Amethyst- Bow and Arrow

by M. D. Grimm

  I went with impulse and ran right at him, tackling him to the ground before he could recover.

  "Shit!" He grunted as he hit the ground hard, me holding him down. I straddled his hips as my hands gripped his arms.

  He gasped for air. "You hit me in the sweet spot there, Aishe."

  I laughed. "I noticed. I wonder why no one in combat with a mage has ever thought to do that."

  "We tend to protect that area vigorously." Morgorth chuckled.

  I really enjoyed the light in his eyes as he stared up at me, the expression on his face. I fought hard to make that look appear. It was light, happy, and just a tad mischievous. It wasn't a light I saw very often, and hadn't during the weeks of his training. My mate usually wore a mask. Not a cold one, but blank. Now, though, Morgorth had soft eyes and an easy smile. He seemed oddly relaxed, which also didn't happen very often -- not even when he slept.

  It seemed that this time, finally, we might actually get to just be together without any outside interruptions.

  Maybe.

  With a burst of strength, Morgorth suddenly flipped us, and for a moment I acutely felt his groin pressing against mine. Need sparked in my stomach, my blood turning hot. But I wasn't going to surrender, not yet. I used his own momentum, continuing the roll, shoving him underneath me again.

  He grunted. "Dammit."

  I snickered. "You'll have to do better than that if you want to beat me."

  Morgorth raised an eyebrow. Then his eyes flashed, his magick sparkling in the air around us, formless, purposeless, but still beautiful in all its color. It shimmered and misted in a warm bubble around us. For a moment I was stunned once again by its pure and innocent beauty. Then that cloud suddenly closed in around me, and before I could react, it shot through my body, sparking all my senses, tingling through my skin and down to my bones. It caressed and ignited sensations I never knew I could feel. My body went rigid; I cried out but I couldn't hear, couldn't see, I could only feel. And what I felt was indescribable.

  The next thing I knew, I found myself lying on the ground with Morgorth sitting beside me. His smile was rather smug, and he looked far too amused.

  "That's not fair." I pouted.

  He chuckled. "I know. That's why it's fun."

  I scowled. Or tried to. I couldn't be too angry; my body felt loose, and my limbs felt like they were made of liquid. I usually felt a fraction of this after we made love. But this time, I didn't think I could move for a few minutes yet.

  Pleasure still hummed through the entirety of my body. It hadn't been an orgasm; not really, it was more of a... well, spiritual orgasm. That was probably the best way to describe it. Morgorth lay down beside me, and together we looked up between the tree branches at the blue sky. I vaguely noticed the storm clouds coming closer. We would have to get inside before they hit.

  "What did you do?"

  "I ignited all your senses," Morgorth said, "at once."

  For a moment I couldn't figure out what he was talking about. Then I remembered I'd asked him a question, about what he'd done to me, and he was answering it. By the Hunter, Morgorth had done something to my brain as well. I could barely remember what happened seconds ago.

  "How?"

  "Magick."

  I rolled my eyes at his glaringly obvious answer. "You are a jerk."

  He laughed heartedly, rolling over on his side. After kissing my cheek, he pressed his head against mine. I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling control coming back to my limbs. I flexed my fingers and toes, and started moving my arms.

  He suddenly whispered, "I'm sorry."

  I frowned. "What for?"

  He pulled back, his eyes filled with remorse. "I won't ask for your forgiveness, but I am so sorry I used magick on you, using your hair. I shouldn't have done that."

  I lifted my hand, cupped his cheek. "Morgorth."

  He closed his eyes tightly for a moment. "I never want to harm you with my magick. I've made sure I never do. I had no right to do what I did. I just... I needed to give you pleasure with my magick. I needed to balance the scales."

  I swallowed hard, my eyes burning. His pain gave me pain. "I do forgive you," I whispered. "I love you. You love me. I had to know, Morgorth. You had to show me. I'll never forget what a mage can do to me, and that's a good thing."

