Willing Heart

Chapter 17: A New Goddess?

~Ruby's P.O. V~

"Say what?!" That's impossible. If we had a goddess, wouldn't we know about her?

"Yes. But, she is under a powerful curse. A witch, now deceased, cursed her to a form so evil, she not dare come into light." The Moon Goddess knew everything. Wait. If she knew everything, why didn't she know of my past? "I do know everything. Knowing and understanding are two different things."

"Right. You can also read minds." I rolled my eyes. "So, what is this curse that's been put on her?" I honestly was curious.

"Kelpie. She has turned into a Kelpie."

"What is a Kelpie?" I have never heard of them before. Are they human based? Or Mythical based?

"A Kelpie is a demon mare, white coat, no markings. She lures human victims into falling in love with her before she drags them into the bottom of lakes, oceans and rivers. Unlike Sirens, they can live in any form of water. Not just salt water."

"So a Mythic. Why haven't I head of them before?" Tonight was apparently a night of questions and answers.

"They aren't well known in the human world. Not yet. Those that have seen a Kelpie, don't live to tell the tale. Unless you're immortal."

"Did you love a Kelpie?"

She gave a small laugh, "I did. This Kelpie took the form of a beautiful man. I fell for its charm and in turn she tried to drown me. Little did she know that I am The Moon Goddess."

"What did you do?"

"I tamed her. She is now my ever watchful eye in the waters of Mythic kind. It's how I knew you would be here as well."

        We talked about her and the Kelpie for a long while, the Moon Goddess loved her like a sister now more than a lover. She is ever watchful for the one man out there who could steal her heart. Being the Moon Goddess has its perks and it's downfalls. I never knew how much it took to be a goddess. Not only watching over your own realm, but the humans, Mythic and others. I thought they had counter parts like gods, turns out, they don't. At least not in the sense that Gods are greater than the Goddesses. 

"So, about the Unicorn Goddess? How did she end up being a Kelpie?"

"That is something that no God or Goddess knows. Only that the witch cursed her. We don't even know where she is. Or who this witch might be." Her voice sounded defeated and sad. "Kira is not only my sister by blood but my best friend. The humans called her Kir'Rin back in war times. She would bring them a sliver of good luck, then she vanished. That witch did something to conceal her from us Gods. We will find her, Ruby. We need your help to do it, though."

"My help?" Astonished, flattered and rather surprised at her request. I was blinking a lot.

"Yes. Let me show you." She stood from her chair and went to the middle of the floor.

~Chester's P.O. V~

        After I entered into the demons lair, the door shut behind me. He didn't say anything more as he lead me deeper into his domain. It smelled of sulfur and brimstone. It made my stomach recoil in itself, I had to stop a few times to empty it. Not once did he ask if I was fine. Demons. We reached a room with a glowing white pool in the middle.

"This is how I watch the outside world." He spoke to me. Not once taking his eyes off the dripping waters. "You wish to protect her? The one prophesied for us Mythics?"

"Of course, I do! I love her!" I shouted with a slight annoyance in my voice.

"Good. Keep that fiery spirit. You'll need it." He flicked the glowing water, a scene started to play out in front of me. "This is your past life with her. As a half demon I control this pool and who I wish to see."

        A man appeared in the pool, he was in royal garb from ancient days wielding a halberd. He was greeting a princess who looked like Ruby, she had given him a scarf, I watched him tie it to the halberd. They didn't exchange words, he only bowed to her and left. We followed where he was going, the sight was horrific. Unicorns, Pegasi and other horses of mythology were laid to rest on a battle field. The man was facing another man in a one verses one combat. The other man was wielding a bastard sword, also garbed in royal robes. The two fought and fought until both collapsed from exhaustion, never exchanging words with one another. I watched as day after day they battled it out, more of Ruby's kin falling to the hands of others. Then, a mysterious man appeared. He didn't look like a Unicorn, Pegasus, Kelpie, Centaur, Hippogriff or Nucklavee.

He spoke, "Lay thy arms to the ground." He was holding someone hostage. Both men looked and immediately dropped their weapons.

"Coward! You dare touch the Princess?!" The man who had the halberd called out. "Unhand my love this moment!"

"Your love?! She is mine, whelpling! Who are you to take her away from me?! And you!" He pointed to this new man. "Unhand my betrothed! Unless you want your head to fall!" The new man chuckled and lifted the princess' unconscious body, this is what I have come to know as a Vampire. He snaked his tongue along her throat.

"I, Vladimir of the Realm of Asparia, herby claim this woman as mine! I shall brand her reincarnations!" He then sunk his teeth into her neck. It was then a red mark appeared on her hand, the same mark that Ruby has. The other two men charged the third with weapons in hand. Vladimir disappeared without the Princess. Laughing as he got away.

"Princess!" They shout. Both begin cry out her name, her skin becomes pale, her heartbeat stops and she is turned to ash before their very eyes. Without know what to do with their anger, they blame each other for not protecting her. As equals in strength, they went blow for blow. Until they stabbed each other in the heart. With dying words they each made a declaration; "I-I'll reincarnate... With y-you.. Princess..." The one with the halberd said.

"You shall... be mine, my beauty..." The man with the bastard sword reached to the heavens before his final breath was drawn. Ending the scene, my companion here sweeps his hand across the water.

"You are Gaia of the Halberd. Prince Ryan is Keaton of the Bastard Sword. And Vladimir? He still searches for her. I must train you to be stronger. Here you will remain with her. I shall guide your way to the warrior once more." He pulled out a long sword from thin air and swung it at me! I dodged it narrowly. "We begin now!"

~Prince Ryan's P.O. V~

        It's been almost a week since I found where my beloved has gone, the where just keeps moving however. The witches I hired have gone to search for it's location while I continue my duties here, mother and father have no indication that I have found my true love, as I sat there thinking of her, I couldn't help my imagination. Seeing her beautiful bodice, ready for me in our bed chamber. The red marking on her signifying that she belongs to me. Should I tell my parents that I have found her? no, I shall wait until she is in my arms for that. I need a spell to put her to sleep for a while when I do find her. Those damn wolves helped her escape and are hiding her somewhere. I cannot have her find her mate. Whether they be wolf, unicorn or another mythic. If she does, it'll be that much harder to convince her to come with me. On the chance that she already has, the spell will keep her from fighting me on it. It will grant me time to kill her mate.

             Knock, knock, knock 

"Who disturbs me?" I wanted to continue to fantasize my bride, writhing beneath me as I take in her pleasure.

"It's me." My father says.

"Enter." I command. He comes into my office and sits in one of the chairs. "What do I owe the pleasure, father?"

He holds a glass of his favorite rum as he twirls the ice in the glass, "I heard from a little bird that you have found your bride? Pray tell. Who is she? Another Princess, I hope?" He sips his rum slowly.

"Better than a princess, father. I shall spare you the details, for I have yet to, oh, what is the word? Captivate her. She is a rare beauty amongst us Unicorn." I stand and turn to my fireplace.

"I see. This wouldn't be due to that false prophecy that our family received, would it?" He twirled his ice again, making them clank against the glass.

"Oh, father. You worry too much. It's making you wrinkle." I smile to myself. Once I have my Gem with me, he won't think it false after.

"Be that as it may, son, she better bear me and your mother beautiful grand-colts and grand-foals. We have our pride to keep after all." I heard him stand and take another swig of his drink. "Be careful, my boy. If it is The Gemstone Mare, she is said to have many powers. Don't get yourself killed over one mare." With that said, he left my office and closed my door. Leaving me to those final thoughts.