Rose hung from the caves cieling. Hands secured by silver shackles.Her once beautiful hair was now matted in her blood. Chunks of flesh hung on strands. Where her head had been slashed open multiple times, by the Goblins. They jumped and screeched around her as Earnast clapped his hands. A Goblin jumped at her and slashed at her side. The wound was deep down to her ribs. She couldn't contain the screams that escaped her body. She sensed someone. The creatures began to stabb her sides with thier sharp claws but it wasn't as painful as she had expected in a sense it stung but she felt her pain was being shared with someone else. When she realized this to be true. She put up her strongest mental block. The stabbs became excruciating and all she could do was yell. However.. Someones presence was still with her.
----- Gobbler's P.O.V----
Gobbler gathered the glass bottles with a clear liquid in them. Earnast only had found two in the old potions room. He had called it the hide a scent potion. He hadn't learned it. But knew of it thanks to Gracia. He had stolen a little flask and used it to hide his scent before. Gracia was starting to lose her memory an so couldn't recall how many she had. The last of the potion was now in these two bottles. To think Garcia's potion was helpful in her own death. And now it would be the key ingredient to their next attack.Gobbler had his fawns line up in the crumbled castle's garden. One by one he dabbed them. One bottle was enough for 100 fawns according to Earnast. And the other bottle was saved inside Gobbler's leather pouch. Which was strapped onto his arrow pack.
-----Hexton's P.o.V----
I ran in the direction of the Sacred lake. Before arriving. I found Finn and Fausto sitting around a camp fire. They drank warm tea. I decided to stop and join them. I mid shifted into my wolf man. Finn glanced my way and started choking on his tea. Fausto patted his back before seeing me. When he did. His eyes widened and he dropped his cup.
I laughed knowing me shifting into a man wolf was shocking.
I sat on a log next to the two. Who glanced at one another with confusion.
" I..I... Never seen any..any thing like you. My my King." Fausto stuttered.
" Nor I. " Was my reply, which caused Finn to once again choke on his tea.
" I wanted to ask of you to scout out the area within ten miles of here."
Finn stood up and gulped his tea down.
" Not now Finn. Eat, rest, then go. I will mind link the guard at the gate of your departure. And have them watch for your return."
Finn sat back down and nodded again.
" Mind link me if anything's out of ordinary. And let me know when you are returning."
" Yes. My king." Fausto anserwed. I stood and patted Fausto on the shoulder.
Walking away from them I began to think of Riza's words. Was I truely selfish? Was I not like my Father? Well of course, I could never be my Father. I continued to walk lost in my thoughts till I came up on the sacred lake. The Sun's rays reflected off its clear water. I stood with my toes in the water. Across the lake Misty sat with her head on her knees facing sideways. She pulled grass from the floor and let it fall slowly from her hands. I stood watching.
' How can you deny our mate?' My wolf asked from within. ' Can you deny her beauty? Can you deny her pain? You are the cause of it.' He growled.
I shook my head as my wolf snickered within me.
Walking around the lake's edge slowly towards her. I watched as her tiny hands plucked the grass with frustration.
Then she stopped. Her body stiffened and she sat up. Her eyes searched the area. Finally they found me. Suddenly she jumped in the water and started swimming towards the other side of the lake. What was she doing. I didn't know. But she wouldn't swim away from me. My wolf howled with excitment at the thought of swim chasing his mate.
I made it to the middle of the lake before her. I could tell she was not paying attention to my where abouts. She slowed down as she began to tire. She looked for me. I ducked under water. When I felt the splashing again I raised my head for air. She passed me without knowing and it was then that I reached for her foot and pulled her under the water. Bubbles surrounded us as Misty yelled underwater. I let her go and couldn't contain my laughter. We both came up for air. Her hair was a mess that covered her face as she coughed and gasped . The more she gasped. The harder I laughed. I moved my arms in a circular motion to keep my upper body afloat. Finally she controlled her breathing and pushed her hair out of her face. She huffed and pouted as she started to swim in place kicking her feet hard beneath her. Suddenly she kicked me in the groin, and swam off. It was now me, who found himself in a painful perdicament. I held my breath and dropped under water holding myself. After I had lost my breath I surfaced to see Misty was but six yards away and close to the lake's edge. 'Oh no you dont.' I thought as I swam quickly in her direction.