  I kept my hand on his cheek, and he finally opened his eyes, staring so long into my own that I began to squirm.

  "Come on," he said a moment later. He held out a hand, and I took it. He helped me to my feet, and I stretched slowly, the hum of pleasure finally leaving. How he did that, I didn't know. But I liked it. Maybe I could get him to do it again.

  "Aishe."

  I looked at him. Snow covered him as I'm sure it did me, and his hair was tussled, very different from its usual sleek look. He stared at me with eyes gone suddenly serious. I straightened.

  "Now it's time for your first magick lesson."

  I frowned. "What are you talking about? I only know healing magick, and I'm proficient at that."

  He inclined his head. "I'm not talking about using magick. I'm talking about defending yourself against it. How to counter a common spell. How to anticipate what spell a mage might use given a certain situation, a certain opponent."

  My heart raced, and my blood burned. Was he saying what I hoped to the Mother and the Hunter he was saying? Was he about to show me the secrets of his kind? To reveal their fighting techniques, their minds? If he was, he was arming me the best way a non-mage could be armed: with knowledge.

  "Morgorth," I whispered.

  My mate never removed his gaze from mine, and his own hardened. "You survived your first real mage attack, Aishe. I'm proud of you. But most of it was due to luck, and the fact you had an entire forest army at your disposal."

  I couldn't deny it. I said nothing.

  "But what should happen if you find yourself alone? Just you against a mage? Do you think you'd survive a one-on-one fight?"

  As much as it punched at my confidence, and ego, I had to admit the truth. I shook my head.

  Morgorth nodded. "We're about to change that. Are you ready?"

  I inhaled deeply, held it, then exhaled slowly. Pushing back my shoulders, I faced Morgorth squarely.

  "I'm ready. Teach me."

  Epilogue

  I didn't know what made me wake up, but I did. Then I realized I was alone. Sitting up, I frowned at the empty space beside me. The mattress was cold. I pulled on a long tunic before leaving the bedroom and making my way down to the first floor.

  Where was he?

  It had been a few days since Master Ulezander left. My training was going well, though my body was achy from it. I didn't mind; I loved learning, and Morgorth was a great teacher.

  I found him in the largest parlor. He was standing in front of the fire, his hands clasped behind his back. The fire was the only light available, since it was still the dead of night. Shadows danced upon the walls, and I wrapped my arms around myself, a chill running down my spine.

  "Morgorth?"

  He turned his head, smiling at me. The firelight danced off his dark eyes, making them even more entrancing.

  "What are you doing down here?" I asked. He was fully dressed, and I remembered I fell asleep before he could even crawl into bed with me. How long had he been standing down there?

  I stood beside him, and he returned his gaze to the fire.

  "A querian came after you fell asleep."

  "From who?"

  A sharp smile graced his mouth, and his eyes became darker. The look was feral.

  "From Master Ulezander."

  I frowned. "Why?"

  "A few nights ago, I found the mage, or what was left of him, on the wall. The vines still held him tightly."

  Memories flashed, and I cringed. I never wanted to repeat that experience again.

  "I took his body down." Morgorth glanced at me. "I'm tired of the Council fucking with me. It was time to send them a message."

  Anticipation
as well as apprehension tightened my gut. "What did you do?"

  His smile deepened, though it was too feral to be pleasant. "The Council tried to use the king of Cwaylin as a puppet, trying to distance themselves from the actions the king would take to conquer this land. You were right, Aishe. The Council did try to make me declare war. They bend the rules to their breaking point, just managing to prevent themselves from looking the aggressor."

  I nodded. "They need you to declare war so they remain blameless."

  Morgorth slid his arm around my waist, pulling me toward him. I came easily, curling into his side.

  "I can't send an aggressive message directly to them, since they would use that opportunity to declare war. I chose a more subtle, but useful, way. I used their own tactics against them."

  "What did you do?" I asked again.

