Blessed Curse

Coming home 1

Tobias POV

Three f*cking weeks. Three long weeks since I left Naomi.

I have traveled back to earth several times now. Zipped around the sphere of a world. Focusing on the continental U.S., asking questions from the upper southwest down to the borders of Mexico in search of Conrad, but it seems he’s become quite a trickster. Not sure how he’s done it, but he’s got to have a witch helping him, and he or she’s good.

Every single time, just as I am close, poof, he disappears. Twice now, I have had him in my grips, and twice he’s been able to escape my grips. To say, bravo is an understatement for sure. For not many in this world or the next get away. Not even once.

But, now that I know he has a witch, I’ll use my little bag of tricks and soon enough, he’ll reap what he sowed.

***

Today I was traveling to Hawaii. The Big Island, to be exact. Back to the Royal Grounds where I have learned the royal Wolf family has been recently and never left.

Since finding Naomi, she’s enveloped my entirety of thoughts. The distance and time away from her aren’t doing well for my sanity. So I needed to see her.

I hadn't pre-warned the Royal family of my arrival, so I went the earthly way of arriving. By car.

“Let the king and Queen know Tobias has arrived,” I said to the guard, who looked like he could do damage if needed.

Within a few seconds, the gates opened, and I drove up the long driveway to the castle. Earth's ways are so tedious. So much time wasted.

In the doorway stood the Queen. “Tobias, welcome back.” I bowed in respect for my friend Anela, and we made our way inside.

“Were you able to find out anything?” I sighed, giving her a nod. “Maybe we should gather everyone. Naomi included.” She stopped in her tracks and I immediately felt her sadness.

“Queen?”

“Not here, in our office.” I nodded. What did I say to cause such sadness?

I was greeted by King Dom but noticed that was all who was present. “How long will Naomi and the others be?” I asked, feeling out the emotions coming from the Queen.

“She’s not here.” King Dom says, a bit rudely might I add.

“Where the hell is she!?” I roared, my Lioness growling. “She ran away.” I closed my eyes and took in much-needed calming breaths. And when I opened them, my serpent, Asclepius, had come forward.

“I am Asclepius. One of the beasts of Tobias. Where did my little wolf go?” Our eyes glowed yellow, compelling the Queen and King to answer.

“She ran away because we are incompetent parents.” King Dom replied, but the Queen looked unphased. “I am trying to be respectful because you are my mother's friend, but if you do not stop, I will put you down.”

The laughter that left my chest was hefty at the disrespect from the Queen. “Little puppy wants to play. Let’s.” Without effort, I had her and the Alpha King on all fours.

All four of my beasts were roaring with rage. “You will respect me, and you will obey,” I commanded. “Thank your mother, because if it weren’t for her, you both would not see the rising moon this evening.”

With that, I released both of them when I felt a tingle hit my face.

She f*****g zapped me. I felt the power behind it. It was impressive for an earthling. However, I’ve lived for many, many years and have acquired many gifts; her powers do not affect me.

But that was it, my lioness had enough. In a roaring voice that shook the entire building, she commanded them, “BOW!”

No one could resist Karamin's commands. Her roar held a God-like authority over all species. And I’ve never seen anyone able to say otherwise.

I was swallowed whole in anger when I heard a blissful voice, “Tobias?” I turned to the angelic face of Naomi. She didn’t hesitate or care that I had her parents in complete submission; she ran and jumped into my arms.

I caught her without an effort and held her tight. “It’s okay little puppy. I got you.” She cried into my neck, her tears soaking my suit. But I couldn’t care less.

“Ana-Naomi, what’s wrong?” When her eyes met mine, my Lioness whimpered, my snake hissed sadly, my hawk bowed, and my horse neighed in pain.

“Where were you? I needed you, and you never came back.” I have never, EVER, felt guilt in my entire existence until now.

I couldn’t even apologize because for what? It’s too late. I’m too late.

**********

Blake POV

When Naomi and the others decided to leave, against all of my wishes, might I add, I felt the final last tiny speck of connection to her disappear. The love and affection were non-existent.

I felt something, but it wasn’t love or want of her any longer. It was sadness, sorrow mixed with ‘what ever’ sort of feeling. Like I didn’t care whether she left or not. I tried searching within myself to see if this was some sort of phase, but no. Our bond was a hundred percent gone.

And I knew she felt it that morning as well, for she didn’t even give me a second glance.

All that, ‘I want you and only you,’ gibberish, was just that, gibberish. It was the last speck of the bond. Now that it’s gone, it’s time to move on.

**********

Kealohalani POV

I have come to a point in my life where I am questioning every single second that has passed since Keahi and I decided to follow through with this stupid plan.

I haven’t heard from him in weeks. I’ve asked Lena to be my eyes and ears, and so far, no one has spoken a word about anything related to not just my predicament, but everyone's.

