Page 18 of Wolfsbane (Deadly Duet #2)

EIGHTEEN

MOREL

As I stared into the flames of the fireplace, Hesper clung to my side, her arms around my body as her head fell against my arm.

“What haunts you, my love?” I kissed the top of her head, trying not to let my dark thoughts sink into her goodness.

“At sunrise, we go to war with Boletus. I am simply planning my strategies, considering our best plan of action.” Hesper stepped in front of me, looking up into my eyes.

“Are you afraid?” My hand caressed her cheek as I gave a warm smile.

“The only thing I fear in all my existence is losing you.”

“Then what is it? Tell me.” Hesper’s crystal glowed as she stared up at me.

“We know our army is unstoppable, but when we ride out to meet Boletus, we leave the kingdom exposed. If only there was a way to protect them in our absence.” Hesper studied me, clutching the crystal.

“What if there was?” I shot her a look, perplexed by her words. “I am a daughter of the night, same as your mother. You must possess gifts yourself. Together, we could use our gifts to protect our people.”

“Our people,” I smiled. “Do you think it is possible?” Hesper glanced down at her necklace in thought.

“There's one person who might know.” She clutched the crystal tighter, its glow peeking through her fingers. “Where is Dr. Altair?”

“Dr. Altair?” I called his name, finding him in the library surrounded by stacks of books and burning candles. Hesper shadowed me as we approached him, the look on his face showing he was surprised to see us at such a late hour.

“My king. My queen.” He bowed. “Whatever can I help you with? Is everything alright?”

“You knew my mother well,” I started as he nodded. “You knew she was a daughter of the night, didn’t you?”

“M-my king.” He fumbled with his robes, obviously nervous. “Your mother—she swore me to secrecy. Y-your father?—”

“Never mind him.” Hesper pushed past me.

“With Morel’s mother being a daughter of the night, would that not make him a son of the night?” The old man glanced between us both. “Sir?”

“Yes.” My stomach dropped, realizing this was the reasoning behind everything. My past, my trauma, my differences. My world fell into place, learning the truth of myself as I slunk back into a nearby chair. “Please forgive me, my king.”

Words failed me.

“Dr. Altair, I too am a daughter of the night. Tomorrow, when Morel and I ride out to Boletus, the kingdom will be left with no one to defend it. Together, could we not call upon the goddess and find a way to protect Grisset?”

The old man pondered for a moment, searching his books for answers to back his knowledge. He muttered to himself as Hesper joined me, crouching at my side.

“Morel?” I showed her a smile. “Are you alright, my love?”

“It all makes sense. Everything. I am a child of the night, just like you. We are souls birthed in the darkness and taught by the stars.” She smiled, gripping my hand.

“Love forged in the shadows, blessed by the goddess herself.”

“There may be a way—” We both stood, joining Dr. Altair as he scanned an old and ancient book. “There is an ancient spell, one that would grant abilities and protection to the land and its people, but it would require a sacrifice—not of blood, but life.” What does that even mean?

“I will not kill an innocent,” I snapped.

“No, I’m afraid…” His eyes moved from me to Hesper’s, falling to her stomach, his words suddenly making sense. “No. No!” I pulled her back, moving away from the old man.

“What is it?” Hesper asked.

“We will not do that!” Dr. Altair sighed, nodding.

“Do what? What?” Hesper pushed from me, glancing between us both. “Answer me, Morel!” I couldn’t form the painful words.

“You would forfeit your ability to bring life into this world.” Dr. Altair’s words stunned her as she remained still, pale as a ghost.

“We will not do it. Hesper…” I approached her as she stepped away from me. “Wolfsbane,” I whispered, “please.”

“Morel.” She looked at me with an odd expression. “Our people need us. If this is what must be done to protect them, now and forever, would it not be a worthy sacrifice?”

Our people. Hesper was willing to give up any chance of having a child for them.

“And what of Grisset’s heir?” I asked.

“You are a prince banished from his kingdom, a king born from the darkness. I am a queen forced from her kingdom. Would it not only make sense for Grisset’s heir to come from an outcast like ourselves, chosen by us? They would have no less right than a child of our own. We may give up a chance to bring life into this world, but think of how many lives we would save. How many children would be born into the shadows because of our sacrifice. A king is nothing without his kingdom.”

If there was any room left in my heart for my love for her to grow, it filled that space and overflowed. She was right. A king was nothing without his kingdom, and I was nothing without her. She was all I needed, heir or not.

I stepped close, pressing my forehead against her, nodding as I placed my hand across her stomach. She laid her head against my heart, knowing the sacrifice we were making was worth it.

