Multiple Settings The Preying Seasons | Main

[_amaranth_]

Carina Hawthorn

That excited glimmer was slowly dissipating from Carina’s eyes as she stood in the kitchen, staring at the man who seemed like he was everything to her just a few days ago. Just a night ago, in fact. His words certainly knotted Cari’s brain and she was trying as hard as she could to untangle the mush created in her head, fully understand everything he said and realize it was all real and not a dream, not a vision, not just some faint idea or an image she created in her mind after reading another book. Her chest was rising and falling a little fast now and her lower lip was trembling in disbelief. This was stuff of fantasy books, it could never be real and ever since she left the group home, she was trying to convince herself about that. Yet, her dreamer side refused to fully give up on the notion of fairy tales not being real which now sort of helped her to understand that Ash was indeed telling the truth to her.

Thinking back to the week they had, Cari could almost not believe that the man standing in front of her was the same. An alarm was blaring in her head and she was forcing herself to believe that her sweet courteous Asher was the same person who now brought her here and technically cut away from freedom. The very freedom she fought so hard to get. She even got rid of her engagement ring, she convinced herself that the man who claimed to love her was just another good-for-nothing asshole and she freed herself from the shackles only to find herself in a fantasy land with no option to leave, to return home. And a man who gave her the most amazing week of her life brought her here. Images of their walks and picnics in the park resurfaced and Cari’s tangled fingers pressed on her stomach as she tried to swallow the ball of bile forming in her throat.

“Why?” she breathed as he confirmed her suspicions that this was no dream. Her eyes, wide open and curious, were staring at him with no anger, no hatred, just a genuine question why he took her freedom away like that. “Why did you do that, Ash?” she asked, her voice mere whispers. They were so good together. He was just like the guy from all those romance novels she loved to read. The perfect match to her, fed her dreams, even supported and enhanced them. He didn’t even frown over her very childish bucket list and helped her to check a few dreams out. Was it all fake? Was he simply trying to lul her in a fake feeling of safety so he could take her away from her home? Was this his plan all along? Did he even care about her?

Carina understood everything he was telling her. Or rather, she understood the meaning of his words. She was a Queen now, she ruled the kingdom, he was the King and… Wait a minute!

“But…if I’m the Queen…and…and you’re the King…” Pressure grew on her chest. It felt like an elephant had taken a residence on her chest and decided to cut her access to air. Thinking about her last night, memories were fading to black. Carina only remembered things up to a certain point and after that, nothing. Just pitch-black darkness. What exactly happened? Did she do something she couldn’t remember now? Was it voluntary or was she forced? Another panic attack hit her and her breath shook uncontrollably. Walls started to close on her and suddenly even the spacious kitchen seemed like a mouse hole. Spinning on her heel, Cari ran out only to come to a halt in the large hall with several staircases, large windows, a few exits and magnificent decorations. Maybe if she wasn’t so distressed, she could appreciate the gorgeous architecture. But now, she was standing right in the middle of the room, her hands gripped the thin fabric of her ball gown, tugging at it in her nervous state. Cari turned around in one place, her bare feet gently patting on the floor. She felt like her brain was not getting enough oxygen and her breathing turned not fast but rapid, her lungs felt like they were shrinking and her head was light, almost making her dizzy. The room was whirling around her and all exits looked the same. And even despite the size of the place, she felt trapped which only worsened the hyperventilating mess tearing through her, making her look like a panicked deer in headlights, stuck in one place, unable to take another step. Tears flooded her face and her frantic moves caused the skirt of her dress to rip.

mood; hyperventilating| location; Fall Kingdom| outfit; dress necklace arm| tags; Asher MadiRaiCat

the elven bride

code by low fidelity.

 

[_amaranth_]

Arthur Donnovan

For quite a moment, Art stared at the rubies decorating Tori’s neck. They were in such a beautiful contrast with her pale skin, looking exactly like drops of blood running down her throat. It was almost poetic and brought a shadow of a smile to Art’s lips. Every time he took a wife, he created a piece of jewelry for her. And every wife owned a different necklace. Some might say Art was wasting jewels on those women, even his own mother told him to keep one necklace and let the women “inherit” but Art was not that sort of a person. It was his tradition. Just like every woman he married was different, she deserved a different necklace. It was the only jewel Art placed on them when he was bidding his goodbye eventually. And this piece was making him particularly proud. Not only did it match Tori’s fierce nature perfectly, it also reflected who he was. A little detail Tori would eventually find out as well. Now she needed to make her peace with her new situation and stop being so obnoxiously loud.

There were not many things Arthur hated passionately but loud noises definitely made the cut. He was used to peaceful days in his castle, days he spent with a glass of Scotch in his hand and a book in the other or in deep conversations with his brothers. But he did not tolerate any circus his wife could create. Art knew some of his brothers felt bad for tearing these ladies out of their lives. Art did not. It was how things worked, it was how the world worked and if he didn’t get any choice in the matter, why should the girl, Tori in this case? Call him a bastard, an asshole, anything you like but Art respected the higher order and was more than aware of consequences if he simply decided not to take another wife. Winter would never come and the seasons would be imbalance, it would impact nature and eventually, the whole world would go crazy.

Holding Tori in his arms, Art could feel her futile attempts to fight him. As if she had a chance. She did not unless he gave it to her. Tori was way younger than any of his former queens but there was something in her that Art was drawn to. Something that made her different than any other woman who ever stepped in his castle. Maybe that was the sign of her being different in all other ways too. If she proved to be the one promised to the vampire, Art would literally jump up high from all that joy. He was not too excited to roam the mortal world and grab himself a wife every now and then. And honestly, it was becoming boring and tiring after doing it so many times before. “Nobody tricked you, Victoria. Quite the contrary. I did exactly what you wanted.” Art told her and loosened his grip on her to let her think she managed to get out on her own. “You hated that puny little town, you hated your father and the small-town life, you wanted to leave. As far as I’m concerned, check, check, check and…well, check.” Art spoke in a slightly smug tone, his index finger drawing ticks in the air as he basically told the blonde he made her dreams come true.

For a while, the Winter King just watched her and listened to her words before he finally moved and poured a small amount of Sassenach in his glass. Then he poured some for Tori as well and set the cut crystal glass in front of her. “I am the Winter King.” he told her, taking a seat on the small couch on the other side of the coffee table, right opposite Tori. “And you, my dear, are about to become my Queen. Without that, seasons will not be in balance and I will not allow that to happen. You will become my wife and rule the Winter Kingdom by my side. And judging from the raw energy and spunk packed in you, I’m sure you will do an exceptional job. As for the place, we’re not exactly in your world, that is, in the human world, anymore. No Canada or Alaska, simply the Winter Kingdom.” he explained and brought the glass to his lips, filling his mouth with the delicious liquid. “I chose you to be my wife, Victoria. Everything you see around you is real. Maybe it would be wiser to change from that gown? It seems awfully summer-y. That is more my brother’s domain.” Art spoke with his face still serious. “Although we could pay Adrian a visit if you’d like to meet some merfolk as well.” A small smirk appeared on Art’s lips, slowly preparing his future wife for another shock, the last surprise he had in store for her. His own identity.

mood; patient| location; Winter Kingdom| outfit; click! | tags; Tori, ( apolla )​

the vampire king

code by low fidelity.

