Evenfall

Isa watched Nikolas’s face pale as he beheld the Duchess. Quickly the startled expression morphed to confusion, then to understanding, then to anger. She frowned.

“Nikolas?” She put a hand on his arm. He whipped his head at her. She gave him a searching look. The hall began to murmur. Nikolas seemed lost, his eyes glassy. He looked back to the Duchess, confused, and then to one of the many windows of the hall. Isa watched fear quickly cloud his features.

“I have to go,” he said suddenly, turning away and moving quickly to the door. Before she knew it he was gone. She looked to the window and saw the first light of dawn breaking through, though the sun was not yet peaking over the horizon. She glanced once more towards the Duchess and her family, who seemed to be comforting her as she sobbed on the platform.

“Thank you for the lovely party,” Isa said awkwardly. As quickly as she could she turned and ran from the room. Once outside, she looked around wildly for Nikolas, suddenly very concerned about his well-being.

“Nikolas?” She called out to the courtyard. She noted two guards flanking the doors.

“Excuse me,” she said, approaching one. “did you see a man go by here?”

“Yes, milady,” the guard tipped his head. “He went in that direction. Seemed to be in a hurry.”

She glanced towards the direction he’d pointed and noted that it was towards the forest.

“Thank you,” she said quickly, running towards the tree-line.

“My pleasure, miss!” The guard called back.

Isa’s breath came in pants as she rushed between the bushes and trees. Her dress caught on branches and ripped in various places, but still she thundered on. “Nikolas!” she called, breathless. She caught sight of a black jacket draped over a branch.

Coming closer, she realized it was the one Nikolas had been wearing. “Nikolas!” she called again, taking note of the tie, and then the dress shirt that were discarded in a similar fashion to the jacket a few yards further. She began to follow the clothes, becoming more and more confused as she found a shoe, a sock, another shoe and a vest. When she found pants, she considered stopping her search. Judging by the clothes he had discarded, he was in no position to be seen by her.

“Nikolas!” She called one last time before turning to make her way back. A muffled groan shackled her to where she stood.

“Nikolas?” She tried again, stepping in the direction of the sound. “Where are you?”

“Isa…” he groaned again, and she quickly ran in the direction of his voice. She found him leaning against a fallen tree trunk, eyes closed and forehead dotted with beads of sweat. Indeed, as she had suspected, he was in no position to be beheld by a lady. She threw her inhibitions to the wind and dropped to her knees beside him, grabbing his hand.

“Nikolas?” She said, searching his pain-filled visage. “What’s the matter? What’s going on?”

“Please,” he whispered, cracking his eyes open. Tears shimmered there. “Please… go. Go now.”

“What? Why?” She brought her hand to his cheek. He placed his over it and gently pulled it off. “What’s wrong?” He pulled his other hand out of hers and repeated himself.

“Isabelle,” he groaned again. “I need you to leave. Right now.”

Isa jumped back as he let loose a cry of pain, knuckles white as he clenched his fists. Tears sprang to her eyes.

“Nikolas…” she whispered, kneeling back beside him. “Tell me what’s going on. I can help you!”

“No, you can’t!” He said, ripping his hands from her grasp. She saw anger flash in his eyes as he turned away, attempting to stand. She gritted her teeth and was about to berate his stubbornness when he fell to his knees, hands crashing out to hold himself up. He cried out again.

“GO!” He yelled. Isa stood and watched him writhe.

“No!” She said, going to reach for him again. “I will not leave-”

She gasped and stopped short as he gave the most pain-filled yell she’d ever heard. Stumbling back, she watched with horror as his skin began to ripple.

“Please,” he said half-heartedly. Defeated. “Please go.”

She was sure he sobbed. That solidified her resolve.

“No.” she said. “I will not leave you alone. Whatever this is, I’m staying by your side through it all.”

He gave a bitter chuckle. “Suit yourself.”

She watched with horror as his skin began to tear, and from the rips silver fur began to emerge. It rippled and writhed, like water, across his whole body until she could no longer see his skin.

