Untamed Light

Chapter Three

     "Do you think Lord Jake and Lady Auburen can hold the defenses along the western boarders? I've heard that the wood sprites forged an alliance with the dark elves, and the thought of the woods turning against us is terrifying," mother whispered to Barron Eric as we entered the stables. 

     Curious, I slowed down to try and eavesdrop on the conversation. Since I was deemed still too young to worry about estate matters, I rarely ever hear news about the kingdom beyond our lands, and there had been no news of fighting in a long time. The last great war had devastated many of the kingdoms, the worst centered in Kora Anuim- the kingdom of the dragons and what was considered the heartland of all magic. Of course, I had no clue as to whether the stories of all magical beings were true since I had only ever seen a handful of them myself, but it always excited me to know one day I would travel to these places. Even if it would be during a time of war, getting to see anything beyond these plowed fields of crops and ceder woods would be a boon from the gods and goddesses. But if there was trouble brewing, I wanted to know about it. I mean, if I was getting married and ascending all in one night, then I needed to know something about the kingdom's problems.

       "Well I couldn't say yay or nay on the alliance being true, but if they have indeed made one then I say it would poise a harsh challenge to the Great Lady and Lord. Their ranks would have to bolster and more mages would need to be assembled if his Highness could spare them. But from what I hear, there's more mages dying than there are new recruits to replace them and it's a terrifying thought," Eric replied gravely before giving mom a reassuring smile. "But on the other hand, we do still have the advantage of Chimeras and the shifters to counter their attacks so not all is lost. The days of war have not come about in several centuries, and I am sure something will be worked out to prevent it. The prophecy spoke of a darkness unseen and unknown, the likes of which would enslave all life. Surely a kingdom's property dispute cannot be the sign of that." 

     I was so shocked to hear about my fated prophecy that I gasped, giving away my presence to mother and making me groan internally. There was so much I wanted to ask about and the look on my mothers angry face stated I wasn't about to get answers just yet either. This was the first time anyone had spoken about the prophecy I was suppose to fulfill. I knew I was suppose to use my powers for some good cause, that whatever I ascended into would make me both highly sought and potentially hated. But to know I would most likely be saving the kingdoms from such a dark thing scared me. 

     "Carrie! It's rude to listen in to another's conversation! You will forget everything you have heard! Do you understand?" mother snapped, her eyes blazing flames that promised a good whipping later. "Listening into state matters has been forbidden, you are not ready to learn of them yet!"

      "But why can't I learn of them? I am older than than some of the ladies of court who get to know about such things! And if I am to be married in a few months time, then I ought to be informed of matters as a Baron's wife! And how am I suppose to help unite kingdoms if I know nothing of them or their people?!" I protested, fists on my hips as my mouth pressed into an angry pout. 

     Mom stiffened and looked to Eric, opening her mouth to say something when a furry creature came zipping around her legs, yipping and attempting to knock her down. Momentarily distracted, her face lost the anger and was replaced with hearty laughter. 

     "Brody, what in the world are you doing pup?" she gasped between fits, trying to get the fifty pound wolf pup to stay still. 

     "New strangers here, one I like very much Baroness! He can speak to my wolf! And have conversations with Challanger and me! Very fun!" he yipped, spinning in a circle before doing a jigging dance around her. I should mention that this wolf pup was actually a werewolf pup, but it was hard to distinguish sometimes. Even the wolves could thought-speak so for strangers it was a bit confusing. It was some sort of effect from a magical exposure eons ago, hence why our world was full of strange beings. I was very fond of this pup though, we had a brother/sister relationship since his older sister was my best friend. 

    "Brody come on, I'm suppose to be meeting that stranger myself! He must be something if you like him already!," I called out while giving mom my wriggling eyebrows.  

  "We aren't finished talking about this young lady!" Mom yelled after me as I sprinted past her, the wolf pup chasing after me as we passed a few stable hands shoveling hay into the stalls. 

     "So what's he like?" I asked Brody, leaning on the tack wall for a quick breather. We had stopped so I could catch my breathe before walking the last corner to meet Quinn and his mother. 

