The Witch and the Dragon Ch. 18

She shrank away from his cold words. Still, he continued. "You'd do well to harden your heart or spend the rest of your life suffering for men who lie to gain access to the heaven between your thighs. You are not the only accommodating woman in the galaxy. Heaven can be obtained everywhere."

She choked back a sob, understanding him completely. She'd been used and cast aside like nothing.

He sighed behind her and his hand came up to stroke her tears away. "Don't cry little one. Perhaps in this kingdom you will find a man willing to care for you and your babe. I... I cannot offer you safety. That's why I must bring you back to your kin."

"Kin?"

His lips brushed her temple. "You are a princess. King Lumar has been searching for you. You will be well cared for in his castle. Your father is the only man you can trust, Alluna. Remember that... always."

"Are you... are you the father of my—"

He chuckled—a laugh without humor. "If only, Alluna. I am not the man you love, nor am I the father of your child. I'm cursed. No one can or should ever love me. To do so would assure great suffering. I will never allow that. I know this now. This is how it must be for me."

Shadows passed overhead and she looked up to see a red and golden dragon soaring overhead. Trailing behind them was a black-winged reaper.

The road twisted and turned as they neared a large river with an arched stone bridge over it. Large stone demon-like creatures adorned the sides of the entryway to the bridge, holding large clubs. The dragons landed before the bridge and roared, making Alluna clap her hands over her ears in fright.

The stone statues moved, their eyes lighting with red fire. Their jaws opened, showing needle-like teeth with glowing fire within. Black smoke erupted from their jaws and out of their nostrils as they growled at the dragons.

"Trolls," General Luke sighed behind her.

The creatures bellowed their indignation, fire dripping from their jaws. The dragons puffed out their chests and snorted angrily at the creatures, but the trolls refused to allow them to pass.

General Luke got down from the Ballan they rode and strode to the bridge. He reached up and tore his cape off. Alluna sucked in a shocked breath when large red devil's wings unfurled behind him. The creatures blinked glowing eyes at him and actually began to cower.

His voice growled out in a strange language she did not understand, making the trolls move away from the entrance to the bridge. Black smoke billowed from their nostrils when the general turned and remounted the Ballan behind Alluna.

She was not sure what terrified her more, the snarling trolls staring murderously at her, the fire-breathing dragons snapping their jaws mere feet from her legs at the trolls... or the devil holding her tight against his body behind her. To make matters worse, the reaper had landed at the end of the bridge and stood with his wings unfurled and his eyes emotionless black voids.

"Fuck off, Eriel," the general rasped.

The reaper grinned. "Can't help it. Every time you show those wings, my whole system goes into kill mode. Just instinct I guess."

"Stop your blabbing and get my cape before the guards see me." He gripped Alluna's chin and forced her gaze to his. "Sleep, Alluna. Remember nothing about my wings, or the reaper..."

...Or the dragons... King Lumar is your father... you were kidnapped by an evil sorceress... kept in a tower from your birth until your twentieth spring. You were rescued by a knight who stole your innocence and left you abandoned.

She tried to awaken, but felt so tired. Visions swam in and out of her consciousness. A wall, higher than anything she'd ever seen, rising up to disappear into the clouds... a canopy of trees... wooden bridges, curious faces peering at her.

She felt her body immersed in water, being bathed, and then silken fabric wrapped around her. The last thing she sensed was soft bedding cushioning her and the face of a very big, dark man with glowing gold eyes looking down at her.

"Welcome home, my child."

***

A warm, gentle breeze blew a tendril of her hair across her face. Alluna wiggled her nose when it tickled her nostril. She stretched with a yawn and opened her eyes. A black wolf with golden eyes lifted its head to stare at her. The creature wagged its tail licking its snout.

Alluna remained staring back at it, unsure if the pretty creature was dangerous or not. Tentatively, she lifted her hand and the wolf bowed its head to let her pet it. It rolled onto its back offering Alluna... her belly in a sign of friendship.

"Where did you come from, pretty girl?" Alluna cooed with a smile.

The creature thumped its tail against the sumptuously appointed canopied bed in answer.

