The Two Queens- By: Lilly Taylor

Chapter Six: The Truth Will Set You Free

(Author's note: end of chapter five posted, leading into chapter 6. pesky word limits!)

I can't help but feel my heart twinge a little at her laying here, in my arms when we had only just found each other as mates earlier in the day. I cuddle her closer, inhaling her soothing scent of strawberries and fresh vanilla as I drift off to sleep.

When I awake in the morning, I am, once again, alone.

(Actual start of chapter 6! sorry for any confusion!)

I jolt upright, unsure of the eerie silence that envelops me when a few hours ago, Lyrica was gently snoring next to me. My bed feels a little colder without her snuggled against me. I peer around the room, the sunlight just barely touching the windows. I stretch slowly, a yawn escaping me. Leaving my bed, I quickly get dressed and go to see if my father is willing to tell me anything else, our conversation falling short after I shifted for him. My feet are leading me out of my room, down the corridor, to the main hall, and to the throne room- where all is empty. The throne where my father usually sits is gone- no trace of my clothing I had left after I shifted, either.

Rain, having stayed oddly silent since I shifted last night, is now growling in my head. “This room smells like decay and sulfur. It permeates the walls, even. Such a stench,” my own nose is wrinkled, I can only imagine how bad it must be for Rain.

Can you tell me where the smell originates from? Unless I shift into my wolf form, I can’t. My senses seem dull as a human.

“Head towards the King’s personal chambers. I have a good hunch as to where this is coming from.” Rain has lowered her menacing growls in my head to better hear everything going on around us. I follow her directions, the stench originally leading us to the King’s chambers- only for them to be found barren as well- no King, no staff, servants- the only thing remaining in his room was the furniture and a sealed letter on his bedside table. “The smell is the strongest here, princess. I do believe what we encountered yesterday that evades us now is responsible for whatever is going on here.” I give a small nod, and take a closer look at the room- nothing is in disarray. The bed is neat and tucked- no signs of the candles being burned all night in the candelabra dangling above. The King certainly had not slept in here, likely he stayed asleep where I left him- on the throne room floor.

“Check the letter, I wish to see what it contains.” Rain’s tone was insistent. As you wish. Is all I think before going and retrieving the letter, breaking the seal gently. The first words at the top of the scroll are:

“Lilypad-

Should you find this letter- you need to RUN.” I can feel my chest tighten as I look down at his handwriting, panic gripping me as I start to wonder what could have prompted him to write this letter. I didn’t fully repair my relationship with him, but he was my father- and I do love him, even if he purposely distanced himself from me as I was growing up. I have so many questions I have not yet had a chance for him to answer for me. I clutch the letter tightly, and run from the room. Down the halls, to my own chambers where I grab my emergency bag I have had since turning wolf the first time. “Lyrica. We cannot leave without her. I will not allow it.” Rain is firm as she says this, prepared to dig her paws in if she must to ensure I do not abandon a partial mate bond. I huff with indignation-I would NEVER leave her behind. Even when I do not know what I am running from, she is coming with us. I just need to know where she is. I know the mate bond isn’t complete and I can’t link with her- are there ANY chances at all you can guide me closer to her?

Without a response, I feel a tugging sensation down in my abdomen- pulling me towards Lyrica. Hoisting the bag onto my shoulder, I follow it as quickly and silently as I can. I’m led through the castle, out the castle doors, and into the barracks. My skin tingles the closer I get, my body feeling light as air by the time I see her.

Lyrica turns around to face me just as I am about to embrace her in relief when her face changes. A blade is plunged through her back, coming through her body, poking through her chest. Blood is coming from the corners of her mouth as she speechlessly mouths “run” to me, everything slowing down to a crawl as I can feel her life draining through our bond. Partial or no, the bond is strong and I can feel her pain, her fear and panic, her love for me even though we had such a short time together. Tears swim in my eyes as the blade removes itself from her back, and I finally look behind her to see the one-handed creature I should have slain yesterday. Lyrica begins to fall, the only sound I can hear is the sickening squish of the blade being removed from her and the cackling laughter of the rotting man behind her.

Rain is clawing through me, determined to rip him apart limb from limb, but I know it won’t do any good. Killing him will not repair the gaping hole in Lyrica’s chest. A soft sputtering sound can be heard as she fights for breath, and something inside of me; a tiny coil that has been stretched too far- snaps.