----- Misty's P.O.V--------
How dare he try to drown me. Was he crazed and trying to kill me? I did not know, so I did what any honorable lady would do, and kicked him, in his groin, to get away. I swam for my life. Peeking behind me quickly I didn't see him, but bubbles instead. I couldn't help but giggle over my triumph. The lakes edge was getting closer as I continued to swim fast. It was then that a hand pushed down on my head. I felt strong leggs wrap around my waist, and the sky was no longer visible. I swung my arms in defense but it was useless. I could see the smile on Hexton's face as we both sunk to the bottom of the lake.
' I win he teased.' and released me. He swam to the surface Holding my hand. Once we were atop water I screamed.
" How dare you!"
Hexton grinned " How dare I? How dare you?"
My head started to hurt. And I wiped at the warm liquid that dripped from my nose. Hexton's face paled.
" Misty you are bleeding. Did I hurt you?"Hexton's voice was laced with worry. "Grab on to my shoulders I will help you out of the water."
I held on to his shoulders. Sharp pains invaded my body. Like daggers which caused me to yelp and twist. I never released hold of Hexton's shoulders. Instead I gripped them harder. He helped me out the water and laid me at it's edge with my feet still in the liquid. I saw him shift from his wolf man to normal Hexton. His grey eyes held concern. The pain subsided within me. And I was more frightened then anything. Hexton brushed my wet strands out of my face. He smiled down at me.
" Are you feeling well?" He asked.
" I do not know. Im getting sharp pains. As if daggers were stabbing me."
" Is it our bond?" He asked as he twirled one of my curls with his finger.
" No. That is different. And you know." I growled. As I sat up and slapped his hand away. Hexton's mouth thinned with anger as I stood above him now.
" You rejected me earlier! Remember?" I yelled as he stood.
Before I could go on he grabbed my face in his hands.
" You make me weak! Do you not understand?" He gritted through his teeth.
" Why?" I asked." Because you are to cold hearted to love?"
He ran his fingers through his hair. And looked pass me. He closed his eyes. And opened them to look directly in mine. His eyes were bright red. My wolf recognized her mate. His wolf had surfaced.
He smiled a big teethy smile as his thumb rubbed my bottom lip. " I do not know how to lose what I love....Without you. I am weak. With you I am not in control. For you, I would die. You are the future to my seed. The one who will carry my pupps. That is why. Times are getting dangerous and I can't lose you."
I gasped. Tears rolled down my cheeks. His smile faded. And his eyes returned to thier normal grey. Hexton sighed and wiped my tears away with both his thumbs as he gave me soft tiny kisses. He pulled away and grabbed my hands in his. I felt a blush warm my cheeks. Which was quickly replaced with pain. Tremendous pain. I couldn't help but scream.Hexton lifted me up. With both his hands he held on to my thighs. I wrung my arms around his neck. And cried into his chest.
" Something is wrong Hexton... Something is not right."
Hexton's Grey eyes were laced with worry. His black eyebrows scrunched in the middle. He smiled slightly revealing his dimple and kissed my cheek.
" I'm taking you to your Father."
" No." I whispered. " Can we stay here till it passes?"
"No." Was his simple reply.
------ Riza's P.O.V----
Karzack had awoken and the joy that vibrated off everyone in the cottage was contagious. Jiblit especially. Fausto and Finn came in to say hello to the little man before they went scouting. Ryan stood in the corner of the room. The big goofy smile upon his muscular body was simply adorable to me. Heidy sat on the floor leaning into Axel's chest.My mother and Father sat at the table drinking tea. For a moment our worries had subsided. That was till Hexton walked in with Misty in his arms. She moaned with what seemed to be pain.
" What did you do to her?" I yelled as he handed her over to my Father.Who had jumped out of his seat and to her side instantly.
