Girl in the Red Hood

by Brittany Fichter

  "The girl who died was my wife." Liesel froze, but Keegan continued, his voice bitter. "My uncle told the girl from Ward that her humanity would fill them, and the wolves would no longer be cursed," Keegan said. "What he didn't tell her, and what I'm sure he didn't tell you, is that the black magic needs somewhere to go. So when you marry my brother, we'll regain our humanity. What happens to the pack leader or his heir happens to all."

  "And me?" Liesel's fingers refused to loosen the knots, so she stopped trying. Keegan kept his eyes on the ground as he spoke.

  "You'll gain the form that they're discarding."

  "You mean I'll become a wolf?"

  "Not just any wolf...," Keegan's voice trailed off. Panic hit her as the form from that morning's escape lit her memory.

  "That beast?" Keegan just nodded. Liesel tried to speak, but her voice suddenly felt just as brittle as her body, ready to break with the slightest movement.

  "The nectar of the flower you drank isn't magic itself, but it acts as a bridge, allowing whatever magic or form from one spouse to flow into the other, and because Kurt's the pack leader, the magic of the entire pack will flow into you with his."

  "Why...why didn't it work? If she took the wolf form-" But Keegan was already shaking his head.

  "She wasn't strong enough to take it all, just enough to become that...thing." He shuddered. "Liesel, I married her, turned her, and then hunted her down!" He suddenly glared at her. "And now you've sentenced Kurt to do the same thing to you."

  Liesel didn't hear when Lothur returned and gently threatened Keegan with punishment if he attempted to escape again. She didn't even notice when the seamstress kindly helped her rise from the floor. She didn't see her reflection when the seamstress placed her before a mirror to see how the new lacy blue gown draped elegantly from her shoulders and hips. The woman spoke sweet words, but there was nothing Liesel could say that would fully express the horror she felt from within. Numbness was better than trying to create words. It was with a hollow heart that she was escorted from the cabin to the center of town where everyone was gathered. For it was only with an empty heart, she reasoned, that she could marry the man she'd always loved before she became the very monster he loathed.

  22. THE WEDDING

  It wasn't until she met Kurt's eyes that her hollow heart shattered, releasing a flood of tears. The people who surrounded her looked uncomfortable, refusing still to meet her gaze. Even the seamstress couldn't seem to meet her gaze. They knew exactly what Lothur had done, and though it made them uncomfortable, the prize of freedom was worth the cost of her life. They just didn't necessarily want to see it happen, Liesel thought sourly.

  As she stared down the dirt aisle that formed between two rows of benches, Lora solemnly handed her a bouquet of wildflowers, the kind Kurt had shown her the day he'd led her on her first forest adventure on her birthday. For a moment, Liesel wasn't sure what to do. There was no father to give her away, not even a grandfather. As she took her first step alone, however, she felt a calloused hand gently take her by the arm. To her surprise, Johan suddenly stood beside her wearing a determined frown. She almost managed a smile for him, thankful that at least she didn't have to do this one thing alone.

  After sharing a long look, they began their walk down the aisle. As tradition dictated, the groom waited for her down at the end of the aisle with the Holy Man. Liesel had purposefully kept her eyes averted until she could stand it no longer. She knew that once she saw him, she wouldn't be able to pull her eyes away. It didn't seem fair to have to look into the eyes of the future she would never have.

  The cuts and bruises all over his face looked less severe in the gray light of the forest day, and most of his other wounds were hidden beneath the new clothes he wore. He was so handsome, Liesel mourned. He stood tall, his lips pressed in an intense line, eyes burning curiously as they followed Liesel.

  Why? Liesel asked the Maker. Here was everything she'd ever wanted, staring at her through fiery golden-brown eyes. Why does this beautiful moment, this perfect happiness, have to be so flawed? They'd tried so many times to beat the sin of his ancestor, and now both were caught up in a bottomless pit of sorrow. They would both lose. Man and wife were destined for loneliness, it seemed.

