Tainted Rose

by Yumoyori Wilson

  “Get some rest,” I encouraged as I escorted her to the door.

  “I will. Tell Makoto and Midnight if they have any questions feel free to call for me. I’ll be here for about three weeks before I return to Heila,” She noted before she waved goodbye. I watched her leave; her familiar landed on her outstretched arm, a magic circle formed beneath her before she walked through a silver portal.

  Geez her magic is strong.

  “Why didn’t she just make a portal here instead of traveling the long way?” Stryker questioned.

  It would take an extraordinary amount of energy to portal through realms. She’d be basically begging Deathpre to come and whisk her away to the stars.

  “Ah. I’m simply glad Makoto and Midnight are okay,” Stryker commented. Me too.

  I felt the buzz of my phone before a voice entered my mind.

  “Your Mom needs your help with preparations...also...your father apparently set you up with another meeting,” Kai’s voice announced through our bond.

  I let out a frustrated grunt, pinching my nose as I closed the door and walked back to retrieve the empty mugs on the clear coffee table.

  “How many times do I have to say I’m not interested in marriage? Who is it this time?”

  My father just didn’t get it. I’d never stop loving Makoto. Why did he want me to marry some no class shifter just because they were from royal families? Makoto was a fucking princess. Wasn’t that enough?

  “I don’t know. A little birdie told me it’s a blonde loudmouth who has a total crush on you and got put in her place last rotation. That broken nose is still healing apparently.” Kai’s amused tone cued me in on who the next participant was.

  “Brittany? Really. How the fuck did she sneak herself in the blind date category? One look and they’d cringe with regret. I’m not going to bother.”

  “Your mom probably sent you a text.”

  “I don’t check my phone, she knows that.”

  “Yes, but you still reply.”

  “Fine, Fine. I’ll deal with it. I’ll head over there now. If anything happens with Makoto let me know.”

  “For sure. You’ll explain everything when you get back, right?”

  “Ya. Let Elias rest. He and Eli need it. When I get back, we’ll chat.”

  “Cool. Stay calm,” Kai encouraged before leaving our bond.

  Stay calm huh...when you have to relive your failures.

  I let out a sigh, noticing the tremble in my right hand – such reaction only occurring when I was afraid or pissed. I knew my parents wanted the best for me, being their only child left with Anya gone.

  Yet, I couldn’t stop the grief that clung to my very soul. The pressure was all on me, especially now that I was Minato’s only heir.

  With all the people of Minato watching my every move, regardless of where I was, only added to the pressure of acceptance.

  I needed to prove to my parents that I could be a leader, the same way I had to prove it to the rest of the kingdom. But, my past failures continued to haunt me.

  I should have listened to Kai’s advice, but deep within I feared if I let go, I’d only bring shame to my family name. If only I knew what my Father thought of me. Maybe…if he accepted me, I could let go?

  I grabbed my phone, striking the ‘K’ button and pressing send before heading to my room to change.

  This is going to be interesting.

  ~WINTERLYA~

  I opened the door to my designated flat. I was beyond relieved to be home, placing the key card on the counter. I lifted my hand, allowing Vincent to fly into the room.

  I ruffled my loose curls and dragged my feet to my bedroom. My bags were still packed, sitting neatly in the corner of the large room.

  Of course, the greedy headmaster made sure I received the best suite in Knightwood, the area restricted and off limits. Anything that ensured Arthur would continue his deal to fund the academy. I stripped out of my dress, the gold fabric dropped to the ground. I strolled over to the silver drawer before me, pulling open the top drawer that contained a silky, grey nightgown. I slipped it on, the smooth material felt refreshing against my flushed skin. I figured it was only a matter of time before I started getting a fever. I always developed one when I pushed myself too hard. I strolled back out of the room and walked to the large kitchen.

  I pulled out the wine glass from the cupboard, placing it on the counter. I stared at the other one, debating whether I needed it or not. Would he want any wine?