  He sighed. It was a sound of satisfaction. "I cut off the mage's head, and sent it in a box to the King of Cwaylin."

  My eyes widened even as my breath hitched. The last dregs of sleep vanished. "Morgorth."

  He laughed. Laughed.

  For a moment, a brief moment, I saw the darkness in his eyes. I saw the ruthlessness, the lack of empathy. I swallowed hard, and a chill shot through me, one that had nothing to do with the weather. And yet, at the same time, dark pride filled me; pride that came from the knowledge that I was bound to someone so powerful, so ruthless. He took what he wanted, when he wanted.

  "The Council will hear about it, and they'll think twice before fucking with me again. Especially with Uzzie keeping his eyes on them." He glanced at me again. "I told him what I intended to do."

  "But they could retaliate. Nanna and Dyrc--"

  He shook his head. "Relax, Aishe. By law, I did nothing wrong. The King declared war on me, and he lost. I sent him a message to deter him from future attempts. I was indirect, just like the Council was. Their secrecy was my cover."

  I nodded slowly, now awake enough now to fully comprehend his plan. He was brilliant. The Council's hands were tied. They couldn't punish Morgorth for the mage's death unless they wanted to admit their hand in the invasion. Morgorth had beaten them, playing by their own rules.

  "I am so proud to be your mate," I whispered. Despite my terror concerning those few early unknown years of his, I was still proud to be with him. I felt worthy, grateful, to be loved by him.

  His arm tightened around me. "Thank you."

  I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, and together we stood silently in front of the fire. Morgorth lifted his hand, reached over, and lightly caressed the amethyst pendant I never removed.

  "It won't be long until you don't have to wear that anymore," he said softly. "I'm nearly done with adjusting Geheimnis's spells to know you."

  I covered his hand, and together we gripped the pendant. "I'll always wear it. I'll always treasure it." I gazed into his eyes. "It was the first gift you ever gave me. It was your way to welcome me into your home. Your life."

  His eyes glistened, the darkness gone. For now.

  Glossary of Creatures and Characters

  Aishe

  The mate and companion of Lord Morgorth. He is a dialen of the massacred Ravena tribe. He is a healer, a great archer, and sword master.

  beregun

  Intelligent creatures that live in mountains or underground. They prefer the cold and damp. They have serene singing voices which lure their prey to be captured. They are around 6-7 feet tall, have either ivory or ebony skin, large ears, and big eyes with slit pupils. They are blood drinkers, turn to stone under the sun, and are hairless. They are slender but very strong.

  bidadari

  Semi-intelligent creatures who love to play pranks, and are easily both flattered and insulted. They love cream and live primarily in forests of varied densities. They prefer the warm temperatures. They are around 2-3 feet tall, have rainbow skins (one color per creature), and they appear as colored orbs.

  boygles

  Vicious, intelligent creatures which live in small tribes of around 20-25 members. They are obsessively clean and neat and like the dark. They are around 3-4 feet tall with brown or black skin. The use the blood of those they kill to dye their clothes red. They follow only the strongest and most powerful.

  Cwaylin

  Kingdom north of Morgorth's territory. Inhabited by seelas.

  dialen

  Intelligent creatures that live in tribes. These creatures are the most spread out and live in varying habitats, such as forests, fields, and sometimes deserts. They are a warrior society and put great value in sword fighting, archery, and hunting. The only magick they are born with is healing magick. They are around 6-7 feet tall with varying appearances, ranging from white to black skin. They are usually slender in shape but muscled and are innately agile.

  Dyrc

  A male mage. He is a "dog" of the Council, an enforcer.

  Elissya

  Female mage. She is the great grandniece (by several generations) of Master Ulezander. She trained with Master Ulezander along with Morgorth. She became his first friend who was close to his age, as well as his first lover. She now resides in a town near Vorgoroth, acting as the towns' resident mage.