  Finally, she reached the end of the aisle. Before placing her hand in Kurt's, Johan faced her and gave her hands a gentle squeeze. It was then that Liesel realized there was no pipe sticking out of his coat. "Do what you need to do, and I'll be ready to go with you when you're done," he whispered. Despite the haze that seemed to cloud her mind, Liesel managed the tiniest of smiles.

  "I'm afraid there won't be anywhere for us to go," she replied sadly. It overwhelmed her that the lonely old man would be willing to accompany them; wherever he thought they were going. He leaned in a bit though, and returned her sad smile.

  "I know. But however far you're going, I'll be going with you just the same," it was a moment before Liesel realized he knew.

  "But I won't be myself," she choked out. "I might kill you without knowing!" To her surprise, the gruff old man just shrugged.

  "I've been a wolf too long to do well as a man. After I lost my girl, I swore I wouldn't let the forest take another the way it took mine. I'm not going to let this damnable wood have you, too, all alone like she was." Liesel couldn't help the swell of appreciation that rose up inside of her. With another small smile, the old man finally placed her hand in Kurt's before turning to take his seat. Liesel felt as though she might break, but Kurt still held that same curious expression of ferocity.

  "Dearly beloved," the priest's voice warbled like an adolescent boy's as he began the ceremony. Liesel recognized the man from Ward. They must have dragged him up from the town just for the special occasion. It was clear he was ill-at-ease in the company of the human wolves. As Liesel strained to read Kurt's strange expression, she forgot to listen to the words of her own ceremony until the priest asked if anyone had a reason that the two should abstain from matrimony.

  A sob unexpectedly broke forth from deep in Liesel's chest. The priest awkwardly paused as the sobs came faster and harder. Kurt gently cupped her face in his hand.

  "I'm so sorry," she whispered. "I did what you told me not to and drank the potion." Her cries echoed strangely through the town square as everyone watched her fall to pieces. Not that she cared anymore. The only person that mattered was standing before her wearing a mixture of pain and concern on his face. As more tears fell, he tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear.

  "I know," he whispered back. Liesel caught her breath.

  "You know? But how?" Again, not that it mattered.

  "I knew you'd take the bait," Kurt said with a sad smile. "You have a kind heart, and you do stupid things for the ones you love, like wearing a red cape in a forest full of danger."

  "He lied to me," Liesel shook her head.

  "I know, I know," Kurt soothed her as he glared at his uncle, who sat just a few feet away. That only released another barrage of tears from Liesel.

  "I'm sorry," the priest interrupted. "But I can't do this." When Lothur raised an eyebrow, the priest raised his hands helplessly. "I can't marry this girl against her will. It's not what the Maker ordained me to do."

  "If you don't marry them," Lothur stood and seethed, "You'll be responsible for all of these people around you turning to wolves permanently with your town close by. Is that what the Maker ordained you to allow?" As the priest stared at him, speechless, Liesel turned back to Kurt in terror.

  "I have to," she whispered. Kurt clenched his jaw and swallowed hard as his eyes burned once again. Taking Liesel's face in both of his hands, he rested his forehead against hers.

  "You're going to be fine, Liesel!"

  "How do you know?" she whimpered.

  "Do you trust me?"

  Liesel thought back to all their days together as children. When he saved her from Lothur the first time, when he'd sent her to Tag against his father's wishes, when he'd taken her word that they w
ould find answers in Weit. When he'd sent her away to make her free.

  "Yes."

  "Enough to marry me?"

  "I do." Slowly, a small smile spread across his face as he released her and took her hands once more. He closed his eyes for a long moment, drew a deep breath, and when his eyes opened once again, they were calm. Oddly, Liesel felt more peaceful herself. She couldn't explain why, but the serenity that Kurt exuded was palpable. It felt peculiar to smile, but Liesel knew one rested on her own lips as she stared into the eyes of her dearest companion.

  "Go on," she said softly to the priest. "I'm ready." When he hesitated a moment longer, she fixed her steady gaze on him and nodded. Finally, he began reading from his large leather book once more. As the words were spoken, Kurt's grip on her hands tightened, and the fierce determination on his face was nearly frightening, and grew more so as the ceremony neared its end. Soon vows were exchanged, and just before the priest announced them man and wife, Kurt suddenly drew her in and wrapped his arms around her tightly, holding her close to his body.

