by Ann Cory
Minna raced through the market, buying what she needed, and swiftly returned home. For the remainder of the late afternoon and early evening, she tended to her fresh batch of stew. The delicious aroma of herbs, vegetables, potatoes, and meat filled her home, making her mouth water. It also helped pass the time before she would use another magic stone.
She looked into the pot of stew and reflected on a typical night when her love came home from a hard day's work.
Minna imagined Derik standing behind her, arms wrapped tightly around her waist, and showering her neck with kisses. He often smelled of licorice and peppermint leaves. Some nights he would sweep her up in his arms and carry her to the bed with a large cedar frame he'd carved with his own two hands. Above the lush velvet covers, they'd spend hours discovering new pleasures inside each of their bodies.
She liked his slight pouch of a gut, a sign he enjoyed her baked pastries and hearty stews. Her body was womanly, with curves and fleshy hips. He called her a goddess and lovingly caressed away her insecurities. Nothing could measure up to his kiss. She loved to run her fingers through his dark hair and smooth her hands along his strong, firm muscles.
Dinner had a tendency to run late once they got started exploring, and afterwards they would lovingly feed one another, only to wind up in each other's arms again. It had been months since she'd been with him, and it was becoming hard to fight the emptiness.
The bubbling of her dinner brought her out of her intimate reverie. She poured water over the logs and filled a large bowl with piping hot stew.
Chapter Seven
Lessier sent word for his friend Mico to visit him at his home. He couldn't shake Minna's harsh words earlier. Never before had she pushed him away or ignored news he might bring her. She acted like talking with him was a waste of her time. Who was so important that she would turn him away? Perhaps the charade of being heartbroken over Derik had gone on too long, and she was beginning to see the error of her ways. Maybe she realized how foolish she looked pining away for a dead man. Either way, it didn't excuse her behavior.
He tried to be angry with her, but it wasn't an emotion he usually associated with her. She was such a beautiful woman, with a gentle smile that brought a lift to his heart. He could forgive her unless she made a habit of it. The nights he visited her were dear to his heart. To watch the tears cascade down her face or the way her breasts trembled when she cried. To inhale the faint smell of her perfume as he comforted her with as much gentlemanly distance as he knew was right.
He'd restrained himself from touching her as much as he wanted, for fear of driving her away. He didn't want her to think he had an ulterior motive for getting closer to her. To be in her presence, in her cozy, small house, often made him feel weak. The thought of her pale, dewy skin brushing against his nearly drove him mad. Derik didn't deserve her. He never had.
As much as Lessier didn't want to admit it, he loathed not knowing who Minna's guest was. Rarely did he see her talk with anyone, especially since Derik's disappearance. The only woman friend he could even think of was Lillian, but why wouldn't she have said? Withholding the name of her guest was one in the same with admitting she was expecting someone she didn't want him to know about. Jealousy only fueled the flames deep in his heart.
He tended to his fireplace, stabbing at the wood with the iron poker, imagining Derik's face in the ash and soot. Many times he'd wished harm would come to Derik. Someone must have heard his silent pleas and finally took matters into their own hands. With the competition out of the way, Lessier had expected to win Minna's heart far faster than he was. Hopefully soon she would realize what all he had to offer. Until then, he grew more and more impatient every day.
A knock at the door startled him from his stabbing of the wood.
"Come in," Lessier called.
A uniformed man opened the door and stood at the entryway.
"Good evening, sir, you sent for me?"
Mico was a trusted friend, though terribly naïve. When Lessier wanted something done, Mico was his man.
"Yes, please come sit down and warm yourself by the fire. There is a chill in the air that came about several hours ago."
Immediately he thought of how cold Minna had been toward him, and the vein in his forehead pulsated. After all he had done, all the nights he had come to her as a friend, only to be treated like a disobedient child. He couldn't shake the hurt.
"Sir?"
"Yes. I am sorry, I have much on my mind this evening. Good to see you, my old friend. Would you care for anything to quench your thirst?"
"No, I'm good, sir. One of the townswomen brought us hot cider this evening."
Lessier poured himself a cup of tea and shook his head. "What is with all this sir business? You are here as a guest. Please relax. No need to be nervous. Is something troubling you?"
His friend looked down, circling the toe of his boot along the wood flooring. "I wonder what I have done to displease you. I cannot imagine being asked here without something unpleasant in store for me."
Lessier laughed heartily.
"My dear Mico, I consider you a friend. I only wished for you to meet me because I need someone to converse with. Know that I am quite satisfied with your services thus far. In fact, behind you is a bag filled with the wages you've earned. You will find a great deal more than what we had first arranged."
"Sir, why are you paying me, the job hasn't been completed? I have failed to find the missing man."
"I am calling off the search as of today and will no longer require your services. At least where this man is concerned. You have done a thorough job and I appreciate all the time you put in. I only ask that you keep this arrangement between us. Pram will receive less than half of what I have given to you. I believe we agreed on the sum of two hundred dollars, but you will find five hundred inside. I trust that suits you?" Lessier placed the bag of money in front of Mico.
The young man picked it up and held it in his hands.
