Phantom of the Heart

by Stein Willard

  ***

  Cybralle held up her hand. “Listen!” she hissed. “What in Hades could make such a racket?” The next moment, a dark, heavy object flattened her to the ground. Winded, Cybralle reached out to the heavy object lying next to her. She quickly rolled to her feet when she felt fur, her sword flashing as she hacked at the wolf. The wolf lifted its head and snarled at her. Her next cut was aimed at the wolf’s neck. Putting all her power behind the blow, she severed its head.

  “Good heavens, what is that?” one of the archers gasped out. “Was that a wolf? It is huge.”

  Wiping her sword on the carcass, Cybralle addressed her men. “Take your positions. Archers, remember Rom's instruction. Aim for the chest area and try not to shoot the upright ones.”

  Cybralle was still reeling from what Rom had told her and from what she had seen with her own two eyes. Before her very eyes, Rom had changed into a large, bipedal wolf who towered over her. Following their leader's example, the others had shifted too. The shock was too much for some of the men who immediately began to vomit where they stood. It was only once Rom and his men had melted into the dark that the men could pull themselves together. Even now, they were still a little shaky.

  “The rest…follow me.”

  A few yards away, they could hear snarling and howling, punctuated by yips of pain and fear. Rom and his men seemed to be at work already. Just maybe she would not need to risk her men after all. Where was Sterling? Cybralle held up her hand again. Something big was moving through the trees. She cocked her head to listen from which direction the sound was coming.

  “Archers, what do you see?”

  “Commander, you need to dive for cover…now!” One of the archers shouted, his voice thin with distress. Cybralle turned to the men who were rooted to the spot in fear.

  “What are you waiting for? Go for cover!”

  Cybralle and her men barely managed to dive into the thick underbrush when a troop of muscular, hairy legs passed by them.

  ***

  Ridat swung, but his claws did not connect with the body of his opponent. Instead, a huge claw caught him across the face, flinging him to the ground. It was like fighting an unyielding force. How could he have misjudged Gentro's skill like this? When they were younger, Gentro was known for his passive nature. He was good at breaking up conflict and a great strategist, but not once had Ridat seen the man lift his hand toward another. Glancing around the clearing, he grimaced at the carcasses of his wolves strewn around. He would, once again, come out the loser against this archenemy. All that saved him now was the Royal Creed. Only an ancient could take the life of another royal. Gentro had seen but a hundred and three summers which made him a juvenile in the Court's eyes. The ancients almost never left the Hidden City of Olympus. Some that had left even opted to return to Mount Olympus where they spent their eternal lives conversing and counseling the gods on human behavior.

  Ridat could get up and leave this place right now. Gentro did not have the power or authority to do anything to him. He staggered to his feet, facing his powerful adversary. He slowly began to change back to his human form.

  “You know that you are not permitted to kill me. For now, I will retreat and grant you this victory, dear cousin.” He turned to the human girl. “You should expect to hear from me again, Princess.” He gave her a taunting bow. “Till then, enjoy what little time you have together.”

  He turned to leave, only to come to a stunned halt. His eyes widened in shock and horror.

  “NO…” The pleading sound was so foreign to his own ears that he could not believe it came from him.

  Chapter 22

  Orla picked up the scent of her father from amongst the four large Ulvs standing with him. She had to admit that they looked impressive standing there, upright, their powerful bodies still as statues. She moved over to where Sterling stood, openmouthed and staring at the newcomers.

  As Orla watched, they all began to shift. The Ulvs quickly turned away, and four women stepped out from behind them to cover them with white, flowing shifts. When they turned back, she saw that the newcomers consisted of three men and a woman. A soft moan came from where Ridat stood. He turned to look at her, his eyes suspicious as they traveled over her.

  “If…if Gentro is over there… Who are you?”

  Orla began the shift. When she was done, she stood naked and proud as she glared back at Ridat. The man turned even paler when he noticed her breasts. Sterling took a quick step sideways and planted herself before her to hide her nakedness. Orla placed a hand on her wife's shoulder.