  "Now I need you to hold onto me," he breathed into her hair. "Things are going to look a little strange in a moment."

  "How do you know that?" She whispered, fear suddenly chasing away all the calm she'd carried moments before.

  "I can feel it. I've lived with magic all my life." Liesel did as she was told. He'd never held her so close, and the proximity made her head swim. It wasn't in any way unpleasant, however. If this was the way she was to spend her last moments, in the arms of her beloved, Liesel decided she would choose no other way. "Now close your eyes," he instructed, "and listen to my voice."

  "What are you doing?"

  "I'm not going to let you go." With those words, he nodded to the priest.

  "I now pronounce you man and wife." The priest hadn't even finished uttering the words when a great wind began to whirl around them. Liesel scrunched her eyes shut and pressed her face into Kurt's chest. And although her eyes were closed, Liesel sensed bright flashes of light exploding all around them.

  "Kurt?" As the wind blew harder, Liesel began to feel a part of her trying to slip away, as though the gales were going to snatch the soul from her body.

  "I'm here, Liesel." His voice was strong and warm, and when she heard it, her heart was strengthened. Not enough though, to stop the raging tides that warred within her. A foreign darkness began to burn inside her heart, and its beating rose and fell in unusual rhythms.

  "Kurt?" Liesel's call was frantic as panic set in.

  "Listen to my voice," he commanded. Liesel nodded into his chest, so he continued. "Your grandfather was right."

  "How?" She breathed.

  "I had to find peace with what I have in life. And I found it." Liesel wanted to answer, but she was feeling faint. Kurt tipped her head up so he could stare into her eyes. Bright whirls of color swirled around them faster and faster, and it was hard to focus as Kurt held her head up. "You came back for me. Before that moment, I was sure I would never find my peace, but when you came back, I knew for sure you loved me more than your freedom, more than your family, more than life." The air began to push in on them, and Liesel began to see spots.

  "Liesel?" Liesel gasped for air, but nothing came out. "Liesel!" His voice rose. Still, she couldn't answer. "Stay with me!" He shouted above the din of the storm. "I'm not letting go, and neither can you!" But Liesel felt as though she were being torn into another world, and her legs began to give way. She could only just feel his vice grip on her and the warmth of his chest as he crushed her against him. The other colors began to run, giving way to the color of blood.

  "It's taking me," she whispered.

  "No it's not! I won't let it have you!" His words were steel, an anchor in the storm. "Because of you, my soul has escaped the spell." He bent and spoke in her ear, "So now we have nothing to give each other but light." And with those words, he turned her head and placed his lips against hers.

  Kurt's kiss was the most powerful touch Liesel had ever felt. Soft, and yet an act of war, it threw up battlements around her soul. The purity that flowed from his heart flooded her confusion, chasing away the blood red darkness with a searing white light. The winds screamed louder than ever, but instead of explosions, Liesel felt as though she was being wrapped in the rainbow of a brilliant star. Then, in one fantastic burst of light, the storm began to recede. Slowly, ever so slowly, the winds began to fall, and the explosions that had surrounded them started to fade.

  Liesel had no desire to ever open her eyes again. Kurt still held her as though he battled, and his kiss was very much still warm and soft, and yet, triumphant. It wasn't until Liesel heard cheering that she realized she stood completely human before the rest of the pack. Except, the people before her no longer acted the part of a pack, fearful and silent. Instead, they clapped and cheered loudly, smiles on the faces of all. In confusion, she looked back up at Kurt, who wore his own victorious smile proudly.

  "How?" Liesel shook her head in confusion. It seemed too good to be true. "I shouldn't be here." She glanced down at her body. "At least, not like this."

  "Weren't you listening?" Kurt chuckled.

  "I was a bit preoccupied," Liesel gave him the slightest frown. Nodding his head in ascent, Kurt turned her to face the still cheering crowd.