“Princess, your father Maika wishes to speak with you. Shall I tell him not right now?” Lena asked, as I sat on my balcony, looking over a stream that ran south.

“No-“ sigh-“I need familial interaction. And if there is anyone of my parents that I can trust, it’s him. Tell him he can come in.” She bows and leaves to retrieve my father, Maika.

I listened as the stream's current gently traversed through the rough terrain of our grounds. Smaller trenches leading small rivers of water to flow into our garden. Birds chirp, dragon flies buzz and zip around the pink, yellow, and purple asters, azalea and calendula flowers.

“Hello my daughter.” I heard my father greet her. I hopped off the railing and hopped into his awaiting arms. Goddess I missed him. He held me like he had lost me and I felt so bad that I made him feel this way. “Ssshh-Dad’s got you baby girl. I’ll always be here.” I sobbed and let my guards down.

“Hey-ssshh. I am so sorry I wasn’t here for you. I should’ve been there. Being the voice to protect you. I’ll find him and I’ll make him pay....” I pulled away and stared into my father's eyes, realizing, like everyone else, he had no clue. The question is, do I confide in him? Can I trust him?

I needed to vent, and he and dad Alaric were the two, the only two who didn’t go a day without trying to reach out to me. My mother and father, Dom, once a week, maybe twice. Other than that, Lena said they'd chalked it up to, ‘let her have her space.’ Unbelievable.

“Lena, could you seal the room.” Without hesitation, she closed her eyes and with a sway of her hands, a gold shimmer coated my walls, the ceiling, the windows, doors. “Done princess.” I nodded and smiled, “thank you, but how many times do I have to say it? It’s just Kealoha. We’re friends.”

“Well that is....impressive.” I chuckled at my dad and nodded for him to sit on the sofa.

We take our seats and soon I find myself confused about how to begin. “You all assigned Lena to me when we were both pups. Her father was a wolf, her mother a witch who died in the battle on Maui. She was traded to Hakuma and when you all rescued that pack, her and her dad became our members. No one knows about her gifts except me. Can you keep it a secret? The only time she uses her powers is when I ask. She'd never used them before, until I asked her to practice, when I saw something happen when she tried to help me through all of this-‘ sigh, “please dad.”

He smiled and nodded, “Your secrets are safe with me.” I smiled and scooted to his side. He rested his arm on my shoulder and placed a kiss on my head.

“Keahi didn’t reject me.” At those words, my father's body went stiff. “Kealoha, he uttered-“ I cut him off, “no dad, it was empty words. Please let me explain.” He took a few deep breaths and after a couple of minutes, he nodded for me to continue.

“After everything happened, Keahi realized that on the evening he told you all who he truly was, not hiding anything about himself, that a light bulb went off when he noticed mom and dad Dom’s attitude change.”

“What do you mean change?” Dad Maika asks. “It wasn’t until later, we realized, in order for them to help one daughter, they’d have to sacrifice the happiness and future of the other and that is why both mom and dad Dom were so secretive about their doings. See-Keahi was sort of the start to all of this. Nahe promised Naomi to Mr. Conrad. Mr. Conrad is the man who Keahi killed his son. Nahe’s deal would give Keahi freedom from Mr. Conrads’ future attacks against him. Mom and dad Dom couldn’t turn Keahi in without hurting me. Their plan was to hopefully renegotiate with Mr. Conrad. They’d give Keahi over. In return, he leaves Naomi alone and has whatever witchery they had cast on Naomi, undone.” I took in a much needed breath and let all of that sink in.

“But Tobias said no one but him could undo the curse. So all they did was tear you and Keahi apart, for nothing.-“ I watched as my dad closed his eyes and reigned in his anger, “this is why he was never able to get s**t done. He acts without thinking and, in the end, the only person who gains is him. f*****g i***t!” My dad cursed. “Your mother? I have no idea what the f**k!”

“Dad, I need your help. Keahi planned this whole ‘rejection’ thing to prove that this is what mom and dad Dom were planning all along. And he was right. But everything after isn’t going as planned. He said that he’d reach out to me in a week. It’s been a few weeks and I haven’t heard from him. I’m scared.” I let real pain filled tears fall.

“I’ll see what I can do. Your dad, Alaric, is scheduled to arrive today. All he said was it was urgent. Is it okay if I fill him in?” Without hesitation, “I trust dad Alaric.” He smiled and placed another kiss on my forehead. “When he arrives, wanna join me greeting him?” I hesitated, but thought why not. I’ll just have to put my acting skills on in Broadway fashion and close off all emotions and thoughts in front of my mother. “I’d like that. I miss him.”

“I’ll come get you when he arrives. Until then, how about lunch? I got us Mexican.” I laughed and nodded, “I could use something different, thanks dad.” He grabbed the two brown bags of food he left by the door and we dug in.

*********

Tobias POV

Naomi is human. My beasts all mourned the loss of their imprinted mate. I’ve never felt such sadness in all my hundreds of years.

