Wanted by my sworn enemy

Seeing the Jewel

Lilorith's gaze shifted from the animal to Gael, her thoughts a swirl of uncertainty.

Without uttering a word, Lilorith turned away from the scene, her steps quickening as she retreated back into the bathhouse. The villagers' murmurs and hushed whispers followed her. The weight of their expectations hung heavy in the air.

Inside the bathhouse, Lilorith leaned against the wooden door, her mind a mess. The events of the morning, the sacrifice, and the village's customs swirled in her thoughts. She wasn't ready for this, not after the chaotic night she had just endured.

Lilorith, wrapped in her towel, sank into the warm water once again, her mind grappling with the sudden shift in the atmosphere. She couldn't shake off the bizarre nature of the werewolf mating traditions, and the events of the past night echoed in her thoughts.

As she soaked in the water, trying to find solace in the gentle sounds of the river, Aunt Tara reentered, a gentle smile on her face. "It's okay to be uncertain, Lilorith. The village understands that you come from a different world."

When the village had gone quiet and her bath became cold, Tara led Lilorith to a small hut, adorned with flowers and soft fabrics. "These are for you," Tara said, presenting a set of garments vibrant with colors that mirrored the surrounding nature.

"Thank you," Lilorith mumbled, taking the clothes with discomfort. The attire was vastly different from what she was used to, a vivid display of the village's connection to the earth and its natural beauty.

"Change into these, dear, and join the others at lunchtime. You'll feel better once you've connected with the women of Les Lunora," Tara encouraged.

With a nod, Lilorith entered the hut. The clothes draped her form in a way that felt both unfamiliar and strangely fitting. She regarded herself in a small mirror, unsure of the person staring back at her. Hair messed up, red eyes, and a scar on her neck.

However, instead of joining the festivities, Lilorith found herself drawn back to the hut where she had woken up earlier. She sank onto the bed, overwhelmed by the whirlwind of events. The weight of the world she had left behind, coupled with the mysterious path ahead, bore down on her. Why had her mother called her back to this world when she was just about to complete her fine arts degree?

As tears welled up, she lay down and allowed her body to succumb to exhaustion. Sleep found her amid her quiet sobs.

It was the rustle of the door that stirred her awake. The daylight streaming in had shifted, casting a golden glow in the hut. A dark-skinned woman with an air of calm entered. Her eyes, like Lilorith's, held a depth that spoke of experiences beyond the ordinary.

"Hey there," the woman greeted, her voice carrying a soothing melody. "I'm Daisy. Aunt Tara said you might need a hand with your hair."

Lilorith hesitated, her guard still high from the events of the night. However, something in Daisy's demeanor exuded a comforting presence. She nodded, allowing Daisy to sit beside her.

Daisy's fingers expertly worked through Lilorith's hair, each braid a deliberate and caring touch. The rhythmic motion had a calming effect.

As Daisy braided, she told her lots of stories. Daisy was a witch, proficient in magic.

The afternoon sun began its descent, casting an amber hue on the village.

As the last braid fell into place, Daisy smiled. "There you go. I hope with these you can feel a bit better."

Lilorith touched the braids, feeling a strange warmth that transcended the physical. "Thank you", a genuine smile graced her lips as she stepped outside, her braids catching the last rays of the setting sun.

***

The moonlight filtered through the open window, casting a silvery glow in the small hut. Lilorith stirred, the remnants of Visha's cryptic dream still lingering in her mind, it reminded her why she was here. It reminded her of what she had yet to do.

As she opened her eyes, the first thing that greeted her was Gael's penetrating gaze from the other side of the room where he sat. An unexpected surge of anger tightened her chest. The memory of the previous night's events crashed over her like a relentless wave. She resented the vulnerability he had exposed, the cryptic world he had thrust her into.

His unreadable expression only fueled her frustration. The air in the small hut felt charged with unresolved tension as their eyes locked.

"You're awake," he said, a hint of something unreadable in his eyes.

Lilorith sat up, the braids falling gently over her shoulders. "Why were you watching me sleep?"

Gael hesitated, then approached slowly. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. That night was... unexpected."

"Unexpected? That's one way to put it." She studied him, her guard up.

"I let my wolf take over and never got to properly ask you to be my mate. My Aunt told me you're a witch. I assume you know how the mark on your neck works?"

Lilorith touched her neck subconsciously, fingers brushing against the tender spot where Gael had marked her. "I've heard about mates and marking, but what does it mean for us?"

Gael sighed, a hint of impatience in his eyes. "Wolves mark their mates as a sign of commitment. It's not just a physical bond; it creates a link between us. We can sense each other's emotions, and there's an unspoken connection that ties us together. I want you to understand that it wasn't my intention to force anything on you. It's just... the way things are in our world."

She couldn't deny the strange sensations that had crept into her awareness since last night. A subtle shift in the air, an awareness of his presence, and the quiet whispers of emotions she could almost grasp. It was disconcerting yet intriguing.

