In mere seconds they were all defeated.
Ash, Nyx and I looked at each other, panting from exertion, as the Trolls thrashed and screamed on the acidic ground. With one last look back, we walked through the threshold and into the Weeping Willow Lands.
Chapter 7. Welcomed Memories
KYR
* * *
Relief traveled through me with every step over the cold, moist grass.
My feet sank into the spongy ground, and the shallow layer of water beneath us, comforting me after the acid of the Death Trolls' Forest had burned my skin. I was never so grateful for my ability; if I were any other, it would have consumed me to the bones. Yet my body renewed as I walked, leaving the dead flesh behind.
My gaze connected with my brothers’ then roamed our surroundings. Willow trees filled the acreage before us, except these weren’t average trees. Soft crying sounds mixed with the gentle breeze that blew over us, in an eerie way. Long, abundant leaves hung from the slender branches all around the trunk, and reached the ground forming a canopy of sorts. They graciously swayed with the wind while crystal dewdrops slid over the elongated leaves, falling to the earth and soaking the soil like tears from the lashes of a woman.
The image of a tearful Avrielle that Ash had shared with me returned. I blocked it from my mind, before it could do more damage. My eyes swept the now clear skies as the two moons of winter shone above us. It was well after midnight, I gathered.
"We’ll camp here for the night, then continue our journey in the daylight. We must recharge from the battle," I ordered my brothers, and looked around us once more. My gaze fell on a tree just as a flash of memory reached my eyes. I saw myself lying under its cover, it was brief, but it was clear. "There, we will rest under that Willow."
Nyx and Ash followed me while I took the lead. As we approached the tree, another flash came to me. Pink and red Istaethsir berries filled my hands as I popped them into my mouth. When my eyes returned to the soggy ground, I found a floating patch of berries thirty feet on our far right. "Ash, remove your vest and shirt and use your shirt to carry as many berries as you can. They will be our nourishment tonight," I instructed, pointing him in the direction of the fruit.
He nodded once, and unbuckled the sides of his black leather chest armor, pulled it off and handed it to Nyx. Walking to the spot, he took off his shirt, and used the fabric like a net, to fish the fruit out of the water.
"I've only ever read about this place. Have you been here before, brother?" Nyx asked, and I exhaled.
“I think I was here during the time I was gone.”
* * *
My hands pulled the curtain of leaves apart, to enter the canopy that would be our refuge. The weepy sounds were clearer here, as though they came from the tree. The water level now reached my knees, but began to descend once more while I moved to the higher ground around the trunk, carefully stepping around the swollen roots that lay at our feet. My brothers followed. The roots were covered with moss on certain places, and fallen pink flowers that found their way down from the branches. Long, green strands of what I assumed were settled leaves curved and weaved around them, making it all the more difficult to find an open space to step on securely.
I motioned my brothers to the dryer part of the tree base, as they walked behind me. I strode forwards, and the pad of my foot lightly touched one of the roots, I froze as it felt like… skin. A contented sigh reached me, and we watched in amazement while the "swollen roots" began to move. The long, curved leaves that a moment ago had covered the ground became luscious strands of hair, the patches of moss sheltered pearlescent-jade green skin, and the fallen blush pink flowers covered the otherwise nude bodies of the women that surfaced, allowing them modesty. Their delicate forms stretched, as though coming out of a deep sleep and sat up before us.
"Our prince has returned to us," the Faery I awoke announced, not as a question but as though she expected it. Her olive green eyes sparkled, seeming to brim with tears, yet none fell. She was mesmerizing. Her gaze shifted from mine, and she observed my brothers. A satisfied smile curved her small rosy lips, and she motioned for us to come closer.
“They are real…” Nyx whispered, finally coming out of his shock. I turned to him confused.
“You knew about them?”
He raised a questioning eyebrow at me and fixed his glasses. He was about to school me. "They are Silesta. I've read about them, but they were thought to be a myth. They lay at the base of their weeping trees, and like their home, they weep attracting unsuspected travelers but only appearing to those who wake them. They can be friend or foe, depending on their needs. And you should never look straight into their tearful eyes. They can hypnotize you and trap you in an endless time loop, only letting you go when they see fit."
The Silesta smiled once again as though pleased by my brother's description. "We are friends to the princes. We would never do anything to hurt you. We give you our word." The six women said in unison, in a melodic voice.
Nyx and I exchanged a glance. While I was hesitant, they fascinated him. It would only be a moment before he began questioning them, meaning to uncover all he could about their nature. When my eyes reached Ash, I tensed. He sat on the ground among the women. Three Silesta rested around him, their hands caressed his bare chest, while their fingers followed the taut lines of his muscles and abs. His head tilted back, and his lips parted as they fed him the fruit he had gathered for us to eat.
An irritated sigh left me and I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. I nodded at Nyx, confirming it was okay to proceed. I wasn’t sure why but I trusted them, and I believed their promise to not hurt us, at least for now.
* * *
"Do not look straight into their eyes," Nyx reminded Ash for the twentieth time, but I feared he was no longer listening. It had been two hours since we encountered the mystical women and had our fill of the Istaethsir berries, yet Ash hadn't moved from the same spot. Nyx and I now sat at the dry base of the tree; our backs rested on its trunk, while the water covered the lower half of Ash’s body.
He smirked at us, while the women’s lips kissed and nibbled his neck and chest. Pleasure filled his ice blue eyes as delicate hands slid down his body, below his waist and slipped under the water—between his thighs. He bit his lip, grunting as his eyes widened.
"We didn't come here for you to have sexual relations with every woman we find during our journey, Ash," Nyx reprimanded, and Ash hissed. His pants were now floating on the water, and the Silestas' hands continued to move on him.