    Brody had jumped onto a saddle next to me, his ears swiveling to catch the hushed conversations between the horses. How the animals understood each other's languages was beyond me, but it was an accepted fact and I thought it was unique. Letting his tongue flop out, he gave me a wolfy grin before giving an excited yip. 

    "Well I guess I can tell you, just promise not to drool like my sister," he said before rolling his eyes.

   That was news to me. "Do you mean Sarah's been here today? I thought your father had sent her to Omega class for Spring training," I asked while turning to him and plucking him off the saddle. Fifty pounds or not he wasn't too big for me to handle, and I knew he was doing it to challenge me. Young werewolves had a dominance issue and always tried to test their pack rank. Little runt knew better with me, he had yet to stare into my eyes for more than forty-five seconds. 

    He growled before grunting, wriggling out of my arms onto the floor. "Well yeah but she's back home on break, she came to take Snowfall on a ride. She was leaving when the stranger came with his mother, had her blushing and flustered. Girls are so weird."

  Laughing I took one last minute to pull the necklace mother gave me over my breasts, making sure it was secured before giving my self a satisfied check. "I agree with you on girls, we are sometimes a completely different species regardless of race. Let's go before mother adds onto my punishment today, I'm already in trouble for hunting this morning," I ushered Brody, heading out into the walkway without looking back.

     "You went hunting this morning?! What did you catch today?," he howled excitedly, skipping along side me on two legs.

    "A buck of course, you should of seen him! He was as big as Challanger's romp!," I gushed while glancing down at him, giving him a wink. He was learning to hunt with his father, but Sarah and I had made a pact to not include him in our hunts until their parents gave us their permission. As it was I wasn't allowed to technically hunt, but his parents never ratted me out on it. They had moved into our lands five years ago from the Shifter kingdom. His father had refused to follow the alpha of his pack and decided it was best to leave the kingdom rather than his family be at risk. 

    Brody howled again, unsettling some of the horses as we rounded the corner. I gave an apologetic look to the stable hand who came running towards them, whispering to Brody, "Hey let's keep the howling for outside okay buddy? We don't want to get in trouble if the horses hurt themselves." 

   His ears drooped in shame, mumbling an apology as we came into view of what was possibly the strangest sight I had ever seen. I was so busy reassuring Brody that he wasn't in trouble and not to be sad that I didn't look up to see what was going on until we were right outside Challanger's stall. 

   "If you dropped pixie dust onto your horse's hooves, it'll gain the ability to increase speed for a short period of time. It's also good for repairing wounds and-oh hello!" I stopped dead in my tracks as my mind reeled, taking in the giant of a man before me. He stood in front of Challanger's head, brushing his neck with tender ease as he talked to all three of my brothers. Our parents were gathered together just further down, deep into discussion and not yet aware we had arrived. It wasn't the rippling muscles along his arms or the way his midnight black hair contrasted to his fair skin that had me speechless. It was the fact my horse was allowing him to touch him or even be in his stall, much less how he had all three of my brothers eagerly raptured by his story. What the hell? Was this real?! I gawked so long that even my brothers turned around to see who was behind them. Poor Brody, I guess I was wrong about not drooling. My hormones were definitely going haywire. 

   Remembering that I needed to make a good first impression, I lifted my chin and gave a warm smile, trying to remember mom's training on masking my features. "Good afternoon gents, I see you have mastered not only my horse but the ability to keep my rowdy brother in check too. But let me introduce myself, I'm Carrie." My face twitched at the swirling warmth in his gaze, his golden eyes adding to the exotic aura about him. I was in trouble. Then again, trouble was my middle name. Maybe this arranged marriage business wouldn't be so bad after all. I swallowed at that thought, focusing on his sensual lips as he prepared to reply. 

   "Carrie I want to find sissy, can we go find her soon?" Brody chimed in, jerking me from his heated gaze and saving me from my own thoughts. That was a close one! 

   "Sure thing Brody, go ahead and find my mother to ask permission first since she is your guardian while here. I have to speak to this man first. You are Quinn I assume?" I spoke calmly, trying hard to think past this strange haze of sudden desire. In my years as a young lady, I had a few crushes but never had I experienced something of this magnitude. Not even the kiss that a young knight had given me could compare to it. I was definitely out of my league here. 

