The Nymph of Black Forest

I reach the wood line, and spy ten men.. all piling the bodies of the rogues up.. a tall man with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes turns to a second man..nearly as tall, with brown curly hair and brown eyes. The blonde man speaks “He was here..his scent is everywhere.. with the metallic stench of blood. He’s hurt..and I would venture to say.. hurt badly!” The brown haired man responded “He’s still alive, Shawn! His Alpha bond is intact! And, from the evidence we’ve gathered, he has help! Someone took out at least, twenty of these fuckers with a bow and arrow..four of them with knives..see here..whoever it is, stood directly in front of Derek..protecting him!” The man named Shawn snapped “Then where is he, Monty?? How did he leave? Losing blood at the rate he was.. he couldn’t have gone far!”

I listened, and realized that these men were my mate’s second and third.. so I spoke softly from my branch, in the tree “I know where he is” They both spun in circles.. trying to locate me.. I giggled and Shawn snipped “Show yourself! Tell us where our Alpha is” and even though, I heard the concern in his voice.. no one orders me to do shit! I replied “First of all..your Alpha is my mate! So.. using that tone with me, only pisses me off. Secondly, I was planning on telling you! And thirdly, you need to realize you are in MY forest and in no position to demand shit! I am the one who killed twenty of the fifty they sent to kill your Alpha. I am the one who stood over his injured body, defending and protecting him! And I am the one who saved His Life!”

Shawn immediately apologized “I’m sorry..it has been a stressful week..and when he didn’t make it home last night..it only added to our worry.” I nodded..then realized he can’t see me.. I jumped down from the tree in front of him and Monty. “Tell your men that if they burn the bodies..to watch the flames carefully..or I will send a rain cloud to douse it..and them!” Shawn ordered them to make sure the fire didn’t get away from them. Then he turned back to me…while Monty never took his eyes from me “Are you a pixie?” I shake my head “Nope! Half Forest Nymph.. I am a hybrid.” They both nodded like it made complete sense..when I knew they had no clue. I remarked “The two of you…only..will come with me. I will take you to your Alpha.. What is his name? And which pack are you?”

Again, Shawn got snarky “I thought he was supposed to be your mate! You don’t know his name? Who he is? What game are you playing, girl?” And I snapped back “I told you! That fucking tone pisses me off! Get the fuck off your high horse..before I knock you off! Your Alpha was critically injured! He almost didn’t survive the night! Had it been anyone else trying to help him, he would not have! He has severe gaping..deep wounds down his left side.. and a serious head wound..as well as a concussion! The injury to his head has resulted in…what I hope to be..temporary amnesia! The wounds were full of aconitum and silver. I had to remove the effects of them both before I could treat the actual wounds, themselves! Now…until I decide to forgive you, Shawn.. I will only direct my questions and answers to Monty! What is his name!?”

Monty laughs “I like you! Alpha’s name is Derek Kingston of Mountain Moon Pack.. do you mind telling me your name?” I responded “Rhiannon Smalls..and yes.. I see the irony! You will come with me to my cottage. Do not disturb or molest the wildlife. I don’t take kindly to it!” Monty chuckles again “Molest them? Has that happened before?” I roll my eyes! Dear Goddess…please don’t let my mate be as slow on the uptake “Not molest..in the direction your mind went, pervert! Molest as in harass..torment..or in any way make them uncomfortable!” And Micah scurried to the top of my head to berate him in his squeaky little squeals and huffs. I said “Enough, Micah! Even if he could understand you..your threats are hardly….threatening! But yes! We would send them out of the forest on their ass!” And both guys laugh..saying they give me their word.

We reach the cottage. I invite them in..and offer tea and raspberry cobbler..to which Micah raises another ruckus! I smirk at my little friend “Micah…you are getting some..but even so…you can’t eat the entire cobbler alone. Stop being so rude! Dig deep in your pocket and find your compassion! They are worried for their friend and you are being insensitive!”

Turning to the guys, I say “Your Alpha will be waking soon. I gave him a light sleeping draught when I was told you were in the forest.” Shawn said “What? Who told you? Who else is here?” I sigh..I thought I had made it obvious.. “Edgar? You had to have seen him. He’s a little too large to miss…a fourteen-point elk.. is usually quite visible!” And they both just look confused. I’m not explaining myself very well..or they are just thick! I hear my mate call my name “Rhiannon?” And I move to the bedroom to check on him.

I walk in and ask quietly “How are you feeling?” He smiles and responds “Sleepy. But hungry again.” I nod..saying “How about some coffee and a slice of raspberry cobbler “ and he nods like a toddler causing me to giggle. I tell him that some men have come looking for him, and I brought two of them here. I help him up…walking him into the living room. When he spots the guys, he faints..and I try to catch him..because my 5’ nothing frame can catch a 300 pound behemoth by myself “ Help me! Damn!” And they both jump and carry him to the sofa.

I get a pot of coffee started and build the fire..while these two just sit staring at Derek. I tell them “His mind is assimilating…when he awakes…he should be able to start piecing things together. It isn’t anything we can help him with…so be patient. Don’t ask questions..but answer him truthfully, if he asks you something.”

Coffee was done, by the time Derek was waking up. I poured his coffee..putting a spoon of sugar in it, like he asked before..and handed him the cobbler, while setting the coffee on the table beside him. As he ate..his eyes flickered back and forth between Shawn and Monty. He grabbed his temple again..and I handed him a tonic whispering “for the pain” He took it and drank gratefully.

He handed me his plate..and I set it in the sink. He still hadn’t spoken.. I helped pull the sweater over his head..removing his bandage. I whispered “It’s still seeping. And the bandage has blackened again..warning of silver in the wound.. I am going to wash it with belladonna solution again before I bandage it back up” and he nods.

He hasn’t said a word…and as I finished his bandages, I put my hand on his shoulder..looking into his eyes.. I cupped his cheek and his eyes closed against my palm. I asked if he was okay and he whispered “Too much. Too many thoughts. I can’t concentrate.” And I nod. As I walk away. I fix him a tonic for anxiety..and have him drink it. He leans back and rests his head against the back of the couch, closing his eyes. I say, in a calming voice.. “Derek..”and his eyes shoot open! “My name is Derek!” And I nod, smiling “You know, you don’t have to do this right now, right?! You can take one more night..rest your brain.. all this will probably come back tomorrow!”

He nods.. “Will my head hurt this much tomorrow?” I shake my head and lead him back to the bedroom. I come back to the living room..with blankets and pillows. “I’m sorry, guys. Temporary amnesia usually starts showing signs of recovery around 72 hours.. ao I am hoping for tomorrow. Ambrose is giving him fits because he is worried, too!” Shawn gasps “You can hear Ambrose? He’s okay!? We can’t reach him!” And a tear treks down his cheek.. I wipe his tear away and cup his cheek “Ambrose is just fine…royally pissed..but fine! And, I can talk to all living things!”

Monty says “That is so fucking cool!” And we all laugh