Nightsong

by Vella Wolf

  In a flash of flames, Verona melted back into her normal form. She walked over to Nyx, helping him to his feet.

  “Cracked ribs, really Raest?” she sighed as Raest looked away from her. She commanded a few guards to join us, and we handed Nyx over to them. Nyx mumbled an apology to me as they took him away. I watched him until they disappeared down the staircase.

  Verona patted me on the back. “They’ll take him to Esu. He’ll be able to fix him up just fine, he will be good as new by the morning,” she said to me. Verona faced Raest again, “Now, I think it’s time for you to return to your room.”

  “Of course. But first,” Raest’s words trailed off as he walked over to me. I backed myself against the wall, terrified. He gripped my arm to stop me from running away and with the same ferocity, he bit into my flesh, over the top of the mark that Nyx had made. I screamed out in pain again while Verona stood and watched. She didn’t look shocked, and she didn’t move to stop him. At last, Raest withdrew his fangs, his lips bloody.

  “Goodnight,” he said coldly before exiting the hall.

  My shirt was barely white anymore, red-black blood stained it right through. I stared at the bloody mess in horror. Verona took my hand, pulling me towards my room. We moved inside, and she pulled a cloth from the draws. Verona pressed a cloth to the bite as I fumed with anger.

  “How could you just stand there and let him hurt me?” I spat.

  “He is your husband. He has every right to mark you, especially after another man has attempted to do so,” she said calmly.

  I gritted my teeth. “So you think it's fine for your males to just go around claiming whatever they want?”

  Verona shook her head. “Not at all but marking is a primal thing. I do not agree with it, but instinct is hard for us to fight. Raest would have never marked you unless he was put in a position like that. I understand this must be hard for you, but this is part of our ways.”

  “It’s disgusting.”

  “Marking isn’t just for males either. You could mark him too if you wanted. I bet you could leave a nice mark in your primal form,” she said as she cracked a smile.

  My mouth gaped open. “Is that a smile?! And you’re making a joke? Everyone is going insane.”

  Verona chuckled a little and continued to dab at my wound, the blood was finally slowing. I couldn’t understand how Verona could take this so lightly.

  “You will learn to love him. Raest is a good man, a little misguided at times, but a good man nonetheless. You will learn,” she said.

  My lips curled into a snarl. “Is that your way of comfort? You don’t know that I will. How could you possibly know that!?”

  She shrugged. “Experience. You are not the first to partake in this dance nor the last.”

  Was she talking about herself? It was hard to imagine Verona being married to anyone.

  “Tell me,” I demanded.

  “Maybe one day.”

  All of these bloody people were full of secrets. I guess that was to be expected from beings who had already lived longer than double my lifetime. It made me feel so small. I looked at my wedding ring, it felt heavy, tight, constricting.

  “I will play my part as his bride and queen. But I will never love him,” I said bluntly.

  Verona smiled weakly at me. “Even mountains succumb to the ocean, Sabyr.”

  She finished her work without another word, the wound cleaned and bandaged. Leaving with a nod, I was left alone. I changed out of my bloodstained clothes, careful to not lose the package in my pocket. In nothing but a loose shirt, I laid down in my bed, squeezing the stone in my fist. What would life be like from now on? How could we ever go back? I fell asleep, still clutching the stone.

  Chapter 36

  I woke to the sound of tapping at my window. It was late morning already for Naedis, and the sun had long risen. I gripped the stone still in my hand, shoving it into my top draw as I made my way to the window. A large black raven sat on my sill with a note tied to its leg. My fresh wound smarted as I opened the window. I hissed loudly, startling the bird to flight. In one swoop, the bird flew into the room and perched on the back of a chair. Gently, I removed the note, rolling it out to read it.

  Dearest Sabyr,

  I wanted to tell you this in person, but I was shuffled off with Verona before I had a chance. Raest has sent us both off to Aralos. I could be gone for weeks. I’m sorry about last night. I didn't want to hurt you, I didn't want to make things worse. After all this time I thought I was past my baser instincts. I was wrong. I hope in time you can forgive this foolish man.

