by Hickory Mack
“Are you insane? Don’t you ever do that again!” she looked up and his black eyes were furious, but he grabbed her and hugged her tight. She pressed her cheek into his shoulder. Her skin was like ice and his warmth felt so good. “You almost killed yourself!”
“I believe it now,” she said quietly.
“Believe what?” he growled.
“I didn’t believe I’m a witch. I’m sorry. I wanted to see if I could connect with it and got carried away. I didn’t know how to make it stop. Please don’t be angry with me, Makkai.” She yawned, overcome by exhaustion and barely able to keep her eyes open, but she had to know. Alice looked up at the tree, it was whole, and shining with her light, its leaves trembled and shook with her power. Makkai pinched the bridge of his nose.
“You blew a hole in my house and still didn't believe it?" he sighed and mellowed his tone. "I’m not angry, you frightened me and I’m reacting to that. It doesn’t matter, I’ll fix the trees myself, it isn’t worth losing you. You will not touch your magic again, not until you’ve had training.” he said, lifting her off the ground and into his arms.
“I won’t, I promise. I won’t touch it,” Alice said, swaying gently with his long stride. “I’m sorry.”
Lord Makkai said nothing, even after they arrived back at the cabin. He simply set her down on the step and went in to make tea. While the water heated he shut the opposite wall and fussed with some cleaning to keep occupied. When it was ready he brought the drink, handing her a sandwich as well. His every movement betrayed his mood.
“You are Chiori. Because the sound of silence created by your breath stopping taught me what it is to fear, my Little Witch. I am not accustomed to such emotions, Chiori Kaede Sayuri. Do not make it a habit,” he told her. Alice kept her eyes down on her lap.
“I won't.” She accepted her new given names without question. The tip of his nail touched her chin and lifted her gaze to his. He had the same frown he’d worn the day she’d met him. “Are you going to forgive me?” she asked.
“Not anytime soon, I think. I told you, you are precious to me,” he said, looking into her eyes for several breaths before releasing her. She pulled a look of disbelief and drank her tea. “Hmm,” was all he said in response, taking her cup when she was finished and washing it. He came back out with a blanket over his arm and shut the doors. She looked up at him quizzically, stifling another yawn.
“Aren’t we staying here?” she asked, her eyes shadowed by exhaustion. She hoped he hadn’t changed his mind because of her actions.
“We are, but I cannot have you sleeping on the ground out here, away from the safety of home,” he said. Alice had started to follow him into the middle of the clearing, but when his words seeped into her tired brain she stopped short.
“Wait, what does that mean?” she asked. Lord Makkai kept walking, his tails swishing impatiently, expecting that she would follow and igniting a pair of were lights to guide her way. She stood stubbornly a few seconds, then trotted forward on wobbly legs, rejoining him at the bottom of the Matriarch Tree. “You’re serious?”
In response he wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and lifted her by her too thin waist. His knees bent slightly, he looked up, and jumped. She let out a little squeal of surprise. They landed safely, but they were thirty feet in the air. Alice clung to him and he looked down at her curiously.
“I can’t sleep up here, I’ll fall!” she said, panic in her voice.
“If you fall, I’ll catch you,” he said mildly, letting go of her waist and sitting down, arranging himself against the tree’s trunk. His tails relaxed to either side of the wide branch. “Come here to me, Chiori.” He beckoned.
She crouched down with a whimper and scurried across the branch, kneeling in front of him, her fingers claws around the grooves of the tree's bark. He shook his head and reached for her, pulling her into his lap, her cheek against his chest. She flushed deeply, glad it was too dark for him to easily see her. Lord Makkai arranged the blanket more comfortably then wrapped his arms around her.
“Is this okay or is it too much?” he asked mindfully. She shifted closer in response. “Good. You’re safe here.”
“Do I have a contract now?” she asked after a while, surprising him.