For a moment, all I can hear is Lyrica’s voice inside my head, “Find my brother. Let him give you the love I didn’t live to give you. Please.” Her voice is pleading, but all I can feel is a burning inferno within me. All the pain Lyrica is in, my own pain from her being on death’s doorstep, the pain of my father and I finally reconnecting only for him to disappear- it’s all too much for me. I scream. The sound pierces the skies above and echo around us as the air shifts and changes- once a gentle breeze, quickly becoming a gale force. Rage is consuming me, pain is consuming me, and all I have ever wanted is to love and be loved. Watching the one I have already grown to love- and realizing it as she is dying- is far too painful. The wind is whipping, the sounds of Lyrica struggling to hold on for me is drowned out by the howling of the wind. Rain is unleashing her own howls of pain inside, a testament to our collective pain.

“No!” I scream again, pleading silently with all of me that the Moon Goddess hears my pleas and somehow helps me save the day. I am at Lyrica’s side, clutching her cold hand as her blood pools beneath us. “I just found you, I can’t lose you. I just… I just wanted to be loved by you…. Why can’t that be enough? When is my suffering enough?!” I scream as my falling tears blind me. I am vaguely aware that the man is still there, cackling wickedly at the sight before him. “Nyx- Moon Goddess- if you are real….” I sob, choking on my own tears and pain, “ If you are real, you cannot let her die. Please, don’t let her die. Take me instead.” I say the words, my eyes squeezing shut.

The wind suddenly stops howling. My pain is easing, and I can only be thankful that Lyrica is no longer suffering. She must be dead, for me to not feel her pain anymore- I think to myself.

I could hear the world around me just seconds before- the familiar sounds of a blade slicing through the air fast approaching before all went silent. I am consumed by grief and fear of dying to raise my head. If I am to die, Lyrica’s face is what I want to see as I meet my end. I open them one last time before shutting them in defeat.

“She is not dead, sweet child.” A soft singsong voice interrupts my thoughts. This is a voice I don’t recognize immediately, though I DO know I have heard it somewhere previously. Part of me wishes to open my eyes and confirm what I’m being told is true, but I am too big of a coward to risk seeing my mate before me, lifeless. I squeeze Lyrica’s hand in my own, and am relieved when she gives the tiniest of squeezes back.

“Open your eyes, child. It is time you took a walk with me.” The voice said, kindly and gently. I nod absentmindedly, clinging to Lyrica’s hand while I find the willpower to stand.

I open my eyes and see that the world around me appears frozen- the man with an evil stench inches away from taking my head with his blade- the wind whipping through the trees leaving them disheveled and leaves that were blowing through the air hung still. A guard exiting the castle doors is frozen, his hand still in front of him as he holds the door open. Finally, my gaze lands on a glowing woman. She is otherworldly in her beauty, with kind amber eyes and long raven hair flowing down her back past her knees, complimenting her pale skin. A small circlet of gold and ivory is resting on her head. She looks every bit a Goddess, radiating soft waves of power. All the times I had imagining what Nyx looked like- this was what had come to mind- only she was far more beautiful.

“Nyx?” my voice is but a whisper, afraid I am just imagining things- or that, perhaps, I am already dead.

“Walk with me, sweet child. I have a story to tell you.” She extends a delicate hand, a warm smile blooming on her face as she meets my fearful gaze.

I take her hand, and we begin walking towards the castle. All around us is frozen still. I can’t help but think of Lyrica, in pain from a blade tearing through her chest. My eyes leak of their own accord, and Nyx stops walking only to gently cup my face in her hand as she uses the other to gently dry my tears. “Hush now, sweet child. Lyrica will be just fine. You shall see. For now, we must walk and talk- I do not have unlimited time, and even my powers as a Goddess have limitations,” she gestures towards the creature frozen in place, blade prepared to slice through thin air.

We walk until we reach the castle steps, and each take a seat. “Nyx…” I start, “Are you actually here? Why? Why now?” my tears are falling freely again, overwhelmed at her actually existing.