 

[apolla]

VICTORIA ZABIELSKI

Outfit: Click & click! | Mood: curious | Tags: Art ( _amaranth_ )

Completely unaware of the irony of the necklace she was wearing, Tori continued to bitch and gripe at Art, demanding that he take her home. That demand was, of course, refused, which only made her angrier. While the necklace was beautiful, she didn't want it if it meant that she couldn't go home. The necklace wouldn't even come off, which was a strange thing in itself, but she couldn't put her main focus on that when the main issue was location. Tori was a summer girl-- this was far from her comfort zone. Heels, short skirts, tank tops-- that was her uniform. Scarves and snow boots? Absolutely not. Not that there weren't good ones out there, but she'd always preferred the warmth to... this. Not to mention, if this had been a repeat necklace and she found out, she would have been way more pissed. But that too was beyond the point.

Another thing Tori didn't want to admit was how much Art's touch still affected her. Even now, sitting on the couch across from him, she could feel his strong arms as they'd been wrapped around her, holding her tight. She remembered them dancing together, drinking the cheap champagne, how he'd stood up to her father and literally swept her off of her feet like nobody had managed to do before. From the beginning, Tori had known there was something different about Arthur. From the way he carried himself to the way he talked and acted, something screamed different. She'd attributed it to his age, but now she clearly knew that wasn't the case. As she tore herself away from him to move to the couch, his words echoed in her mind. Check. Her face wrinkled in annoyance because... he was right. Yes, she hated Maple Grove, and her father. Who in their right mind liked small town life? Of course she'd wanted to leave. He'd done exactly that. Taken her away, like she asked.

When she finally looked back up at him, he was heading her way, two crystal glasses in his hands. He set one of them in front of her, her eyes dipping to eye the liquid inside suspiciously. But then he spoke, and her eyes were drawn back to him as he took a seat opposite her. The glass in front of her remained untouched, her lips spreading into a thin line the more he talked. Her fingers twisted together in front of her, though when he spoke about being in a different world, one hand finally shot out to grab the glass. She lifted it to her lips and downed the contents entirely, nearly choking on the drink with how strong it was. But she forced it down, slamming the glass back down on the table harder than she meant to. "Considering it was summer when I went to sleep, the dress was, at one point, appropriate." She hissed, pushing herself back to a standing position. "Good for him. I'd probably like his kingdom better."

She turned on her heel, marching to the door, though she stopped in her tracks when she heard the term 'merfolk'. As much as she wanted to just walk out of the door and slam it shut behind her, her own damned curiosity wasn't about to let her do that. Slowly, she turned to face him, her expression uncertain. "Merfolk?" She asked, her eyes darting to the window as though she'd see them outside of his own window. When she didn't, she looked back at Art, trying not to look as curious as she was. "There's... mermaids here?" She realized too late that she'd already shown interest, which was the exact opposite of what she'd wanted to do. Glancing down, she slid her fingers over the material of the dress, waging an internal war with herself. But finally, she spoke again. "Fine. You can tell me about this place after I change. But first, I want you to take this off." She lifted her fingers of one hand, touching the jewels on the necklace again. "I really think it's rather summer-y, don't you?"

coded by natasha.

 

[apolla]

ADRIAN BECK

Outfit: shorts, no shirt! | Mood: hesitant | Tags: Mari ( Desert_Blossom )

Adrian was probably taking this as hard as Mari was, only not in the exact same sense. To him, this was his home. Always had been and always would be. He knew this castle and this kingdom-- the waters included-- like the back of his hand. Earth was somewhere he visited once every hundred years to find a queen, somewhere he could watch from afar if he wanted. And he did, because he liked learning about the humans and their ways. It fascinated him to know that they were fascinated with his kind, and the kind of creatures his brothers were, and others. It was almost like an inside joke they didn't know they were a part of, honestly.

For Mari, it was the opposite. Earth was her home, Maple Grove was her home. And he'd just taken her away from it, brought her to a strange land and told her she was going to become his queen. It was alot to take in, and he knew that. Seeing her hurt, hurt him. Out of all his brothers, he was probably the one who connected the most with a majority of his wives. And that wasn't a slight against his brothers, not in the least. It was just the way he was. Sensitive, he'd been called. Other names too, but he didn't mind. He just took it all with a grin and let the teasing insults fall right off of his broad shoulders. But this wasn't something he could let roll off of his shoulders, because that wasn't the way hurt worked. The look in Mari's eyes told him this was going to take time. To be fair, he had all the time in the world. But she... she might not.

His heart clenched uncomfortably at the thought. He saw her body tense when he mentioned James, and almost regretted saying it at all, but the words were out. Tears flooded her eyes and Adrian's heart tightened even further. His hand immediately lifted to touch her, wanting to give her comfort, but suddenly she said she needed air and started to take a few steps away from him. His hand fell back to his side as he watched her second guess herself, starting to go the other way. She stopped again, turning to face him, her small please making him just want to sweep her into his arms all over again. "Of course." He told her, his voice still soft as he offered her a small smile. "Come on." He moved towards her, gently placing a hand on her back to guide her through the halls.

"Don't worry. Before long, you'll know this place better than anybody." He told her, a bit of his cheek returning. "Well, maybe not me, but I'm up for a challenge." Grinning widely now, he led her down some stairs. The stairs gave away right to a sandy alcove that led out to the beach like it was their backyard. Which it pretty much was. "I was told that the sea air is really good for stress. That's why they make so many candles with ocean scents." He stepped out onto the sand, turning to face her, holding out his hands to see if she'd place hers in his. "But if you'd rather be alone..." He trailed off, lowering his hands some, though they were still there if she wanted to take them. "I'd understand that, Mari."

coded by natasha.

 

[MadiRaiCat]

location

edge of the kingdom

mentions

none

interactions

Alarick ( Desert_Blossom )

outfit

x

Jolene

werewolf bride

Okay, so maybe deciding to fight an extra-large wolf wasn't exactly the best plan. But in moments of fight or flight, Jolene was the type of headstrong, brave, and more stubborn than a herd of oxen. Had it gotten her into some precarious situations? Sure. Her several scars from different bounties, mostly in her earlier years, were testaments to that. Hell, she had even been in the hospital for a few weeks when a bad jump broke her ankle in three places. Granted that certainly wasn't the first time she jumped from a second-story window nor would it be her last. The Captain had taken Jo hunting several times and taught her to take down animals twice her weight and size by bow or gun. She even worked on the local farms back home in Tennessee during summers to earn money, at the time trying to build a savings account to go to college. And those bulls and stallions were anything but kind to a petite high schooler. So, holding a not-at-all-sharp branch out to a wolf whose size practically deemed it a twig didn't diminish her belief that she could win that particular fight. Or at least get away from it nimbly.

