Morgan froze after passing through the doorway and Aria watched from behind as his shoulders heaved up and down. Then, to her surprise, he calmly and quietly announced, “The engagement is off.” With a quick turn on his heel, he brushed past Aria out the door and started down the hall.
I’ve angered him. Aria thought as she stared after the stony figure of Morgan as he marched down the hallway. Shouting from the bedroom followed after him, but Aria was too engrossed in thought to comprehend what words were being said. I’ve hurt my friend. I’ve failed him. I need to leave. I shouldn’t even be here. I belong in the forest.
Morgan stopped his march and turned toward her. A quick surprised look crossed his face before a somber and thoughtful expression replaced it. His mouth opened and he started to say something, but his words were drowned out by the
Aria lay alone on a stone bench in the garden. Morgan had let her out of the castle, hoping it would help calm her nerves, but her mind swirled as she strained to grasp at memories that might explain what had happened in his room that morning. Only foggy remnants came to her. Flashes of a little girl running through some forgotten forest. An old woman with long silver hair. A village of little wooden houses. Was the little girl her? And how long ago did these flashes of memory take place? Were these memories even hers or were they things she’d seen as a wolf? Aria groaned in frustration and adjusted her position on the bench. Her thoughts now turned to the events in Morgan’s chamber. His body had responded to her advances… but why? He knew she’d been a wolf. Was it possible that he could yet love her even as she was? The idea was ridiculous. She had been naked and what man wouldn’t take
Aria spent the better part of the day wondering the catacombs of hallways above and below the castle. She’d found many fascinating rooms including dance halls, torture chambers, prison cells, the armory, and trap doors in the guest rooms. The only place she didn’t seem to find was the library. Back on the gallery upon exiting yet another maze of hallways, she sat thoroughly frustrated and heaved a sigh. Perhaps this castle didn’t believe in keeping records on its various rulers and their accomplishments. It would be nonsensical, but they could be entering a change in times where such things didn’t matter. Come to think of it, she hadn’t ever seen a scribe in the king’s study or recording any of his meetings. If this was the case, her plan had just flown out the window.She decided to wonder outside the castle. It was a cool day but not too chilly, so the front doors of the fortress were
Confliction filled her as she paced outside Morgan’s chamber door. She knew he was inside, but couldn’t bring herself to scratch on the door this time to be let in. After he’d stormed away in the archives, she’d left the building to clear her thoughts in the garden and had been avoiding him since. She’d been so angry with herself for causing him so much frustration. How could she tease him like that? How cruel could she be? And then she’d had the nerve to be angry that he’d finished the deed himself. What was he supposed to do? Mate with her as a wolf? She gave her large head a violent shake. She was so foolish! She paced with her paws hitting the stone harder now. She didn’t have control of the transformation, yet. Did she really think she could offer him enough time? She’d gone after him with no thought of what it would do to him. She’d only been thinking of herself. She had no
The next morning a shiny black carriage trimmed in gold was pulled through the gates by six black horses in golden trimmed harnesses. The carriage was escorted by eight mounted knights wearing engraved armor and behind them entered three more carts drawn by four horses each, piled high with various shiny treasures, foods, and gifts for the king. Whoever this was, desperately wanted to show off their wealth and impress the royal family. Watching from the portico, Aria was passed by King Aaron as he breezed by her to welcome the guest. From the front carriage emerged a tall woman decorated in the finest blue silk and black lace, with a full head of plumes and dark, shiny braids. “Good morning, King Aaron.” She said through bright red painted lips and offered a curtsey as he took one of her hands and kissed the top of it. She offered a crooked smile and began explaining briefly the contents of their finest that occupied the three carts that had fol
“There you are little one.” A man’s voice entered into Aria’s head that sounded like Morgan’s. She stretched against the stone near the hearth breaking away from the fog of her dream. It was cold against her body, the fire must not even have embers burning. She slowly opened her eyes and turned her head toward the male voice. A few inches from her face was the tip of an arow drawn in the strings of a tight bow held by a sneering Prince Philip. Her heart leapt into her chest and her eyes widened. How was she going to get out of this? He snickered at her alarmed expression. “You didn’t think I’d let you get away with what you’d done, did you?” He paused as if to let it soak in, though she knew he didn’t believe she could understand him, “I saved your life. I invited you into my home. I gave you food and a warm place to sleep. The
Hearing all of Morgan’s praises after the hunt and hearing him brag about her lifted Aria’s spirits. Especially when Sophia’s scowl made her face twist in ugly shapes. Aria couldn’t have been more pleased at making the woman so unhappy and successfully taking Morgan’s attention from her. Her tail hadn’t stopped wagging since his first positive word toward her. He’d then invited her up onto his horse and she road behind him the entire way back to the castle. Philip was waiting at the doors standing on the castle portico with his arms crossed over his chest. He had donned a long sleeve shirt that hid the tight wrap he’d covered his forearm with. She was surprised he’d not made a fuss about his arm – a sure way to get her kicked out of the castle. But, she supposed, he may not want her gone. As long as she was within a bowshot, he could get his revenge. A cold chill spread over Aria’s body as he stared her down while M
Feeling confident in her gown, but hoping the wrong person wouldn’t see her in it, she strolled out onto the gallery overlooking the mass of guests exiting the dining hall. It would seem she’d missed the meal, but she was counting on Morgan to save her something or at least ordering the servants to bring a tray to his room for her. She stood on the gallery surveying each person. She didn’t see Morgan and assumed he was still in the dining hall talking with other guests that enjoyed extended drinks at any hour. She slowly descended the stairs, her first time doing so with only two legs. One step at a time, she watched her feet and took the descent slowly, careful to hold the banister railing for support. The action felt strange and she was sure she’d trip over the dress and fall the rest of the way at any moment, but no sooner than the thought crossed her mind did she reach the bottom. As she looked up, she noticed a man watching her,
Aria woke from her spot on the bed with a stabbing pain in her gut. Her vision blurred as she tried to make out the bed posts and her legs wobbled underneath her as she tried to stand. Eventually she got her balance, but her stomach twisted inside as it pushed its contents up her esophagus. She stumbled to the edge of the bed and hurled. She heard Morgan shoot up behind her as her legs gave out again and she collapsed, falling off the bed to the hard floor below. “Aria!” Morgan threw the bedsheets off his legs and climbed over the bed and hopped down next to her lifting her off the floor to a standing position. “Aria, what’s the matter?” If only she could tell him. She didn’t have the strength to think. Her body felt completely depleted of energy and the world was spinning around her. OH, NO! Again, her stomach clenched in her abdomen and pushed more of its contents up. The action was repeated