  I closed my eyes; my body ached. Wine and bed. That sounds like a perfect combo if only my body wouldn’t act on its own accord.

  I opened my eyes to a spinning room, so I closed them once more. I bit my lip and gripped the counter as my body felt as if it was falling. A pair of hands held me, a solid back supported me from behind.

  “You should go straight to bed, Winter,” the cool, alto voice commanded.

  I relaxed in his embrace, unable to ignore his warmth.

  “I will. Just need some wine. Wine sounds good,” I whispered. I bet he was shaking his head in dismay.

  Vincent always scolded me for pushing myself and demanding wine would solve everything. He simply didn’t understand the multiple benefits the liquid had to offer. There was even white and red, both of them did magical things to help soothe the soul.

  “I thought you’re supposed to take care of me, not the other way around,” he pointed out.

  “You’re a god. You can take care of yourself. I’m just an innocent, ex-human, shifter witch. Not my fault you crashed into my window on your whims,” I complained. Not like I was human to begin with, but I didn’t know that until he and the others entered my life.

  His arms wrapped around me, his lips pressed against my neck. I shivered at the touch of his lips, taking every bit of strength to not moan from his sudden gesture.

  “The best thing that happened to me. I won’t hold it against you, and you’re still mad about the human thing?” He lifted me in his arms, carrying me into the living room before lowering me into the white, suede sofa. Of course, I’m still mad you idiot.

  “I heard that.” He eyed me as he smirked. I rolled my eyes, but didn’t argue.

  He disappeared into the kitchen and returned a minute later with two glasses and a bottle of Moscato wine. I smiled at him as he placed the glasses on the coffee table, opening the bottle and pouring us each a glass. He passed my glass to me before he sat in the one-seater on my left. We sat in silence and enjoyed the lavish, cool taste that lingered from the white wine.

  I stared at the remaining clear liquid as I stirred the glass; the spinning movement distracted me.

  “Any word from Jeffrey?”

  My lazy eyes looked up at Vincent; his baby blue eyes bore into me.

  I scoffed, rolling my eyes at the mention of my mother’s servant.

  “You know I hate him. He might as well classify himself as a double agent for the shit he pulled.” I chugged the remaining white wine in my glass and placed it lightly on the table.

  It took everything within me to not laugh at Matthew’s explanation of what happened before their arrival to Realm One. The boys stated this Professor Sepherant had looked over the cliff, not noticing their camouflage. I, of all people, didn’t believe in such luck – he’d purposely ignored their “hidden” presence.

  “You know as well as I, he has no choice but to follow his orders,” Vincent pointed out.

  “He has a choice. He’s bound to MY mother, NOT to that insolent, savage beast. I’m impressed that Makoto is so close to normal. In fact, I’m thankful to the gods that she turned out to be the humorous, curious princess she’s grown out to be, even after such a tragic childhood. She didn’t deserve such suffering and you know it,” I snarled.

  He frowned. “You know I can’t interfere or I would have. Nightmare would have been the first to get rid of him if she’d been allowed to,” he mumbled.

  “That’s cause half of you have common sense, while the other h
alf is a bunch of hippie, lovey-dovey—” I began before being cut off.

  “Winter.”

  “Hmph. What are you going to do? Smite me with thunder. I bet Nightmare, Aphroditeee, and Risuki would agree with me.”

  “I question why I follow you around,” he commented.

  “First of all, do I have to remind you how we met again? Second, we had no choice but to travel together and third, you fell in love with me,” I proclaimed with a confident smile.

  “Humans...” He huffed.

  “I’m a witch shifter, ex-human,” I retorted back.

  “Winterlya”

  “Laviathan,” I countered, not afraid of his threatening tone or using his god name.

  He groaned and rose to his feet, stalking towards me. I ignored the butterflies in my stomach, feelings of nervousness and excitement fluttered within.

  “I know you don’t understand everything that has happened and WILL happen. But, I need you to at least trust me. Jeffrey...has his reasons. Regardless, he’s on the good side. Just has to play dirty to get what he wants,” he explained softly, standing before me.

