Immortal Warfare: Sister Witches

by Melinda Hyde

  When I was close enough that I could feel the pocket of heated air hanging between us, I allowed myself to shift. I opened my eyes and peered down on her. Leonia gazed up at me, as I stood towering over her. I extended my hand, and she took it, as I hefted her to her feet.

  “What were you doing out here? You and Lance could have both been killed,” I stated, trying to mask the gravel in my voice.

  Leonia’s gaze darted away, off the side. “You brought that wench into our home. Then, when she left, you left us to go after her.” I noticed her free hand draw tight, until her knuckles went white. “I didn’t think you were coming back, which left me no reason to stay,” she snapped, in a tone blotted with bitterness.

  At the mention of Mallory, white-hot rage began to sizzle beneath the surface of my calm. “That was wrong of me. You’re my wife, and I love you,” I said, in a gruff, measured tone. “Will you allow me one more chance to make things right?” I held my breath. I needed her to allow me back in.

  Her gaze was distant and filled with doubt. “I love you, Orin— and you saved our lives.” Her features were sad and distrustful. “What you did was unforgivable, and it hurts.” She closed her eyes, her dark lashes knitting together. “Yet, I still want to be a family,” she whispered, in a pained, shaky breath.

  A part of the wall I had constructed around my heart began to crumble at the obvious ache she was feeling. I wrapped my arms around her and my son, pulling them close, but Leonia remained rigid in my embrace. After a tense moment, I felt the gentle tug of her pulling away from me.

  She peered steadily down at our son, avoiding my gaze. “I’ll give you another chance, Orin.”

  19.Home

  Leonia

  Icradled Lance, as he greedily gulped his fill of milk. The forest around us was motionless. The only sound came from the water trickling over the rocks, hurrying on its never-ending way. The sun was still bright in the sky, sending pools of golden-yellow through the branches above, but I knew that it would soon be setting.

  I shifted my gaze to Orin. He had asked me to forgive him, and I had told him I would. It was nowhere close to being so simple, though. I did forgive him, but the pain—the memory, was long lingering. I didn’t know if it would ever abate.

  When Lance was done feeding, I wrapped the sheer, thin blanket around his small form, flipping the tip over his tiny face. I held him tight in one arm, while using my other to help myself to my feet. I hesitated briefly, then padded over to Orin.

  I studied the bareness of his muscular torso, admiring the way the slivers of sunlight accentuated the contours of his muscular frame. When my gaze shifted to his shoulder, I gasped aloud. I was horrified by the extent of the crimson wound, that had already become red and puckered around the edges.

  Orin spun around, and a dark shadow passed over his grassy irises, before I had time to contemplate its meaning, his plush lips turned up in a tight smile, and he closed the distance between us. I glanced at the ground, toeing the leaves uncomfortably. I wasn’t ready to face my husband after what he had done—what I had done. He tucked his warm finger tenderly beneath my chin, and he lifted my gaze to his.

  “Are you ready to head home?” His voice was soft and soothing, despite his masculine drawl.

  I nodded my head, in response. “I lost the horses, though. They bolted when the bear showed up.” I looked away, ashamed of my action, and worried about the safety of the frightened animals.

  Orin’s smile became noticeably strained, but his voice held the same level, comforting tone. “I know. They ran past me when I found you.” He took a breath, then released it slowly. “It’ll be okay. I’ll send my men out to find them.”

  I nodded again, as Orin’s hand fell away. His warriors were stretched out on the forest floor, a little ways from us. He strolled toward them, and they abruptly came to attention. Their golden eyes latched onto Orin. I couldn’t make out what he was saying from where I was, but I knew by his animated gestures, that he was sending them off in search of the horses.

  When he was finished, I watched the group of beasts stretch and yawn, then slink off into the shadows. Orin waited until they had fully disappeared, then strode in lengthy strides to my side. He peered down at Lance, who was sleeping peacefully in my arms. His eyes brimmed with love and admiration. He peered up into my eyes, and I noticed some of the affection drain away, making my heart clench painfully.