But, much to her surprise, and honestly annoyance, Alarick appeared through the brush line with a bemused look on his face that she wanted to slap right off. Somehow, she was able to follow his inhumanly speedy movements as he appeared directly in front of her, blocking her from the massive wolf. He turned towards the beast, seeming entirely unafraid of it. With his back to her, the blonde bounty hunter had a temptation to whack him over the head with that branch. But, based on their earlier interaction, she thought better of it. The last thing she needed was to have to fight off two assholes. Instead, Jo held onto the branch and waited as Al addressed the wolf. Jethro? Was this wolf some secret old Southern man who fought in World War II and wanted her to 'keep off his lawn?' The blond nearly chuckled at the thought but held it in. Probably not to provoke either of the beasts in front of her. She bristled at the word 'Queen' though, still not liking the title or the implications that came with it. The last thing she needed was to be a figurehead of some far-away kingdom, doted upon but never truly listened to. Trapped.

Jolene watched as the wolf looked from Alarick to her, seeming to hesitate. For a moment, she thought it might actually try to attack her. But it didn't, and instead submitted so easily. Was she the only one who didn't think the brunette man was that intimidating? His voice was commanding, sure, and had a regal air about him. And maybe he was a werewolf, of course. And also she was terrified of him earlier. But now? Now, she was annoyed and petty. So any fear that had festered before had disappeared by the wayside. Jo couldn't help but roll her eyes as he dismissed the wolf so easily, and the creature listened. This whole thing was like something out of a fairy tale. Her hazel eyes met his gaze with brazen defiance, tilting her head as he examined her. She scoffed at his words. "Maybe not physically," the blonde responded with a bit of bite in her tone.

Nevertheless, he seemed genuine in his words, and she had just barreled through the forest. There were sure to be some cuts and bruises somewhere, right? So, with a huff, Jo dropped the branch and placed her wrist in his hand to allow him to examine her, something she hadn't even done herself yet. "So what are you, talking to animals like that? Dr. Doolittle? Eliza Thornberry? Wait, I know. Cinderella!" she said sarcastically, hoping to press his buttons a bit. "Well, I hate to tell you, sweetheart. But where I come from, we consider talking to animals a symptom of insanity. And I don't know what gave you the impression that I'm some ditsy damsel-in-distress who needs a strong, handsome man to come and save me. But I can take care of myself. Always have, always will." Okay, so maybe her current appearance wasn't the best representation of 'taking care of herself.' But Jolene didn't care. She wasn't trying to impress anyone, especially a man who was apparently a werewolf and also wanted to keep her captive. Finally glancing down at her arm, she only saw slightly tanned, unmarked, bare skin. "Huh, could've sworn I got all scratched up on the way out here."

nine lives

 

[MadiRaiCat]

location

kitchen -> main hall.

mentions

His brothers.

interactions

Carina ( _amaranth_ ).

outfit

x

Asher

elf king

Sometimes Asher wondered why Fate had decided he and his brothers would bare the burden of maintaining the natural balances of the realms. What had started as an honor that they were so appreciative to have bestowed upon them had eventually turned into a burden. After millennia of suffering the same repetitive fate, the Four Kings all had several chinks in their armor, ones that possibly couldn't be buffed out. What had they ever done to Fate to deserve such a... Well... Fate? Did Fate know something about their futures that they didn't? Knew about both past and future transgressions that made them worthy of such torture? Or maybe it was their Mother. Maybe she had made some sort of deal with Fate, or gotten on their bad side in some way. And instead of taking the curse upon herself, she pushed it onto her sons. In the beginning, Ash would never have considered she would do something so sinister. But now, he wasn't so sure.

Whatever the reason, the Fall King was stuck in a seemingly neverending cycle, and so he got comfortable. He found ways to "cope," as he called it. But, he often forgot how sharp such a change might cut into the psyche of his new wives. Carina seemed to be fading right before him, and he wanted nothing more than to keep her personality just as bright and engaging as it was back in Maple Grove. But, those weren't part of his powers. Though he had seen it many, many times, Asher could honestly say that he would never be able to completely understand what she was going through. Despite how hard he might try, he was a powerful being. And while he couldn't say he loved his life unconditionally, there were a lot of aspects of it that were incredibly easy. He had to want for absolutely nothing. He ruled a kingdom and had servants that waited on him hand and foot. Ash could ask for anything, and it would appear. He had magical powers. He could never understand what humans go through.

Cari's breathy words made her heart clench again, and Asher let out a saddened sigh. That question. He knew the answer, at least the one he was told. He knew what would happen if his brothers and he didn't find wives each cycle. Well, at least what Mother had told them would happen. In all his life, he had never seen any proof that the worlds would crumble if they didn't marry a human. But they all obliged, trusting that it was true. The consequences if they didn't were too great to risk. "I didn't have a choice, Carina," the brunette responded, running a hand through his hair in a bit of exasperation, adding a murmur at the end, "I never have a choice." The Fall King found himself raising his gaze to hers, hating himself almost as much as she seemed to. She would come around, right? This was like one of her fairy tales, wasn't this type of life just like the one she wanted, the one she always dreamt of?

To be fair, Asher couldn't be certain. He had only known the redhead for a week. He had no idea what she really wanted. "If my brothers and I don't find wives each cycle, then the worlds fall apart. Life would cease to exist as we know it," he answered solemnly, hating this doom-bringer part of himself. "Yes, we're the royalty here and that means--" But before he could explain further, Carina disappeared from the kitchen and back into the main hall. At that moment, Asher did feel as centuries-old as he was. He let out a tired sigh and took another sip from his coffee, trying to devise the best plan. Should he let her deal with things on her own? Or should he try to comfort her? Deciding the rather would be best, Ash followed the redhead out into the hall only to find her frozen and hyperventilating in the center of the room. Instinct took over, and he moved quickly to her to pull her into what he hoped was a comforting hug. "Hey, it's okay, just breathe. In. And out. In. And out," he said softly, mimicking the actions as he said them. "Keep breathing deeply. Close your eyes and count to ten."

nine lives

 

[Desert_Blossom]

Marissa Locke

It had been four years since Marissa last cried. Four years since she spent what should have been hers and James's first anniversary sobbing over his grave until she could hardly breathe anymore. Four years since her parents found her in the cemetery and had to bring her back to her childhood home so Marissa wasn't alone in her flat. The only thing was that despite being in her childhood home, surrounded by family and friends who were mourning with her, Marissa still felt utterly alone. James’ absence consumed everything and left a silence in her life she couldn’t escape.