  “What…what is happening here?” Ridat's eyes swung from her to Gentro. “You tricked me.”

  Gentro stepped forward. “Let me introduce you to my daughter, Orla Peron, and her wife, the Crown Princess of Karas, Her Royal Highness Princess Sterling.”

  Orla felt Sterling stiffen at the introduction. Ridat threw his head back and let out a scream of frustration. Gentro, however, continued as calmly as if nothing had interrupted him.

  “The rest of my entourage I believe you must have heard of, but for the benefit of Orla and the princess, I will do the introductions.” He turned and gestured to a man of average height standing near him. “Orla, this is my father and your grandfather, King Tart.”

  Orla studied the man and could actually see her features in him. He was quite handsome with his midnight-black eyes, and salt and pepper hair. He gave her a wide smile, and she could not help but smile back. He exuded such warmth that she was immediately drawn to him.

  “Greetings, Orla.” He stepped closer to place his hand on her shoulder. “You are the most perfect Ulv I have ever seen and the loveliest girl to be born into our line.” Orla blushed as he gave her a small kiss on the cheek. “I am so honored to make your acquaintance, granddaughter.” He turned to Sterling and bowed deeply. “Your Highness, it is my infinite pleasure to meet you too. I would also like to welcome you to our family.”

  Sterling curtsied. “The pleasure is shared, Your Majesty.” The Ulv King gave them both a warm smile and stood to the side.

  Gentro cleared his voice. “Over here we have my grandfather and your great-grandfather, Helm.” The man was taller than his son and built like a tree with powerful shoulders and strong muscled legs. He did not even look much older than his son. He, too, mirrored her features, but she had her father’s light eyes. He came over and grabbed her in a tight hold.

  “You are the first girl to be born into the line for over four thousand years, girl.” He held her at arm’s length. “And what a specimen you are! You are even bigger than your father. You seem to be an even better fighter than him too.” Orla blushed and Helm threw his head back and laughed. “You are truly a delight, granddaughter.” He turned to Sterling and looked her up and down. “I have lived over seven hundred summers and during my reign it was prohibited to touch royalty. Is that still the case now?”

  Orla watched as her wife's eyes almost bugged out at hearing the age of Helm. She could almost see her making calculations in her head. Sterling seemed to quickly pull herself together. “Uh…well…it is not encouraged, but it is also not forbidden, I think.”

  “Good.” Sterling was drawn into a huge hug. Orla grinned as her great-grandfather slapped Sterling on her derrière, making the princess yelp in shock “Make sure you give her ample opportunity to plant as many babies as possible in your womb. A lot is expected from the two of you.” With a wink, he also stood to the side, leaving a blushing Sterling to cling to her wife's hand.

  Gentro came to stand next to the last remaining man. “This is Minos, our first ancestor and one of few ancients still living amongst us.”

  Orla could not help but stare at the smiling man. He was of a slight build and did not look a day older than seventy. To think that he was almost as old as the existence of modern man was inconceivable. Minos came over and gave her a small kiss on the cheek. He was a serious-looking man, but Orla could sense a deep calm coming from him.

  “It i
s an honor to meet you, daughter of my blood.” He turned to Sterling and gave her a deep bow. “The gods could not have chosen a more suitable mate for Orla.”

  Orla was still pondering the strange choice of words Minos had used, when she was unexpectedly gathered into a tight embrace and her face was rained with tiny, warm kisses.

  “Mother, perhaps you should introduce yourself first, before you manhandle her,” Gentro teased. It took a long while and many more kisses, before the woman she now assumed was her grandmother pulled back to look at her. Orla stared in awe at the dazzling woman before her. She was extremely tall, with ash-blonde hair and icy blue eyes. It was good to know where she and her father got their height and eyes from.

  “Greetings, my angel, you have no idea how long I have been looking forward to meeting you. Gentro kept you hidden far too long.” Orla was, once again, subjected to a few tiny kisses. “I cannot believe that I am actually holding you in my arms.” Tender fingertips brushed over her face. “You have my grandfather's eyes just like my Gentro.” Another bout of kissing followed, and Orla admitted to herself that she quite enjoyed being fawned over like this.