  I expected and hoped Raest would just fire me after everything, but instead he’s decided to take me out of the picture. For now. Don’t worry, he can’t keep me away forever.

  I meant what I said Sabyr. One word and I will return for you. You can bite me back as much as you want.

  With love, Nyx.

  That son of a bitch. Without another thought, I threw the letter onto my dresser and pulled on a pair of pants before storming out of my room. I raged down the hallway, down the stairs, right into the dining hall. Raest sat smugly at the head of the table. Esu to his right and Ophelia to his left, eating and talking quietly.

  “You sent him away, you bastard!” I roared. The three stopped, turning to me with a stunned look. Esu moved to excuse himself, but Raest stopped him before he could scamper away.

  “Verona and Nyx have duties to attend to,” Raest said casually.

  “Don’t you fucking lie to me!”

  His voice slithered out smoothly. “I’m not, I speak the truth. Secosa is probing the Aralos border again. I sent him away to deal with it. I admit I had other motives. I sent him in my stead so I wouldn’t have to be absent again. I said I would try harder, we can’t improve things if I’m away all the time and Nyx is… a distraction for you.”

  His bluntness took me aback. He was right, but that didn’t make it okay. Esu and Ophelia fidgeted uncomfortably.

  “If you think sending him away is going to fix us, you are sorely mistaken!”

  “No, I don’t. But it’s a start,” Raest drawled, his voice filled with indifference.

  “He was your friend, and you sent him away,” I barked.

  Raest shrugged and took a sip out of the cup on his table. “We were friends. Things change.”

  I don’t know what I expected from him. This new coldness, a scourge. The image of the soulstone burned in my mind. Raest continued to talk.

  “Esu will be coming to collect you this afternoon for your first training session. I will be spending the week finishing up some business here in Xerai to free up my time. I figured you would want some space this week.”

  I crumpled my brow in surprise. “You found me a teacher already?”

  “Yes. A friend of mine just needed some convincing.”

  Esu’s ears pricked. “Yes! I’ll come for you around three.”

  “Do I need to prepare anything?” I asked.

  “No, just yourself. I’ve already asked Eed to prepare the appropriate attire,” Esu smiled warmly.

  I wanted to stay and argue with Raest more. I wanted to turn this hall into ashes, but was there any point? Nyx was gone. I remained here. Life would continue.

  “I will see you in a few hours then,” I said, and with that, I left for my room.

  Eed prepared a light blue, loose shirt along with a pair of grey leggings. With fresh bandages in hand, Eed pulled off my old ones. She clicked her tongue as she eyed where the wound had been. Only rows of pink scars remained.

  “Hmph. We are done here,” Eed said, returning the bandages to her kit.

  My cold toes begged to differ.

  “Am I going barefoot then?” I asked.

  She turned her nose up at me. “Why would I give you a nice pair of boots that you’re going to ruin?”

  I she had a point. If I was going to be forced into my primal form, boots were not required. I shuddered at the thought of what my dress must look like from
the festival.

  As the clock chimed three, Esu came to collect me.

  “So who is my trainer?” I asked as we walked together down the hallway.

  “It’s better if I introduce you to her when we arrive. She likes her privacy, and the last thing we need is for prying ears to learn that she is here,” Esu answered.

  Well, I at least knew she was a she.

  “Is she a Worg like me?”

  “You could say that. Regardless, she can provide the proper training you need,” he smiled sweetly.

  I snorted at him. “Funny, I would have thought that was a yes or no answer.”

  Esu’s face slackened, riddled with guilt. He didn't really deserve my ire, but so many of his words were so carefully placed, each hinting of further secrets and I was well over those.

  “I am sorry it is just a delicate situation. I would tell you if I could,” Esu stammered, eyes to the floor.

  I sighed deeply. “I figured. It's alright, I'm not angry at you.”

  Exiting the hallway, we moved together across the dining hall, out into the garden. I turned to look at Esu again, his face still sombre.