The feeling of loss felt insurmountable to the twenty year old who had to bury the man she was supposed to grow old with. And while time somehow continued on and Marissa somehow survived her heartbreak, she was only a ghost of the once vibrant and fun-loving woman she'd been. The blonde lived in fear of ever letting herself be hurt like that again... and then Adrian came along.

Panicked tears slid down Mari's cheeks as she prepared herself for the tidal wave of emotions that was barrelling towards her. Despite finding herself in a grand hallway nearly the size of her entire flat, she felt like the walls were closing in on her and she'd suffocate if she didn't escape. Her pride went out the window as she looked to Adrian for help. Of course. The warmth of the Summer King's hand as it rested on her back had a calming effect, and Marissa was finally able to inhale deep enough to catch her breath. Submitting to his touch, the blonde allowed Adrian to guide her through the palace towards fresh air as she tried to grapple with her emotions.

Mari was distracted from her turmoil though as Adrian relaxed into his usual cheeky self. Don't worry. Before long, you'll know this place better than anybody… Well, maybe not me, but I'm up for a challenge. Marissa glanced up at the merman with damp lashes, surprised by the carefree way in which Adrian could speak about a future she was so upset about. Part of her wanted to be angry at his optimism, but the return of his wide grin had a peculiar way of making her forget her troubles. At least momentarily. "Because that's what I'm worried about..." Mari replied sarcastically in an attempt to hide how easily Adrian was still able to disarm her, despite everything.

The blonde wiped away what was left of her tears and let out the shaky breath that usually came after crying. She knew there would be more to come later, but for now she'd hold on tightly to anything, or anyone, that could keep that tidal wave at bay a little longer. The merman’s hand left Mari’s back as he started down a set of stairs, and she followed after him, beckoned by the smell of the ocean and promise of open air. When the sea came into view though, the blonde faltered on one of the steps. Her blue eyes widened and she let out an awestruck “Ohh…” as she took in the beauty of the cove and the dazzling water beyond.

A warm breeze swirled around Mari, tussling her hair as she shut her eyes and inhaled deeply. Adrian was right- while the sea air couldn’t erase her worries and fears entirely, it did help soothe the sensation that the walls were closing in on her. The ocean had always been one place Mari felt the most at peace and free. Even after James’s passing she had sought solace listening to the waves crash against the shore long past sunset. If she was going to truly be stuck here, at least she'd have this escape. “I burned through a lot of those candles…” Marissa sighed before opening her eyes once more as Adrian turned to her with outstretched hands. But if you'd rather be alone...I'd understand that, Mari.

What was left of the blonde's pride and sensibility urged her to reject Adrian since this was all his fault... but she never wanted to feel as alone as she had when James passed ever again. And while Adrian made her feel a lot of things, alone was not one of them. Perhaps that was the reason she'd gotten herself into this mess in the first place. He'd filled some of the void that James had left and made Marissa feel alive again. The high that came with being around Adrian was addicting and hard to deny herself of, even it would hurt her in the long run.

Mari descended the few steps between her and Adrian, pausing on the bottom one as she studied his opened, albeit lowered, hands for a moment. Inked designs covered them entirely, before sprawling up his arms and to his bare chest. Her gaze followed the permanent art until she met his eyes, and she slid her hands into his. "You have a lot of tattoos for a King..." She noted, a hint of curiosity in her statement. She'd never heard of a king, or hell, even a president, with any visible tattoos, let alone an entire body's worth. Of course, she'd never heard of an actual kingdom of mermaids either, so...

A hundred questions bubbled up once more as Marissa let Adrian continue to lead them along the shore towards the water. The sand gently gave way with each step, and Mari silently relished the sensation as her energy was grounded. Her thoughts and emotions seemed to slow to the rythym of the crashing waves, giving Marissa more time to process Adrian's earlier words. "How does me being your..." She began, trailing off when it came to her future descriptor, unable to refer to herself as either a wife or queen. "I mean, how does me being here help keep the world in check?" Mari rephrased, glancing away towards the horizon. “Why me?”

Conflicted

Beach

Adrian’s Shirt

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d5/43/76/d54376a5de8ec677dd77dc8487c40cee--sleep-shirt-boyfriend-tee.jpg

apolla

nine lives

 

[Desert_Blossom]

Alarick Vernon

It was clear that the Southern Belle wasn’t thrilled to see Al, or be saved by him, but Alarick ignored that. The years had made him pretty good at letting those kinds of reactions from his wives roll off his back, and he had a feeling he’d endure many of them from Jolene. He was satisfied though that the blonde dropped her weapon when he asked to examine her wounds and placed her wrist in his outstretched hand. “I don’t know who Doolittle or Thornberry are,” Al replied when Jo inquired into his ability to talk to the wolf. “But of the two of us, I’d say you’re more Cinderella in this scenario…” He retorted, offering her a smug grin as he avoided admitting he was a werewolf a little longer. “You’re the one who unknowingly fell for a King after all.”

The blonde didn’t appreciate that comment, and continued on about not being a damsel in distress, eliciting a chuckle from Al. “So you think I’m strong and handsome, huh? You’re insults aren’t hurting quite as much as you like, Jo…” He pointed out, once again omitting the other parts of her quips. “And yes, I can see how well you take care of yourself…” He added, turning his attention to her disheveled appearance. “Now let me see the damage…”

Alarick let his fingertips graze the torn sleeve of her shirt, before gently lifting her arm so he could examine her wounds better. The tears in the shirt were edged with traces of fresh blood, but when Al slid the sleeve up Jolene’s arm, expecting to find angry scrapes and cuts, her skin was surprisingly pristine. His brow furrowed deeply as his mind tried to find a reasonable explanation for the inconsistency.

Huh, could've sworn I got all scratched up on the way out here. The werewolf looked up at Jo as if she was a stranger. He’d thought he had a general idea of who, or rather what, she was when he brought her to his kingdom… but no human would heal that fast. What magic was this?

No longer worried about being gentle or scaring Jo off, Al reached up and cupped her cheek, wiping off some of the dried blood where a gash should have been with his thumb. But once again, her skin was untouched, as if the blood had simply been painted on instead of drawn. The werewolf had seen almost everything in his thousands of years of life, but this… this was a first. At least when it came to the woman he intended to marry. “How is this possible?” Al asked, a little harsher than he’d intended. She was supposed to be human. She had to be human to keep the seasons in order… right?