“Yes, sweet child. I am here- for now. I came because I could feel your heart shattering watching Lyrica perish before you. I may be a Goddess- one that is ancient- but even I have humanity within me. I could not bear to see the one I chose suffer any longer. You, my dear, needed to hear it from me directly.” As she says this, her hand lifts my chin until I am staring at her. My tears continue falling as I think back on all the times I wished she were real. How I had wished she were real- and would save me from my lonely fate. Here she is, before me, and all the loneliness I have ever felt is dissipating while Nyx is looking into my soul.

“My poor child. I am sorry you are suffering the way you are. I know the path I laid out for you is not an easy one, but it is one you alone must walk. Nobody else can do what I have laid out for you, my dearest. Only you can fix this world. Of that I am certain. The least

I can do is ease the weight on your heart.” She says with a small smile forming on her lips.

“Why me?” I croak out, my throat raw from emotion and my screaming just before.

“Because, my dearest- you are one half of the star-crossed lovers that must break the curse. It does not sit well with me, a powerful witch causing harm to my kin, my children of the night. You have a great destiny ahead of you, my dear.”

“Don’t you mean one-third?” I retort, half hoping it was all some mistake.

“No, dearest. I meant precisely what I have said. Enough questions now. It is time for my tale. It is one I should think you’ll like.”

She pats the top of my head gently as she takes a deep breath, beginning, “Long ago, when I first shaped man, he was at odds with the beasts I also took great care in shaping. They would fight with each other, clashing over territory and resources. I watched them from above, shaking my head as they refused to share. They were little more than toddlers to us Gods, being so quick to turn to violence. For millennia this carried on, until one night, a human and a lone wolf became friends. The two gave each other companionship, the man having been alone his whole life just wanted to be loved. The wolf, having been hunted her entire life, just wanted to be safe. Together, they worked to protect and provide for each other. This happened for a time, before the people living in the areas around them discovered them living together in a cave. Believing the man had gone insane, he was banished, and they tried to slaughter the wolf he had come to see as his family. The man wept, pleading with the people to leave them be, for he was content in his life and convinced that the wolves and humans could live in peace together.

His cries were for naught, and he watched helplessly as they drug his wolf away to kill her. They made a spectacle of it, waiting until night fall to burn the wolf alive. The light of the full moon shone down upon them, the crowd crying for justice and to end the beast, the man crying for failing the only thing he had ever come to love, and the wolf howling out of fear of the flames that fast approached her. Her howls combined with the man’s cries- and, hearing their pain, I decided it was time to end the rivalry between man and wolf- to bridge the gap forevermore.”

She pauses, taking a few breaths, giving me time to process everything she had said thus far. She is telling me the actual origins of werewolves- a tale I have read, but nothing compared to hearing the Moon Goddess herself recount the tale, her voice weaving a tapestry for her words to color themselves upon. I am listening to actual history- from an ACTUAL GODDESS. I can’t help but beam at her through my tears as she slightly repositions herself, preparing to continue her tale.

“I parted the clouds and descended from the night sky, the moon glowing brilliantly as I made a spectacle of my arrival. I knew the only way humans would listen over their own fear is if they are in awe- so, I awed them. I extinguished the fire approaching the scared she-wolf, and beckoned her to my side. The crowd was in stunned silence as she complied, bowing before me. Soon, the whole crowd bowed before me- all save for the man who was too stunned by my appearance to utter even a syllable. He was the man that had grown to love the wolf and was trying to save her. His tears had begun to dry on his face, but the emotions had left him raw, vulnerable- open to be re-shaped. The she-wolf was in the same state, both afraid for their lives and open to the greatest change, having hit the lowest points in life. I told them who I am, that I am a Goddess of the Moon.

I explained that the fighting had to end, and it was going to end with them- they would be the living olive branches of peace, forever extended. First, I started with the man. I scooped him into my hands, and gently reshaped his body into that of a wolf. Bigger, deadlier- but a wolf, nonetheless. I saw that he was confused, but happy to be in a form where he was freed of the responsibilities that burden man. I turned my attentions to the she-wolf next.

I gently patted her head, and told her she just had to trust me. I lifted her in my hands, her small body easy to reshape. I made sure my magic was imbued into their very beings- I needed this to last, and they needed to be special and strong to survive without my guidance. I let the two of them get to know each other in their different forms, the man, now wolf, took in the sight of the woman before him, and an idea came to me. They would need special ways to ensure their survival. I gifted them both with the ability to change shape, and the gift of telepathy, among others. The two would be forever bound. I gifted them once more- giving them their Alpha and Omega status- and promised to watch over them, guide them, and help them grow the werewolf population by guiding wolves their true mates.