  "Your grandfather was right when he said I had to find peace with who I was. I couldn't find that peace the way he did, however. I came close that evening on the mountain, but it just wasn't enough. But today, when I saw what you were willing to sacrifice for me, that you were willing to risk death for me, I finally understood that I was enough, that you loved me just as I am, and not for what I should be." He leaned down to place another kiss on her lips when his eyes flicked up, and his body turned to ice. Moving her aside, Kurt stalked into the trees. Liesel was confused until she saw a second figure walking quickly just ahead of Kurt. Realizing what he was about to do, Liesel took off after them. When she found them, Kurt had his uncle by the neck, squeezing harder every time Lothur tried to speak.

  "I should kill you, and rid the world of one more liar!" Lothur tried desperately to loosen his nephew's hold, but Johan and Keegan were suddenly there at his side, holding him in place.

  "Kurt," Liesel cautioned, "think about this before you do something-"

  "If you had died, your blood would have been on his hands!" Kurt thundered. "It would have been on all their hands!" He waved angrily at the bubbling crowd through the trees.

  "I'm not excusing him," Liesel said. "I want what's best for you. And killing your uncle in cold blood is not it. And as for them," she looked back at the people. "You're right about them, too. But can you really blame them? They wanted more for their children." Kurt glared at the distant throng for a long moment more, but Liesel saw his eyes soften just a little. Keegan and Johan exchanged nervous glances. Finally, Kurt slowly loosened his grip on his uncle's neck.

  "It would have been worth it," Lothur rasped as he clutched his neck. "All the deaths we've suffered in the last two hundred years would be worth one more if she were to end it!" Kurt made to move for him again, but Liesel held his arm.

  "Just go," she ordered warily before shaking her head and turning away. She suddenly couldn't stand to look at him for one moment longer.

  Lothur scrambled up to straighten himself out. Liesel didn't miss the question in his eyes as he silently begged for pity. No one spoke as he turned and started walking towards Ward. The four of them stood there for a while even after he was gone. Without his pipe, Johan fumbled with his hands for want of something to do with them. Keegan looked miserable, and Kurt continued to glare at the merry people through the trees. And as much as Liesel just wanted to go back to the cabin and just take a long, hard nap, it suddenly dawned on her that this was her wedding day, and strange or not, she was never going to have another one again.

  It also occurred to her that the young man standing beside her was now her husband. And, she decided, she was going to celebrate that w
hether he felt like it or not. A small smile suddenly playing on her lips, Liesel took both of his hands in hers. She had to repeat his name a few times before he pulled his gaze down to her level, his eyes brooding.

  "I don't care what awful things your uncle has done, nor do I care what they have done." Kurt still frowned, but at least he was listening to her. "What I care about right now is that this is my wedding, and my groom still has yet to ask me to dance." Kurt stared at her blankly for a long minute before the shadow of a grin crossed his face. Liesel stared into his golden-brown depths until the smile was real.

  "My apologies," he murmured, lifting one of her hands to his lips and bowing his head. Holding her gaze, he slowly led her back towards the music that had just begun to play. The people cheered as they walked to the center of the crowd. And as Kurt began to turn her in a circle in time to the music, Liesel's head began to spin again. But this time, it had nothing to do with the magic, and it had everything to do with the man who was holding her in his arms.

  Everything she'd ever asked of the Maker had been given to her. She had married her best friend. They were free. Just looking at Kurt, it was clear the darkness was gone from his mind, the pieces of him that the wolf had stolen were back to stay. He would never again stare blankly as he lost himself to the animal, and everything the animal had once taken was hers now until the day they died.

  ***

  The rest of the day flew by in a blur of dancing, singing, and laughter. Liesel didn't even realize she'd fallen asleep until she felt Kurt nudge her awake in the middle of the night.

  "Liesel?" When she didn't respond immediately, he softly kissed her temple and whispered her name again. Liesel briefly considered not answering just so he would kiss her again. He would have none of that though, letting out a low chuckling when she faked a snore. "You're a terrible pretender. I know you're awake."

  "Fine," she yawned and stretched before snuggling deeper into the covers. "You've found me out." Kurt gave another throaty laugh, tapping her on the nose playfully.