by G. Bailey
"Has Atti spoken to you yet?" Alex asks.
"No, he won't let me close, I'm worried he’s going to do something stupid like go straight to the dark witch queen and try to kill her," I say, watching as Alex looks at me closely.
"Why would that be bad? That bitch totally needs a kick up the ass," Alex says, and I just notice that she’s dressed in all white. I’m really not with it, that dream with Elissa is stuck in my mind. What did she mean about my past?
I know I need to speak to my mum, but how can I just ask her? How can I even look at her without feeling so angry that she has lied to me? I’m sure she had a reason, but doesn’t everyone deserve to know who their parents are?
I eye the white dress on the end of the bed.
"Not black?" I ask.
"No, light witches wear white to their funerals. Drake said it’s a tradition of theirs. Atti can’t bury his mother where she deserves, so the funeral needs to be as close as it can to a witch’s funeral," she explains.
"Oh right, I guess that makes a lot of sense,” I say quietly.
“I still think he should go and kill the queen.”
“It would be a bad idea. He can't just kill the new queen. Not only has she been messing with the demons, but she is also going to be very powerful. The people respect her, she won the crown. Atti could kill her, but he wouldn’t win the people that way. Atti is a light witch, the dark witches will not follow him, and the city would be at war."
"I still think Atti could take her," Alex huffs. I know how she feels; I want to kill the stupid queen for hurting Atti that way.
"You haven't met her," I say with a small smile.
"I’m just saying that guy is built like a tank," she says and winks at me.
“I haven’t noticed,” I mumble.
“Don’t go holding back on me now. How is werewolf sex?” she asks.
I go bright red murmuring, “Err.”
“Does he prefer doggy style?” she asks, making me laugh. I go to tell her to mind her own business when the door is slammed open.
"Milo ate all the good food in the house," Freddy says as he comes in the room. Milo, my own little sub-demon, comes flying in behind him and lands on my lap. Alex bought some doll clothes for him, so he doesn’t have to wear those rags we found him in. Now, he looks a little like a sailor, with white shorts and a blue shirt with an anchor in the middle. He has his blue hair tied with a little, blue headband. Overall, he looks like a little Smurf, a really cute one with light-silver wings.
"Milo, not the chocolate," I say, and he nods; the melted chocolate all over his face is a good giveaway.
"He ate it all, Winter, and every bit of junk food he could find. Uncle J is going to go ape when he sees his chocolate brownies are gone," Freddy says in annoyance. I smile over at him, seeing he is dressed in white trousers and a crinkle-free, white shirt. I slide out of bed and put Milo on the dresser.
"Freddy, your tie is a little crooked, come here," I wave him over, and he lets me straighten it up before I kiss the top of his head as he hugs me. Wyatt chooses that moment to walk into the bedroom, seeing me hugging his son. Wyatt and Freddy haven't said two words to each other since Jaxson introduced them. Freddy just said he didn't like vampires and stormed off. Wyatt is just as stubborn and won’t talk about it. They are way too similar. I don’t think Wyatt has any plans to tell Freddy who he is anytime soon. It wasn't a good father and son meeting. It doesn't help that Freddy has no idea who Wyatt is to him. Or the fact he is half vampire, half wolf in the first place.
I guess Wyatt has a lot of problems at the moment to deal with, like the fact no one can get near the vampire castle. There’s a massive red barrier that’s appeared around it. Jaxson sent wolves out to find any survivors, and Wyatt went with them a week ago. That’s when he saw the barrier. We haven’t been able to find anyone. Not a single human or vampire that had escaped.
“I’m happy you’re here, can we watch Harry Potter again? You’re the only one that likes it,” Freddy says.
“Didn’t you watch it with Dabriel last night?” I ask.
“Yes, but he kept pausing the first film to ask me questions. I’m not watching anymore with him,” he says.
"Hi, Wyatt," I say, and Freddy turns around quickly. Wyatt has a white shirt on, and it’s tucked into smart white trousers. His blonde hair has been cut since I saw him yesterday, and now it’s just an inch short all over his head. It’s styled to the left away from his eyes–eyes that are watching me. A feeling of warmth and love flows over me from him through our bond. I can tell it’s him because of how it feels; it’s different from my own emotions.