Without even caring, I opened a portal and took Naomi with me.

On the south-east coast we sat on a little green patch of grass, overlooking the vast pacific ocean. The skies were overcast with deep clouds, promising rain in the near future. The waves were turbulent, crashing on the steep cliff lines, casting fine salty mists to haze the air around us. The view before me was the epitome of how I feel right now.

We sat there, Naomi in my lap, no words spoken. She cried, soft-human like hiccups leaving her chest periodically, causing her shoulders to jump.

(Telepathy begins)

Karamin- “She’s not lost Tobias. Soon, she’ll be reborn. It’s her course.”

Tobias- “I know, but I wanted to be able to explain this all to her. Her wolf was still a part of her. Her sadness should have been happiness. For she’ll know her true self. A wolf-phoenix hybrid. One of a kind.”

Karamin- “You still have time. Tell her.”

(Telepathy end)

“Little one?” Naomi stirred but remained silent. Her shoulders still jumping from the deep cries she had let out.

“Why? Why me?” Naomi pulled away and looked into my eyes. I stroked her cheek and she inhaled sharply when she felt the spark. “What was that?”

“You’re my parallel spirit, written in time to rule by my side far beyond the time of my knowledge.” Her eyes scanned mine for a while when she finally raised her hand to stroke my face. I leaned in and let the fire be felt.

*Gasp* “We-were mates?” I giggled, “I see where it could be labeled as that. But our nexus goes much deeper.” I revelled in the feeling of her touch. I felt her weariness, yet within it was also a sense of relief. “When you left, I felt an emptiness. I longed for you. I-didn’t want Blake. Even though he was my Goddess' given mate. It’s gone though. The bond. It’s gone. But here it is-with you.”

I couldn’t help but to smile at her words. She’s acknowledging we have a bond. “You-I’ve searched for you for hundreds of years. In the scrolls of old, our future was written by the Gods of time. The Gods of the cosmos. You-my Anastasia, I’ve waited for you.” Tears sprung from her eyes at my words. She leaned in and placed her ear to my chest.

“They beat the same.” I chuckled, “yes, as you are the only one who rules all that I am.”

“You are our lost spirit. Our final soul to complete us.” *Gasp* “Wha-who was that?” I could hear the amazement in her voice as Karamin spoke. “She is Karamin, your lioness. She once answered to me, but now you are her master.”

A silly giggle left her lips but she soon got serious, “wait, are you serious?” I nodded, “very. You are their phoenix.”

I let that sit and she was a sharp little one, it didn’t take long, “Phoenix? Like the bird born from ashes? That kind of phoenix?” I smiled and repositioned her legs to straddle my hips. “Yes. How old do you think you are?”

My question seemed to spike worry, so I rest her hand on my cheek, “I don’t want to hide who you are. You must know. But only if you are ready to know. I don’t want to push you.” I could see her confusion.

“With everything that has happened, i keep asking why me? If this gives me some semblance of understanding, tell me. No matter how crazy it is, I want to know.” Her words were filled with determination, so I laid her down, and I lay next to her.

“You were born, yes, almost sixteen years ago. Your spirit, your phoenix, has been a spirit of the wind for the last several hundreds of years. Do you know the life of a phoenix?” Her eyes focused on the clouded skies. “I read something about it. When it reaches time, the phoenix perishes into ashes and from those ashes, she is reborn.”

I gave her a little giggle, “ Yes, that is the gist of it. A deeper knowledge not many know of is that the phoenix may rise when she finds a soul worthy of its powers. I felt her the second I met her. She chose you, Naomi. No one has heard or seen her in half a millennium . It is said that she was a spirit in the wind, awaiting to be reborn. If she chose a human vessel, like you. There is a reason. I just don’t know the reason as of yet.”

She watched my every feature as I spoke. Her eyes never leave mine. When I was finished she let out a sigh. “Here I thought I was messed up. Now I know for sure that I am really messed up.” She turned her head away and looked out over the horizon.

The sun was still high in the sky. Shadowed by the deep gray clouds. “You, my beautiful, are not messed up. You are perfect as you are. For you were chosen to be a vessel of one of the fiercest creatures to ever live.” I stroked her cheek down her neck. I watch as a pink-red hue spreads.

“Thank you. Thank you for always pushing me. For always saying all that needs to be said, whether I like it or not.” I pinched her nose and stood up, reaching my hand out. “I’ll be anything you need me to be. Now, how about we head back and sort your so-called parents out, hmm?”

“They are not my parents. They are the Kings and Queen of the wolves. I am not a wolf. I am a phoenix.” I couldn’t help the pride that spread throughout me. “Well then, let's go see what’s going on there then, my phoenix.”

With a whisk of my wrist, a portal opened. I took her tightly by the waist and held her close, “You’re never leaving my side.” With that, we entered the office of the royal king and queen.