  “Fine. He’s the least of our concern anyway.” I brushed off the matter.

  Vincent offered his hand. I didn’t feel as exhausted as before, the wine helped to relax my tired limbs. I placed my hand in his before standing up with his assistance.

  We made our way back to my room; my eyes landed on the picture frame on the nightstand.

  I picked it up with a smile; my eyes looked over the five other men in the picture, Vincent and I right in front, frozen midway of an argument.

  “You miss them?”

  “Yes...but don’t tell them that. They’ll be over their heads for rotations.” I placed the picture frame back down.

  “They’ll join us soon. We should do our part and start tracking your best friend,” he encouraged; his ending words filled with sarcasm.

  “Best friend my ass. She lost such a privilege after what she did. Jeffrey may have his own reasons, but I claim first dibs in torturing her,” I declared.

  “I’ll remind him when the time comes,” Vincent reassured me.

  I smiled. Yes. Just you wait, Elaine. I’ll show you what happens when you mess with a Frost.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “I don’t understand why he’s so busy. The only thing I’ve seen this past week is his chest, while I’m half asleep. I bet my sleep walking self has seen more of him.”

  I laid on my back on Eli’s bed; my head hung off the bed as I read one of Eli’s manga books from her two large bookshelves filled with her manga collection. I would have never expected her to be so in love with such books.

  Apparently, Elias couldn’t care less about them, stating comics were better. I didn’t know the difference, but I enjoyed working my brain and reading from right to left.

  It took some explaining on Eli’s part for me to understand how to read the book without starting from the end.

  “Just admit it, you miss him,” Eli pointed out. I peeked away from the manga book I was reading.

  A week had passed since Midnight became a spirit. I’d felt absolutely amazing since waking up in the middle of the next night in Elias’ arms.

  Since then, I’d been letting Midnight take over for long periods of time. Seeing as everyone else was busy and it was summer break at Knightwood, me and Midnight had been switching throughout the day while we chilled with EliaseAnne. We couldn’t push it seeing as she was still a spirit and simply contributed to my exhaustion if she took over for too long, but she could be in control for a longer period compared to the others – reaching three hours before we’d have to switch. Midnight continued to apologize for making me so exhausted, but I convinced her I didn’t mind. She’d spent cycles in that frigid darkness because of her half-awakening. The least I could do was let her enjoy this beautiful world. I’d had almost three rotations worth of experience.

  It was now her turn to enjoy the scenery. It was thanks to her help that we had gotten the chance to be here in the moment.

  Elias said he wanted to catch up on sleep; he still felt exhausted from shifting. I’d forgotten that the boys weren’t trained like me to shift and stay in such a form for long periods of time. They had witnessed Lexi’s dragon form and now, Midnight’s dark fairy form, but they’d yet to see the others.

  I was still trying to process the fact that Midnight was a dark fairy. Out of all the spirits, I knew of, which was now six; I’d never thought she’d be the extinct species.

  Winterlya had given me a bracelet to wear, the device spelled to withhold my magic from pouring out.

  Now that I was recovering, yet again, I needed my aura to be in control and not inform all of Knightwood or even Minato of my new spirit. For now, the wristlet contraption would hide my aura, until I was strong enough to do it myself. It also hindered me from using my magic, only allowed to use my spirit’s powers and even that privilege had a restriction.

  It didn’t bother me too much, realizing I wouldn’t need my powers for anything in particular. No more exams, no more training. All I had to do was relax and wait for the approval to return home.

  After remembering a bit of my family, my mother’s image still engraved into my mind, I yearned to meet them. I wondered if she was still the same beautiful, kind woman in my memory.

  “Yes, I miss Ryder and the others, too. But, I still don’t mind us having alone time,” I pointed out, not wanting Eli to feel bad. I truly enjoyed her company. I just missed all of us having breakfast and dinner together.

