilac flowers in her magic and told it to share the strength so none of the trees felt the pain of having branches torn off by such strong air currents.

It is alright my people will be gone in just a minute

As if on cure the chopper began its take off and quickly rose causing wind gusts to bend the trees down as it rose above the forest.

See it is leaving nothing to worry about.

With the nearby forest relaxing Elspeth sent out soothing vibes tò all she could reach.

Thank you....She could hear the forest humming its response through her magic.

As she watched the helicopter disappear in the horizon Elspeth couldnt help feel a twinge of dread at the thought her engagement could be short lived. Whatever Levi was planning to spoof the test had to work.

As she thought of her brother she could feel his magic engaging in a spell. His energy crossed over hers as she was calming the forest. Wonder what he was up too...

Elspeth set out to find Levi hoping to learn of his plans.

...........................

Ashton leaving was the perfect distraction for Levi. It was important that he use this time to grab a piece of the heart and make the fake one for his mother. He only had about 10-15min before everyone went back to there daily chores. It wasnt the servants so much as his family he was trying to avoid.

He cast a blending spell to help him appear in place as he rushed the hallways to the center of his home. Most people thing the safest part of the home was where the alarms and safes were. His parents chose to decoy there most valuable item in several places for the off chance a witch war ever happened. As a result the real heart of their coven sat in an ancient clay jar sealed with royal blood and a spell. It had two chambers making it unique if the spell recited was inncorrect you recieved the wrong section and gained nothing but animal blood spelled to appear like the heart.

Since he had only ever opened the heart once when he was 21 he prayed a silent prayer he remembered the incantation properly. Reaching the center of the house he entered the basement door and easilly slipped down to the basement. The glowing crystals along the wall seemed excited to have visitors. His family really needed to have more magic events.

He opened the wards easily and gently pulled the Heart of the Coven out to the table in front of him. He chanted the prayer he remembered from his birthday as he sliced his palm on the lid. It left a red glow as the seal started to disappear like it did on his ascention day. Well step one is done

He fumbled around the backpack he brought with him looking for the padded box that held his personal heart his mother told him he would use when he chose to leave home. Agift given to firstborn he knew it was the only thing powerful enough to help his sister. With any luck he could just inherit this heart once his parents were dethroned. It was obvious this heart yearned to be used more.

Gently lifting the lid, Levi knew some incantation needed to be said , he just didnt know it. So instead of the usual he chose a different approach to his spell.

Forgive me for the innappropriate way I must do this. I have no evil intended in what I am doing. Godess please grant my sister this gift I prepare and protect it from misdeeds my parents plan.

Levi then gently poured half the heart into his clay pot and sealed his mothers to put back. I seal this heart in front of the Moon Godess, let only Elspeths blood or that of her coven have access. to this when the time is right. As I seal this I ward it from evil intent while also blending it so only its rightful owner may see it.

With another swift trickle of blood on the clay lid Levi watched as it glowed a gorgeous purple, not unlike the color of Elspeths eyes when she was casting spells. It felt right preparing this for her. Now to make a decoy that would fool even the best seeker.

It felt like an eternity but it was really only about 13min from the time Levi snuck in and snuck back out. His spell would last approximatly 20min so he was right on time. He made it back to his room and sat down with a relieved sigh. He successfully managed to get the only gift his sister needed to thrive.

Before he spent too much time celebrating though he needed to pull out the replica he made of his heart. He took the origional and put it in his safe under his bed. After grabbing the fake from the safe he set it on his personal desk and proceeded with the plan he came up with last night.

Last night he collected all of his parents samples along with a few of the covens stronger witches. All in total approximatly 50 samples which was all that was needed to show power, while also muting Earths true power. He poured each vial in while slowly chanting a binding encantation. He had to be careful not to turn it into an actual heart so this was the hard part. Once all of the blood was mixed the power in the room was nearly explosive. Levi was holding his breath now trying to figure out the best way to keep this from backfiring badly. As if on cue the godess gave him the words needed. He only needed this to be a temporary heart so it just needed a time limit. Only problem was he didnt know how long this engagement was going to be.

The room was nearing its peak pressure point when he settled on what to do. With this heart we travel through to Tiger Clans elusive views. Be it one day or two to travel through make this last till Espeths first cast upon the heart shes meant to have.

The rooms pressure began to dissapate slowly and finallyhe could breathe again. As if on cue Elspeth knocked on his door and slowly opened it feeling the heavy spell from outside.

"Levi? I can feel your work can I help?"

"Its alright sister I just got done want to see?"

Levi turned so Elspeth could see his desk. "Thats the fake?" She couldnt believe the power radiating off this seemingly real heart. "How did you make it so powerful?"

Levi grinned he was proud of his work, if Elle could feel it then it had to be good. "I took 50 samples from our covens most powerful witches and bound them to you."

"How though, it feels real"

My brother winked at me and smiled "Its supposed to. The secret is, when you cast your first spell on your true heart it will dissolve this one."

"I dont have one though Levi."

He looked smug as if he knew something I didnt "You will, even if you make one of your own for your coven in Tiger clan." "I doubt that but if its the only way to despell it I guess I will have to now" She said increduously.

"Dont worry Elle, everything is going to work out just the way it is supposed to. Have faith in our godess and theirs. Together things will right itself."

"Levi? Are you coming with me?"

As Levi looked at his little sister he couldnt help feel the tightening in his chest at the thought she wasnt going to need him anymore. She never knew how much effort he put to hiding things so she didnt get punished, but he would miss watching her grow. "I cant, but I want you to know you will have an amazing wedding gift from me and I hope you use it well."

Elle looked at Levi curiously before replying. "Ok brother. I know I was not the perfect sister, but I will always try to welcome you if you choose to visit."

"You got it sis. Now back to your room so I can bring this to mother. You know how she gets if she feels like shes losing her powerful position. I think this will lighten the mood for dinner."

"Agreed see you in a few hours"

With that Elspeth walked back towards the West Wing as Levi scooped up the heart and brought it to his mother. This had to work. Now to tackle the swap. It was going to be hard, but maybe he didnt have to swap it? Perhaps he could just hide it with her dowery............