  Orin grasped my hand in his, and we started our long, arduous trek back home. Orin silently led the way, and I followed him through the trees and vines. It seemed as if we had been walking for hours, when we finally came upon the clearing. The sun was sitting low on the horizon, and the crickets were beginning to chirp. I hesitated, peering at the empty cabin, wondering if I was making the right decision.

  I decided that I didn’t have much of a choice. It was far too dangerous to travel the woods at night, especially by foot. Not only that, we no longer had any provisions. Everything we needed was somewhere lost in the woods, with the horses. Besides, Orin had come home, and he still wanted me.

  The breeze ruffled my hair, and I started forward, following my husband home. Yet, despite all my reasonings, there was something that still nagged at me—something that begged me to put aside what I wanted and turn back. It prickled at the edges of my mind, setting my nerves on end.

  Inside the cabin, I eased Lance down into his crib. His hands shot out, as if to grab onto me, then he sniffled once. I tucked his blanket under his chin and strolled over to the bed. I grazed my hand along the surface of the crinkled sheet, feeling tired. I knew that I wouldn’t be able to sleep, though. My mind was churning with vagrant thoughts, and there was still something that bothered me.

  The floor boards creaked behind me. The light taps of flesh slapping against the floor boards filled the room, and I tensed. Now that we were alone, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Orin had seemed pleasant enough, and he had saved our lives. Something seemed to be off about him, though.

  I felt a warm, gentle pressure come down on my shoulders, and my spine stiffened. If Orin noticed, he didn’t let it show. Instead, he closed the space between us, until his naked body was pressed against the fabric of my gown. I shivered, resisting the urge to lean into him.

  At my hesitancy, his arms snaked down, finding their way around my waist. His bulging muscles flexed, and he guided me back against his chest. A pleasant shiver shot through my body, and the tiny hairs along my arms stood on end.

  “You’re still mad at me.” Orin’s warm breath stirred the hair around my ear. “I suppose you have the right to be. What I did to you was wrong. I realize that.” I closed my eyes. I had heard those words too many times. “I came for you, though. I’ll always come for you. Our destinies are intertwined.”

  My eyes shot open. I didn’t know why, but those words set me on edge. There seemed to be a lingering promise hidden in that simple, innocent statement. I swallowed the bitterness that filtered across my taste buds.

  Orin twirled me in his arms, and I leveled my eyes on his chest, before searching his face for the answers that escaped me. He brought his hands up to cup my cheeks, using his thumbs to brush the hair from my face.

  I parted my lips, not sure of what I meant to say. I didn’t get the chance. He drove his lips onto mine, moving his hand to gently cup my head at the nape of my neck. The intensity of my longing drove out all other thoughts.

  I melted into him, yielding to the delicious feel of his flesh against mine. My hands traveled up the length of his hard, toned abdomen. Orin drew back with a grunt, and I glanced up shyly through my thick, dark lashes. His green eyes were unwavering, as they searched my own. I could have lost myself in them. They were bursting with emotion, and I could see a multitude of thoughts churning just below their bright surface.

  My hands continued to travel up, exploring every couture etched into his lean frame, up his chest and over his broad shoulders. That’s when Orin clenched his teeth, hissing under his breath. I felt him f
linch, and I jerked my hands away from his skin, realizing what I had done.

  My eyes flew to the puckering wound on his shoulder. “I’m sorry; I forgot,” I mumbled, ashamed for having hurt him.

  Orin rolled his shoulders, smiling a tight-lipped smile. “It’s okay. You didn’t mean to,” he answered.

  I tilted my head, skimming my eyes over the wound. “You should let me clean that up, so it doesn’t get infected.”

  His booming chuckle startled me, and I sent him a perplexed look. “You can tend it, if you’d like, but it’ll heal soon on its own.”

  I pressed my lips together. I knew it was true; it would heal on its own, but I still wanted to clean it and dress it. “Follow me,” I said, padding past him. I could feel the amusement, as his eyes trailed me to the door.

  20.Ponderings

  Orin

  Iwatched my witchy wife’s hips sway as she glided from the room. She was concerned about the graze in my shoulder, but I knew it was more than that. Afterall, the wound had already begun to knit itself back together.