His irises filled with gold as he went on the defensive, dropping her arm and taking a step back from Jolene. He studied her for any sign that this was a trick or ploy to bring an end to the world, but the blonde looked just as surprised at him. Either she was a great actress, which she’d have to be to get this far while pretending to be ignorant of who Alarick was, or she really didn’t have any idea that she wasn’t entirely human. And he just might have accidentally fucked the world over by making an improbable choice of wives. Sure he’d been participating in the matrimonial ceremony for thousands of years, but he couldn’t remember what the fine print was. Did he and his brothers have to choose a human bride? Or did she just have to be from Earth? Or did she simply have to be selected during the week of the festival from Maple Grove?

A frustrated growl issued from the back of Alarick’s throat as he roughly ran a hand through his hair. For the first time in a long time, he didn’t know what to do. Should he try to contact Mother straight away for guidance? Or was there a way to fix his potentially fatal mistake? He felt like a child trying to decide whether to fess up or hide a broken vase. Only these stakes were higher.

“What is the meaning of this? Who are you?” He asked, trying to keep his voice steady to hide his inner turmoil.

Confused

Spring Kingdom

Shirtless

MadiRaiCat

nine lives

 

[_amaranth_]

Carina Hawthorn

Panic attacks were something Carina was more than familiar with. She had always suffered from them, her anxiety was through the roof most of the time, especially if the environment was new and unknown, and as much as she was trying her hardest to fight against those feelings and she was getting better, these things never disappeared from one day to another. They required time and patience. Carina refused to take medication as it was usually clouding her mind too much and until this day, she would claim the states she had experienced took all the colors away from the world. Those scary ladies in the group home forced the pills down her throat and there were episodes Cari spent lying on the bed just staring blankly to the distance and she wouldn’t move for hours until the effects of those pills left her body. And even after that, she felt rather tired and her mood fluctuated to the basement.

After gallivanting around the world, these feelings slowly subsided and there were weeks, even months if she was lucky, that Cari went without feeling of being caged. Maple Grove seemed to be the perfect place for her to stay and while she didn’t know whether it would become her permanent residence, its peacefulness and a rather slow pace of life gave her the feeling she had all the time in the world to experience life in its tiniest details, to taste every little nuance possible and explore every hidden corner it had to offer.

And while under any other circumstances, she would be thrilled to see the kingdom of creatures no one believed even existed. The castle in itself was magnificent and impressive with the decorative architecture and sturdy pillars but she simply couldn’t force herself to take a moment and admire it because her heart was ramming in her chest and sobs were tearing through her body as she stood in that great hall, a place more beautiful than anything she had ever seen before. Asher’s words echoed in her head. If they didn't find wives each cycle, then the worlds fall apart. Life would cease to exist as we know it. Carina felt extremely responsible right now. She ran from Ash, she couldn’t bear the idea of being locked in here for the rest of her life. But if what he told her was true, then she was part of the most important cycle in the world. Cycle of life basically. And if she refused to become Asher’s wife, the fall would cease to exist and with that, the seasons wouldn’t be in balance and then the whole world would be tilted to the side and might cease to exist… That was just too much to think about and Cari’s brain was spinning and causing her a real migraine.

A pair of arms wrapped around her all of a sudden and she got pulled closer and her face buried in something soft and smelling really nice. Ash held her tight, talked to her in a soft calming tone. Cari didn’t pull away, quite the contrary. She leaned into him and her hands balled, full of his shirt as she sobbed in his embrace. As he told her to breathe, her eyes followed his motions and she took a deep breath in, then exhaled slowly and repeated the action a few more times. Her heart rate was coming down but her tears were still very much present. “One…” she sobbed quietly and took another deep breath. “Two…” she continued and with every next number, she squeezed her eyes shut tighter but her voice grew firmer. After getting to ten, Cari felt indeed more comforted and she looked up. “So if I refuse to stay…” she asked, still refusing to let go of him as if Ash was now her life force. “...I will ruin the world?” Her eyes shone with remaining unshed tears and vulnerability. “I don’t want that to happen, Ash. But I also cannot lose everything I have. I cannot lose my freedom.”

mood; trying to calm down| location; Fall Kingdom| outfit; dress necklace arm| tags; Asher MadiRaiCat

the elven bride

code by low fidelity.

 

[_amaranth_]

Arthur Donnovan

Art was not some naive young boy. When taking Tori away, he knew exactly what he was getting himself into and that it was not going to be easy. He definitely felt up to the challenge and was sure he could handle Miss Victoria and her attitude but it was going to take time. She was an absolute spitfire, an embodiment of a firecracker if he ever saw one. And all his previous wives faded in comparison to the fiery blonde. Maybe that was the reason why he had chosen Tori to marry. She was different and somewhere deep inside him, buried under all those doubts and disbelief, there was still a small tiny hope that one day, his soulmate would enter his life and the Winter Kingdom would forever have its queen without Art having to leave and search for another victim to the seasons every hundred years. It would be easier for everyone.

This whole time she was raging in his office, Art was calm and collected. It was nothing he hadn’t seen before and he knew how these things go. After having to go through it a few times already, there was absolutely nothing that could surprise him, he did learn a few things and so a glass landed in front of her. And at first, she ignored it only to reach for it a while later. An action so very simple and yet, it brought a knowing smirk to Art’s lips. He knew she would need it. Art mentioned Adrian’s kingdom and once again, the fact that she reacted in her usual snappy way didn’t even phase him. “ Adrian wouldn’t like you. Your attitude is far too much more than he appreciates.” Art commented dryly, taking a small sip of his favorite Scotch.

He would take her to see Adrian’s kingdom if she wanted. It was hot and too gross for Art’s liking and he usually didn’t spend too long hanging around the beaches and tropical weather. His suits were made for snow and cold breeze that covered his empire, not sand and searing climate. Tori kept her attitude unchanged the whole time and then decided to theatrically leave. And just then, one might even say on purpose, Art dropped the magic word. Merfolk. A part of him knew that it was going to stop her and so he just crossed his legs and leaned into her seat more. And as if a magic wand swished over her head, Tori came to a halt right at the door. Art watched her turn around in the slowest fashion and the wonder on her face was true, absolutely real. “Yes, Victoria. Merfolk.” Art repeated his words as if it was the most boring topic out there.

“The thing is…” he sighed and moved forward, placing his unfinished glass on the table. He leaned his elbows on his thighs and created a pyramid of his fingers in front of his face. “I don’t think you’re in a position to demand anything. Not after giving me this attitude all morning.” he said and his voice was pure cold. “Sit down, be a good girl for once and maybe then I’ll consider taking your necklace off and replacing it with something more…casual.” he told her and his eyes turned an even colder shade of blue. “You belong to me now, you’re about to be my wife. You craved leaving the town, begged me for it, so here we are. Gone. You never have to return to Maple Grove again and once you decide to pull your head out of the sand and look around, you might even like it. Me and my brothers rule over the seasons, that much is clear to you. What you don’t know is that each kingdom is also filled with creatures mortals believe are mythical. Like mermaids, for instance. As for my kingdom, you’ll find it a little…cold-blooded.” he smirked. “In more ways than one.” he added and his eyes flashed red for a second and when he smirked, he offered her a short glimpse on a protruded fang in the corner of his mouth.

mood; patient| location; Winter Kingdom| outfit; click! | tags; Tori, ( apolla )​

the vampire king

code by low fidelity.

