by Sarah Bale
He held out his hand and Lexi took it. The wind blew softly and he could hear birds chirping in the distance. With luck, they really would be at the palace by noon. He wasn’t holding his breath, though. Things never came easy near the Enchanted Fields.
His lifted his eyes toward the sky once more, half expecting to see the Witches flying above him. They weren’t there of course. They would not be foolish enough to show themselves until they were ready to kill. And then it would be too late to do anything.
* * * * *
Hank hid behind a tree. He could see Ian and Lexi ahead of him. He had kept his word and watched them overnight, making sure no harm came to them. Now they headed right for the Enchanted Fields just as the Witches had wanted. A sob left his lips and he put his fist against his mouth to stop it.
“What have I done?” he moaned.
He had single handedly betrayed a Royal Guard member and possibly sent two people to their deaths. No, not possibly. They would both be dead by the end of the night. The Witches would see to it.
“Brian,” he whispered to the empty air. “Oh my sweet Brian. You would have known what to do. You would have been able to help me get out of this awful mess.”
His beloved Brian was not perfect but he had always been honest in all his actions. And he knew how to handle the Witches. They never scared him as they did others. No, he would laugh right in their faces. That’s why he knew Brian had not sent the letter to the queen.
If only he could have talked to Brian before he killed himself. He knew he could have found out how Brian’s signature ended up on the letter. But the king had made sure they were kept apart as part of Brian’s punishment. His own banishment was the last dig toward the man he loved.
Now he would never hear Brian’s deep voice again. He would never feel his soft caress at night. And he would never know another love as true.
He ran his hands over his face. Ian and Lexi would reach the fields within an hour. They would be lucky if they made it halfway through before the flowers became active and overtook them. The Witches would be waiting, of course, and capture the two. It would work out just as the Witches planned.
A thought began to form in his mind. If he hurried, he could reach the other side of the fields before they even entered. Being so…familiar with the area had its advantages. He would bet his life that not even the Witches knew of the secret path that led right to the gates of Sapphire City.
Then he could help Ian and Lexi escape. The flowers did not affect him immediately as it did others. He could use the extra time to get the two out before they met their demise.
“But what will the Witches do to me?” he asked aloud.
It was a risk he had to take. Besides, saving Lexi would surely entitle him entrance to Sapphire City. The Witches couldn’t touch him there. He would be safe for the first time in years. And maybe, just maybe, he could find out who had framed Brian all those years ago.
A smile lifted his lips, taking years off his face. He began to run through the apple orchard. Instead of following Ian’s path, Hank ran to the east toward the secret path. Most would look past the narrow trail, seeing only thorn bushes and overgrown trees. It was an illusion, though, and every great thing came with a price.
He pushed past the green vines, ignoring the thorns that ripped at his skin. Blood and pain fueled him onward. Each cut meant he was one step closer to getting his life back on track. A moment later, a perfectly cleared path opened before him. He took in a deep breath and ran as fast as his legs would carry him.
As he grew closer to the fields, he could smell the flowers before he saw them. His lungs filled with the sweet air and he exhaled quickly. He rounded a corner and saw the fields full of flowers. The Witches had not lied. The fields were inactive. It was the only time he had ever seen them in such an unnatural state. The flowers craved movement as much as they craved sunlight or water.
An addictive longing formed in his chest. His blood pounded through his body, singing for a taste of the flowers. Just one taste would satisfy him. He slowed down to a walk. He could see the end of the path ahead and beyond he could see the large gates to Sapphire City. He was so close.
He turned back to the fields. A stray flower grew away from the others. It danced seductively in the wind, beckoning him to come closer. One little taste. That’s all it would take. His body began to sway, dancing with the wind. The flower glowed a deep red in response. His cock began to grow hard in anticipation. His mouth watered. His eyes darkened.
Just one taste… He would be finished before Ian and Lexi needed his help. They would never even know what he had done and he would be so satisfied. Yes, satisfaction. That is what he needed in that moment.
He went to the flower. It shivered as he approached it and he laughed.
“It has been far too long, my friend,” he said as he kneeled.
Since Brian’s death, the flowers were truly his only friends. They would never betray him and they would never leave him. The euphoria he felt around the flowers reminded him of lying in Brian’s strong arms at night.
His eyes filled with tears as he pulled the flower from the ground, pulling up the roots too. Most didn’t know that the plant’s true value was in the roots. He held the flower under his nose and took in a deep breath.
Each person smelled something different in the flowers of the Enchanted Fields. Some claimed they could smell freshly baked cookies or wild roses. Other said it reminded them of the salty ocean breeze. Most never smelled the same thing twice, though they would spend their life trying.
Tears fell down his face as the scent danced in his nose, assaulting his senses. He was different. He always smelled the same thing in the Enchanted Fields. The scent tormented him. It comforted him. It would kill him slowly. It was only a matter of time.
He broke open the thick root of the flower, careful not to tear it. He held the root to his nose and snorted the liquid inside. It burned for a moment before the scent hit him full force. It was the scent of fresh hay and Brian’s salty skin after a day of hard work and it sent the air rushing out of his lungs.