“It is your body, and I will follow you whichever path you choose. You are my wife, and you are all I need in this world and the next.” Hesper kissed me softly, breaking away as she addressed the old man.

“Do what you must, Dr. Altair,” Hesper whispered.

“Grisset will be forever grateful to you both for your sacrifices.” Dr. Altair came to my side, book in hand. “I will also need the crystal,” he whispered.

Hesper glanced up at me as I nodded. She removed the necklace, placing it between the fold of the old book, listening as Dr. Altair began to recite the ancient words.

“As the goddess watches from above, we come to you, humble servants of the night, laying our sacrifice at your feet, asking for your protection. May the moon bless the people of Grisset for all of eternity and protect them from outer forces. May it give them the strength to fight, the courage to remain strong, and the ability to thrive under your light and in the shadows of the night.” The crystal began to glow, rising from the book as it levitated. Hesper groaned in pain, falling to the ground.

“Hesper? Hesper!” I fell at her side, unsure of what was happening or how to help her. “Dr. Altair!”

“We present this sacrifice, bound by love, and ask for such an exchange,” he continued to chant.

“Morel,” she whispered, groaning as she cradled her stomach, writhing in pain. She grabbed my hand, gripping it tight as sweat formed across her face, tears falling down her cheeks.

“I’m here.” I squeezed her hand, brushing her hair from her face. “I’m here, wolfsbane.” My heart nearly shattered watching her suffer, unable to do anything to help. Anger began to consume me as I listened to the old man’s words while my wife cried out for me.

“You better hurry,” I growled up to Dr. Altair. “I swear to the gods, I will kill you if this doesn’t end soon!” Hesper rolled as I clutched her body, holding her close, trying to comfort her. “I’m here,” I whispered over and over. “I’m here.”

The old man fell silent as the crystal changed from a glowing white light to a pale blue, glistening light resembling stars trailing from it as it hovered. He closed the book as Hesper calmed, huffing and weak in my arms.

“It is done.”

“Hesper,” I whispered, wiping her forehead. “Are you alright?” She nodded weakly.

“You must take the crystal outside and release it beneath the moon to complete the spell.” Dr. Altair stepped back, bowing. “Grisset thanks you for your sacrifice, my king and queen. We are forever in your debt.”

Hesper slowly opened her eyes, clinging to my neck as I stood, holding her in my arms. I carried her to the crystal as her arm reached, carefully grasping it. The light changed color from a pale blue to a lavender. She looked up at me as I nodded, holding her close as we left the room.

Dr. Altair followed as we stepped outside the castle and down its steps. Orion spotted us, rushing to Dr. Altair’s side as he helped him down the stairs and remained close behind Hesper and me.

“What is happening?” he questioned within earshot.

Hesper looked at me once more, the pain in her eyes now absent. I smiled, kissing her softly, a tear falling from my eyes onto her face. She had made the sacrifice without hesitation. This world did not deserve her.

“Do you think it will work?” she asked softly, holding the glowing crystal in her hand.

“There is only one way to find out.”

Hesper inhaled, raising her hand as she aimed the crystal into the sky, the moonlight catching it as it glowed even brighter, slowly rising from her hand and lifting towards the heavens. The crystal burst into a million stars, scattering across the skies, purple magic raining down on all of Grisset as if it were a gentle snow.

“Dr. Altair?” Orion asked in awe.

“Your queen has ensured our people shall never suffer, never fail, and only thrive. She has made the ultimate sacrifice for Grisset.” I looked back at him, watching as the old man fumbled to our side, shadowed by Orion, and fell to his knees. “Queen Hesper, I am your humble servant.” Orion also kneeled, offering his protection and allegiance to Hesper.

As the lavender magic kissed our skin, its effect immediately took hold. My vision sharpened, my skin suddenly feeling no cold despite the freezing temperature of the night. I could feel a new strength building in my muscles. I looked down at Hesper, noticing she was being affected as well.

“How do you feel?” I asked.

She carefully dropped her legs, sliding from my arms and standing, showing no pain or weakness. Her hand touched her stomach, unphased as she glanced at me, beaming.

“I am perfect. The pain is gone, and I feel—” She inhaled, spinning, laughing as the magic continued to fall around us. “I feel stronger than ever!”

My hands snatched her body close, kissing her without thought or hesitation, my heart burning for her. Her arms wrapped around me, kissing me back as we stood there, a force the world had never seen. A force that should be feared.

“I love you, wolfsbane.”

“And I you, my king.”