I turned to the crowd of people before me, and declared the war between wolves and man over- the two would now coexist or they would cease to exist. I made them decide- then and there- whether they would follow my word as law or if I would be ending them. The humans complied, and the werewolves I had just created seemed content with each other, excited to start new lives together.

I went back to the night sky, perched atop the Moon, watching and guiding both humans and werewolves alike. I spent many generations up there, guiding my beloved wolves to their true mates.” She gives a soft sigh before continuing.

“However, as time passed, humans and werewolves forgot of their vows to me. They had begun to fight amongst each other, the humans believing the werewolves abominations of nature, and werewolves just trying to survive. Neither side was entirely right, and neither was entirely wrong. They fought over their beliefs, over land, resources, even each other as I started pairing werewolves off with humans, hoping this would lessen the gap between the two peoples. For a time, it seemed to work. Eventually, they only had small squabbles that needed no intervention from myself- and I was relieved. I sat, content with them carrying on and learning how to grow and make peace.

This all changed when a powerful witch murdered one of my kin to complete a curse. I had known witches existed and were a side effect of my blessings on the two original werewolves- never did I fathom that they would wish to cause others harm. Generally speaking, witches asked for my blessings when working with magic.

This witch did not care for my blessing- she only wanted to inflict pain on those she felt had done her wrong. Try as I might, she would not hear me. This led to the curse you are destined to break- I know, because I shaped you with the intentions of being kind, strong, and loving. A perfect candidate for being a hero to the world.” She beams at me with pride as she says this, causing me to blush- the Goddess herself thinks I am special? The Goddess herself wanted ME to break the curse she couldn’t prevent? What has everyone so damn convinced that I am deserving of such a role?

Nyx continues, keeping her tone even and delicate, voice lilting in melodic highs and lows as she further explains, “I even gifted one of your ancestors with a warning. He did not heed me, as many have stopped believing in me altogether, choosing to send their prayers to a God who did not create them. My prophecy stands, dear one. There is a darkness waiting to overtake this realm, to violate all that is good and whole. I cannot allow it to happen. You will end this curse and bring forth the ones destined to take on this evil. This is my will, and it will come to pass. I fear that the witch will do everything within her power to stop you, however. As such, you needed extra guidance, extra protection and abilities from me. I gifted them willingly, it is up to you how to use them. I have you true free will- ultimately, whether this realm is saved or corrupted is entirely your choice.

I can only hope you make the right choices and make me proud, as you have done thus far.”

I cannot meet her gaze any longer, shame building inside of me as I think back on how selfish I have been, considering only my own pain when I was angry with my father, the distrust I hold for any man after Roland- I am surely not the one she believes will save her beloved creations.

Her eyes bore into me knowingly, her eyes starting to water as she keeps her voice steady, “My child, I know what you are thinking- you are right. I couldn’t stop the curse- no, I couldn’t stop a witch- from harming my dearest creation. It brings me untold levels of shame to know that I have failed to watch over all of you as I intended when creating you. It was my own mistakes, my own carelessness- that led to this. But your ancestors are not without blame of their own to hold. Had your ancestor never turned her away, she never would have created the curse to begin with. Had he accepted her as his true mate, as I had intended, the world would be peaceful and bright and whole. He had a darkness in his heart that is spreading now, in the form of the curse; brought to light by her magic. The very same curse that is claiming your father, as surely as it will claim all other wolves if it is not stopped.” Her gaze is intense, burning holes into my soul as I try desperately to avoid her gaze, feeling helpless as ever.

I take a steadying breath, “Nyx, I must ask…. Only because, well, you are here. Who better to ask than the one setting everything in motion around me?” I start, raising my head to finally meet her amber eyes as they glowed softly in the soft morning light. “Why do I have two potential mates right now? Everything I have ever heard- read, seen- it all indicated that there can only be one. If rejected, we may get a second chance mate- but never TWO second chance mates. What are you playing at? Making me choose one so the other can die? Would you really be so cruel?” tears had started cascading down my face, the emotions on display for the Goddess before me.

