THE BLOOD OATH

GINGER

ASTERA

It was about 1 o’clock. I’ve been on watch with Idris for the past hour. I found out lots of things about him, about his childhood, about Maximus. He did not had it as easy as I thought he did. Even if he is a prince, he had a pretty rough childhood, always in competition with his siblings, always needing to prove himself, always on guard. No wonder that he trusts nobody except Idris. I hear something and I make Idris a sign to shush. Something big was approaching us. Out of nowhere, Maximus jumped near Idris scaring the s*it out of me.

-          “MAXIMUS!” a screamed at him! That was not funny! You were a second apart of getting an arrow in your forehead. What would you have said about that? Let me guess! NOTHING! Because you would have an arrow in your forehead!!! GODDESS!

-          “Oooohhh… so that is what you had in your backpack. A crossbow and arrows! I did not imagine you the crossbow type.”

-          “Oh, really? But what would you imagine I had?”

-          “I don’t know… a gun? A big one?” Maximus said, laughing

“Well, my arrows are very special. Blacklilly gave them to me and asked me to be extra careful with those because they can kill ANYTHING. And she underlined ANYTHING. Also, I am quite good at archery. It is my favorite weapon, but my bow was too big and I had to compromise and take my smallest crossbow. So… what about you? What is your chosen weapon? Let me guess… it’s something that has to do with your big ego… hmm… maybe a lance?

-          “Close enough. Knightly sword. I know, such a cliché.” I started to laugh.

-          “A prince with a sword. So original!”

-          “I know, I know… It was part of my royal training and I grew fond of it.”

-          “What’s with you up? You have almost 2h until your shift starts. You should get some rest. We all need to be in great shape tomorrow because we have a long way ahead of us.”

-          “I know but I could not sleep anymore so I came to see if I can shift my place with Idris. If it’s ok with you, of course.” He said to me asking for my permission. That was a first.

-          “If Idris is ok with this, then it’s ok with me.” They stared at each other for a few seconds and Idris said he is going to sleep and that he will take the next shift.

-          “I thought I heard you snoring. What did woke you up?”

-          “I had a bad dream, to be honest and after that I could not sleep anymore.”

-          “I see. It’s weird, isn’t it?”

-          “What? That we can’t connect with our wolves? It SUCKS! I miss Xander.”

-          “I miss Saradi so much! I wonder what would they do if they were here…” as soon as the sentence left my lips, I realized that they would probably mate.

-          “well… you know… they like each other. Unlike us.” that last sentence brake my heart a little. I did not expect him dislike me so much. It’s true that I’ve been a completely bi*ch with him, but still… I had my reasons. The rejection, the Elven girl… the “assholian” attitude.

-          “Indeed” I responded shortly.

-          “I know you see me as a spoiled irresponsible brat, and it’s ok. But if you give me some time, I could show you that I’m very different than you might think. Also, to be honest, I don’t know why you hate me so much. I did nothing wrong.”

-          “that’s not true! I do not see you (anymore) as a spoiled, immature, irresponsible, arrogant royal brat.” I started to laugh.

-          “That bad, ah?” he said, smiling “What did I do to you? How did I f*cked it up so bad?”

-          “’Who’, it’s more accurate.”

-          “oooohhhh! I see now! it’s about jealousy and possessiveness! I had nothing to do with Inoa! If you must know, she drugged me and she drag Xander out, numbing his judgement whit some kind of magical drink. She’s crazy, that’s what I can say!”

-          “And what about the rejection?” I demanded in a harsh tone

-          “What about the rejection? You were about to reject me 3 times already and I did not het offended. Actually I did, but I understand you.”

-          “once, but go on.”

-          “I have no idea about what rejection are you talking about.”

-          “I am talking about the one that you almost gave me at the Ball.”

-          “Oh! I was never going to reject you! You are my mate, even if we like it or not, the Moon Goddess put us together for a reason and I know better not to reject a gift from the Moon Goddess.”

-          “So it is you that you do not like me!” I said to Maximus in a sad voice

-          “How could I not like you? You are absolutely gorgeous. Inside and outside! At first, I was not very happy with the idea of having YOU as my mate because your reputation persuades you. I always had to hear of how good and brave and magnificent you were and how I was given all the things you worked so hard for and how I took everything for granted. But it was not true, I worked my butt off trying to be the strongest, the fastest, the smartest, the bravest wolf out there. I am the future king, and my father’s shoes are preeeetty big to fill.” I did not know that about him. I start to like him more and more. “So, we actually like each other?” he asked, approaching me like the wolf he is.

-          “It would seem so.” I tried to keep distance between us but it was almost impossible. He leaned over me, cupping my face into his warm palms, and gave me the tenderest kiss I have ever had on my forehead. I melted instantly. I did not had the time to process what was I feeling because out of nowhere I heard a strange noise.

-          “Stay here!” Maximus commanded me as he got up an covered my small frame with his stately one. In front of us, a small fairy with red hair appeared suddenly. She was young and pretty, with blue wings, blue eyes and pale skin.

-          “Good evening! I am Ginger! Behind this big guy must be you, Astera! Your father has sent me for you. Please, follow me.” she said to me leaving me utterly shocked.

-          “How did you know we were here?” I said to her as I struggled to come forth.

-          “The stones told me. I am an Earth Fairy. I know everything that is touching the earth. Every insect, every human, every wolf… “ she responded, making a strange eye contact with me. “You have your father’s eyes. From the moment you got here, he is expecting you. He knew you would find him. Follow me, please and we will get to him in no time.”

-          “I don’t trust her.” Maximus whispered into my ear. Neither did I.

-          “we are not leaving anywhere in the middle of the night! My team deserves a good night sleep and so do I. tomorrow morning we will follow you, but for the night, there is no room for debate.”

-          “as you wish!” she said to me, irritated.

We went to sleep as soon as Idris and Dina woke up and took our places. We filled them in and then we went into our tents. Each in his own. Few moments later, I hear Maximus softly calling my name.

-          “Max, go to bed, please! It’s late!”

-          “Astera, please, just a minute. I want to talk to you. please come outside.”

-          “yes?” I said to him, half asleep. He swoop me up in his strong arms, bridal style, and he got me into his and Idris’s tent. “Maximus!!! What are you doing? Let me go back to my tent! We need to rest!”

-          “I liked it better when you called me Max! Also, big no for taking you back! How am I supposed to sleep knowing that you might be in danger? It’s not up for debate! You will sleep here with me! you must be crazy if you think I am letting you go! Now go back to sleep! We must rest!”

-          “Fine!” I said to him without protesting. His arms around me felt like heaven. I fell asleep in seconds.

In the morning, everybody was up and ready to go. We packed all our belongings and we hit the road. Ginger was guiding us through the jungle. Today, the sky was green… Ginger said that green sky is a good sign. It means that the Dark one was in good mood. Well, that’s a first! To have the skies changing the colors according to your mood, it’s something!

After a few hours of walking, we reached some kind of village. This place was even stranger that what we previously saw. EVERY magical being that was once alive on earth, you could find it here. The colors of the small houses were psychedelic. The roads were paved with fluorescent mushrooms. The rivers were neon colors. It was so disturbing to watch. Only by being there you could start feeling dizzy.

-          “This place is too much!” Michaya said. “my eyes hurt, even if I close them. I can’t stand this kind of landscape!”

-          “Where is Astera’s father?” Maximus asked, slowly losing his patience.

-          “Here! Knock on this door!” she said to me. I knocked on the door.