Then his bones began to crack and break, and she collapsed to the ground. Covering her mouth, she watched as his arms and legs shortened, reforming into shapes that were not natural in the slightest. His face began to reform next, his nose elongating and forming what seemed to be a snout.

And through it all, he screamed.

Isa, sat back, crawling to the trunk and clamping her hands over her mouth. Tears spilled over them as she beheld the most horrifying sight she had ever seen. Nikolas gave a heavy sigh and collapsed, eyes clamped to the bright light of day.

“Nao?” Isa sobbed. The silver wolf that lay across from her sighed quietly.

“Yes.” he whispered.

She gave a startled cry. She scrambled up against the log, trying to get as far away from him as possible as he raised himself on shaky legs. His back was to her, so she couldn’t see his expression. With what seemed to be immense difficulty, the wolf turned to face her.

She felt an odd sense of betrayal as she saw the face that looked at her was undeniably that of Naois. Her hands shook as she lowered them to her lap, the tears still falling freely. His legs – four of them, her blurry mind noted vaguely – seemed to shake as much as her hands as he lay back down.

“I don’t understand,” she whispered. The forest seemed to hold its breath, not a single noise around them.

“I know.” Naios – Nikolas – closed his eyes. “I understand you must be angry.”

Isa seemed to regain her senses – some of them at least – and sat up straighter. She watched the wolf that lay before her.

“No. No, I’m not angry,” she said quickly, rubbing her forehead where a headache was forming. Nikolas opened his eyes and gazed at her questioningly. “I am just… confused. And maybe a little bit hurt.” She wiped her cheeks, resting her head back against the tree trunk.

“That’s fair,” Nikolas said, lifting his head and shuffling around.

Isa chuckled. He cocked his head.

“It’s so strange,” she said. “The wolf I’ve known my whole life, who I thought to be only a wolf, turned out to be the man I seem to be caring about alarmingly quickly.”

“You… care about me?” He asked quietly.

“Well of course,” Isa said, meeting his eye. “You’re witty, you’re clever, you can dance despite what you say.” She laughed. “You’re a breath of fresh air compared to my mother.”

She would have sworn it were impossible if she hadn’t seen it for herself, but the wolf smiled at her. And it wasn’t cocky or coy or teasing, it was genuine. He cared for her too. For a while they were quiet, listening as the forest came alive around them. Everything seemed to heave a great sigh when it realized that Nikolas and Isabelle’s relationship had not fractured.

“So…” Isa said. “Would you mind explaining… this?” She gestured to him.

He chuckled, nodding his silver head. “I’ll do my best.”

“Your best?” She frowned.

“Well, I don’t exactly understand it either. I was very young when it started, so I don’t remember much before it all.”

Isa smiled sadly and crawled over to him, taking his head in her hands. “Well whatever this is, I will help you fix it. I promise you.”

“Thank you,” he said hoarsely “but I don’t think you can.”

“I will do everything I can.” She kissed his furry head before sitting back and watching him expectantly.

“Well,” he started, shifting uncomfortably. “For starters, this happens every morning. And every night, I change back. I don’t know why, or how, all I know is that it’s something I grew up with.”

“That sounds awful. It looked painful too.”

“Excruciating. I think it’s a punishment, but I don’t know what I did.”

“I’m so sorry. I never knew.”

“It’s alright, it isn’t your fault. Thank you for not…” He glanced down.

“Not?” She prompted.

“Running.” He said quietly.

“Oh, Nikolas.” Isa said, leaning down and hugging his silver neck. “I would never run from you. You are two of my favourite creatures!” She chuckled at her joke, and he did as well.

“I’m glad to hear that. Now would you mind giving me a hand?” He laughed uncomfortably. “Or, paw?”

Isa giggled and sat back up. “Of course. With what?”

“Well I wouldn’t want to leave Cindy’s suit scattered around the forest, for starters.” He gave her a wolfy smile.