“No, we do not. As I said, there’s no need for one. It would be an insult, to contract with my mate,” he answered, slowly stroking her hair. “By naming you I am telling the world you belong to me, putting you under my protection, and it will make adapting to your new life easier.”
“What if I want to belong to myself?” she challenged.
“This thing goes both ways. I'm giving myself over to you, if you'll accept a demon as your own. Everything I have, everything I am belongs to you. If this is not what you want, you are free to go at any time," Makkai paused.
"My demon," she whispered so quietly he wasn't sure he'd heard her right.
"But, and I may be wrong, I think you want to be here as much as I want you to,” he said. Denying it would be a lie, so she didn’t say anything. Silence wasn’t good enough this time; he wasn’t interested in guessing games.
“I’m serious. If this is too much, if you are unhappy in any way, I will bring you to the nearest ferals, or coven. You can live among them easily,
they’d love to accept a witchling as one of their own.”
“I don’t want that,” she murmured.
“Then let this be your home, with me. With us,” he said. “Accept the name, and your place in my house, and stay.”
"I'm afraid that I won't be remarkable enough. You'll find something more interesting and send me away," she said.
"That won't happen."
"You can't promise me it won't," she countered.
The pair were quiet for a long time, listening to the sounds of frogs and an owl and each other’s breathing. She felt herself drifting off when he spoke again, quietly, gently.
“You are understandably concerned about your future. About what will happen if I’m wrong and it isn’t you. Each moment I spend with you I am more convinced that it is you. Our bond is only a shadow of what it will become but it grew again, today. When I tell you that you are precious to me, I mean it,” he said.
Chiori snuggled into him more comfortably, putting her hand on his chest and felt his hold on her tighten pleasantly. He wanted her for his own.
He would protect her and keep her safe.
“Thank you, my Lord,” she whispered.
“You’ll stay with me?” Makkai asked.
“I’ll stay as long as you'll let me,” she agreed.
"Forever is an awfully long time my little Chiori, but somewhere along the line, you'll get used to the idea."
Chapter 13
Chiori woke only once in the night, feeling like she was falling she gave a short, sharp squeal, but she was safe. Makkai had muttered and stroked her hair until she fell back to sleep. Waking for the morning was a less pleasant experience. It wasn’t the Sun, or Lord Makkai or even hunger that woke her. It was the deep voice of Fen, interrupting her dreams.
“What are you doing here, Fen?” Lord Makkai asked, sounding sleepily annoyed.
“The coven you requested we find has sent their reply. The witch you knew is no longer with them, but they have accepted your terms and one of her children will come in her stead. Another Earthy, they'll be here one week from today to become the child's magic tutor,” Fen answered.
“Harper is a hard loss, but any of her children will have her talents and are welcome here. The coven responded quickly, perhaps we can use this situation to create a new ally. Their witch has been instructed on how to find the Matriarch?” he asked.
“Yes, my lord,” Fen answered. Makkai squeezed Chiori’s shoulder, acknowledging that she was awake.
“This is good news to start the day. Has anybody managed to contact Moscow?” he asked.
“Not yet,” Fen answered hesitantly. “There has been some talk among the staff my Lord, unease about calli
ng him back. He is-”
“Volatile, impulsive and mildly frightening, yes, I know. He is young, those traits come with youth. Moscow is also vastly knowledgeable and an invaluable asset. He’s been gone for nearly a decade, but he has not broken his contract. He can’t be too out of touch. If he hasn’t been found in the next two days, send Airi after him. Moscow is needed here. Make breakfast, would you? Also, bring Lady Chiori something fresh to wear,” Lord Makkai said. When Fen answered, his tone was greatly affected.
“As you wish, My Lord.”
Chiori smiled into Makkai’s chest, letting out the tiniest giggle-snort, hoping the boar wouldn’t hear.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I was just imagining Fen’s face. He doesn’t like me,” she answered and Makkai chuckled.