  She took her grandmother's hands and placed soft kisses in the palms. “It is a pleasure to meet you, grandmother.” She smiled when the eyes, so like her own, shot full of tears.

  “Please, mother, no crying. I told you she looked like me and that she had Grandfather Amlveig's eyes.” He quickly stepped closer and put an arm across her shoulder. Orla saw the other Ulvs walk over to where Ridat was being detained by three armed men. Gentro brushed a kiss over his mother’s cheek. “I concede that I felt exactly the same way when I first saw her. I also kissed her a lot. But do you not think you should introduce yourself to her first?”

  The blonde wiped her eyes and gave Orla a brilliant smile. “I am your grandmother, Audunn.” She pulled Orla in for another embrace. “You are my only grandchild, and I have been waiting so long for one.” Audunn turned to look at Sterling, who was watching the interaction between granddaughter and grandmother with an amused smile. “Please, do not put me through the same delay that Gentro did. He only found a mate when he was…”

  The clearing suddenly filled with armed men, and Orla quickly pulled Sterling closer. She only let her go when she made out a familiar face. She planted a small kiss on Sterling's crown.

  “There is someone here to see you.” She pointed to where the towering figure of Cybralle was frantically searching the clearing for her daughter. When Sterling saw her mother, she rushed forward and was swung up into powerful arms. Cybralle held her daughter tightly as tears coursed down her cheeks.

  Glad to see the two reunited, Orla returned her attention to her grandmother.

  ***

  Cybralle whimpered softly, as she cradled her daughter in her arms. I did it, Mesmeria. I found her, Cybralle rejoiced mentally. She pulled back to look at her smiling daughter. She was fine, unhurt, and smiling.

  “How are you?” She had to ask just to be sure. Sterling grinned up at her mother.

  “Never better, Umah. Look over there.”

  The warrior's eyes scanned over the clearing, touching every face present. The breath caught in her throat when she met familiar, blue eyes. She made her way over to the where Orla stood talking to a tall blonde woman. When she came to stand before them, Orla looked up and gave her an uncertain smile.

  “Cybralle?”

  Cybralle just shook her head as she stared at the younger woman. She looked just like the last day she had seen her, alive and bursting with vitality. Her eyes traveled down to take in Orla's nakedness. “What were you and Sterling up to in the forest?”

  Orla blushed and stepped behind the tall blonde woman who was watching Cybralle intensely. Cybralle turned to face the woman, and they quietly sized each other up. The woman did not speak or change her expression, but Cybralle could feel a tenseness invade the woman's body. Orla must have sensed it too, because she quickly stepped around the woman.

  “Cybralle, I want you to meet my grandmother, Audunn. Grandmother, I want you to meet Sterling's mother, The Consort of Queen Mesmeria, and my mother-in-law.”

  The tension immediately dissipated as the blonde woman smiled, causing Cybralle to blink at her radiance. She did not even look a day over thirty. It was impossible that she could be Orla’s grandmother. The woman bowed low before her and Cybralle returned the curtsy. Her eyes shifted and met Orla's.

  “I feel like there is a lot we have to talk about.” Cybralle pulled Orla into a tight embrace. “It is good to see you again. You look different naked.”

  Orla blushed as she lowered her eyes. The blonde called a woman over. “Get my granddaughter something to cover herself with. We were so happy to see you that we completely forgot to find you some clothing.”

  Cybralle smiled and walked over to where Sterling stood, talking to the men. From this distance, she could hear her thanking them.

  “It would have worried me knowing my mother came looking for me on her own. I owe you all my gratitude for accompanying her.”

  The men all looked uncomfortable, as they looked from Sterling to her. “You did not tell her?”

  “Tell me what?” Sterling slightly cocked her head to one side, as she looked at her mother.

  “Well,” Cybralle put her hand on Sterling's shoulder. “I was going to come alone, but your men refused to stay behind. In the end I had to bring five hundred men with me. The others are waiting for us back at the camp.” She grinned at the expression of shock and pride that came over Sterling's face. “We need to get back to them.” Her face turned serious. “Will it be safe for you here in the meantime? I know about Rom.”

