Her Forever

Willa’s POV

Nissa was such a wonderful person, she made me feel right at home as she took me away from the soon-to-be fighting. When they appeared not only thirty minutes later in the tearoom, I knew there had to of been a breakthrough. My thought was right when Nissa looked at both men and gave a large smile and I think I saw a blush come to her face when Nyx gave her a wide grin. Even after all those years, he loved her, even if he did stray a bit.

Nyx profusely apologized, saying he had no idea. He wanted Orion to find his true mate and the rumors of him being a man-whore had spread throughout the kingdom so he thought the worst. Luckily for Orion, me being his mate made Nyx relax and be joyful about our pairing. However, now HE felt utterly embarrassed. We were both embarrassed today so I told him we were even.

Orion’s father was briefed on our current ‘situations,’ A.K.A. ‘the big hot sticky mess.’ We spent a good time talking about Onyx’s daughter Sibille; Nyx never liked the daughter of his best friend he grew up with. She was spoiled and was the product of a chosen mate marriage and he was firmly against that even though in the fae Court it was allowed.

There were rumors that Onyx’s chosen mate was in a matless facility for those who don’t want to live on without mates which sparked my interest a few days ago. I had an idea to lure Sibille out of hiding. Sibille had a love for her mother Orion had mentioned, so why not use that to our advantage even though her mother is innocent? Maybe we could find her true mate once Onyx was either put to death or forced to be in prison. Nissa explained chosen marks could fade or be overturned by Selene’s proper matching, which gave me a huge sigh of relief.

Nissa was put in charge of finding Elaine, Sibille’s mother, and help prepare a room for her. Elaine has been depressed and debilitated with depression, being married to Onyx. The evil man only cared about marrying her for her status. Several physicians will be brought in to help her with the hope of finding her mat, and I pray the goddess looks down on her with mercy.

Along with helping Elaine, Nissa will be in charge of the coronation preparations. I was asked several times about colors, themes, and so forth but I didn’t really care. All I wanted was to have the attention diverted away from me, which only made her laugh. “All the attention will be on you, sweetheart,” Nissa cooed at me while Orion kissed my head.

“You are already the talk of the entire realm, colorful wings, the lost princesses no one even knew about. You reek of popularity,” one of the servants spoke as said as he poured me a glass of tea.

“You truly are a doll, Willa, coming from the upbringing you had and especially with those wolves. My son doesn’t deserve your kindness and refreshing look on life. Not to mention, quite the beauty.” Nyx winked at Orion who just rolled his eyes. “I’ve already made up for it, father, trust me.” Orion winked, and I turned bright pink with my new porcelain skin tone.

While Annan and Nyx were in charge of the Kingdom and gathering extra soldiers for the coronation and protecting the palace, they were also left to their own devices to try and find the hidden B***d Coven. This would have to be done discretely; they are sending pixies into the area around Vamparia. If only we had an alliance with the darker kingdom but they are currently undergoing their own transitions of power.

The next day, Orion, Eamon, Fionn, Brenden, and I were to fly up to the dragon shifter tribe and let them know about Violet’s recent discovery of witches trying to steal the dragon’s b***d. If those witches got their hands on a child, I’m sure the dragons would burn everything down. They were strong creatures but also discrete. They often fly in the sky and patrol the shifter kingdom well but their home was their sanctuary. No one goes in or out unless they have an invitation and right now, we do not.

Time was of the essence as we took flight together. It was a sight to see, Orion was by my side while Eamon and Fionn were in front and Brenden flanking us. The higher in elevation, the thinner air became, and I found it hard to breathe. Fortunately, we didn’t have to fly much longer because flying in dragon territory was an immediate threat. “If you think wolves are possessive of their territory, you wait and see a dragon,” Eamon yelled as the wind started to howl.

The clouds began to darken as we saw rain approaching, making us have to land earlier than planned. Orion said it might be okay for me to fly in the rain with my wings, but it would spell trouble to an ordinary fae. Airing out wings takes weeks and a lot of medicinal creams that were hard to come by. “We will land there!” Orion shouted as the wind howled again. Orion pointed to a cave nearby, and we fluttered over. With a gentle thump I landed less gracefully than the others. Eamon laughed as I stumbled a bit as the pack pushed me forward, wanting to keep going.

“Ah, inertia is a b***h,” Eamon laughed while I chuckled, taking the pack off.

“We will have to wait here until the storm clears before heading deeper into the forest,” Orion spoke as we entered the cave.

“Are you sure Orion? It is only drizzling; we should keep going,” I pushed. Something didn’t feel right being in this cave; it was dark but mostly dry. Meaning it could be a perfect place for someone or something to live in.

“We need a rest, we have flown two hours straight,” Fionn said, not worried in the slightest. Since I was just a newly planted Bergarian, I figured it should be alright if two mighty warriors said it was. I sat down on a small mat and leaned against the cave wall, and shut my eyes.

Orion was speaking to Fionn who had a map of the dragon tribes and which one they should visit since we didn’t have time to see them all. It was decided to visit the largest, the one with the ultimate alpha dragon, Adam. His wife was a fae which gave us the upper hand if the dragons didn’t appreciate our intrusion. Faes tend to favor other faes.

Letting out a large sigh, I felt the wall behind me move. My eyes flew open as I began to feel behind me. It wasn’t a cold cave wall like it should have been, in fact, it felt warm. I rubbed it again, and a slight rumble came out. Sitting up I looked behind me now that Brenden had a fire lit and staring back at me where two black large eyes with a flicker of light from the fire.