  Enfernlo

  A payshtha and friend of Morgorth. His normal size is 12 feet tall, 36 long, with dark blue scales, with light blue eyes with slit pupils. He has silver horns, and black claws and teeth.

  fasion

  Semi-intelligent carrion black birds. Some have learned how to speak. They are 19 inches long and live in flocks. They are usually used as messengers by kings or mages. They have a great dislike of wichtln.

  firb

  Semi-intelligent predators that live in underground tunnels. They are humanoid in form. They are 1-2 feet tall with all black skin, eyes, and hair. They often wait in the darkness for the prey to come to them.

  flayn

  Semi-intelligent creatures whose form resembles that of a horse. They have long feathered wings and are varied in the color of their fur. They are around 8 feet long and 6 feet tall. They normally live in plains or mountainous areas.

  formoryans

  Formless entities that existed before the Mother came with her Light. They are not of Creation which means they do not live nor do they die. They currently reside in a cage that the Mother created for them, located at the edges of her world -- a placed named "Oblivion".

  Geheimnis

  The enchanted castle fortress home of Morgorth.

  glenshod(s)

  Intelligent predators that primarily live in swamps and bogs. They frequently attempt to expand their territory. Violence is their religion. They are around 7-8 feet tall, broad, with brown-scaled skin. They have large, bulbous eyes and have big ears which can hear far into the distance. They have sharp claws on their hands and feet and are bald.

  Grekel

  Leader of the wichtln pack who live in Vorgoroth. He is 9 feet long and 5 feet tall with silver fur and yellow eyes.

  Grendela

  A female boygle and matriarch of the tribe who serves Morgorth.

  gVattaren

  Intelligent creatures that live in tribes and excel in thievery. They live mostly in the deserts as nomads. They are around 4-5 feet tall with pointy chins, white hair and beards, green skin, and pointy feet and fingers. They are experts at fire magick and finding water in the desert.

  hags

  Female monsters. They are considered "daughters" of the revenai. There are no males of this species. The females mate with other creatures and always produce daughters. They are 5-6 feet tall, gorgon-looking hunchbacks. They wield dark powers of chaos and live on the cold, snowy peaks of tall mountains.

  hakum

  Term of a vengeance mission that binds a dialen until it is completed.

  Happy Valley

  The old and prospering village which lies inside Morgorth's territory.

  helioon

  A giant bird with red and black feathers.

  Hunter

  Companion of the Moth
er. He was created with the Mother's own blood to be her equal. Many hunters pray to him for success in a hunt. He is rumored to live mostly in forests and to either aid or hinder the success of hunters. It is said that he delights in the primal game of hunter and hunted. He is also considered to be the protector of the "lesser" or semi-intelligent creatures of Karishian.

  kellpy

  Semi-intelligent predator that lives in the water. While they are often invisible in the water, their form liquid and clear in appearance, they usually take the form of a white horse when they breach the surface. They have red eyes and sharp black teeth. Their size varies greatly. They lure their victims in with their beautiful form and persuasive natures.

  kiron(s)

  Measurement of distance (1 kiron = 2 miles).

  krattyie

  Spirits which can be invoked to protect property. They are dutiful, loyal, and can take any form.

  lutin

  Intelligent shape-shifters. Not much is known about them. Legend states that they're born in wolf form and shift at a year old. Their genes are suspected to be passed through the mother and they are often hired as assassins.

  ludki

  Intelligent creatures that live in mountains. They are mild-mannered and keep to themselves. They are miners and architects by trade and are obsessed with gemstones, gold, and silver. They are 4-5 feet tall, muscled with copper skin, and black or silver eyes. Males are bearded while the women are serenely beautiful.

  mae

  Affectionate and intimate term for one's mother, specific to the Ravena tribe.

  mage

  Magick wielders who are born from seelas. They are sterile, unable to bear children. Magickal ability varies. They are tutored by mentors and have 3 phases of training spaced out through their lives. They are subject to the laws and traditions of the Council of Mages and are often employed as advisors to seela kings.