"When are you leaving, vampire?" Freddy asks tensely, a slight growl coming out with his words. Freddy may not know who he is, but Wyatt gets a response out of him every time they’re in the same room. Jaxson thinks it Freddy’s wolf that’s sensing who Wyatt is, but Freddy won’t listen. He’s too young to truly understand.
"That's not nice," I tell Freddy, but he doesn’t respond as he stares down Wyatt. His skin is shaking, and I’m sure he’s close to shifting.
"My name is Wyatt, and I am the prince of the vampires. I will not be leaving, and you would do wise to learn some respect," Wyatt says.
Oh god, he’s going all dad-mode already. It's really bad that I think it's hot.
"Whatever," Freddy says and storms out of the room, slamming the door shut and making the whole wall shake.
"He is already acting like a teenager! Holy smokes, you two will have your hands full," Alex comments, and we both glare at her. She holds her hands up in surrender.
"I’ll take Milo for a bath," she says and picks him up. He smiles at me with a cheeky grin and tries to move closer to Alex as she holds him with one hand.
"Don't try to hug me, I'm wearing white, you little demon," she says, and I hear Milo laughing as they walk out. Wyatt closes the door and turns to face me.
"How's Atti?" I ask him.
"He needs you, but he doesn't know how to talk to you," he tells me as he moves to stand close to me. He smooths a hand down my hip and watches me. Every touch with Wyatt feels like pleasure, even when Jaxson’s shirt is in the way.
"Oh," I say a little breathless.
"Winter,” Wyatt says, and he turns away from me. I place my hand on his back as he stares up at Jaxson’s sword on the wall.
“I called myself a prince, but I'm not really anymore. My people are likely all dead or demons by now," he says quietly.
"You couldn't save them," I say. There was nothing we could have done, and it’s not Wyatt’s fault. It’s mine; it was my blood that opened that hellhole in the first place.
"Isn't that what a king is meant to do?" he asks.
"What? Die for no reason?" I move around him, glancing up at his glowing, dark eyes, and watching as his teeth grow in anger. I feel my teeth respond without my control. I'm sure my eyes are glowing silver now.
"Yes, kings die for their people. I ran like a coward," Wyatt says, his power slipping into his words and making my head hurt.
"You didn't have a choice, you had no weapons and were weakened. If you stayed, I would have died.” I know the words are true. I grab his head and try to turn him to look at me, but he just stares at the sword.
“We would both be dead or worse," I tell him angrily. My hands start glowing blue as I hold them around his face, and he finally looks down at me.
"I failed them, my people. How do you know I won't fail you?" he asks me. Every word is filled with desperation. I know his worst fear is to lose me; I don’t need to feel the fear through our bond to know that. Wyatt looks at the ground, like he can’t hear my answer.
"Because I believe in you," I tell him, lifting his head with my hands. I press my lips gently to his, and he kisses me back. I feel his relief and strength in our bond; it’s enough to make me know I’ve gotten through to him. Being around Freddy is so much more difficult than he can tell me. Wyatt told me one day that he looks so much like Demi. I break
away from the kiss when Wyatt’s hands start raising Jaxson’s shirt, knowing this can't go any further right now.
"I’m going to get dressed," I tell him, and he nods with a little smirk. I glance over my shoulder as I grab the dress and some new underwear, then go into Jaxson’s bathroom. Wyatt is standing where I left him, a predatory look in his eyes, a look full of promise for our future.
Forty-Four
Winter
"I like you in white," Wyatt says, once I come out of the bathroom fully clothed in the long, white dress. It reminds me of the dress I wear in my dreams, but Alex wouldn’t have known that when she brought it to me. I left my long, brown hair down, and it circles around my arms as it stops at my waist. It’s perfectly straight and frizz free, someone needs to learn how to sell this vampire hair shit. They would make a fortune.
We both walk out of Jaxson’s room and through the house. Lucinda, Jaxson, and Freddy are in the kitchen when we walk in.
"Lovely as always, lass," Jaxson says and stops cutting up sandwiches to come over to me. He kisses me gently then moves away.