Screaming like my pants were on fire I ran up to Orion and pulled his tunic while he stared at me in shock. The beady eyes kept staring as I couldn’t come up with the words to spill out of my mouth. “THE W-WALL, H-Has EYES!”

The men all pulled out their swords ready to attack with the wall came to life, it wasn’t a dragon, it was scarier than that. Instead of Horus and his beautiful white and gold scales, these were pitch black, covered in scars. The wings were bat-like for webbing but had thin feathers from the top of its head down to its tail. Eyes were are large as dinner plates, and the hind legs were large with foot-long talons. There were no front legs, the wings were attached to claws at the top of the wing and would walk on the floor along its back legs as it came closer.

It never growled but grunted while its white fangs came over its bottom jaw. Nothing in the storybooks I have read could help me figure out this creature. I had stopped screaming and now looked at it in awe, it was huge, and its head raised to the top of the cave. Orion stood still, waiting for an attack but there was none.

Large bouts of smoke came from its nostrils as it started to circle him and black-like glitter sprung forth to engulf the creature as it covered its shrinking body. A few seconds went by and when the smoke cleared it was a very large man. Scars littered his chest, along with several tribal and dragon tattoos. His dark hair was long, down to mid-back. A large scar went down his face going straight through the eye. If he didn’t have the scar he would have been a beautiful man, however, even with the scar the aura of power he leaked was stifling. Four faes could never bring this beast down in the full form.

“Who are you?” Orion put his sword away, and everyone followed. The man just folded his arms while the cloth covering his private parts swayed as the wind blew in the cave. To break the awkward silence, I stepped forward; maybe listening to a woman might help?

“Um, hello?” Yeah, the confidence was out the window now; great job Willa. “I’m Willa, and this is King Orion. We have news to take to Alpha Alex, maybe you have heard? Dangers are coming this way, and it affects the tribes.”

The brooding man stood there, taking in our words. He looked everyone up and down as his arms stayed crossed over his raging muscles. “You shouldn’t have told him anything, he isn’t a dragon,” Eamon said and that was when we heard a loud growl from the monster.

“He looks dragon enough to me,” I said honestly. The man’s eyes softened for only a second before he turned cold. “Sorry to bother you, we can leave.” I motioned for everyone to pack up, and Orion agreed but dragged me with him by the hand.

“Willa, what were you thinking, talking to that thing?” Orion whispered.

“He’s a person, Orion. He lives up here with the other dragons, so he has some relation to them; why not ask for help?” Orion’s jaw ticked.

“Don’t speak to these dragons, Darling. They aren’t like the elves and the wolves you know. They are more animalistic if that were even possible.” He threw his hair over his shoulder to get it out of the way while I glared at him, and he motioned for everyone to leave.

I let out a huff and turned right around back up to mister scary guy and gave a little bow. “We are just trying to save the women and children from the witches coming over the border and warn your people.” Mister scary man didn’t move or showed any easement of his stance. Pausing, I came up with a brilliant idea. Singing light heartedly as I could I sang to the tune of ‘Wheels on the Bus’, “please lead us to Alpha Adam’s Tribe, Adam’s tribe. Will you please lead us to Alpha Adam’s tribe? We would be forever grateful.”

This was not my proudest moment, I’m sure Luke would be rolling on the floor right now.

I heard Orion growl at me while I turned around and gave him a big tongue to stare at. Big fae meanie. Mister big scary man nodded his head, uncrossed his arms, and led us out of the cave while we followed. Grabbing my bag and glaring at Orion, I followed closely. I don’t know if it was my siren powers or the fact I just looked like an i***t. I will never know.

“Oy, you are in for it, eh?” Eamon laughed as I heard a slap on Orion’s back. “She tamed a wild beast all on ‘er own! Must be da siren b***d.” I looked back at Orion who looked like someone slapped him with a stupid stick.

Mister scary man led us through the forest and in no time we breeched a small village. The area was primitive but also secure and safe. Instead of homes in trees like the elves, the dragons had huts on the ground made of mud as hard as concrete. Several of them had smoke stacks coming out with one hut looking to be the largest of them all.

As we entered slowly, mister scary man held out his arm for us to halt until a beautiful fae woman walked out, she must have been Alpha Adam’s mate. Her hair was long and blonde and had a sheen of red high lights in her hair. She smiled warmly once she saw our guide and whispered yelled, “Creed!”

That’s nice, now we have a name. Creed just gave a curt nod as she engulfed him in a hug. “As great as it is to see you Creed, you better go. Adam is in a foul mood.” Creed did a small bow and kissed her hand as he turned to us and walked past.

“Thank you!” I called to him but he didn’t even turn around, he continued walking down the path he led us down.

“King Orion, to what do we owe the pleasure?” She curtsied lowly. Orion came forward, his kingly stoic face was slapped on, and I couldn’t help but internally g***n. He’s pissed at me. I could feel those waves of anger a mile away.

“We have come to warn you of-“ a roar broke through the camp. Another large man, well, who am I kidding, everyone was large. He was at least 6’8’’, mousy brown hair, sweat protruding from his body and only wearing the same type of cloth Creed was wearing. We’ve got hot Tarzans up in these mountains.

“You are on our territory with no invitation,” his index finger pointed directly to Orion who stood still with a hand on his sword.