"Yes, sir, that is very kind of you. May I ask why you have called off the search?"
"Let us just say I have received a disturbing piece of news and wish to withhold it from the others for a short period of time."
"Sir? Are you able to confide in me?"
"Yes, my good man, and only you. I am saddened to pass along the news that Derik was found dead. His body had been badly torn apart, I would imagine by an animal. As unfortunate as this news is, I am relieved to finally have some closure."
Mico's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "Who, may I ask, found him?"
Lessier's brows furrowed. He wasn't in the mood for details. "I cannot recall the name. It was an ill-fated find for the person, to come across a man with his body ripped in half. I imagine it would disturb anyone."
"Indeed. And will he…"
Lessier massaged his head, trying his best to look distraught. He sighed and waved his hand in the air. "Please, no more questions tonight. The news has greatly affected me."
"Of course. I didn't mean to be disrespectful. I am terribly sorry for your loss, sir. The lady friend of yours will be heartbroken. You say he was family?"
Lessier choked back laughter.
"Yes he is, or was, a cousin and very dear to my heart. Many people will be saddened with this news," he continued. "Should I need you again, I trust I may call on you?"
The young man eagerly nodded his head. "Oh yes, sir, without any hesitation."
"Very good. And please stop referring to me so formally. We are friends. I do not require you to call me anything but my name. Now, if you don't mind, I would like to properly mourn the loss of family and bid you farewell."
Mico stepped forward and shook his hand.
"Yes, good evening, sir. I mean, Lessier."
He waited for Mico to leave and then sat and propped his legs up on the nearby table. He took a long, slow drag of a bottle he had tucked away in his pocket. The strong liquor coated his throat and burned going down. He needed something stiffer than tea after that perfo
rmance. Mico was an honorable man, but he wasn't very good at keeping news to himself. By morning the search will have ceased and he wouldn't need to pretend he cared about Derik. Now all he had left to do was share his wicked news with Minna.
* * *
As the sun began to set, Minna's stomach was full and warm with the delicious stew. She planned to fly a greater distance and make better time. The idea of transformation had frightened her in the beginning, not knowing what to expect, but now she looked forward to it. She tried not to think about the uncomfortable changes that took place or the pain that accompanied it. Whatever pain she felt was nowhere near as harsh as the heartbreak she'd been experiencing.
Minna reached into the pouch and chose the black stone. She opened the window and once again propped it open with a stick. Her only concern was the wind. If it dislodged the stick, she'd have to wait outside until she changed back and risk someone seeing her. Not that she expected anyone, but things had a way of working out the opposite of what she wanted.
With the stone in her palm, she closed her eyes.
"Black as midnight. Black like a crow. Turn me swift and let me find my true love."
An uneasy feeling started in her stomach as she heard the sounds of her bones grinding together. She watched the floor come at her while the objects in her house grew. In the body of the crow, she was a little larger than the blue jay, her legs were sturdier, and she felt stronger. Once again she found herself in a room that seemed better-suited for a giant than a lonely, broken-hearted woman.
She noticed a significant difference in her eyesight this time. Not only could she see farther, but clearer as well. Her mind was sharp and focused. She flapped her black wings and landed gently on the window ledge. Now the sky didn't seem as far away, in fact, it called to her. She pushed off and became one with the night.
In the dark, things appeared much different. It took her a few minutes for her eyes to adjust to the sudden change. The moon provided a delicate glow and highlighted the direction of her flight. She beat her wings in a rhythmic motion and enjoyed the cool breeze skimming across her body.
Minna flew over trees and passed the place where she'd found the pendant. She soared on, always keeping an eye out for any sudden movements. A need to rest her wings briefly interrupted her leisurely flight, and she sank down looking for a safe place to land. She wasn't about to question the instincts of the crow part of her mind. To push on could prove costly in returning home. Off to the right she spied a river and stopped to dip her feet. Minna had the strangest feeling she wasn't alone. She looked up and saw a large form lumbering over to drink from the water.
In a graceful fashion, she ascended to a nearby tree and poked her head in all directions to make sure she was safe. Content in her surroundings, she flew close to the ground and tried to catch a better look at the mysterious figure. A gruesome face turned her way and looked straight at her with hunger in his eyes. Before she could will herself to move, the creature lunged—his claws just barely missed slicing her body in two. She flapped to a higher perch in a tree, her pulse pounding violently.
The ugly monster snarled and growled, upset he couldn't reach his fresh evening snack. Minna stared deep into his eyes. Beautiful brown eyes. Lachlan's words came back to her. The description matched, much to her dismay. This wasn't just any creature. She was looking for a beast, and she had found him.
Chapter Eight
Minna did her best to recover from the shock. In the form of a crow, her body could only take on minimal stress. She ignored the blood, which oozed from the corners of its unsightly mouth, and the sickly hue of yellow around the bloodshot eyes. It was hard to swallow the fact the beast could rip her head off and devour her before she could stir a feather. He was a ghastly size, complete with claws that threatened to tear a tree in two.