“He doesn’t like many people, it’s his nature, don’t take it personally. He doesn’t have to like you to be loyal, and he will be, because he is deeply loyal to me. Remember, his personal feelings did not stop him from protecting you. He’s harsh, but he’s a good person,” Lord Makkai said.
“I will remember,” she said. “Who is Moscow?”
“Moscow is one of your future instructors, once we track him down. He gets restless, he needs to move and interact with the world. This is his home, he comes back when he needs to touch base and remind himself that he has one. It would be an unkindness for me to force him to stay,” Lord Makkai said.
“Will he resent coming back to teach me?” she asked.
“I think he’ll find this role an interesting change. He enjoys a challenge and having a purpose. Our lives here are too calm for his liking, but I think you cause just the right amount of chaos to keep him happy,” he answered.
“Flattering,” Chiori said and he shrugged. The air started to smell of onions and she groaned. “Does this mean we have to get up?”
“I’m afraid it does, my lazy little Witchling. Food first, then we’ll go check on your handiwork with the tree last night. After that we’ll decide what to do with you for the day,” he said. Chiori sat up so she could see his face.
“Are you sending me back to the house?” she asked. “Can I still have today with you?”
“I should send you back, but I can’t exactly lock you up in your room. You heard Fen. You have one week before your magic teacher arrives. I’d rather keep you close until then. You need a babysitter to keep you from killing yourself or destroying my house, and I volunteer,” Makkai said. Chiori tried to scowl but ended up grinning instead.
“Eventually, you must go home. You will be given a formal introduction to the household, to settle their confusion and unrest. Then you will begin your education. I hope that you will agree to be an obedient, dutiful student. I’m picking each of your instructors myself, some from within my house and others, like Moscow and the witch, will have come from afar for your benefit. They may seem strange to you, but they will have only your best interest in mind. I want you to grow into your strength, learn to properly use what’s inside you,” he said.
“What do you think is inside of me?” she asked.
“It has the potential to be any number of things, only time will tell. We know it can be destructive, or healing, whatever’s in there, it’s something big. You have a lot of power and I will give you the tools to use it as you see fit,” he said.
“Will I see you often? Every day? You’re the only person I’m comfortable with,” she admitted.
“You haven’t gotten to know anyone to get comfortable with them. Perhaps not every day, that may not be practical. When all of your instructors arrive I’ll bring you home and return here to finish my work.”
“I can help, we can get so much done with a whole week to work on it. You won’t have to come back out here after,” Chiori said quickly and he frowned, reminding her he hadn’t yet forgiven her for almost killing herself.
“If you’re feeling better, you can help again today, though I will be watching you and will be keeping you to your word. No touching your magic until you are trained. Finishing out here won’t change what will happen going forward. I expect you’ll be busy with your tutelage for some time, though I’ll still be close, I’ll be there if you need me,” he touched her cheek, troubled by the sadness on her face. The attachment was happening too fast.
Chiori bit her lip and willed herself not to complain. She’d just agreed to stay here with him and already her imaginings of what it would be like were wrong. She leaned into his hand and his ears twitched.
“Fen is plating our breakfast, let us go see what he’s made for us, hmm?” Makkai said, standing on the branch. He pulled Chiori up, grasped her tight and stepped into the air. Falling down was far more frightening than jumping up. Her squeal from the night before was amplified into a full scream. Lord Makkai laughed and she scowled, which only made him laugh harder.
“Warn me the next time you do something like that,” she said, her hands shaking. “I think my heart stopped!”
“Adrenaline, you’ll be fine,” Makkai teased.
Fen peered out the door of the cabin, his small eyes narrowed at their foolishness. He shook his head and went back inside. Lord Makkai gave Chiori a little grin and strode across the yard, long black hair flowing behind him.
Chiori went around the cabin to wash up. She started with her hands, but the water felt so good she kept going. Before she finished washing her face, neck and arms, Lord Makkai appeared at her side and handed her a bar of soap with a smile. She washed again, embarrassed he was watching her so closely.