Alluna frowned, looking at the unfamiliar surroundings. A rich, deep green and gold comforter covered her and the drapes that hung to either side of the enormous wooden bed were a filmy green of the same color. The bed's pillars were gleaming black-brown wood, and, from what she could see, the entire room was all wood, the walls a pale blond as well as the gleaming floor. A furry gold rug circled the bed and to either side of the headboard were wide stained glass windows that cast a rainbow of colors to either side of her.

The she-wolf turned over and growled at the door seconds before it squeaked open.

A pretty... and very pregnant elf girl peered in. She seemed unfazed by the giant black wolf and stepped inside with a smile. "Ah, you're finally awake. Are you hungry? Would you like a bath before breakfast? It's still very early. The royal family hasn't had their breakfast yet. I'm sure the king will be thrilled to see you at the breakfast table."

Alluna stared at the girl. Her hair was a mass of jet-black spirals that fell to her waist. Her dark eyes glittered prettily as she flashed Alluna a smile. The cherry red of her lips was a stark contrast against the creamy white of her skin. Alluna looked down at her own golden brown skin. "How did I get here?"

"Well... I heard that a warrior brought you in. He found you wandering in the outer forest." The elfin girl sat at the edge of her bed. "Do you remember what he looked like?"

Alluna frowned, her brows drawing together. "I remember... horns, and a mask of metal... blond hair... a thousand shades of gold."

The elfin girl's face paled as she put her hand over her heart. "Oh."

"Do you know who it might be?"

She stared at Alluna wide-eyed. "Um... no." The wolf whimpered and crawled to the elfin girl. She stroked the creature's dark fur.

"Is she your pet?" Alluna said pointing at the black she-wolf.

"Annie? No. She's your guardian. She's been by your side since you arrived here."

"Oh." Alluna reached out and stroked Annie's fur. "What a strange name for a wolf. And what's your name?"

The elfin girl smiled. "I'm Rowie."

Alluna nodded. "I'm Alluna."

Rowie smiled. "I know. You're the princess. Come on. Let's get you ready."

Alluna felt reluctant to leave her room. Rowie had helped her bathe and then dress in an elaborate outfit made of green and gold scarves that draped down her hips and legs. Her top was two pieces of filmy silk, which crossed over her breasts but left a triangle of flesh over her belly exposed. Rowie brushed her hair into a tail that spilled from top of her head and then draped a veil over the lower half of her face.

Alluna found it strange that her feet were left bare, adorned with a few rings with glittering jewels and anklets that jingled when she walked.

Rowie gripped Alluna's hand. "You'll be fine, Luna."

Alluna looked at her in confusion. That name...Luna... so familiar. The vision of a gothic castle flashed in her mind... many aliens dancing... loud music... a power guitar... fingers sparking fire as they fly over the glowing strings...

"It's time to go," Rowie said again as she opened the door.

Six guards waited for her. The men were big, their skin much darker than Alluna's. They wore woven leather pants and boots. They also had metal breastplates in the form of a giant leaf over their chests and metal helmets with silver horns. Each had a sword strapped to their sides.

Dark brown eyes focused on Alluna, but their expressions remained neutral.

Alluna stepped out of her room, and immediately realized in shock that they were inside the biggest tree she'd ever seen. The size had her mouth falling open as she looked up and saw how it twisted up, ending in a canopy of giant leaves. There were layers of balconies, stairways, and doors as far as the eye could see. She noticed a few archways showed views of bridges, linking to other hollowed out trees nearby.

The guards lined to either side of her and escorted her to a large woven basket that turned out to be an elevator.

Alluna held onto the railing nervously as they descended. To her dismay, neither Rowie nor the wolf had accompanied her.

The elevator stopped on the second floor. They exited after the head guard gestured for her to follow and led her to a sweeping dining hall.

The floor gleamed, the pale blond wood like reflective as glass, showing the grandeur of the vaulted ceilings and metal chandeliers holding large glass orbs. A long table dominated the center of the hall, but it was low and had many cushions strewn around it. More tables, but much lower than the central one, hugged the walls. These also had cushions. Just like in the room she'd awakened in, there were tall stained glass doors leading out to balconies.

The guards led her to the end of the table. At the other side, she saw a low, golden bench, covered in deep green velvet.

A very thin, little man approached her. His eyes seemed to bulge out of his brown face, and his clothes, a long, brown, and gold tunic with gold leggings and boots, looked a size too small for his skinny frame. The effect actually made him look even thinner, like a twig.