“There is no game here, dearest. Only you can decide what you want- I cannot. For the record, you choosing one does not mean the other should die. I chose them for you for a few reasons, would you care to hear them?” She questions, to which all I can do is nod in earnest. I do indeed want to know whatever is to become of me if the stars seemed to align against me at every turn.

“I chose them for you because where your heart was once empty, it can now be filled to overflowing. I chose them for you because as much as you carry disdain for men, they are essential to your survival.

I chose people I knew would give their life for yours, should the need arise. I chose them because they are not greedy, selfish, or plotting for their own gain. They only ever cared about guarding you and ensuring you were strong.

They chose your growth over their own feelings for you over time- and I looked upon it and smiled, knowing you would be able to carry on werewolves and break the curse, find your own happily ever after you are so deserving of after being so alone for so long. Know this, dearest one- you are never alone so long as I am in the night sky, watching over you.” She smiles at me fondly, caressing my face and gently pulling me into her embrace, smoothing my hair and planting a small kiss at my temple before releasing me.

Her kiss makes my skin tingle, the tingle staying as a small sensation of heat blooms across my temple. Everywhere she touches emits a soft glowing, remnants of her power vibrating off of her pouring into my skin. I can feel the darkness that has been encroaching on my mind fading, an overwhelming sensation of relief and gratefulness filling me.

“I just want peace to return to the world I have spent so much time watching over. I did not curse you with two potential mates- I BLESSED you with two mates- two mates to pour your love into, and for them to pour their love into you in kind. Do not fight this, Lilypad. I know you want to, I can feel it- but trust in me when the night seems darkest and the skies are bleak. I will ALWAYS guide you to my loving light. Now, you have a mate to finish bonding with, and a rather unsavory cursed man standing between you and your destiny. Are you going to let him end your life here and now, or are you going to fight like I made you to? Remember, to always choose wisely. And- bear my mark with pride, Child. You have earned my love and my blessing already.” She turns from me, offering a small smile over her shoulder as she starts to disappear before me. I blink and go from sitting on the steps to holding Lyrica’s hand once more, the blood going back into her body and the wound closing before my eyes. No traces of the gory injury remain aside from the blood clinging to her clothing.

Her eyes are just starting to open as the world slowly springs back to life, I can hear the wind gently blowing through the trees in the area surrounding the training grounds. Remembering the unsavory man intent on death and destruction, I grab Lyrica and leap backwards; the man’s blade sinking into the ground where we just were with a satisfying “THUNK”. Rain is at my surface, raring to go rounds with the man who nearly took our mate away from us too soon. I push her down mentally and search for my blade- seeing it shining less than an arm’s breadth behind the man.

The man pulls his blade from the ground and lumbers towards me, blade high in the air as he prepares to try and cut me down. His arm is tremoring with effort, clearly the hand I had sliced off was his dominant hand- this battle will be over soon.

He swings his blade directly down towards my head, and I launch myself at him, curling into a ball and rolling to just behind him as he misses his intended mark. With a smirk planted on my face, I grasp the blade and feel a surge of adrenaline from Rain as the man tries to attack once more. This time, I am ready for him.

With a snarl, I deflect his blade easily and plunge my own deep into his chest, the black blood oozing out with a satisfying squelch as his eyes widen in surprise. Placing my right foot on his chest, I heave and pull my blade out, covered in black gore and the stench of sulfur and decay cling to it. He is gasping for air like a fish out of water, his eyes bulging as the damage I have wrought upon his body sinks in.

The last thing he sees is my face contort with anger as I swing my blade with all of my might, my blade finding its mark and slicing through the flesh of his neck with ease, the only resistance being the spine. Black blood spurts from the gaping wound, his now headless body swaying sickeningly for a moment before falling to the ground, twitching as the last trickles of life leave it. The head is still blinking and gawking, and continues to do so for a few minutes after. I can only stare with disturbing fascination as Lyrica slowly gets on her feet before making her way to me, placing her forehead against my shoulder.

Her forehead is burning against my skin, her face still pale and clammy from a mixture of shock and disgust at the sight before us.

My body feels like sparks are being emitted from where her forehead rests. I slowly turn to face her, my blade still in hand, the gore dripping down into the dirt below us. She looks pale and a little weak still, but otherwise has recovered perfectly, thanks to Nyx. I look to the sky and mouth ‘thank you, Nyx. For not abandoning me. And for saving Lyrica.’