by Sasha Satori
Valentina
Creusa is still throwing me the stink eye like it's my fault we have the orc version of tweedle dee and tweedle dum trailing behind us. So, sue me, I may have haughtily cat walked to the backpack, and then moodily thrown the items in it like a sullen teenage boy who got his porn collection thrown out. Which in hindsight, may have seemed a tad bit 'strange' to warrior orcs in the night realm. Creusa and I are about the same height at five-feet four-inches, these orcs are at least ten feet. Creusa and I have been basically jogging in order to not get trampled by the two dingleberries trailing behind us. While my stamina in this realm is amazing, we have been jogging for what must be four hours, the sun shines behind the big ringed planet that is in this realm's stratosphere, so only a hazy diluted light shines through, the light that shines is a purple red hue, the low flowing blood red clouds seem to be a permeant occurrence. We crest a hill, and just on top of the adjacent rock hill sits a grandiose castle, it looks straight out of a golden year’s medieval history book. It has sharp pointed towers throughout, the largest tower stands high above the rest. A massive twenty-foot cobblestone wall surrounds the castle's perimeter, I make out a barrage of fully armored orcs standing erect throughout the border of the stone wall, which trails farther than my eye can see. I hear a familiar nerve obliterating screech, looking up I see a massive jet-black dragon circling on top of the castle huffing large plumes of fire through its mouth. Could that be the night king's familiar? Another dragon begins flying from the horizon, smaller that the black one, it's all red with purple splotches throughout its body. Identical to the one I saw flying overhead in the mortal realm. Instead of flying circles around the castle like the other one, it begins flying straight towards us. Creusa tries to low key elbow nudge me, she is acting like I really ate those blood berries and have become dim-witted. That's my familiar, at least according to Creusa. It also is our one-way ticket from these smelly orcs. As it closes in on us, the orc convoy stops in its tracks, moving restlessly. The commander orc booms from the front of the convoy, "Ye death comes to annie who hurt dragons as per order of ye king!" No wonder the warrior orcs are nervous if the dragon is feeling peckish, they need to offer themselves as snacks without lifting so much as a finger to the dragon. I personally don’t think the dragon would be interested in their smelly and probably extra gamey, chewy hides. The dragon lands by the commander orc way up front and lets a large plume of flames scorch the ground on the barren rocky hill. Whoops, maybe it likes orc jerky. The orcs run into the forest and scatter, their big bulky bodies fleeing to the hills like an injured waddling Walrus' causes a deep belly laugh to escape me. Creusa looks at me like I've gone mad. The dragon prowls straight through the convoy, any sense of humor of the funny way orc's run dies instantly. I turn and see our two dingleberries who have been on our ass all morning are gone. Creusa grabs my hand and squeeze's it as a form of comfort, we are the only two remaining on the open field on the hill's crest. The dragon stops five feet from us, and huffs large plumes of smoke. I inhale it and begin coughing like I just smoked my first cigarette, which would be an accurate analogy. Echem! "Ease up on all the smoke, your broiling my lungs!" I say between coughs and sneezing. Surprisingly, the dragon stops huffing smoke, looking around I see the warrior orcs looking at us with rapt attention from their hidey spots in the thicket of the surrounding forest. Mistress, I have sensed you. Your ascension nears. I jolt in shock, my eyes wide as saucers. You just talked to me, I say in my mind. Yes, of course. You are my mistress. I am your guardian familiar. Twas' destined by the fae gods. Creusa was right. My name is Valentina. What's your name? I mentally ask. The raspy smokey voice sounds clearly in my head again, Fellow dragons call me Prism sky. Because of my unique color variation. And because I love flying through rainbows. It is customary out of respect to call you Mistress. May I alternate between the two? Well, thank the fairy gods, I love rainbows too! Sure, call me whatever you like. Well, Prism sky, my friend and I are in a little bit of a pickle. Do you mind flying us out of here? Prism sky nods and turns her head towards her back. That's all the prompting we need, Prism sky bows down for we can climb on her back easier. Creusa bends down and taps her knee, I jump up from her leg onto Prism. Once my legs are firmly gripping below her long neck, I lean over with an outstretched hand to lift up Creusa. Once behind me, she wraps her hands tightly around my waist while clenching her thighs for extra grip.