“Blood sucker,” Freddy mutters and goes back to playing with his phone. I hold in a chuckle when Wyatt glares at him.
“That’s very rude, young laddie. It’s like calling us a dog, we don’t like that,” Lucinda tells him off and takes his phone from him.
“Give it back,” he says.
“No. Prince Wyatt, here you go. When my nephew decides to be nice, you may give it back,” Lucinda says, and Wyatt takes the phone. He holds it up with a smirk and slides it into his shirt pocket.
“So unfair,” Freddy complains.
I give him a warning look as he looks at me. I’m not helping him, no matter how cute he is. "Where's Atti?" I ask while stealing one of the sandwiches Jaxson is cutting up. Jaxson laughs as I quickly move out of the way when he tries to take the sandwich I took back. A girl has to eat. I move next to Wyatt as he stands the near the door.
"With Dabriel, Freddy can take you to them," Jaxson replies, and Freddy jumps up.
"Let’s go, Winter," Freddy says and grins at me. Waving goodbye to everyone, Freddy and I head outside.
I follow Freddy past the training cabin, which looks full of wolves fighting in both their human and wolf forms. It’s interesting to see. We pass several wolves, all of them bowing to me, and I have to remember they see me as their queen now. All of them are in white, and some are tying white ribbons around the trees.
“Is that Leigha and Harris fighting?” I ask Freddy, when we come around the other side of one the cabins. There are several wolves watching as Harris and Leigha fight with swords. They’re both good as they circle each other and keep coming back for blow after blow. Harris knocks Leigha’s legs out from under her and somehow gets her on her back with him kneeling over her. His sword is pressed against hers over her neck.
I never thought I’d see anyone beat the warrior princess. Neither moves as they stare each other down.
“They’ve been fighting every day; I think he likes the vampire. Gross,” Freddy says.
“You do realise I’m part vampire, right?” I ask Freddy. Harris helps Leigha up, and they both talk quietly as the wolves who were watching walk away.
“Yeah, but you’re different.”
“No, I’m not. Wyatt isn’t that bad, and I love him, Freddy. I know you don’t trust him, but do you trust me?” I ask, and he watches me carefully with his bright brown eyes.
“Yes.”
“Then give him a break. Not everything is as it seems,” I say, and he hugs me. I press a kiss on his forehead.
“Come on, they don’t seem to have noticed that we’re here,” I say as he lets go. I watch as Harris lays a hand on Leigha’s arm, and she blushes. Actually blushes. Holy crap, the warrior princess has a crush on a wolf. I have to admit that Harris is hot. He has that sexy, wavy, blond hair and massive build you expect to see on a surfer. I know he did well with girls at the university we went to. The girls would all talk about the hot guy that sometimes came to parties. Even Alex had her eye on Harris before she met Drake.
Freddy walks us through the woods until we see Dabriel and Atti in a clearing.
Dabriel is talking quietly to Atti, who is on his knees in front of a white casket. It's decorated beautifully in lots of white flowers and little lights. Dabriel places his hand on Atti’s shoulder, and they both stare at the coffin. My heart breaks for Atti.
"Freddy, go back, and thanks for bringing me," I say.
"Sure," he says and hugs me before running off.
I walk over, and Dabriel lifts his head as I get closer. Atti goes tense, but he doesn’t face me. They’re both dressed in white. Dabriel’s large wings are resting close to his back. Now that I’m so near, I can see the slits in the back of his shirt that make room for them. Dabriel’s unusually bright purple eyes watch me; sadness is written all over him. "Winter.”
I rest my hand on his arm as I get close. "Can I speak with Atti alone?" I ask. I glance down at Atti, his hair is a mess, and he has a beard now. The effect suits him; his clothes are in better condition than how I’ve seen him in the last two weeks. Atti has been drinking himself silly and passing out. The guys have taken turns watching him. I tried at the start to be there for him, but he just disappeared on me every time I got close. I don’t think he could stand me being near him. It wasn’t my fault his mother died, but if he wasn’t looking after me, he could have saved his mum. At least, that’s what I think.
