They Call Me Foxy (Book 1 of 'They Call Me' Series) (Completed)

Chapter 21 (Edited)

I moved a hand through my hair and sighed as I looked around my room. After I had talked to the group and told them I was going to resign and explain as to why I had hid who I was from them, I came up to my room and waited. I had seen the look that Lorcian had given me and my cousin's words wrung in my ears.

I had no idea as to why I had never noticed the spell on him, but I was sure that it was either because I had been used to it, seeing as Anastasia had the same scent, or I hadn't been paying attention to it. What I did know was that I wasn't the only one that was shocked because both Sinopa and Majesty went silent after she had told me.

"F- er- Highness?" Lorcian asked, knocking on my door. He looked around and saw how bleak the room looked. The look in his eyes told me that he wasn't sure as to if I was staying or going. "Can I talk to you, please?"

I shifted from my seat on my bead and tucked a leg underneath my chin. I stared at him with such an intense gaze that he shifted on his feet and looked away. "You can call me Foxy," I said, shrugging my shoulder. "Or Jo Anne. I answer to both."

Lorcian nodded his head and cleared his throat. He was trying to kill the hope that he was feeling, and I couldn't help but wonder as to how long he had before he died.

"How long?" I asked, shifting my weight.

"Less than six months," he replied, looking down. He cleared his throat and took in a deep, shaky breath. "He said that a Fox or a Fox half-breed could break the curse, but..." He shrugged.

"Dryads are annoying creatures," I said, putting the leg down. I was speaking from experience, having encountered them more times than not.

He took off of his shirt and let me see his blackened veins. "Can you take care of this?" he asked, turning to look the other way.

I bit my lip and studied the dark rose on his back. I knew that the only way to get rid of it was for a Fox Spirit to scratch it off. "I can... how did you get it?" I asked, touching it. I knew half of the story, because Anastasia had told me, but I wanted to see if he would admit it.

Lorcian stiffened underneath my touch but relaxed. His heart rate calmed down, and I couldn't help but be amazed at the power of the bond. "I waa drunk one night and attacked a female Dryad. I was... about to do something horrible to her, but someone stopped me."

"And that person would be me," Ans said, walking into the room. She studied the marking on his back before nodding. "Dryads are stupid creatures sometimes." She tossed me a vial of some of her blood. "Ask him to make it stronger."

Lorcian glanced at my cousin warily and probably waited for the someone to attack her. His whole body was tense, and I knew that he didn't like the thought of someone seeing the marking that he wasn't proud of.

Anastasia seemed to read him and gave him a tired smile. "Relax," she said. She turned to face the door and showed him her own back filled with scars from the beatings she had received. On her spine, there was a 'tattoo' of thorns, the marking of the group she had been a part of. "We all have something that we wish to hide." She moved her shirt down and turned to look at me. "Be careful and not lose your temper on him," she warned. "We both know that he won't like it."

I nodded my head and looked at the vile of blood that looked somewhat normal except it seemed to glow green. "Are you sure you want it stronger?" I asked, looking at her.

Anastasia nodded her head, seeming to grow older than she looked. Her eyes were tired, and they lost the spark in them. She was losing the fight, the will to live, and I hated it. "I am sure," she said. "If I am the only one that is killed, then I'll be able to rest in peace." She nodded her head. "Alpha, Luna, I will see you later." And with that, she walked away.

***

Lorcian looked after her but didn't say a word. He cleared his throat and looked at me before, again, turning his back to me. "Can you?" he asked, causing me to nod my head.

I took a deep breath and placed the vile in my pouch. I knew that I was going to have to add my blood to it later, but I knew that I had to worry about this first.

I closed my eyes and focused on my Fox Spirit. I took another deep breath and opened my eyes, my eyes shining greener. My hand turned into the claw of my Fox, and I slashed it across the mark.

Lorcian relaxed and let out a small sigh of relief as the marking disappeared. The black lines of his veins turned back to their normal color and disappeared from view.

He turned to look back at me, his eyes having a different sort of light. "I am free," he said, smiling. He let out a laugh, causing a small smile to flicker on my face. "I thought I would never be free of that damn spell."

I sat down and watched as he looked at his hands. My heart ached because I knew that I couldn't give my cousin the same peace as I did him. I had tried before, but I wasn't able to break that damn spell even with the Dryad's help. I was able to damper it, but she would never be free to use her Wolf.

Lorcian let out a small laugh and pulled me up, pulling me from my thoughts and guilt. He spun ms around before placing his lips on mine. "Thank you," he whispered, pulling away.

My whole body tensed when he kissed me, and I had no idea what to do. I stared at him in shock and nervousness, a blush appearing in my face.

Lorcian raised an eyebrow when I didn't say a word and stood stiff as a board. Worry filled his eyes, and he took a step towards me. "Are you alright?" he asked, worry filling his voice.

I cleared my throat and shook my head. "Uh... ya, ya, of course," I said, fiddling with the edge of my gloves. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You froze up," Lorcian replied. "After I kissed you."

"Oh, right, right." I cleared my throat and licked my lips. I didn't meet his eyes, not knowing if I should just leave or not. I didn't know what to do, what to say, and I had no idea if it was just a spur of the moment or if he actually meant it. "It was... unexpected. I..." I cleared my throat again. "I got to go and check up on my group. Excuse me." And with that, I left.