The Dark Witch And Her Knights

4

The shake of my shoulder was pulling me from my dreamless state.

"Shadow," a deep voice repeated to me. "You must wake."

"I must die. Leave me," I forced through my exhaustion.

"Wake or I will force you," he grumbled.

I thought he could try anything, my body was so far into a descent that I wouldn't be able to stop him. No matter what he would have to make me.

"You and your familiar are the most infuriating creatures I have ever met," he said.

An arm snaked under my neck lifting my body and shifting me until I resting between his legs my back against his chest. My head lolled over his shoulder. "You are weaker than I thought. You must quickly drink this."

My eyes slowly opened to see a blurry small teacup being held before me. If he wanted me to die he could have left me to rot. I struggled to fully lift my hand to grasp the cup. He realized I was too ill and brought it to my lips. Slowly I sipped and gagged at the taste.

"What is it?"

"Medicine."

"What is in your medicine," I struggled to breathe out.

"Blackberry, plum, goldenseal, and thistle."

"Why the th-"

"Drink," he cut me off pushing the cup back to my lips.

I indulged, suffering the bitter liquid until it was all gone. The entire time wondering why the thistle. Why did he not want to answer me? Was it in the tea for its healing properties or did he believe I was hexed? As my brain ran through these questions the most important one of all crashed right to the front. The ingredients he used were witch herbs. Was he a Witch?

The medicine worked its way through my body but I couldn't stop the tremble caused by my suspicious thoughts. His strong arms wrapped around me halting my shivers and soaking me with their warmth and tenderness. Unconsciousness still found a way to take me even with fear pumping adrenaline through my body.

The room around me was a sight for sore eyes. I could actually see the room. My hand flew to my head searching for remnants of a fever. The witchman had healed me, my prayers were heard.

Soon the opposite kind of emotions blanketed me.

I was kidnapped. He kidnapped me. Like an animal.

I whipped the heavy duvet off of my body only to feel the shock and shame come washing over me as I looked at the long black silk robe I was in. I wanted to scream bloody murder.

He dressed me. He undressed my innocent body.

I stepped from the bed only to fall to my knees. Curse my feebleness. I had never ended a life before but his might be the first. The door to the room flung open revealing a very large and handsome man. His eyes fell from the bed to me on the floor. A look of surprise crossed his features when he realized I was staring directly at him and not in a loopy fevered way.

He slowly approached me like a wild animal ready to run. And he was right. But I was frail. I glared at him as he kneeled to my level cautiously. His hands were out offering his assistance. I had enough strength to smack him away, so I did. His face construed with anger as he lunged for me, dragging me into his arms to lift me back into the bed. I weakly smacked at his broad chest. "Why did you take me, Witchman?"

His flashy silver eyes peered down at me confused before he released a strangely comforting laugh halting my assault. "I am no Witchman, little shadow."

It was my turn to look confused. He gently eased me back into bed and pulled the duvet over me. Did he call me little shadow?

"People will look for me."

He looked down at me seriously. "You lied before."

"You have taken me against my will," I refuted.

"It is for your own good."

"How would you know taking me from my home and family is better than whatever it is you have planned for me?" My voice was rising to a shrill level.

"They would have burned you as a witch."

"How could you know that?"

"Your description was given to the guard for capture. Young woman, pale skin. Long black hair like an empty night sky. And the best detail of all, lavender eyes matching those of her cat-familiar."

My eyes instantly fell to Stella perched by my side. "Your part of the King's guard?" My voice trembled.

"I took you and you could not escape. I caged you and you could not free yourself. You grew ill and yet you did not heal yourself. You are a sad witch if a witch all."

"You tested me?"

"You failed and lied."