"I know you're confused, and I wish I could explain it better. But you're not alone in this. We navigate it together. Remember I've never experienced it either," Gael added, his voice carrying a sincerity that echoed through the room.

The air in the room crackled with tension as Lilorith absorbed Gael's explanation. The idea of an unbreakable link with a man she barely knew was infuriating. She pushed herself up, anger flaring in her eyes.

"Navigate together? You marked me without my consent! You dragged me into this world, and now you're telling me I'm stuck with you?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the charged silence. "I hate this, and I hate you."

"Well, what the hell do you expect me to do now?" His voice rumbled in annoyance, as though her anger was just an inconvenience to him.

She sat back on her bed, hands held to her face. She didn't want the tears to come, but they were threatening to. Soon her mother would wonder where she was, it's been a week since she was summoned to this realm.

Gael cleared his throat, "To make this easier I tried to court you properly but you didn't accept my sacrifice."

"Why did you offer me a sacrifice?"

Gael shifted uncomfortably, his eyes flickering with a mixture of regret and determination. "It's an ancient werewolf tradition. A gesture, a way to court a potential mate."

Lilorith raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "By killing an innocent animal?"

"It's not about the killing," he explained. "It's about the willingness to sacrifice for the one you're courting, to prove strength and commitment."

Lilorith remained silent for a moment, absorbing his words. Then, with a directness that surprised even her, she said, "Then to make this easier, would you grant me one request?"

Gael's eyes widened slightly, a mix of surprise and wariness crossing his features. "One request and we can complete the mating ritual."

Lilorith peered at him not knowing what that meant, so she simply nodded her head, "Yeah, sure. Whatever it is it can't possibly be worse than a neck bite and a dead animal."

His facial expression appeared almost triumphant, "One request?" His eyebrow quirked in an 'Are you sure' sort of way. She nodded vigorously, "What is this request?"

"Let me see the Lunar Jewel."

"No."

She looked so defeated, an arrow had just pierced through her heart. Gael sighed, running a hand through his disheveled neck-length hair. "The Lunar Jewel is not a trinket. It holds immense power and is guarded for a reason. I can't just take you there without knowing why you want to see it."

She clasped her hands together, her eyes pleading. "I came all the way from the human realm because someone said the Lunar Jewel could help me understand my destiny. They said all I had to do was see it. Please, Gael, I need this."

She had used his name for the first time and she could see that it had an effect on him. He studied her, a storm of conflicting emotions swirling in his eyes. "The jewel is not a plaything. It can reveal truths you might not be ready to face."

Lilorith stepped closer, desperation in her voice. "I don't care. I need answers, Gael. I can't stay here, bound to you, without knowing why I'm here in the first place."

Gael hesitated, torn between his duty to protect the jewel and the sincerity in Lilorith's plea. Finally, he stood up reluctantly. "Don't try anything stupid."

She nodded eagerly, "I promise. Just let me see it."

Gael got up and led Lilorith away from the village into the heart of the dense forest. The trees close in around them, creating an otherworldly labyrinth that only Gael seemed to navigate effortlessly. The air was thick with the fragrance of blooming flowers, and the soft rustling of leaves provided a haunting melody.

As they ventured deeper, the forest transformed. The moonlight filtered through the intertwining branches, casting intricate patterns on the forest floor. Gael glanced over his shoulder, ensuring they weren't followed, and then continued through the winding paths.

The distant murmur of the river served as a constant companion, guiding them through the enchanted labyrinth. Time blurred as they maneuvered through hidden trails and secret clearings. Lilorith marveled at the ethereal beauty around her, even as a sense of foreboding grew within. The moment gave her deja vu, as though all this was part of the dream she just had.

Eventually, they reached the entrance of a concealed cave. The moss-covered rocks and twisted vines camouflaged it seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. The air inside the cave was cool and carried a faint luminescence, adding an otherworldly glow to the environment.

Gael motioned for Lilorith to follow as they descended into the cave's depths.

The path twisted and turned, creating an intricate maze beneath the earth. The deeper they went, the more pronounced the hum of magic became, vibrating through the very stone of the cave.

Lilorith wasn't the best with magic, but even she could sense there was something powerful happening here.

Finally, they entered a cavern bathed in a soft, silvery light. In the center lay the Lunar Jewel, nestled atop a pedestal of intertwined roots and crystals. The jewel pulsed with a mesmerizing pink glow, casting ethereal shadows on the cave walls.

Lilorith approached with a mix of nervousness and uncertainty. The journey through the mystical forest and the hidden cave had been nothing short of a surreal experience.

As her eyes locked onto the radiant jewel, she felt an inexplicable connection, as if the answers she sought were within reach. The night had woven its magic around them, and the Lunar Jewel held the promise of unveiling the mysteries that bound her destiny.

She almost reached for it when Gael grabbed her wrist. He was behind her, his lips touched her ear when he whispered in that beautiful voice of his, "I've shown you the Jewel. Now what do I get?"