"Your highness," he said with slight disapproval, before bowing low. "You have not been presented in public to his highness. And since you have no other family member present to present you, it has fallen upon me to lead you to the king for presentation. My name is Herbeldegard, head keeper of Evergreen castle."

He finally straightened and stared at Alluna with dark beady eyes and a frown.

"Presentation? The king?"

She remembered being told her father was King Lumar. Try as she might, she could not remember ever seeing him before. Her only childhood memories were of the woman she called mama.

The dining hall began to fill up. Most of the people that sat at the central table ignored her. Others, like the big warriors stared at her, making her blush and look down at her fingers, which she twisted in anxiety.

"Your highness," Herbeldegard began, bowing again. "If it is not too forward of me, I would like to ask you to sit as the dining guests take their places."

Alluna plopped down on the cushion behind her.

Herbeldegard cleared his throat. "If I may suggest also that her highness learns a few hand signals to ease the presentation process. When I wave one finger at her highness, she should sit. Two wiggling fingers mean walk, non-wiggling fingers mean simply stand. This," He raised both palms and then bowed his head while lowering them to his thighs, "means that her highness should kneel and bow her head, and that would be done before the king. After that, it is up to his highness whether or not he accepts you."

Alluna bit her lip. "And if he doesn't accept me?"

The man cleared his throat and rolled his eyes before answering her in a bored tone. "Then I must escort her highness out of the castle, but that is highly unlikely to happen, your highness."

Herbeldegard clicked his heels with a little bow and turned to face the entry to the dining hall. There he remained, still as a statue, as people began pouring into the hall.

Some musicians gathered in the far corner near the entrance and began to play stringed instruments and a lute.

Some warriors settled themselves near Alluna and watched her curiously. Her cheeks warmed at their insistent stares and she looked down at her hands in her lap, unsure what to do or say. How she wished Rowie were here with her. She felt utterly alone and frightened.

***

Days of waiting had worn Zak's patience down. He knew he acted like a bear with a sore tooth, but he'd had enough. Taking his frustrations out in the training field hadn't really helped either. No one wanted to spar with him anymore, including the two idiots he loved as brothers.

Rowie had verbally cut him to shreds the night before for having knocked Remi out cold for a couple of hours. It had only notched up his rage higher. He had to grit his teeth, bite back the snarls, and bow his head. What the hell else was he supposed to do before an infuriated pregnant woman?

He couldn't even find it in him to be astounded that he'd finally managed to best both Remi and Seth in hand to hand combat. Funny what not being able to use one's powers did. They couldn't beat him. He didn't even use his artificially implanted wings to gain the upper hand. No. His frustration and anger over not being able to see Alluna was enough to turn him into a mindless rabid beast.

He stomped his way to the dining hall, hand on the hilt of his new sword, eyes staring down. He didn't care to see anyone, or talk.

If he knew where she was, he'd swing her over his shoulder and disappear into the wilderness. One night was all he needed to shake her memories of him. She had to remember.

He closed his eyes remembering the way his mother had taken him in from head to toe, almost lewdly and cringed.

"Fuck," he snarled, and then actually flashed his teeth at the feel of a hand clutching his biceps.

Seth scowled at him. "Would you calm the fuck down, Goliath."

Zak only snarled and jerked his arm away. The only reason he still accompanied the few handpicked warriors into the royal dining hall was on the off chance Alluna would be there.

There were rumors she'd been found and returned to the king, but that had been days ago and nothing more was said.

As they entered the hall, Remi suddenly gripped his arm excitedly. "Zak. Promise me you're going to stay cool."

Zak only clenched his fists and glowered at the red weredragon disguised as an elf. Remi stared at him expectantly.

Seth steered them toward their usual spot. "Let's sit first, Rem."

Something about Seth's voice had Zak frowning deeper. The weretigri looked flushed, excited, nervous.

"What the fuck is going on?" Zak hissed.

Remi grinned and opened his mouth, but Seth held up his hand.

"If you get up," Seth began, looking seriously at Zak, "I swear to God, I am going to bash you over the head with my sword."

Zak blinked at him. Perhaps the weretigri's brains were still scrambled from when he'd backhanded him during the afternoon sparing session. Seth's cheek was bruised, and for a fleeting moment, Zak felt chagrined.