“Brian,” he cried out as he fell onto his back. “Brian. Oh Brian.”
His cries were not out of sorrow this time but out of pleasure. He could feel the liquid spreading through his body, warming him. His eyes opened and the sky above him swirled into a million different colors. He reached up and suddenly became fascinated with his hand.
The colors from the sky were now on his fingertips and he guided them like a magician using a wand.
“Hank.” a familiar voice called out. “Hank, you’re in danger. You need to hide. Now.”
His beloved Brian looked down at him from the clouds.
“Brian. Love, I have missed you.”
This was the first time Brian had spoken to him and it was breathtaking. He had missed that voice so much. He wanted to close his eyes and relish the moment but Brian was shaking his head, as if to warn him.
“Listen to me, honey. You have to hide. The Witches are coming. Get in the bushes and wait.”
He nodded and crawled into the thick bushes. He could see Brian watching him with a worried look on his face. He mouthed, “I love you” trying to ease his fears. The trees above him began to shake and he knew the Witches were flying overhead. He could hear them speak as they passed by.
“Looks like Hank did as we ordered. Stupid puppet.”
“Yes,” another purred. “And Ian and that bitch will be dead in a short while.”
The eldest spoke, “Remind me to personally thank Hank when this is over. If everything goes according to our plans, I might even let our little pet out of his cell for a conjugal visit with Hank.”
“Oh sister, you are so bad.”
The eldest laughed. “The best part is that no one ever suspected that the real Brian has been locked up at our castle for years. They all fell for the imposter and even let the poor man hang himself.”
The three cackled as they flew away.
Hank climbed from the bushes. The effects from the flower were rapidly fading away, faster than ever before. His mind could barely process the Witches’ words. He looked up to the sky and was stunned to find Brian’s face still in the clouds.
“Brian?”
His voice was shaky to his own ears. Could it be true?
“Listen to me, love. You don’t have much time.”
“I don’t understand. What’s going on, Brian? How is this possible?”
“Hank, you must make sure the woman makes it to Sapphire City, to the palace. If she doesn’t, we will never be together.”
His thoughts spun in a million different directions.
“But the Witches said—”
“They lie.” Brian said in a harsh tone. “Hank, the woman is our only hope. I grow weaker each day I’m here. It’s a miracle I’ve remained visible this long. Get the woman to the palace, to the king. He’ll know what to do.”
Tears streamed down Hank’s face. “I won’t let you down, my one true love.”
Brian’s smiling face faded, leaving the empty sky behind. Hank wiped his tears away.
He couldn’t believe it. Brian was alive. And the only way to save him was to get Lexi to the palace. He straightened his red coat. He would save her at any cost. Even if it meant letting Ian die.
Chapter Eight
Lexi walked behind Ian, keeping her eyes open for any signs of danger. With each step she took, she felt as if a noose were tightening around her neck. She debated mentioning her feeling to Ian but wasn’t sure how he would respond. Would he think she was crazy? She wasn’t even sure at this point.
Finally, she asked, “Ian, are you sure this is a good idea?”
He glanced back at her and replied, “It’s our only choice. The Witches are near so we can’t turn around.” He smiled encouragingly. “Don’t worry, Lex. We’ll be just fine.”
There was something else on her mind and she said, “About last night… I feel like we need to talk about what happened.”
“I agree. I want to apologize. I overreacted and I shouldn’t have treated you the way I did. Do you forgive me?”
Her mouth dropped open and she replied, “Ian, I’m the one who should apologize. I swear I didn’t mean to summon Andrew. I can only imagine what you think of me.”
Her face flushed hotly and she looked away. Ian stopped and pulled her into his arms.
“Lexi, I don’t think any less of you. It just surprised me that it happened.” He ran his hand through his dark hair. “Andrew and I have shared women before but with you it’s different. The thought of sharing you makes me sick. It makes me want to punch my best friend. But if it’s something you truly want then we can talk about it.”
She didn’t give him the chance to finish as her lips caught his. Whether he knew it or not, he cared for her. Her heart danced with joy.
“When we get to the palace and this whole mess is behind us, I propose that we lock ourselves in a room and don’t come out for a week,” Ian said as a sexy grin spread across his face.
She laughed. “That sounds amazing.” Then she added, “And it will be just the two of us. No more surprises, I promise.”
Ian took her by the hand and they began walking again. The sun shone hotly on her back and the air seemed thick. It felt like humid summer day in Oklahoma. She wondered if anyone was worried about her. After her parents had passed away, she kept to herself, almost afraid to let anyone too close.
Her job was also solitary. She did medical coding from her house and only went into an office once a month to turn in her reports. They wouldn’t be expecting her for at least two more weeks. She sighed. More than likely, no one would even know she was gone.
“You okay?” Ian asked.
“Yeah, I was just thinking about home and if anyone even knew I was missing.”
Ian’s forehead crinkled as he thought and he said, “I’m sure they do. I know I would miss you.”