Where shall I ride, Mistress? Good question. "Creusa, where to?" I ask her. The orcs are starting to come out of the forest and begin surrounding us with shocked faces. "Go north, we need to go to devils ridge, to the tallest oak tree." Creusa responds. Is that where I shall go, Mistress? Prism asks, Yes, please! I excitedly reply. I'm about to go for a stroll with a dragon! Prism chest bumps up in down, which may just be a dragon chuckle. Her wings start flapping behind Creusa, my long hair begins whipping around violently. Hold on tightly to my side gills. I do as Prism says, and with a stomach churning feeling, she ascends into the hazy red clouded sky. Flying over the castle, I spot a man on the tallest towers balcony which is almost parallel to us in the sky, he is wearing black slacks and a black long sleeved dress shirt with a black velvet cape with gold threaded insignia of a moon and a dragon head. Prism decides to fly almost next to the balcony at a snail leisure pace, blowing a plume of smoke perhaps as a sort of dragon’s hello. Even from Prism's back, I make out his extremely tall stature and thickly muscled build and handsome masculine facial features, his eyes are a deep piercing grey, his face is set in one of complete shock. It's not his royal attire or aura of power and magic that lets me know he is the night realms king, it's almost an intrinsic calling of blood that sings through my veins. I am blood of his blood. His grey eyes are raptly locked on to my green ones, in what feels like a slow-motion film from the golden years. As if realizing there is someone clinging to my back his gaze moves to Creusa. His muscles visibly flex as his hand suddenly palms his chest as if his heart aches or he's having a heart attack. He looks like he recognizes her, which is weird because she said they’ve e never met. Creusa seems to be having a similar reaction to him, her breaths are coming in a fast-staccato pace, she makes a pained mewling sound followed by a string of curses. I bet Creusa's face matches the shocked and in pain, fish out of water impression the night king is doing, he wasn't just shocked by seeing me but also Creusa. Mental side note: water board Creusa later for answers. Prism decides to pick up the pace and the tower is soon behind us, I hear a thunderous masculine voice, loudly echo through the sky, the huge black dragon that was circling the castle answers him with a deafening screech. Turning my head, I see the ginormous dragon perched on top of the large towers cone roof. The king is rapidly climbing the balconies side ebony vines to reach the dragon. I thrust my elbow back at Creusa, she turns to look and curses, "That’s the night king. His dragon is the fastest in all the realms. We need to slow him down with our magic." Creusa yells over the strong wind gust. Prism, are you loyal to me or the night king? Holding my breath that she doesn’t say the night king and make us fall to our death. You, Mistress. While I most definitely pay fealty to our realms king, I am honor bound as your guardian. Praise thy fairy godmother! So if I told you that your gigantic black dragon friend is being ridden by the night realm king set on capturing my friend and I, would you be able to run like a bat that just escaped the seventh dimension of hell and is looking to vacay in a slightly cooler yet toasty cave? I ask Prism. That would explain why Onyx Devil is commanding me to land and surrender my passengers, Prism responds. Are you serious? The black dragon is called Onyx Devil, as if his looks are not enough to intimidate, he has to have Devil in his name. Shaking my head, Would you be able to relay a message to Onyx Devil, and have him tell the night King? I ask Prism. Yes, Mistress, is Prism's quick reply. Tell him please, this will be his only warning, if he doesn’t scram like a rabbit on hunting day, my friend and I are going to make him eat chupacabra shite for all the night realm to witness. Prism starts shaking up and down,
plumes of smoke matching her chuckling. I do not find it wise to threaten the night realm king, in his own realm, Prism says with a smile in her raspy voice. Sometimes you must play a game of chicken to come out victorious. I won't make you an accomplice in realm king murder but we may have to use a firm sort of magical persuasion, if you know what I mean, I tell Prism, a moment of silence passes, I relayed the message to Onyx Devil he is relaying to the night king, Prism says still chuckling.