  I couldn’t find a reason to deny her, though. It wouldn’t hurt to have the wound cleaned and dressed. I decided that, if it would appease her, I would allow her to do it. I needed to be on her good side; I still needed her, for the time being.

  Just before she cut the corner into the main room, I started after her. Her raven hair swayed in a swishing motion down her back, and I longed to reach out and run my fingers through those delicate strands.

  Leonia spun around with her hand out, gesturing for me to stay put. She disappeared around the corner, then came back carrying a pitcher of clean water, and an old, ragged cloth. She strode purposefully to the chair in front of the fireplace, and she waved me over.

  As I sank down into the seat, Leonia set the pitcher on the floor in front of me, before sinking to her knees. The darkness lent mystery to her veiled features. Shadows hung over her pretty face like a cloak, but her eyes shined out from beneath her long, ebony lashes, with an ethereal brilliance. The adoration in her sparkling irises made my heart clench, and I was forced to glance away.

  Leonia sighed. “Nobody likes being doctored on, Orin. It won’t be so bad, though.”

  She had mistaken the meaning of my avoidance. I was relieved and saddened, all at once. I forced my eyes back to hers, and she sent me a light, airy smile. Then, she glanced down, dipping the rag into the cool water. The liquid tinkled around in the pitcher, as she thoroughly soaked the cloth, then wrung the excess moisture away.

  I eyed the material that approached my shoulder wearily. Just because my wound would heal abnormally fast, didn’t mean that it wouldn’t hurt when she cleansed it. In fact, I was still fighting off the last, burning remnants of the rabies I had contracted from the bear.

  I tensed as the fabric brushed against my skin. My muscles went rigid, only to find that the damp coolness actually felt refreshing. I released a breath that I had been holding, and it came out in one great whoosh. Leonia paused, questioning me with her kind, brown eyes. I nodded, and she continued swirling the blood and dirt from my flesh.

  When she was satisfied with what she had done, she let the rag flop into the water. Next, she added a balm to my broken skin, and wrapped it with a soft, clean bandage. I studied it, flexing my muscles so that they rolled beneath the fabric, then turned back to Leonia.

  She had already made it to her feet. She was clearing away the mess. I pushed up from the chair, and her eyes tilted up to mine. My expression must have revealed my intentions, because she sent a puzzled glace at the door, before searching my face. Her brows pulled in, creating a small, indented crease between her eyes.

  I did the best I could to muster up a smile, but it felt forced and wrong. “Look, Leonia, I’m going out.” Disappointment registered plainly on her lovely face, but I went on. “I won’t be gone long. I’ll be back by tomorrow morning; I promise.”

  It was the truth. I would be back in the morning, and every morning after, even though something inside beseeched me to turn away—to start over somewhere new—far away from all the wickedness that surrounded me. In my heart, I knew that, that wasn’t an option. I had to see this to the end. I had to finish what I had started.

  Her eyes drifted down, refusing to meet my own. I leaned into her, brushed her hair away from her brow, and I pressed my lips to the smooth, soft skin of her forehead. There was no change in her distant, sulky demeanor. She stood there silently, as if carved of stone, with her eyes fixed somewhere beyond the dust-ridden floorboards.

  I couldn’t forestall any longer. Lenora had taken her creatures somewhere beyond my grasp, but I suspected that they would return. I intended to be alert and ready when they did.

  I straightened up, and my hand fell free, allowing Leonia’s hair to drift back down in a disheveled manner, and I made a hasty trek for the door. It squeaked lightly on its hinges, as I pulled it inward, and I strode out into the night.

  The air outside was fresh and lively, nothing like the heavy, stagnant air in the cabin. It washed over me, caressing my skin with its cool, crisp touch. I sighed, and the beast inside of me clawed at his restraints. I released him, granting him the freedom to reshape my body, making it his own.

  I sank down to all fours, and my robust claws began to knead the soil that hid beneath the grass. I glanced around the clearing, my eyes landing on the abandoned, darkened cave. I tilted my head, and I sampled the soft tufts of breeze.