  “Esu, perhaps there is something that you can tell me?” I asked.

  His ears pricked at the excitement of imparting knowledge. “Of course! I'll try my best,” he beamed.

  “How can I have magic? When I’m of such… muddy blood,” I asked.

  His cat-like ears twitched. “What do you mean?”

  I crumpled up my face. “Well, I always thought I was mute. It actually bothered me. It was like I had nothing else to offer, unlike some of my siblings. People always say that mixing blood kills magic.”

  Esu shook his head, a rare fury flaring, “Preposterous! A nasty misconception, nothing more! You are certainly not mute, Worgs can’t shift without their magic. Shifting isn't the only thing either, Worgs often possess other abilities as well. For example, Lusin has shadow manipulation abilities, they are a little similar to Raest’s. Your father possessed powerful blood magic, all of the Bloodmane line did. You might follow suit.”

  More than just the shifting? As if that wasn't enough of a pain. I didn’t even know what blood magic was.

  As we continued to walk across the garden, my mind mulled over memories of my childhood. The names people called me, how disgusted they were with me.

  “Esu, why would people think such things, if it isn't true? Half-bloods are reviled because of it,” I continued.

  A sad look came over Esu’s face. “Well, sadly it was probably spread to keep races from mixing. Keeping the bloodline pure is an old and terrible mentality. Although I admit, there is a shred of truth to it. Mixing blood can dampen the magic in a bloodline, but it can also enhance. It’s volatile and unpredictable. Usually, the harm comes from mixing contrasting elements such as light and darkness.”

  “How can you be so sure of this? Is this something you’ve studied?” I asked.

  A warm smile spread across his muzzle. “I certainly have, but there is another reason. I have a son, Beldin. He’s not much older than you. His mother is a Seren Kel. She is a wonderful druidic healer. Bel managed to inherit her druidic abilities, but he is so much stronger. He might become a more powerful caster than me one day. He isn’t the only one either, there are many strong mixed blood students at my academy.”

  Hearing that sent my heart aflutter. More mixed-bloods, powerful mixed-bloods! Safe, learning in an academy, earning a rightful place in this world.

  “That’s wonderful Esu. I hope I get to meet your son one day,” I beamed.

  He grinned in return. “I hope so too, I think you’d like him!”

  We walked through the garden together, finally stopping at a small greenhouse.

  I raised my brows. “Are we meeting her here?”

  “Not quite,” he said as he used a key to open the greenhouse door.

  I followed him into the room, a few plants in pots sat here and there, and a small water fountain sat in the middle. Brightly coloured fish swam around underneath soft pink lotus blossoms. Water ran down from the hands of a small stone Ashmere woman. Esu walked to the fountain and beckoned me closer. Placing a paw above the statue, he muttered something, and the water stopped flowing. A few moments later, the statue's hands glowed, and a bright white gem appeared in her hands.

  “A soulstone?” I said in surprise.

  Esu raised his brow at me, “How did you know that?”

  “I ah, read about it once,” I mumbled.

  Using a soulstone to get to her? She really did like her privacy.

  “Apologies Lady Nightsong, but I will have to hold your hand for us to both be teleported properly,” he stammered.

  “No need to apologise to me,” I said as I eagerly grabbed his hand. His paws were so soft and fluffy. I had always wanted a pet cat, but I suppose telling Esu that would be rude.

  Esu held the gem up to his maw. “Selune,” he whispered onto the stone.

  The room filled with light and in a flash, we were out of the greenhouse and in another room. This room was like nothing I had ever seen before. An enormous botanical garden housed in transparent glass. It was filled with the plants of Naedis, blooming underneath the open sky. I looked out one of the windows. Xerai sparkled, the sun disappearing behind it. Looking out at the earth below, I could see the very greenhouse we had transported from. We were on the roof of the castle.

  A voice serene and gentle called to me. “Greetings, Queen Sabyr Nightsong. It is a pleasure to finally meet you, and it is good to see you again, Esu.”