I yell back at Creusa, "We may need to send some magical queefs to the pursuing stalker night king. Don't do anything to kill him, just ruffle his man berries up a bit." Creusa yells back, "I know just the thing." Onyx Devil emits a feral high-pitched screech that sounds terribly close behind us. Creusa and I turn our heads back as one and see a scowling night king, with his eyebrows pinched together in an angry, determined look, Onyx Devil is barely a dragon’s tail length behind us, and he's closing in fast. Oh boy, maybe I shouldn’t have gone straight to the threatening 'chupacabra shite' smack talk. Creusa has one of her hands palm up with a large red glowing orb in the center, I look up to her face and see a wickedly sinful smile plastered on it, for a self-professed 'dangerous, thieving fugitive on the run', that could only mean bad, bad things for the night king. She turns her torso sideways and throws the glowing orb right at him, in a surprisingly good aim, then her arm shoots out with her middle finger faced to our pursuers, "Take that ya big oaf! Mess with the best get boils like the rest!" Creusa yells on top of her lungs at the night king, still taunting him with her middle finger. Prism, can you fly like two angry devils are right behind you, because they are. Prism's speed picks up, as a pained dragon screeches from behind us followed by booming angry curses. Turning my head slightly, "Creusa, what the hell was that spell?" I ask her over the deafening wind gusts slamming my face. Creusa laughs, "Just a little boil spell that will have them looking like bubble packing paper, once the boils heal, they will be itching insatiably. Ask your dragon if we are almost there yet, my thighs are beginning to chaff against his scales in this dress." Prism huffs a large plume of flames, which send a heat way in my face. There, there darling. I'll be sure to slip a laxative in her tea to defend your good name. I mentally coo softly to an angry Prism. To Creusa I yell, "Her name is Prism Sky, and she is flying as fast as she can. Imagine if we were walking it would have taken us at least a month. When we get there be ready to tango." Mistress, I see Devil's Ridge from here, shall I render us invisible with glamour that even the night realm king cannot see past? Prism is not just my familiar, she is my lucky spirit talisman. Yes! I can't believe you've been holding that ace for so long. Prism chuckles, Onyx Devil thinks he is the most superior in all the realms, I figured it would do our realm good to have his ego take a hit every now and then. When I relayed your message Onyx Devil was beyond himself at 'such insolence to the night realm king', It was most entertaining. Hmmm, that 'insolent' comment seems to be a recurring personality description kings have for me. It's okay though, I know it's not me, It's them.
Chapter 9
Valentina
After rendering us invisible, it was most gratifying to see the kings panicked face of horror. Granted I expected anger, not quite the blatant fear, loss, and panic that flooded his facial features. Creusa saw it to and had a matching sullen face of grief. Was it for our impending departure of her native homeland or for a menacing night king, only she can say. Once Onyx Devil was no longer in sight, Prism began flying low over a massive mountain filled with tall sturdy blood red and purple trees, that are as big as the ancient giant red wood trees in the mortal realm. "There! That purple tree that sticks out way above the rest!" Creusa yells loudly over the slightly lessened gail winds. Prism corrects her direction and begins arrowing her body down for landing. Creusa and I are thrust forward as we tighten our arms and legs on Prism. Prism lands at a close by area of horizontal decaying trees. Once she leans low, my magical vines dig in the dirt below as I leverage my body in a slow measured decent. Once on the ground, my vines snake to Creusa's waist and gently carry her down, she begins stretching her limbs. Walking to stand by Prism's face, "Thank you, Prism. You made our great escape possible. I'm so lucky to have such a fabulous familiar like you." I speak out loud to her, I reach up to hug the base of her massive neck. My arms barely grasp a quarter of it. You are most welcome, Valentina. If you decide to stay in the mortal realm, I will stay with you there. As you see, I can remain invisible to all but you. My eyes begin to get glassy from the strong emotion of her sincere words of friendship. She wants to leave her realm and friends, for me. I will cherish you always, dear friend. I tell her with a sniffle. Creusa comes up beside me and joins in on the dragon hug, "Thanks girlie, for the ride. I didn’t mean to call you a 'he'. I just didn’t see those full luscious eye lashes framing your lovely vixen red eyes." Creusa says to Prism, who mews in delight. "Good thing you said sorry, I was going to have to roofie you with laxatives to defend her good name." I tell Creusa, who begins laughing, as she lightly shoves me. "I would have turned you into a swamp ogre for you and Axel may live happily ever after in a mosquito infested swamp." She taunts me. "Why you ill mannered, thieving fugitive. You dare speak to a lady of gentile breeding in such barbaric way." I admonish her playfully. The sweet moment is broken like a shattered glass of Moscato. A familiar dragon screech sounds in the distance. Onyx Devil must be following us by scent alone. I will lead him astray; I will find you in the mortal realm. If you need me, all you must do is evoke your will into thoughts of me, I will hear you, and I will come, Prism says. I hug her again. Okay be safe, we will be at the vampire king's Killers United compound. Just make sure your invisible, they are the kill first ask questions later bunch. With a nod, Prism's claw tipped, thick webbed wings gain momentum as she jumps into flight, she quickly becoming a small dot on the horizon. Onyx Devil's screeches begin to fade as well.