 

[apolla]

VICTORIA ZABIELSKI

Outfit: Click & click! | Mood: fearful/curious | Tags: Art ( _amaranth_ )

No matter how much attitude she threw his way, Art's demeanor while he sat on the couch remained unchanged. It almost irked her further-- no, actually, it did. She hated feeling as though she were being ignored, and while Art was talking to her, she felt like her demands were being ignored. Which... they were. It made her feel out of control in a way she hated, and honestly, it terrified her. Maybe it was a bit childish, throwing a tantrum to try and get her way, but most of the time it worked. With Art, though, she was quickly learning that that wasn't the case. Things were spiraling, and she was ready to ditch him and this conversation in general, until he dropped the word that made her stop.

Turning to face him, her eyes widened when he confirmed what he'd said. Her lips parted in surprise, but for once, no words came out. Instead, she just watched as he shifted his position, setting his glass on the table before he brought his fingers up to his face. The coldness in his voice didn't escape her, and she sucked in air. As though she didn't have control over her feet any more, they were suddenly moving, and she found herself in front of the couch again. Sinking down onto it, she couldn't take her eyes off of him as he spoke. Declaring that she was his, about to become his wife. She would never admit it, but he had a point. She had wanted to leave Maple Grove, but... this was outside of her wildest dreams. Something she'd never even dared to anticipate. And now he was telling her that there was more?

Still quiet, her expression turned confused, her head tilting when he stated she'd find his kingdom cold-blooded. "What-" Her eyes darted towards the window, and the ice and snow she could see outside of it, before they flicked back to him. Just in time to see his eyes flash red, and a pointed fang protruding from his lips. A gasp caught in her throat and she jerked backwards as though he'd made a move to strike her, even though he hadn't moved. In a flash, he was back to normal, but she couldn't forget what she'd seen. The image was burned into her memory, and she kept staring at him, trying to convince herself that it'd been a trick of the light. Even though a part of her knew it wasn't. Not after everything else that had happened up until this moment.

"You're... you're a..." Her human brain didn't want to understand what she'd seen, almost couldn't. But as much as she wanted to get up and run, her body was frozen to the seat, a look of horror on her face. And even if she didn't want to admit it... there was a note of curiosity within her, too. "Vampire." She finally breathed out, her eyes flicking towards the door, though she still didn't move off of the couch. Suddenly the necklace made sense, though that was the furthest worry on her mind now. Swallowing heavily, Tori squeezed her eyes shut, trying to work herself off the ledge she suddenly found herself at. When her eyes opened a few moments later, she found that Art was still in the same position across from her. Drawing in a shaky breath, she uncurled her legs and placed her feet on the ground, pushing herself off the couch. "Okay, okay." Glancing down at the ground, she steadied herself before she stood, her movements slow as she crossed to him and stood before him. "Will you please take it off? So I can change?"

coded by natasha.

 

[apolla]

ADRIAN BECK

Outfit: shorts, no shirt! | Mood: hesitant | Tags: Mari ( Desert_Blossom )

Adrian never cherished the feeling of betrayal that his wives felt when they realized they'd been taken away from everything they knew. Everybody they loved. Forced into a life that they might not even want, and had every chance to reject. While a part of him thought that accepting it might be the easier path, he couldn't speak from their side. He didn't know what they were feeling, beyond what he could see and read from their body language. Meri was no different in that sense. He could see the mixed emotions playing out in her eyes, in the way her body tightened and grew stiff, and he knew enough to know that a panic attack might be in her near future.

What she might not realize though was that he did understand that feeling. And whenever he felt that way, he used his kingdom to ground himself. He was the summer king, after all. Ice and frozen ground wouldn't help him; he needed warm sands and the ocean air. Hoping that the same could help Meri, he led her through the hallways towards one of the many exits that led out to a private area of the beach. Her sarcastic comment back to him didn't bother him, and that smile remained on his face until he reached the sand, turning to face her and offer her his hand. It was only then that his smile faltered some, thinking that she might take him up on that offer and ask for some time alone. He would understand, of course, but the thought of leaving her alone... he didn't like it.

The silence after his statement was almost deafening, but finally, she descended the steps and slid her hand into his. Her comment about his tattoos made him chuckle, a deep sound almost akin to a large wave. It suited him. "And where is there a rule that a king can't have tattoos?" He eyed her, an almost playful look in his eyes as his fingers tightened around hers. Turning, he started walking towards the water. The silence wasn't as loud this time, though he did glance at her a few times before she even opened her mouth to ask her question. He sensed her hesitation, but his steps didn't falter until they reached the wet sand, where the water could reach their feet. It might surprise her to find that the water, instead of being freezing, was as warm as the sun beaming down on them.

Turning to face her, he reached for her other hand, bringing them to hang between them. Why me? She asked. It was a question he was familiar with, but every answer he gave was different. "Meri..." He sighed, glancing out in the direction she was looking before he slid his gaze back to her. "When I first saw you, I could tell that you were hurting. You'd been through something incredibly painful, and even though you tried to pretend it didn't affect you, you still carried that burden on your shoulders. It's heavy, and it was weighing you down." He gave her hands a squeeze, his voice dropping some. "I wanted you to know that it's okay to let that burden go. It's okay to be happy, and to smile again." He let go of one of her hands, sliding it around the back of her head, sliding it down to her neck. "And maybe it's a little selfish, but... I wanted to be a part of that."

coded by natasha.

 

[MadiRaiCat]

location

edge of the kingdom

mentions

none

interactions

Alarick ( Desert_Blossom )

outfit

x

Jolene

werewolf bride

Maybe it was the rush of adrenaline from sprinting for her life that caused her mind to warp a bit. As Jolene stared down at her pristine, tanned forearm, she could have sworn she felt the sticks and slices of thorns and brambles from the bushes and shrubs she pushed through as she ran. But she had ignored the pain then, maybe because it wasn't real, to begin with. But even that didn't make much sense. The sleeve of the stolen dress shirt was practically ripped to shreds. And, even though it was black, she could detect some slightly darker-tinged spots along the rips that glinted with crimson red in the sunlight. Where had the blood come from if not from her? The blonde scrunched her nose up as a migraine began to set in, her head practically throbbing. She was overwhelmed, not only by everything that had happened so far but also by all the smells and sounds that assaulted her senses. Why could she still smell the wet dog scent of that mangy wolf, could tell he was now a couple of miles away? Why could she hear the unmistakable slithering of a snake in the grass nearby? None of it made sense.