  I whirled around to meet its owner. Standing before me, bathed in starlight, a woman of unearthly beauty smiled at me. She was Worg like in form, two white furry wolf-like ears sat on each side of her head. Her eyes were stunning, one the colour of moonlight, the other of the stars, each glowing in their light. White, with a shining brilliance, her hair cascaded down past her knees in loose curls. Dressed in a gown of white lace, it trailed down behind her, along with a large plush tail.

  “The pleasure is mine,” I stammered at her.

  She giggled softly at my shyness.

  “Sabyr, this is Selune, our special guest. Before I leave you, there are a few things we must go through,” Esu said to me.

  I nodded for him to continue.

  “As you are aware you cannot enter this room through the door, but you can leave by it, use it when you are done. If you ever wish to see Selune outside of normal training times, just ask me. Most importantly, never speak of her to anyone except the circle and ensure you are in a private setting. As you already know, Selune is a refugee from the east, her safety depends on our diligence.”

  Esu bowed and then moved towards the door. “I will leave you to it,” he said. As he left through the door, a nervous chuckle sounded. “Please try to play nice.”

  What was that supposed to mean?

  Selune beckoned me towards a white, wrought iron table that sat beneath a verdant weeping willow. Two chairs sat either side matching the table’s intricate design, a cushion on each. Selune took her place on one side and I on the other. She eyed me curiously, an expression likely mirrored. With her pale silver, delicate fingers, she began to braid and bind her hair.

  “Raest always had a taste for the unusual,” she smiled.

  “Excuse me?”

  She laughed heartily. “Relax. It's a compliment. I would have been disappointed if you were boring.” Her tone shifted, sending the hairs on the back of my neck upright. She began to coil up her braids, binding and pinning them up.

  Rising to her feet, she led me over to a large patch of flat grass. A section of clear glass arched above the lawn, all the glory of stars on display. As soon as I pressed my feet into the cool grass, Selune began to circle me. She examined me from head to toe, her expression never changing.

  “Shift for me,” she said flatly.

  “I thought you were teaching me that? I don't know how. I've only done it once by accident.”

  “
Less talk, more shifting. You are wasting both of our time if you can't even do that.”

  “I told you I don't know how.”

  Selune clicked her tongue. “I suppose I'll have to force it out.” Her body began to warp and tremble, I stumbled back in surprise. Her claws and fangs burst forth, longer and meaner. White fur flourished onto her arms, legs and face. Each shining eye, feral and frightening. With a mighty howl, she lunged forward, knocking me to the ground.

  “What in Erohk are you doing?” I shouted, trying to get to my feet.

  “Shift or be maimed,” she roared as she forced me back to the ground.

  So this is what Esu meant. I scrambled up from the floor, moving to bolt. I dodged one blow, two blows, the third crushing me with all her strength. I crumbled back to the grass, my skin smarting. A single clawed hand pinned me down, my anger and frustration welled.

  Clasping her arm, I pushed back, ripping her from my chest. I rolled out from under her, trying again to create distance but Selune was too fast, too strong. She batted me around like a kitten with a toy. As she bruised and battered me, I felt the pressure inside begin to build. I had no clue on how to pull it forth. Selune loomed over me again, and I swung wildly at her, punching her square in the nose. She growled at me, stepping back. Her primal form melting away.

  “Well, this isn't working, and I doubt Raest will be happy if I bite you,” she sighed. The calmness came over her again, no sign of the beast that lingered inside. “Let us talk,” she said as she sat upon the grass. I sat down on the lawn precariously, my rump sore and tender, and I eyed her dubiously.

  “I knew your father and your grandmother. I likely met a few of your ancestors too,” she said. My ears pricked with surprise and interest. “Worgs really are beasts, always chasing after their instincts. But not your family. They strived to create a place for the Worg in the modern world, acting with honour and loyalty. The Nightsongs came far with the Bloodmanes at their side.”

  She tilted her head, her expression blasé. “Rogan would be horrified to learn about you.” The serenity in her voice was gone, replaced with something like contempt. I bristled at her words and change of tone.