" Watch your tone Riza." Hexton warned.
" She is suffering from some type of sharp pain.I believe." Hexton ran his fingers through his hair. A trait I was beginning to notice him and Ryan did when upset.
" I do not know what's wrong. One minute we were swimming in the lake.. And the next she was.. Well like this." He informed.
"Please Ralph take her to the room and check her." Hexton asked, not ordered. I couldn't help but huff. This was strange.
Ryan walked over to Hexton and whispered something in his ear.
Hexton turned and peered down at Heidy and Axel before he followed my father to the room in the back of the cottage. The same room Ryan had found me in. The night we proclaimed our love to one another.
I entered the room as Misty was being laid on the bed.
"Please help me remove her wet cloths." My father asked me.
" King Hexton could I ask you some questions?"
Hexton nodded and followed father outside the bedroom door.
" King Hexton. Do you feel her pain?" I heard father ask.
" No." Hexton anserwed only when we are apart for more than a few hours at a time.. I feel our bond. And it feels like electricity. Never sharp pains. Just an uncomfortable nagging. And little shocks so to say."
I had stripped Misty of her clothing and she now laid under the tan bed sheets in Queen Rose old bed. Misty continued to cry but she was awake.
" I know what it is." she whispered to me.
" I can see her. Like a daydream everytime."
"Who?" I asked as I knelt at her bed side.
She grabbed my hand and squeezed it as another painful scream sounded from her.
" Queen Rose." She panted.
Hexton had ran to my side and now was kneeling next to me. I heard a growl come from him as he took Misty's hand from mine.
" What is she doing to you.?" He growled again.
" She is doing nothing.. " Misty anserwed." They are torturing her and I feel her pain."
Hexton stood suddenly. His body shook with anger.
Misty looked at me then father.
" Can I be alone with My mate." She asked softly.
----- Misty's. P.o.V-------
My father and Riza exited the room closing the door behind them. Hexton stood shaking above me. His eyes were closed.
" I figured it out. While you carried me here. I communicated with your mother. She will not last long."
Hexton peered down at me. His eyes were red and his face held great sorrow.
" She has been tortured. She must have had her mind link open to me. And well my wolf absorbed her pain. A gift I've had since our imprisonment. I helped other Elentrans with their ailing bodies. She will not last till tomorrow. I can feel her diminishing."
Tears rolled down Hexton's face.
" Come lay with me." I asked.
He shook his head no.
" Come say bye to your mother."
" I can't!" He yelled.
"You must." I informed.
Reaching for his clenched fist. I rubbed his hand. And opened my mind link.. I did something I did once as a child with a bird that had fallen from its nest.I thought of Queen Rose. When I found her mind I passed her feelings from my hand to Hexton's. He dropped to his knees and wailed. But. I did not let go of his hand.
----- Hexton's P.O.V----
I saw my mother. She was unrecognizable. Hanging from shackles. Her skin had no un harmed area. Her head lifted and I heard her whisper
"Misty...Hexton.. Is that you."
" Yes." Misty replied.
"My sweet child.. You are the one that has been helping me with my pain.?"
"Yes." Misty anserwed.
" You have a caring heart my child... And Hexton."
I waited. Still shocked at the image of her tortured body.
My beautiful mother. I had practically handed her over to the enemy.
"I understand your dilemna.. And believe me that I wish Estra hadn't spelled me. However. I am no use to you. She controls my mind and brain."
"I was foolish." I interrupted.
" All will be fine my son..know I love you and this was the only way. Estra can not rule without the stones. Or books. The girls must study them to a tee. I've seen two futures.. One where the sky is dark and the earth dry. Dead. Full of her creatures.. And the other was of green trees. Grass and many happy shifters. Please take care of yourselves.. I will not last till morning. My wolf is dying..but we are both happy to know we got to say farewell."
Then she was gone.
I looked up at Misty who was crying. I hadn't realized I too was a ball of tears. I got up and laid atop of the bed sheets next to my mate. Who in return hugged me tightly.