  I could still smell Leonia’s sickening sweet scent, and the bitter traces of her creatures. It was vague and fading, though. Still, curiosity called me, pulling me to that darkened, gaping mouth. I struck out, moving along at a lazy, careless pace, to pause outside the cave.

  All was silent inside, and there was no impenetrable force to block my path. My tail twitched once, then twice, in irritation. Then, I proceeded. As I entered the shadows, the ground beneath my padded paws changed from soft and dewy, to jagged and harsh. It was fitting that Leonia had chosen such an unhospitable home, I thought to myself. It matched her perfectly, harsh and unchanging.

  The cave was exactly as it had been the night before. The cavern was a mess. There was filthy hay scattered about the floor, and it wreaked of damp, moldy stagnation. I wrinkled my nose, trying to rid myself of the stench, but with my heightened senses, it was no use. I was just about to leave, when I noticed Lenora’s chest on the far side of the cave.

  I trotted over to it, eyeing it speculatively. Where ever she had gone, she had left all of her belongings behind. I reared up, bracing my paws on the polished, wooden surface, and I gave it a hard shove. The box toppled over hard, cracking against the ungiving floor.

  The contents spilled out from the ruined lid. It was mostly clothing, I realized with dismay, but there were other objects mixed in, as well. I distended my sharpened claws, shuffling the cluster of fabric around, and some other objects rolled free of the bundle.

  Most of Lenora’s objects were rather mundane, to my surprise. There were bowls and pots, even a few stray pieces of jewelry. None of that mattered to me. One thing did catch my eye, however. Barely peeking out from under one of the bowls was a slip of something that resembled paper. I rolled the pot away with my snout to get a better look.

  What I had thought to be a slip of paper, was actually an old photograph. My blood ran to ice, and my snout crinkled viciously. In the photo, Lenora and Leonia stood side by side. They both wore dazzling smiles, and Leonia had her arms latched around Lenora’s slim waist. Seeing the two of them together, after all the had happened, left a sour taste in my mouth.

  Yet, that wasn’t what called up my ire. It was the ghostly fog that spiraled out from the palm of Leonia’s hand. Magic, I snarled in my mind. The photo was devoid of color, but it didn’t matter. There was no mistaking what the misty substance was.

  My claws flew across the face of the photo, shedding the delicate parcel apart. The sliced pieces curled into themselves, hiding away all but a small portion of the repulsive scen
e. Leonia’s bright, youthful face peered out, seeming to look directly at me.

  I growled, snatching myself away from the offending likeness of my wife, and trotted out of the cave. The weight of oppressive energy that lingered in the cavern lifted, as I left the bleak space behind.

  Movement beside the cabin caught my eye, and I shifted my gaze to find my warriors filing around the side of the lodge. They must have found and secured the horses, I noted with satisfaction. They trotted over to me, like a band of reapers, ready to usher death to our enemies.

  Their curious eyes studied me, waiting tensely for instruction. I trotted toward them, making a path through the cloud of darkened bodies, and I paused to glance back at them. They began to wheel about, and I continued on my way, picking up my pace.

  I didn’t pause when we came to the towering trees. I dove in, with a renewed lust for the hunt. The crunching and cracking of leaves and twigs behind me spurned me on. There was something wildly enthralling about running through the night with my men at my side.

  I was still caught up in the glee of the moment, when a strong, repugnant scent wafted into me. I stiffened my legs in front of me, digging my paws into the dirt, as I skidded to a crashing halt. My men did the same, stopping short to cluster around me, gazing about with obvious confusion.

  I met each of their eyes, lifting my snout to the wind. They tilted their heads, flicking their ears to and froe, as they did the same. A light of understanding blazed around the group. I hadn’t expected it, but they were back. Lenora had foolishly allowed her creatures out to hunt.

  I half crouched, the abandon I had felt moments before forgotten. I was now the predator—the stealthy hunter. I moved in a half-crouch across the forest floor with the precision of a seasoned predator, on silent, ghostly feet. My men were right behind me. I couldn’t hear them, but I could feel their presence.