“Come, you can shower after we eat,” he said once she was finished.
“There’s a shower here?!” Chiori asked, her face lighting up. She skipped along after him to keep up with his long pace.
“There isn’t. I thought you might like to go home and take a real shower,” he said.
He’d already set their food out, it sat on a low table that Fen must have brought. There were two large buns with traces of flour on them. Next to them were a fork and a knife each. The tea smelled sweet and she took a sip, confirming that he’d added a bit of sugary maple syrup to it.
Lord Makkai picked up his cutlery demonstratively and cut into his bun. Steam rolled out of it and something dark was inside. Chiori followed suit, sniffing suspiciously at its contents. It smelled good, but she had her doubts about Fen being a capable cook. She imagined he should be out in the woods somewhere, chopping down dead trees or mining the bedrock. There was a familiar brownish red paste and caramelized onions. She popped it into her mouth.
“Why is everything you guys cook so good?!” she exclaimed, cutting herself another piece.
“Because you’ve only eaten processed garbage,” Lord Makkai answered, watching her eat with amusement.
“I’m going to get so fat,” she said between bites, taking another drink of her tea.
“If that’s what you want,” he said, bemused, “but let’s work on getting you healthy before setting that goal.”
Fen returned as Chiori began to slow down, her bun almost gone. He set her new clothes inside and began cleaning up. She shoveled the rest in her mouth and jumped up to help him, but Lord Makkai took her hand and she settled back down. His message was clear. It was okay to help him with chores when they were out on their own, but if someone was there to do it for them, she was not to interfere with their work.
“Thank you, Fen, for the breakfast,” Lord Makkai said, winking at her.
“Thank you, Fen,” she added. “It was very good.”
“You’re welcome, my Lord. And- My Lady,” he said from within, then he came and collected their plates and cups.
“Before we go back, let’s go see what your mischief did last night,” Lord Makkai offered her his arm. “I’ll meet you back at the house in an hour or two, Fen. We’ll talk while My Lady refreshes herself.”
“Yes M’Lord,” Fen bowed.
“Very good, we have plenty of time,” he said, leading Chiori away without giving her the chance t
o change clothes. Facing the woods and half an hour walk he knelt down, his tails fanned out on the ground, then lifted her piggyback. A clatter came from the little hut, Fen had seen what they were up to, and dropped a plate.
"Tch."
“Oh no, do you think it’s broken?” Chiori asked.
“If it is, it will be repaired. Hold onto me,” he warned, waiting a second for her to secure her hold, then sprinted through the trees. Chiori gave a little yelp, the landscape blurred past. He jumped and they were running among the trees themselves, leaping from one branch to the next, practically flying. Her fear melted away to delight and soon she was laughing exuberantly, eyes wide open in wonder.
When Makkai set her down and turned to look at her he couldn’t help but grin. Every inch of her face was lit up with joy from within and she bounced on her toes where she stood. Her dark hair was swept back and wind tossed, turning her waves to curls.
“Please say we can do that again!” she said, unable to contain her excitement, or her smile, the biggest he’d seen on her thus far.
“Of course we can,” he said, brushing a leaf out of her hair.
“I don’t see why you ever do that popping in and out of thin air thing when you can basically fly! Is that more magic?” she spoke so fast her words blurred into one another.
“No magic needed. I have demon strength,” he answered.
“Will I be able to do that?” she asked and he shrugged.
“Depends on which of your halfling sides wins the fight for dominance. Witches have great variances in magical power but they aren’t much physically stronger than humans. Fae, though, they vary in every imaginable way. Elemental magic, anima magic, shape shifter magic, some could give my father a fight to remember, others are frail. It’s hereditary, on both sides,” Makkai answered.
“I’ve never met anyone from my father’s side of the family, I don’t know anything about them,” Chiori mused. “Except that Asuka said my father couldn’t actually have been turned into a human, and he couldn’t possibly be only half fae. Everything I know about my family is a lie.”