“Oh right!” Isa scrambled to her feet and started picking up clothing items.

“Thank you.” Shakily, he padded after her. Together they retrieved the scattered clothing and made their way back through the forest.

“How are you going to get outside the gates?” Isa asked. “I’m assuming it’s dangerous for you to stay in here all day…”

“I don’t know,” Nikolas said. “Maybe-”

“Maybe I can help with that,” A voice from their left startled them. Isa jumped and turned, and suddenly Nikolas was in front of her and growling.

“Oh, hush!” Cindy stepped out from behind a tree. Nikolas’s ears flattened, and then flicked back and forth. “You’ll find no danger with me.”

“Cindy!” Isa blushed, suddenly remembering the rips and tears in her beautiful dress.

“Hello, dears.” Cindy smiled kindly at the two of them. “I see you’ve found yourselves in a bit of a pickle.”

“You could say that,” Nikolas spoke up.

“Oh, he speaks!” Cindy smiled widely at Isa. “Very good.”

“I do.” Nikolas pulled Cindy’s gaze back to him and left Isa frowning at Cindy’s comment. “And I do believe we are running out of time.”

The distant sounds of guards shouting and metal boots clanking became apparent. Guards were looking for them, though Isa couldn’t think why.

“Yes, yes, of course.” Cindy waved her hand, and suddenly they were back in the dress shop. Isa stumbled to her knees as a dizzy spell overtook her. Nikolas barked and promptly fell on his side, as if the ground had been swept out from under him.

“What in the name of Archen…” Isa squinted.

“Teleportation, dear. Difficult to master, difficult to perform properly. Luckily I’ve had some practice.” Cindy said, disappearing through another door and reemerging with a tray of tea. She seemed entirely unphased. “Please be seated. We have much to discuss.”

Isa and Nikolas glanced at each other uncertainly. Isa raised an eyebrow and shrugged, standing and shakily making her way over where they had been seated the night before. Nikolas padded after her and sat on the floor beside her, his hulking form trumping the small sofas.

They sat awkwardly as Cindy poured the tea and distributed the cups. She was thoughtful enough to bring a bowl for Nikolas, setting it down on the table in front of him.

“It’ll calm your nerves,” Cindy explained, sitting back and sipping hers. “I’m sure you two have had quite the morning.”

“You could say that,” Isa agreed, taking her cup. Nikolas didn’t touch his bowl, instead opting to watch Cindy wearily.

“Who are you?” He asked. “Why are you helping us?”

“Oh, my dear, to tell you that we have to start from the very beginning!” Cindy smiled. “So get comfortable.”

Isa sat back, and Nikolas begrudgingly lay down.

“Do you know who your father is, Isabelle?” She asked. Isa shook her head. “His name is Jakob. He was my son.” She gave Isa a moment to digest that. “And that makes me your grandmother.”

Isa’s eyes widened and she heaved a sigh. “Well that makes more sense.” She chuckled uncomfortably. “Please, continue.”

Cindy smiled and nodded. “He and your mother were very much in love. His father never approved of her, though, the nomadic chit that lived in the forest. But I could see they made each other happy. I was very surprised the day he brought another woman home and announced their engagement. That woman was your mother, Nikolas.”

Now it was his turn to digest. Before he could say anything, Cindy soldiered on.

“I can only assume he must have told her, because she was a guest at the wedding.”

“He did tell her,” Nikolas said quietly. “I remember he asked me to deliver her invitation to her.”

Isa gave him a sympathetic smile and dropped her hand to stroke his head. She felt him relax at her touch. Cindy watched them with a fond look in her eyes.

“The wedding… never happened, did it?” Isa asked. “Something else did. To stop it.”

“Yes,” Cindy nodded softly. “Your mother was so filled with hate and anger and hurt that she decided a curse was the only answer. She believed that it was all Margaret’s fault – Nikolas’s mother. That she had stolen Jakob from her, and so it was Margaret she decided to curse.” She looked to Nikolas. “But she made a mistake, and she cursed you instead.”