Jolene began to force herself to think about the things she could understand, though she bit her tongue so as to not snap back at Alarick too bitterly. How could he not know about Dr. Dolittle and Eliza Thornberry? Did he grow up under a rock? And she was certainly no Cinderella, refused to be perceived as some ill-equipped princess who couldn't defend herself. Jo certainly could. But the next one she couldn't hold back. "Fell for you? You must think pretty highly of yourself if that's what you thought was happening between us," the blonde shot back, gold overtaking her irises again as she felt anger boil up inside of her. Maybe she was starting to like him beyond just a quick-and-easy hookup, at least back at the ball. But she sure as hell wasn't about to admit that to him. She chose to ignore Al's following retort, knowing that she had slipped up in that regard. But he was certainly handsome, in a rugged and brooding sort of way. Why did she have to be attracted to the tall, dark, and mysterious types when all they seemed to be able to do was make her life a living hell? Who knew.

"Fine," Jolene muttered, holding out her arm to him, "But only because I still don't quite believe what's happening here and I don't think I really have a choice in the matter." The feeling of his fingertips against her skin sent tingles up her arm and chills down her spine, but the blonde bounty hunter did her best at hiding them. The last thing she needed was this arrogant jerk knowing the unintentional effect he had on her. "Well?" she questioned, looking at Alarick to find his brow furrowed. He looked up at her with something new in his eyes, something that scared her far more than anything before. "What? Why are you looking at me like I'm a chicken with three heads?" Jolene questioned in her signature lilting twang. "Hey!" she flinched when he reached for her cheek, unable to move away from him due to his grip on her arm. What the hell had gotten into him? It was as if he couldn't hear her, or was purposefully ignoring her. Alarick's tone caught her off guard, causing her to bristle with anger of her own as her golden-tinged hazel eyes met his.

"How is what possible? What on God's green Earth are you talking about?" she shot back, thankful when he finally let go of her and stepped away. They stood there, staring each other down in silence, like two predators about to engage in battle. She felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, even more confused as Al seemed conflicted as well. What had changed in the last few minutes? Did he know something about the lack of scratches on her arms that she didn't? But there was something in Jolene, giving her courage and confidence. She squared her shoulders to Alarick, not even phased by the animalistic growl that came from him. For the moment, it seemed like the tables had turned. The blonde Southern belle was no longer the one backed into a corner. She couldn't stop the sarcastic laugh at his final questions. "Seriously? After dragging me to some magical fairytale land, telling me all these impossible things, you want to know what the meaning of all this is?" Jolene responded, crossing her arms over her chest. "Hell if I know! Up until this morning, I was just some semi-normal orphan from Tennessee trying to live her life, to survive. But then you went and stole all that like a bandit. And you ask such accusatory questions? You've got a lot of nerve. So just let me go home, and we can both be out of each other's hair, alright?"

nine lives

 

[MadiRaiCat]

location

main hall.

mentions

his brothers.

interactions

Carina ( _amaranth_ ).

outfit

x

Asher

elf king

It was all on instinct, comforting the concerned redhead in his arms. After all, Asher was one of the four brothers most in tune with his emotions and therefore better able to understand the emotions of others. But that wasn't always the case. It took a long time for him to really understand himself, and he was still learning and growing however millennia later. In the beginning, the brunette Elf King did as most do: he pushed negative emotions down, never truly wanted to deal with them, and replaced them with neutral feelings or apathy. He ignored the idea that growth could come from them, didn't even consider it. Because feeling that pain couldn't possibly be worth whatever minor growth could come from it. But, that mindset had changed, though it took quite a long time. Though his personal library was filled with books on the arts and culture of the different realms, including original pieces from the human world's several historical eras, there was quite a bit section on self-help. And it was through those books and practicing in his day-to-day life that Asher learned the best ways for him to cope, especially living loss after loss for what seemed like infinity.

He had both experienced his own and seen others' fair share of panic attacks. So, he was fully aware of how badly they were to live through. The feeling that air was being sucked from their lungs, their heart was racing, and the world just might come to an end at that moment. Sometimes it was a terrible thing that mind could affect the body and subsequently the body affecting the mind. How cruel of evolution or Gods or whatever created this experience, letting even the Kings of the Seasons suffer from its turmoil. Asher had tried to talk to his brothers multiple times about their own emotions, to get them to embrace them and not run from them. But, there was little he could do if they refused his assistance as they mostly did. That didn't mean he was going to stop trying though, whether that be leaving a book or new blank journal on their desk when he visited their kingdoms, asking probing questions like how they felt about a certain situation, or even lending advice that they didn't ask for. Ash might be the annoying brother, but he cared, and that's what mattered.

The Fall King looked down as Carina leaned into him, and he held her a bit tighter. He felt her grip his shirt and the warm dampness of her tears against his white t-shirt. He heard himself counting along with her, "One...Two..." until they reached ten together. In the end, she pulled away enough to look up at him, and Ash met her hazel gaze with his chocolate brown. His heart clenched in his chest, hating how saddened and desperate she sounded. That was always the worst part, the ones who didn't want to stay. But he didn't want to ruin her day anymore and tell her she didn't have a choice until he absolutely had to. "Yes, the world will implode and cease to exist," the brunette man answered sullenly, "It is our curse, my brothers and I. Without us, there is no stability of seasons, of Earth at all, unfortunately. But, you won't lose everything. In fact, you'll gain so much. A kingdom of your own that you can explore to your heart's desire, people who will respect and love you, any material item your heart desires. And all of that is only the beginning. I think you'll grow to love it in the Fall Kingdom if you just give it a chance."

nine lives

 

[Desert_Blossom]

Marissa Locke

Had Marissa found herself in this situation with anyone else, she would have been crying, screaming and kicking to fight off her kidnapper and find a way to return home. Her life had been turned upside down, inside out and then shaken a bit more for good measure. And yet the man responsible for it all- the man she should hate with a desperate passion- was the only one currently keeping her from being swallowed by a panic attack. Adrian was an enigma that neither Mari’s heart nor brain could contend with. In the storm of all the emotions battling to drown her, he remained a safe harbor. It wasn’t rational, or logical, or practical, but then again Marissa now found herself in a world where mermaids existed, so nothing made sense anymore.

The Summer king basically defied Marissa’s concept of a king in every way. He was young, and spirited, and inked, and rough around the edges, and playful, and not at all like the monarchs she’d learned about in school. “There might not be any rules here… but I’m pretty sure some countries do have them.” Marissa replied when he chuckled, pretending to be immune to the charms of his playfulness while they walked through the sand. She kept her gaze averted as she asked her first of many “why’s” even as he took her other hand in his larger one.