  Sterling's eyes became shuttered, but she nodded. “I will be safe with Orla. I would, however, like for you to stay behind while the rest of the men fetch the troops. There is a lot we need to discuss and I think it would be easier if Orla can do it all at once.”

  Narrowing her eyes slightly, Cybralle studied her daughter closely. “If it is important to you that I stay, I will stay.” She turned to the men. “Will you find the way back?”

  Before the men could speak, another voice responded. “It would be a privilege to accompany your men to their camp.”

  Cybralle watched as Sterling turned frosty eyes toward Rom. The man quickly held his hands up.

  “Believe me, my lady, it had to be done.”

  Noticing the undercurrent between the two, Cybralle wondered if Sterling was aware that Rom was an Ulv. Cybralle noticed that the discomfort of the men had increased greatly. It was time for her to step in. She cleared her throat softly, drawing both Rom and Sterling's attention. “The men will be fine on their own, but thank you for the offer.”

  The soldiers stomped their feet and bowed their heads in Cybralle and Sterling's direction before they turned and left. Her daughter was still glaring at Rom, who was now looking warily at the bloodied sword in Sterling’s hand.

  “Do you two want to tell me what this is about?” She directed her question at Sterling.

  “Rom here has been leading me on a wild goose chase around the forest for four days,” Sterling snapped, her grip tightening on her sword.

  “As I said before, milady, it had to be done.” Rom swallowed hard. “It was the only way to ensure that Orla knew of your presence. She was difficult to track down, but knowing you were near lured her out of hiding.”

  “What are you talking about? Why was Orla hiding?” Cybralle looked to Sterling for answers. “Sterling?”

  The silver eyes so like her own darkened slightly, as Sterling pulled her gaze away from Rom. “I…I wanted you to stay behind so we could talk about this, Umah. You see…”

  “I am an Ulv, and I only found out the night we were attacked,” Orla said quietly. They all turned to find her standing a few feet away. Orla shrugged and Cybralle saw her looking at Sterling with uncertainty in her eyes. “I did not want Sterling to know about me, but she followed me here.”

  Cybralle
blinked repeatedly in shock. Was Sterling also…? She closed her eyes. Am I too late?

  “Umah?”

  At Sterling's soft call, she opened her eyes. “Have you been bitten too, Sterling?”

  Rom and Orla quickly shook their head. “No,” they replied in unison. A brief feeling of relief rushed over Cybralle, but her fear appeared again when she looked at Orla. “What will happen now?”

  “I know what you are thinking, Cybralle, but you need not worry.”

  Cybralle pushed her hand through her hair. “This is not cause for concern? Is my daughter truly safe around you?”

  Sterling placed her hand on her mother's arm. “I am safer with her than you think.”

  “I do not know what to think anymore, Sterling. Please, make me understand.” Cybralle looked from Sterling to Rom. “I saw him change into a…a…I do not even know what it was.”

  “He shifted into an Ulv, Cybralle. Do you remember the story you told me about the gods and the Ulvs?”

  Cybralle grimaced. “You must have laughed at me then for telling you the story, knowing that you…”

  “No, I did not laugh at you, because I did not know myself.” Orla took a deep breath. “Soon after our wedding, on our wedding night to be specific, I started getting these strange feelings. My body felt foreign to me. I began to crave meat. My hearing and senses sharpened.” Orla's eyes were pleading when they met Cybralle's. “I was so scared. When Rom appeared at our wedding day and again soon after, I knew something was happening to me, because he spoke as if he knew what I was going through. But I did not know about my heritage.”

  “You mean to tell me that you were not bitten before your change?” Cybralle was doubtful.

  Orla looked at Sterling and Cybralle saw the tenderness in Orla's eyes. “I only found out yesterday that I come from a long line of Ulvs. I only just met my family.” Orla turned to look back at Cybralle. “It seems I am the first female Ulv to be born to the royal house in four thousand years. I swear I did not know any of this. All I wanted was to stay dead to Sterling so she would never find out.”