She was saddened to think this was what had become of the man she treasured more than life itself. She couldn't begin to imagine the strain he was under. Sentenced to a life that put other lives in danger. Derik wouldn't have hurt a fly, but she didn't question what damage he could do now.
She needed to remind herself why she was here. It didn't matter what he looked like now, what mattered was the picture of him that remained in her heart and memory. This wasn't the time to second-guess herself or give up. She'd made it this far.
Somehow she would try to converse with the beast and find a way to talk to the man who was hidden inside. Lachlan hadn't told her how she was to set Derik free of the spell, or if she could. She now understood why. There was no way to prepare for such a confrontation.
A bevy of thoughts raced through her mind. She was close to him, closer than she'd been in months. But the sight of him brought pangs of fear. Never had she feared him before. How could she live with him if he never changed back?
No. These thoughts were unproductive. She shook her small head and pushed away the nagging questions. It didn't do him any good to be thinking the way she was. She loved him, no matter how he looked. They would find a way to make it work. They would have another chance at love.
Minna flew closer, determined to make contact. Sudden movement just beyond a tall tree made her blood run cold. Were there more creatures like him coming? She watched and waited.
A pale-faced man appeared between the trees, his face set in an arrogant manner.
"Beast, you have done well. That makes fifteen more of the king's precious townsfolk you feasted on tonight. Blood and gore covered the streets. It was a delicious sight. I heard a rumor that King Villaire is close to giving in to my demands."
Minna gasped. She recognized him as the warlock Lachlan had described to her. He had long silvery-blond hair and wore a heavy black cloak about his shoulders with crimson trim. There wasn't much to his shirt, instead exposing his muscular chest. His eyes were a piercing black with ragged eyebrows. In his hands he held a thick wooden stick, and around his neck hung a scarlet amulet.
The warlock bravely walked close to the beast and then hit him with the stick. In a pained cry that rocked the forest, the beast cowered away, his arms blocking his face from further punishment.
"You worthless mass of filth. I want to know why you are sparing the lives of the children. Villaire would instantly crumble if the young ones started to fall like flies. Do you dare show mercy to sniveling little brats that run amuck, taking up precious space and making noise? Well, do you?" Blagden's voice echoed throughout the entire forest.
He whipped Derik again, this time with such brute force Minna winced in pain. It tore her apart to see him be treated in such a heartless manner.
The beast growled and spoke in a raspy voice. "I am sorry, master. I will do as you command."
"Good, good. If you fail to follow my orders, your life and that of the little maiden of yours will be in jeopardy. If you ever want to see her again in one piece, you will heed my warnings and not go against my wishes. She sounds like a luscious-looking thing. I've heard you describe her when you've talked in your sleep. Long, auburn locks, bright blue eyes, and a shapely figure. It's no wonder you desire her. What was her name? Ah yes, Minna. I wouldn't mind a night with the lustful beauty myself," he mused.
The beast shook his head and knelt down to the ground. "Please do not harm her, I will do what you ask."
"I'll do as I please," retorted Blagden, raising the stick high above his head, ready to strike again. "You obey me and she will live. Now, I will leave you to plan your attack tomorrow. It is clear I need to further erase your human thoughts before sending you out to the village; they continue to get in the way. I cannot have a beast weak and sympathetic. Remember, I am always watching you."
Minna watched the warlock leave. After witnessing the way Derik was treated, she found herself less afraid to approach him. He really didn't want to harm anyone, it was clear.
She flew down and perched on a rock beside him. Drops of blood from his lacerations dripped into the river and were washed downstream. Was this what he suffered every night? Would
he be able to forget all that he had endured and go back to the way he was? Minna was certain it would take a lot of hard work and patience. On both their parts. She cocked her head and studied him carefully. He looked to be in a lot of pain.
She opened her mouth to speak and a shrill "caw" escaped her throat. The beast turned in her direction, but this time did not attempt to strike. The sickly yellow film lessened and revealed the familiar soft brown orbs she had always lost herself in.
His hand stretched toward her with his palm open, an invitation for her to perch. She ignored the jagged claws laced with dried blood and hopped into his hand. From her heart, words spilled out of her loneliness and sadness since his disappearance. She spoke to him as if he could understand and cried tears of grief. Each moment of anguish spilled from her body, all the lonely nights of crying herself to sleep. She let him know their home had been empty and she wanted him back where he belonged.
"I have waited for this day when we would reunite, my love. I know you are confused and have suffered greatly. But I never gave up hope that you were still alive. Had I known where you were, I would have been here sooner."
He sat silent, staring at her intently.
"I have been searching for you, and like the story of the fairies, I was granted the gift to fly, and that is what I've done. I have flown to you, to rescue you and bring you home where you belong."
Minna knew it came out as some strange bird language, but she felt an immediate need to express her feelings while she had him with her.
She closed her eyes and let the image of the beast leave her mind, pretending instead that it was Derik she spoke to, with his firm jaw, laugh lines, and wavy dark hair.
A long silence followed, and she worried he could not understand her.
"Please, tell me you can understand me. Even if you cannot, it still fills my heart with gladness to know I have found you. I don't care about the things you have done, they don't change my feelings for you. I only care about getting you away from that wretched warlock."