  "Yes madam, I am. It's wonderful to finally meet you, your horse holds you in very high regard as do your brothers in seems. May I also say that I apologize for wondering to the stables first instead of staying to greet you in the dining hall, my mother was drawn to the horses and I felt obligated to ensure she didn't get herself kicked," Quinn rumbled huskily, his tone lowering nearly two octaves from before. Double gulp. 

  Laughing nervously, I gave Brody a quick pat on the back and kissed his furry forehead before pushing him towards the adults, giving my brothers a look before hiking my thumb over my shoulder to make my point. The three of them groaned in protest, but quickly scrambled out when I narrowed my eyes and huffed," Brody doesn't need to be alone, go help him convince mom so we can all go for a ride!" 

     That earned a chuckle from Quinn as the four of them walked dejectedly to our parents who had stopped talking and looked at the group of boys heading their way. "I can see you know how to keep a firm hand on them," he chuckled before continuing his way down to Challanger's chest. 

   Picking up another brush from the side tack block, I started on Challanger's back and replied,"Well I had to learn to be tough on them when Scott decided to keep pranking me. He thought it would be funny to move a bees nest into my bed one night when he was eight, and I raised my fist for the first time ever. We both got into trouble and he ended up with a black eye, but I made my point. Mom had Tyrrine, my nursemaid, whoop me good for it but it was worth it to me."

   "What did your father think about it?" He asked, moving to the other side of Challanger's back so we could talk face to face. I couldn't help noticing how tall he was then, his head actually leaning over the shire's back to gaze into my eyes. Definitely a good six foot eight inches to be able to do that. I licked my lips nervously, watching his eyes follow the movement before his gaze moved back to my eyes. 

   "He said I had a wicked right hook and he was bloody proud of me. But that maybe just wrestling my brothers would be more appropriate so mother didn't get involved into the 'sibling wars' as he calls it," I croaked, the tension in the air crackling between us. That's when I realized something was off, right before I felt the sizzle of a spark moving beneath my palms, not passing through my skin but making me jump none the less. I quickly closed my eyes and took a deep breathe, doing my best to control my emotions. It seemed my world was spinning off its axis rather quickly, and losing control was far from okay with me. These budding powers weren't suppose to be happening so soon, I really needed to see someone about how to control them before it got out of hand. 

   "Is everything alright?" he said while maneuvering around to my side, reaching for my hands. 

   "I'm fine thank you, I-I'm just having an off day is all. To be bluntly honest, I only found out about our betrothal this morning. I guess-" she paused for a second, taking in a depth breath again before continuing" I guess I'm just freaking out and trying to take it all in stride. I just dont want to come off as rude, I'm not exactly as well mannered as most ladies of the court." 

   I jumped when his laughter thundered from his throat, the sound sending small thrills down my spine. "Madam if you think I fancy those dull nit wits think again. I like my women strong willed and challenging, unfaltering before any man or woman. I think you and I are going to enjoy this marriage far more than you realize." 

   Marriage, such a strange feeling knowing it was going to happen so soon. Steeling my nerve, I looked into his eyes again and asked the question I had been dying to know,"Speaking of interesting parties, I hear that you and I have some common...natures. What kind of power do you have exactly?"

   His eyes hardened slightly, a darkness clouding them as he frowned slightly. "It's an unpleasant subject but I was cursed as a babe by the Fairy Queen Ana. It allows me to sort of...control animals as an alpha would to his pack. And I shape-shift into all creature types so far. I came into my powers sort of like how you will come into yours, when I hit my sixteenth birthday. I'm now twenty and the powers inside me grow more every passing day." 

   "That sounds kind of amazing to me, you'd be able to keep your hunts safe when gathering food for winter and during travels. Why do you think of this as a curse?" I rasped, drawn in by his scent of earth and evergreen. 

  "Because one day I must take my place as Alpha of the shifter race," he stated flatly, my hands dropping to my side as I let the words sink in. Holy hell, I was marrying the future king of the shifter race. When did my life get so complicated?