When I first saw you, I could tell that you were hurting. You'd been through something incredibly painful, and even though you tried to pretend it didn't affect you, you still carried that burden on your shoulders. As Adrian began to speak, Marissa could feel her defenses going on high alert. Her lips pressed into a firm line so she wouldn’t betray any vulnerability, even as Adrian called her out for doing just that. The blonde stared hard at the horizon, unable to meet his gaze and risk seeing the pity in his eyes that so many people looked at her with. It's heavy, and it was weighing you down. The Summer King squeezed her hands and Marissa had to shut her eyes to hide the emotion that his keen observation and small gesture elicited. I wanted you to know that it's okay to let that burden go. It's okay to be happy, and to smile again.

Adrian’s words hadn’t been meant as weapons, but they were still a direct hit, fracturing the walls Marissa had built to hide how fragile she was. The blonde finally turned towards the Summer King, her guarded expression quickly giving way as rogue tears glistened in her blue eyes. How could he see through her so easily? He’d only spent a few days with her, yet seemed to know what her family didn’t… That she stood in her own way of being happy. They all blamed James’s death, but really it was the heavy weight of Mari’s fear and guilt that was crushing her even after all these years. She was afraid that being happy again meant letting James go… Afraid that even if she found happiness that she would lose it once again… Or worse of all, afraid that if she let herself hope for happiness, she’d discover she really was too shattered to be put back together. Remaining in her sorrow was safe- she couldn’t be disappointed or hurt any more than she already was.

Adrian’s hand slid around her neck, his warmth settling into her skin immediately. And maybe it’s a little selfish, but… I wanted to be a part of that. Marissa’s mouth parted silently as her heart tightened. Another direct hit. The blonde’s fingertips rose to tenderly brush against his forearm, and for a moment she wanted nothing more than to hope that Adrian could be…. But then the voice in the back of her head reminded her that hope was dangerous. Adrian was dangerous. He’d offered her tastes of happiness, and just when she began to let herself feel something again… he took everything from her. Her friends, her family, her home. Adrian might have the power to make her happy, but he could take it all away. He’d already been her undoing once. Imagine the pain he could cause her if she gave him her heart too…

Guarding herself once more out of self preservation, her expression hardened as she closed her hand around Adrian’s arm, ready to push him away. “So I’m a project you think needs fixing?” She replied, going on the defensive. “And what if I’m too broken to- ” Mari’s counter was cut short as the first wave reached their spot in the sand, washing over her feet. The water was invitingly warm, but it was the inexplicable tingling sensation the wave sent through her body that distracted the blonde. It was similar to the way she’d felt waking up this morning- like a shot of energy or new life running through her- and Marissa’s brows furrowed slightly as she glanced down at her feet. Their conversation was already forgotten as blue eyes then curiously swept out to the ocean. Consumed by the foreign sensation, she stared out for a few moments, before letting Adrian go as she slowly stepped away from him. Turning, the blonde moved further down the beach, wading deeper into the waves as if being pulled by an invisible thread.

“Do you hear that?” Marissa asked, her gaze transfixed on the cerulean water.

Transfixed

Beach

Adrian’s Shirt

apolla

nine lives

 

[Desert_Blossom]

Alarick Vernon

Typically it was the young woman Alarick had selected to be his bride who was filled with questions and turmoil her first day in the Spring Kingdom. But this time, Alarick found himself in the undesirable position of being in the dark when it came to Jolene. At least when his wives-to-be asked him about their new lives he almost always had answers- even if they weren’t ones the women wanted to hear- but the Southern Belle didn’t seem to have any for Al as to what she was. Rather, she only flung more questions back at him. How is what possible? What on God's green Earth are you talking about?

The pair stood a couple meters apart, both seemingly out of patience with the other. Jolene’s annoyance with Alarick’s accusatory questions dripped from her voice like her Southern twang, but he didn’t care. He was just as irritated by her ignorance as to who, or what, she was. Because it certainly wasn’t human. A brisk laugh escaped Jo’s lips as she crossed her arms over her chest, and Al narrowed his eyes as she chided him for expecting her to know what was going on. He resisted the urge to shoot a biting retort her way, and thankfully so because Jo finally offered up a tiny sliver of information that could be useful.

Up until this morning, I was just some semi-normal orphan from Tennessee trying to live her life, to survive. Jolene continued to chastise Al for kidnapping her, but he didn’t react, too focussed on the new line of reasoning the tidbit of Jo’s origin opened up. An orphan?! She’d mentioned her father during their time together over the past week, but it hadn’t come up that he wasn’t blood related before. Who knew who her parents actually were then.

So just let me go home, and we can both be out of each other's hair, alright? Alarick’s brow furrowed, for the first time wondering if one of his brides would get their wish and have to be returned home. The feeling of dread that he’d doomed the Earth flooded him once more and he bristled. “No matter how many times you try to convince me to let you go home, it’s not up to me anymore. Even if I wanted to send you back, the moment you accepted that necklace you sealed our fates.“ He replied honestly, though it gave him no satisfaction to admit he wasn’t in control of everything. The only one who might have a say in things was Mother, but he needed more information before he went to her.

Studying Jo, Al replayed the morning’s events in his head, collecting all the moments that felt out of place- her golden gaze, her suspicious speed, her ability to heal quickly… Those qualities were all ones he was quite familiar with, possessed himself even, but how could he miss it if Jolene really was a…

The wolf closed the space between him and his bride-to-be in an instant. His hands gripped each of her shoulders tightly, keeping her from escaping as he leaned down to inhale her scent from the base of her neck. She could lie to him, but her blood and body chemistry could not. Al had obviously missed something due to his ignorance and blind belief that she was human, but he wouldn’t again. Breathing in deeply, Alarick ignored the more primal urges Jolene’s scent aroused in him, focusing instead on deciphering its profiles. She smelled overwhelmingly of her life on Earth and living as a human, even if she wasn’t one… But there, buried deep and almost undetectable was the truth of her heritage. Jo smelled like that of werewolf babes born in their human form- pure, their feral side still dormant and untapped.

A more guttural growl escaped Al as he processed the discovery that his chosen bride was of his kind. If not for the order of things, this would be the most natural match he could hope for… but there was the matter of keeping the balance, and fear that he’d be the harbinger of the end chilled the hot blood running through his veins. Releasing Jolene, Al turned away from her, pacing for a moment as he did his best to collect himself before coming to a stop. “Do you know anything of your birth?” He asked evenly, facing away from her. He paused for a moment, debating his next question, before glancing over his shoulder at her. “You really don’t know what you are? You never noticed you were different until now?” Another pause as the wolf cocked his head to the side a little, weighing whether he wanted to open the next can of worms. “Do you want to know what you are?”

On Edge

Spring Kingdom

Shirtless

MadiRaiCat

nine lives