Book 3: Chapter 23
A/N: Sorry for the slow updates! Work spilled over into my off days and kind of threw me off.
Tiffany
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Somewhere to calm your mind. I know this must be stressful.” Zayde admitted.
It was…
“There is So much that has yet to be done…” I left out what was really bothering me.
“I know you worry for more than Just that, but I am here for you… Whatever or whoever gets in your way, is for me to move aside.” He said with a devilish smile. I returned it weakly, and he held out his elbow for me to take. Zayde formally requested that I accompany him, and of course I would.
My hands tingled sparks…. The mate bond linked us, and soothed some of my troubles. Not all of them, but it felt nice…
I’d also still keep to myself the last thought, because I knew what he’d say. He’d encourage me that everything was alright, and that I would be a good coven leader. My issue was how things sat.
We’d made an enemy before the foundations were even laid, and on top of it all, I felt like I was messing up. I didn’t tell him any of that part….. I know he would reassure me, but right now, I think it was best that I say nothing. For now, I would comfort him too.
Zayde was stressed as well. With Yoltier, you can see it in their eyes. If they change like Zayde’s does, it will reveal how they feel. Reds and oranges are usually anger, or annoyance. Blues and greens signify happier moods… Zayde had crimson red eyes right now. No matter his smile, I knew he was upset as well. So even without the bond, I’d know. He had Tinzaa out looking for the human girl… but not her family.
That was all that was negotiated for, so it would be all the demon would bring.
I held Zayde’s arm…Those poor people. When she get’s taken, they’re going to accuse her remaining family of being witches too…. But that was If they were still alive.
The vibrant giggles and happiness around the castle were a stark, complete opposite to what one would assume a castle of dark witches to feel like. Many of the girls snickered about the castle, the main subject being Jezrah.
Many others gossiped about us, that we were taking the humans with us. Alteer already laid down his law, that they were his coven members. All of them were registered as Black Diamond, that they be together.
One Also wouldn’t assume a castle to smell so sweet and light. The flowers of the greenhouse had to be a few steps away. It Had to be a conservatory or some kind of lush garden. It smelled like fresh rainwater, and springtime even though it was still cold here… Magic kept this place perfectly neutral, and for it I was grateful….
I wanted to see this green place right now, in a land that was soon to be in winter’s full grip….
“I want you to forget about the village, and let that burden fall on me.” Said Zayde suddenly. Up until now, we were just silently walking.
“You know I can’t do that.” I said looking down.
He stopped, and put a finger under my chin. He didn’t care that we were just outside the gardens, still in the grand hall. He kissed me then and there, in front of any onlookers. I didn’t care that he’d done it… I was melted by his touch. His grip on my sides trailed up my arms as I took my leg and climbed my husband. He supported me with one hand, while his left petted my hair…. I don’t know what came over me, but I could hear the growl in his bandaged throat.
“Zayde.” I mumbled…..
“Your worry is mine, and I will end this. I will do it for you and you alone.” He said pulling me close. “So I say this in all honesty. Forget about the town, and the Jekels, or status… worry about yourself, our coven…. Let me handle this.”
“Alright….” I said looking him in the eyes. I meant it… I’d *try* …
My cheeks heated up, and when he leaned in, this second kiss was more passionate…. It made butterflies flutter in my stomach, and it did melt a lot of my worry away… It was the combination of his conviction and gentle touch that did it… I knew the town would recover….
They got their justice… They Had been wronged years ago by witches…It’s what made them so superstitious and weary of us…. They were fed up with the castle, and all in it. They also blame us for their troubles. Any blight on their lands, any people who die ‘mysteriously’ is our fault, even when it turns out the cause is natural.
I got a chance to see the records. The town’s dead was brought to life to kill their grand children and great grandchildren. Areina’s plan was to raze the town, then the castle… Then she was put down by her own cousins and aunts… The investigation was relentless for about 7 years, but they didn’t know about Areina’s child… or her children. Generations of Jekel cheated-
“I can’t hear you like ancient wolves can with their lower werewolves, but you’re my mate. I know well enough that you’re still brooding. My most lovely…. Welcome to the Garden of Black Diamond Estates.” He chuckled. “It will pale in comparison to Yellow.” He kissed me one last time, savoring my lips, holding my arms before slowly letting my feet touch the ground.