"She's here," Remi murmured, and then tensed.

Zak turned his head, his eyes automatically going to the royal table set up in the center of the dining hall.

He didn't need to scan the entire length of the table as he always did day after agonizing day.

Alluna sat, swathed in an array of hunter green and gold veils, sitting primly upon a satin, golden pillow. The color of the delicate fabric brought out the gold tone in her caramel colored skin. Her hair was a gleaming river of black down her spine, but the soft swell of her belly ultimately drew his attention.

He was almost on his feet, wanting to run to her, wrap his arms around her, kiss her, caress the bulging evidence of their love growing within her.

Seth and Remien's hands griped the feathers of his wings and twisted them down, holding him in place.

"Easy," Seth hissed. "Remember the plan."

The plan. Right. Get near her, court her, get her to surrender herself to him... love him.

Zak rolled his shoulders, feeling the weight of the wings. He suddenly regretted going along with disguising himself as a reaper. How the hell was he going to accomplish getting Alluna to love a death angel? For that matter, was loving an Alpha Angel any better? Most of the galaxy considered them no better than demons. Lucifer's angels.

"You can do it, Zak," Remi said as if sensing his thoughts. "She'll remember. She loves you."

"Love?" Zak scoffed. "She was trapped in a fucking tower all her life. She didn't know any better. If I had any decency, I should just leave her with her family. All I can offer her is a life on the run with a rogue Master Guardian."

"Alpha Angel," Seth corrected.

Zak sneered at him, "Alpha Demon. Everybody hates us, blames us for the war."

Remi gave him a shove, his eyes sparking with fury. "Listen, fucker. You got her pregnant. If you're not willing to bring her back home, I will. She belongs with us now. She carries your babies for fucks sake."

Zak clenched his fist. For the first time in a long time, he felt confused. He wanted her so badly, but now felt... unworthy... scared even.

His gaze drifted back to her. She looked up tentatively and then ducked her head. His heart clenched when he saw her lip quiver. It took all of his willpower not to run and comfort her.

"She's scared," he whispered.

The sound of trumpets announced the royal family's arrival.

As was custom, they all stood and bowed. Zak kept his eyes on Alluna.

She also rose and turned to face the oncoming royal entourage.

Queen Lukresh drifted in, her face devoid any warmth. Her white hair, as usual, was coiled up in an elaborate coif that looked more like a fusion between a beehive and a bird's nest. Her dress this morning was confectioned of prickly looking vines, and leaves. The royal princesses, dressed in the more traditional northern territory garb of layered veils.

Zak frowned. The royal twins were very promiscuous. He'd seen then sneaking around the training camps of the warriors late at night. They often watched him during training sessions, but as far as he could tell, they were scared shitless of him... as most of the men were.

The queen floated past Alluna as if she didn't exist. The twins, Aivy and Yuvy, looked with dismayed confusion. Like their mother, their hair and skin was white as snow, like most of the inhabitants of the eastern region of Arboria.

Northern Arborians were dark, from Alluna's light caramel to King Lumar's deep dark chocolate.

The king entered the hall last. His attire was far from regal. He wore the traditional woven leather pants and boots made of black supple skin, but he was bare from the waist up. His muscles gleamed as if oiled in the light of the dining hall.

Lumar was bigger than Zak, his muscles incredibly large. The man barely had a neck. His head was bald and sported a thin wreath of gold leaves that matched the molten color of his eyes—like Alluna's eyes—hammered gold. It was a trait of royalty.

The royal twins' eyes were violet, like their mother. He had only been hand-fasted to the queen for ten sun-orbits, so it was known that Aivy and Yuvy weren't his offspring. Queen Lukresh was the widowed youngest daughter of the duke of the eastern region.

King Lumar stared at Alluna as he passed her to sit at the head of the table. Zak saw the longing in his eyes. The king immediately signaled the musicians to stop playing when he reached his royal seat.

Silence fell over the gathering. Zak found himself holding his breath as a servant helped her step up on the table and walk toward the king. When she reached the end, she went down on her knees, head bowed.

"Your highness, I present to you the princess Alluna."

All eyes were riveted on the king now. He stood from his seat. Zak watched his arms go around a stunned Alluna and finally scoop her up.