She smiled up at Ian. “And I would miss you too.”
A sharp pain spread throughout her chest and she tried to breathe through it. The Witches were near. She wasn’t sure how she knew but she did. And they were going to attack soon.
“Ian…we’re in danger—”
“I know, Lexi. I know. We’ll make it to safety, though. I promise.”
They were silent as they rounded a corner and the sight before her eyes made her stop in her tracks.
“Oh my. Is that the Enchanted Fields?”
Ian nodded grimly. “It is.”
“It’s beautiful. I didn’t expect it to look like this.”
Flowers grew wildly and untamed as far as she could see. In the distance, the sunlight reflected off something causing a blinding blue flash of light.
“What was that?”
Ian eyes lit up. “That’s the wall of Sapphire City. When the sun hits it, the walls reflect the light. It’s beautiful up close. It also helps keep away unwanted guests.”
“Is the entire city made of sapphires?”
“No.” Ian laughed. “Only the outer walls and the palace are made out of the protected sapphires. The other homes and buildings are made out of stone.”
Lexi turned her attention back to the Enchanted Fields. It didn’t look like anything she should be afraid of but she wasn’t that naive. And the feeling of dread was growing in her body.
“What is so dangerous about this area?” she asked.
She prayed he would be honest with her and tell her whatever it was he was trying so hard to hide. It might help her understand why the Witches were about to attack.
Ian led her to the edge of the fields. If she were to stick one foot out, flowers would surround it.
“Look at the flowers, Lexi. Really look at them.”
At first glance, they could have been a hybrid calla lily or orchid but when she looked closer, her mouth fell open.
A giggle escaped her lips. “Um, they look like…”
She couldn’t bring herself to say it. Each flower seemed to be different from the next with various shades of red and pink. In the center, a thick, white liquid filled the flower, almost spilling out.
She tried to speak again, “They look like—”
“They look like a pussy, ripe with cream,” Ian finished for her.
Uh, yeah. That was putting it mildly.
She blushed and asked, “Why do they look like that?”
“They look this way to lure people in. When the fields are inactive, the flowers are lovely to admire. Not one flower is the same as another, just like no woman is the same as another.”
“What makes them dangerous?”
A shadowed look filled Ian’s eyes. “They aren’t dangerous. They are deadly. When the flowers become active, they began to quiver. The liquid in the middle forms a pressure behind it and the flowers shakes until it can take no more. Then, the liquid is released into the air.”
“Oh my god, it sounds almost like an orgasm.”
“It is but that’s what makes it deadly. When one flower releases, it sends the other flowers into a frenzy. Soon the air is filled with the liquid and that’s when it overtakes you.” Ian looked out at the flowers. “I saw it happen one time. A solider went into the fields on a dare. He didn’t think it would be that bad. He took two steps before the flowers went off. He was dead in moments.”
“I don’t understand. How does it kill? Is it poisonous?”
She followed Ian’s gaze. The flowers were so innocent looking. She couldn’t imagine them killing someone.
“Ian?”
“Do you remember how I asked Hank to show me his arms to prove that the fields were inactive?” When she nodded he went on, “There are some, like Hank, who have discovered that the liquid from the flowers can be used as a drug. When injected into the blood stream it’s less dangerous than inhaling it, though some still snort it as well.”
“What does it do?”
His expression was grim. “The liquid fools your body
into feeling a sexual euphoria it has never known before. If you survive, you will always crave the feeling. Nothing will ever come close to it, though, so you will come back to the fields until your life is no longer yours.”
“There are drugs like that where I’m from. One is called Ecstasy. It sounds like it does the same thing.”
Ian nodded. “The Enchanted Fields are different, though. A single flower will show you passion you have never known. Two flowers will leave you high for days. The entire field…well, no one has ever survived.” He turned to face her, “Lexi, the liquid also affects your body in another way. People say they hear voices when they use the flowers. It’s the belief of the Royal Guard that the Witches are behind the voices. It has been used as a weapon more than once, making someone commit a crime.”
She glanced back to the field. It had to be almost a mile from where they were to the walls of Sapphire City. She caught her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Is there any way to tell if the fields have really been inactive for as long as Hank said they were?”
She hoped that the answer would be one that she wanted to hear.
“No, there is no way to tell. The only good sign is that the area is empty. People usually wait in this very spot when the fields are active. From right here, it’s a contact high and less dangerous.”
A flicker of apprehension coursed through her body. Going through the fields was a very bad idea.
“Is this really our only option?”
“Yes. I fear our time is running out. The Witches have had plenty of time to strike and they haven’t. Our luck will only last for so long.”
That was what she was afraid of. She took in a deep calming breath. In high school, a mile run wasn’t that big of a deal. She ran it plenty of times, barely even winded. That might be their best chance of getting through the fields.
“Do you think we should run?”
His bland smile sent a shiver through her and she knew running wasn’t a good choice but it was the only one they had.
“It’s our only hope.”
“And it won’t set the flowers off?”