Creusa tugs my arm, "Hurry let's make haste." She says urgently, as I follow her into the giant trees. I roll my eyes, "I wasn't planning on having marshmallow s'mores and moonshine whiskey as we sing kumbaya, then cry and have hugging time afterwards." Creusa sighs, "Axel will reap a heady dose of karma having to immortally endure your smartass mouth." Takes one two know one, "Well, it's better be a smartass than a dumbass. And Axel is a man whoring, manopausal douche. Absolutely ineligible for my romantic partner selection." Creusa looks at me in mock shock, "You made a willing oath sealed by magic to please that 'manopausal douche'. You’re in for some sweet torture, boo boo." Creusa better be wearing one of those evil eye bracelets to ward her from ill willed people, because I'm bringing the stink eye game to a whole new level. "It was made under duress, surely there is a clause?' I say in all seriousness. I only said that to secure my friends safety. "Nope. Magic didn't sense any duress, ya hussey." Creusa pops the 'P' on 'nope'. "Hussey? That's rich coming from you, who had an intimate moment with your supposed nemesis. I felt the emotion, the longing. The love. What is between you and the night king?" I ask Creusa in all seriousness. Creusa stops walking and faces me with a depressed, defeated look, "Every fae has a mate, on the extremely rare occurrence that they meet, their hearts are drawn together as fierce as magnets are to each other. You feel the connection deep in your bones, your heart, your soul." She nervously pushes her long black hair behind her ears, "I…. I felt that. With him." She says almost embarrassed to admit. My mouth drops open like in a 'Maury’ golden year’s show, when he says to the man, 'You are not the father', in this case it's 'You are the mate'. "You…you’re his mate." I say with my mouth gone numb. She sheepishly nods, then turns to continue walking. Thick silence follows the remaining walk to the tree. Once there, Creusa kneels at the base of the tree and begins chanting in Latin as she rapidly digs. The soil glows red, the air shimmering above the soil, with a pop, a black velvet box emerges as well as an aged Grimoire spell book. Creusa's face looks like a witch in a spell bookstore. Undiluted joy shines from within her as she hugs the thick ancient looking book to her chest. "How I've missed yo
u, old friend." She says with emotion thick in her voice, she lays a wet kiss on the thick leather cover. A large humanoid eyeball emerges from the center of the book, it winks slowly as if waking from a long sleep. Okaaay… so chubacabras are real, Freddy Krueger has fathered a strange poisonous night realm snake which I've eaten and secretly like, Creusa is mate to my night realm king father and has a one eyeball sentient spell book, totally okay. I'm not-not-not going to freak the fuck out!
"You want to introduce me to anyone special, Creusa?" I ask her in a high-pitched, verge on mental break down voice. Still smiling, she turns to me in complete oblivion of my 'Why the fuck does your book have an eyeball' vibe, "Yes! This is Rupert! Rupert Giles." 'Rupert Giles', gee, that name kind of sounds familiar. Where did I hear- "Buffy the vampire slayer! The librarian is Rupert Giles!" I loudly decree, in a victorious jubilant voice for my golden year’s television mastery. Creusa gives me a confused look, "I've never met her, is she fae? And what relation does she have to a librarian?" Oh, brother. "Never mind." I say sullenly to the dark fae witch a.k.a killjoy. "Let's get this happy reunion to the mortal realm, before your lover boy figures out Prism is riding solo." Creusa scowls, "Eww, don’t call my sworn enemy, lover boy." She says grouchily. She messed up showing me that bothered her. My hobbies include oil painting, collecting pet rocks and purposely annoying the crap out of people. I smile widely, "Creusa and lover boy, sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G, first comes love, side note, that's the stage you two cutie pies are in, then comes marriage, then comes the fae babies in the dark realm carriage, that's not all, that's not all, then their mating in the-" Creusa cuts of my song by throwing at me one of her magic orbs that probably will give me diarrhea for a week, my vines without command catch it and throw it next to her as she dodges sideways. She rolls to the ground and hits the back of my knees hard causing me to tumble over. We both our big blubbering laughing balls on the forest floor, when a strong gust of wind begins tousling our hair, we look up towards the sky expecting to see Prism, instead we see Onyx Devil carrying a scowling night realm king hovering in the sky above us. "Speaking of the devil." Creusa mumbles.