"Okay, Winter," Dabriel says and steps away after kissing my forehead. I watch as he spreads his large, white wings and flies away. I've never seen him fly before; it's pretty cool. I wait until he’s just a white line in the trees before I look back at Atti who’s gripping his knee fiercely.
I go to my knees next to Atti and slide my hand over the one on his knee. "Atti," I say gently.
When he finally turns to look at me, his face is filled with pain and grief. I place my other hand on his cheek, and he leans into it. We don’t talk as we stare at each other like this, I want to be there for him in any way I can.
"The last time I spoke to her, she told me to be with you. I think she knew her death was coming," Atti says gently into my mind. I wish I could talk back into his mind so I don’t have to break the strange silence that has happened between us.
"Tell me about her," I whisper as quietly as I can.
“My mother was strong. So strong. She told me once that she slapped my father when they first spoke. He was a rude king, and she didn’t want anything to do with him. The rest of the women at the court would do anything for him, but she wouldn’t. She told me that my dad said he fell in love with her the moment she slapped him,” he says out loud, his voice still quiet. I chuckle, and he continues, “My mother said they were so happy when I was born. The castle shook that day, and when it stopped, the castle was full of flowers. They were everywhere, and every witch said the castle glowed like a rainbow. The war was still happening, and my mother won it. But it was at the cost of her mate, my dad. Most people would have given up, but she didn’t. Oh no, she won her throne in the arena and brought me up. She was a great mum, even with her responsibility to the city.”
“She sounds like a strong woman.”
“The strongest I’ve ever known. Sometimes acting normal is the hardest thing to do, and she did it well. I always knew she was sad.”
“I am sorry, Atti.”
“I know,” he whispers and pulls me onto his knee. I rest my head on his shoulder and wrap my arms around him as he holds me.
We don’t move for a long time. He’s silent, and I just don’t know what to say anymore.
I watch as Jaxson, Dabriel, and Wyatt walk over to us from the trees. They stand behind us, and I see Alex, Drake, Leigha, and Freddy standing near as they come over. The rest of the wolves stand in the trees, holding little white lanterns and bowing their heads. They’re bowing for a queen they didn’t know, a queen that wasn’t even theirs. It’s a sign that
one day we can work together, all of us.
"It's time," Atti says. I get up, and offer him my hand to help him up. He accepts and kisses my cheek before he moves away from me. Atti walks up slowly and places his hand on the wooden coffin. The coffin is wrapped in white cloth, and flowers are spread all around. The top of the coffin is a crown made out of wood. I have a feeling Jaxson made it for Atti.
"May the true light guide your way. May you find your home. And may you always know peace," Atti says the words slowly, every word filled with pain and hope.
He steps back and raises both his hands. The coffin bursts into a slow fire that turns white as we watch, and little white lights fly out of it into the sky. We all watch as they fill the sky. The wolves start howling quietly, the noise filling the sad day.
I move forward and hold Atti’s hand as silent tears run down his face.
“Goodbye, my strong mother, I will avenge you," Atti’s voice whispers in my mind. The resounding howls tell me he told everyone that thought.
I hope the dark witch queen heard it, too.
Forty-Five
Winter
I run my fingers over Atti’s cheek as I'm lying on top of him on the sofa, and he’s fast asleep. I slide off him and cover him with a spare blanket. He grumbles a little, but I think he hasn’t slept in a while. He stayed quiet after the funeral, wanting to just watch movies, and we all just stayed with him. I told the guys to go to bed after the film, and they did. I walk out of the lounge and through the kitchen to the back door. I open it quietly and nod at the wolf sitting outside. The wolf nods its head, and I walk past.
I open the training room door and flick the light on.
The training room looks different these days. There are more weapons around because of all the training going on and the sheer number of wolves they have here.Every day, Jaxson has to deal with fights over the female wolves, guys thinking they are the stronger wolf, or simple arguments because they don’t like each other. It’s not easy to have so many wolves in one place. His aunt Lucinda and her mates help with a lot of the problems, so Jaxson can focus on training the pack. I smile as fond memories of my time with Jaxson come rushing back as I look over the room. There on the floor is the first place he kissed me, even if he was a dick afterwards. I run my hand over the crossbow on the wall, and think how things were different before.