  All the others had been busy throughout the week. Marcus explained he had to get his rotational checkup courtesy of Karen which consisted of a week’s worth of tests. He assured me he’d be back later to check on me, but that was six hours ago and still no dragon shifter.

  Daniel said he was going to sleep, after he returned from Knightwood doing who knows what. He’d been busy doing something exhausting seeing as he looked like he could barely make it up the stairs before he fell asleep. I’d found him three times slept in the bathtub, Marcus and Elias had to carry him to bed. I wondered what he did that made him so tired.

  Kai said he had a meeting with the headmaster today to give an update on how long we’d be staying. He really disliked the headmaster. I knew all of them had some type of dislike for Karen’s father. What was quite surprising was that Karen was the complete opposite of him.

  I’d tagged along with Elias when he needed to give a report a few days ago, peeking through the door as Elias gave a one-minute report and ditched, not even greeting or saying goodbye when he left the office. I applauded him for his attitude.

  The headmaster was a rude asshole who deserved a whipping – not the pleasurable kind. He didn’t even look up from whatever was on his computer screen to listen to Elias’ report, stating he still wanted a collective report from Ryder by the end of the week, regardless of Elias’ reasons as to why Ryder couldn’t give him a report.

  “I know, Makoto. Don’t worry; things should go back to normal by next week. Anya’s memorial celebration is Friday and then it’s the weekend. By Monday we should all be free. I believe Matthew and Karen got the rest of summer rotation off so...” She trailed off.

  I looked away from my book to stare at her upside-down figure.

  “So?” I pressed on, curious as to what she had to say.

  “I’ll let Elias tell you later.” She finished, returning to her book. I frowned. Boo, I hate waiting.

  “Impatient much?” Midnight voiced out.

  I smiled to myself, as I closed the book I was reading. I’m not impatient...just don’t like waiting.

  “Same thing,” she replied calmly.

  I allowed my eyes to wander the bookshelf a few inches away from Eli’s bed.

  She did tell me to only take books from the two shelves across the room, but they were so far and I was too lazy. I glanced back at Eli. She was concentrated on her own book; her eyes glued to the page as she laid on her ba
ck, one of her legs relaxed on her knee as she leisurely read, paying no mind to me.

  I glanced back at the bookshelf, a pink, covered book caught my attention. I moved over to the shelf, using my stealth skills to my advantage, pulling the big bundle of pictures out of the shelf without moving the others.

  I dropped back onto the bed, returning to my previous position before looking at the cover – two school girls in different uniforms hugged one another. I blinked, curious as what the story could possibly be. I felt Midnight tug at my mind; her curiosity brushed against my senses. What could this be about? Guess I’ll find out.

  Fifteen minutes had passed, and I was through eighty percent of the book.

  I frowned, tilting the book as I tried to understand what device they were holding, the double-sided silicon thing did not look very useful.

  “Eli?” I questioned.

  “Hmm. What Mako?”

  “What’s a double-sided dildo?”

  “...”

  “Eli?” I questioned, continuing the scene, ready to turn the page.

  “Makoto. What. Are. You. Reading?”

  I frowned, reluctantly moving my eyes from the sex scene that developed between the main character and her friend who’d confessed her feelings to her, to look at Eli.

  I raised an eyebrow at her flushed face which only became redder.

  “I’m reading Merry-Go-Lucy. But, what does the dildo do? I’ve never heard of that? Is there a book that explains what it does? How are they even going to have sex when she doesn’t have a penis? This book is so unrealistic, but the positions are interesting. Can guys do the 69 position, too? Eli?” I explained before glancing back at Eli who looked like she’d pass out at any second.

  “Mako. Put the book down.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I said so!” she replied.

  “No. You didn’t answer,” I replied back, frowning. I wanted to finish it. Operation – find out what a dildo is: in progress.

  “Makoto! Give it to me.” She moved fast; I probably wouldn’t have caught it without my fast reflexes. I was up and at the edge of the bed in two seconds, Eli on the opposite side ready to take my precious book.