The garden here was wonderful… It had a plethora of different wisteria in bloom, nearly every color. They all had their own scents and butterfly that drank the magic nectar. Many of these didn’t exist, like the green eucalyptus wisteria… it had a Very herbal scent. The vines hung off many willow trees…
It smelled so sweet, and the water was so clean that I could see the fish swimming in the ponds. They flashed silver as they darted around, making ripples on the otherwise still pond…. There were many beasts here, as well as bird baths. They cared for many kinds of dainty, multicolored songbirds.
I saw a magical heard of horse-like creatures…. It sparked a small memory. I knew what that animal was… I’d seen them before. I’d ridden them too… That memory of the beach became a little clearer. We had them then; that was actually how we got there… During the war, we used them to cover dangerous grounds…. In the old times nearly every village had at least one or two holy water coated rocks for their slings, heavily blessed spears, or silver arrows…
I didn’t know they had gorses, rare as they are.
They were a goat-horse hybrid beast made by the Beast Prince… It was said that he learned flesh magic from the master’s son, and used it to create a hardworking, loyal, intelligent creature. They had the body of horses, but the feet and horns of a Jacob’s ram. It was also said that they were so smart, that the only thing that they couldn’t do, was speak. During the war, they would only bond to one rider, and I know I had one…
I remember I named her after the flower she smelled of.
“…Do you remember Padma?” He chuckled. I didn’t ‘know’ that language, but it was Sanskrit….
“I think that means….Lotus? Kind of….?” I asked more myself than him.
“Yell for her to come here.” Said my mate.
“Come here Piddy-Paddy!” I shouted, and I could hear the soft gallop of a mare. …
The dark blueish-gray mare was about as tall as a draft horse…. She shoved her face in my chest and bleated like a goat… very loudly. She closed her brilliant blue eyes, and I petted her head, while Zayde handed me an apple. “You missed me.” I smiled.
She nodded, then pressed her head in my chest again. She stomped her front feet, and swished her tail almost like a dog would…. Her eyes were a vibrant blue… I could see why I named her after a flower. She smelled like one. These creatures enjoy bathing, and going to the toilet by burying their waste.
“See?” He whistled. “And I have her mate, Kamudkal, or black water lily.” Sure enough, a larger one, a war gorse trotted to him. It was larger than mine by a full head, with orange eyes. You could see the fire in the stallion’s eyes… . They looked proud, and bent their heads low so we could ride them bareback… “We only used them for ground combat, and hauling, but gorses only pair with one rider.”
“Was this your plan?” I asked with a small smile. I didn’t know how to ride, but I think my gorse knew that… She was a gentle mare. She walked slowly next to the large male.
“They were moved here about 10 years ago. Padma is still getting used to being *in the herd, not leading it.* You bad gorse.” Zayde chuckled.
His gorse snorted, and mine whinnied as if she said ‘ha’.
“Oh, so you’re a bad bean!” I petted her head. She sheepishly shook her head ‘no’… She looked so innocent, batting her eyelashes. That was the puppy face of a guilty gorse.
“I can’t wait to move them to the jungle…. I know there will be so many places there untouched, and untamed…. “Zayde smiled.
“I’m actually excited to start working on the ritual room…. When we move, I would love to make it as big as Black Diamond’s.” I commented.
“Really?” He smiled.
“Really.” I confirmed.
He hummed, and we rode closely next to each other.
We rode like this about an hour, and my mare started acting up. She wouldn’t go another step….
“Ride with me.” Said Zayde.
“Alright.” I said shyly… with a single hand he hoisted me up, and I was in his lap. Any who were tending the garden now saw us riding together. He sat tall and proud, while I held onto his arms…. I blushed.
“What are you thinking about?” He whispered in my ear. He chuckled as he did so…. It was sinister.
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