"I'm not having sex with them, little brother. They are having their way with me." Ash moaned, his bare hips lifting from the water just as the female let go of him and sat on his lap. Flames leaped into his eyes, and his hands flew to her hips as he pushed her down. The female moaned and kissed his neck.
Nyx and I exhaled annoyed. "Why does this always happen?" Nyx asked, genuinely perplexed.
I sighed, half amused, shaking my head. There was something about my brother, Ash, that made him irresistible to women. It was as though he exuded some sort of scent that instantly attracted them and robbed them of any inhibition. If I didn't know any better, I would say Ash was constantly "blooming," except instead of his essence calling out for his fated, his body promised incredible pleasure.
Ignoring our brother, we turned away from the spectacle. It wasn't the first time Ash had sex in front of us, and something told me it wouldn't be the last. Nyx's gaze returned to the two Silesta that sat before him. They seemed as captivated with him as he was by them.
"How do you reproduce?" He asked, genuinely curious and they giggled. "Are your bodies just as they seem?" His hand reached for one of them, his fingers stopping an inch from her. "May I touch you?" She nodded with a delicate smile, and his fingers slipped through her leafy mane, caressing the forest green strands. Nyx’s lips curved into a wondrous smile, as though he relished the feeling but most of all, the discovery. The Silesta's eyes slightly closed enjoying his aff
ectionate touch. He brought one of her wet strands to his nose and inhaled. She smiled at him, and he fixed his glasses suddenly seeming timid.
He blushed slightly, but reached for her again. His hand rested on her shoulder next, continuing his assessment of her species.
"Remarkable…" Nyx whispered, his gaze briefly reaching mine then returning to the woman. "It feels like our skin, yet it has a spongy quality to it, like the ground we walked on." He lightly squeezed her shoulder, and tiny drops of water slid down her arm. "Absolutely fascinating."
They giggled, and the sound filtered through the air like chimes floating around us. His eyes dropped to their small, yet full breasts, and the blush pink flowers that shielded their nipples. "Why do you have flowers covering your nipples? What kind of flowers are these?" He asked in a low voice, as though knowing he shouldn't inquire about such an intimate thing, but couldn't stop himself. "They look so soft and luscious. I've never seen them before, not even in textbooks."
He tentatively reached for one of the tiny petals that surrounded the rose, bulbous center, and the Silesta moaned, her eyes closing. Nyx gasped, removing his hand from her body, and once again the women giggled. "The flowers are your nipples." He confirmed, and they nodded. He swallowed, seeming mortified, and moved back a couple of feet. Yet he couldn't stop his eyes from instinctively roaming the rest of their naked bodies. "I apologize." He fixed his glasses and looked at them avoiding their eyes. "Why are your private parts flowers?"
I stifled an amused smile, the Silesta once again giggled. My little brother couldn't help himself. He craved to know everything.
"Why can't you just accept what is?" One of the women asked, sliding closer to him. "I can feel your desire for us, much like your brother's." She motioned towards Ash, who was now on top of the second female, his hips moving frantically under the water. "Yet, your need to understand our nature and find out our truths, are more important to you than the want for our bodies. Why?"
“Knowledge is power. It is the force which drives the universe, and I desire to master it all,” Nyx answered simply, and she leaned closer to him. He swallowed as her lips neared his.
"Are you saying you don't desire us?" The two women whispered in unison, and the one in front of him brushed her lips against his. Nyx instinctively leaned into her. The next second their lips were dancing together, and he too was captivated by their allures. Their hands began to caress his body.
I frowned, more confused than ever. My eyes found the Silesta I had encountered first—she appeared to be their ruler. “I guess it is my turn to be seduced,” I asked, focusing on her hair. It cascaded down her chest, the small flowers adorning it.
Her rosy lips curved into a pleased smile. “Would you like me to, my prince?”
I chuckled; she was clearly amused. "It wouldn't be any use. I'm—"
“Numb inside. I know, you told me before.”
I looked at her lips, contemplating her words. “Before, when I passed through here alone?”
She nodded. "You were very satisfying, but I would not share your intimacy again unless you give it willingly."
“I was with you?” I asked, taken aback by her words.
“After our agreement. Safe passage for you and your brothers upon your return.”
"Is that why you vowed to be our friends?" She nodded. I looked around us, feeling lost. "I’ve had small glimpses of my time here, yet I don't remember you. Why?"
She gently shrugged unsure of the reason. “Perhaps another agreement you made further along the way.”
Her words gave me cause for pause. Is that what I had done during the two weeks I was away? Had I already ended this quest and tried to hide something even from myself? “How many times have I been here?” I asked, not entirely sure I wanted to know the answer.
Her lips curved, offering me a small smile. “Twice.”
I exhaled, dragging my hands down my face. None of this made any sense. I had taken this exact path, yet I had known I would return with my brothers. How? Delicate hands reached for mine and held them tightly. I kept my eyes closed. "If I look into your eyes, will you hypnotize me?" I asked, cautiously.
"I shall not. I agreed not to do anything that will hinder your quest."
When my eyes found hers, they shone with tears, as though filled with sadness. "Why do you weep?"
She took a deep breath and turned away from me. “You asked that already.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s all right,” she answered, her gaze getting lost in the distance. The water drops began to fall from the leaves around us, as though responding to her emotions. “We weep for our mates, who drowned in our tears.”
Her statement had a strange effect on me. I reached for her, and as she faced me, I leaned closer. My hand cradled her cheek, and my lips closed over hers, gently moving together. Once the kiss ended, I leaned back and stared into her tearful eyes. "I thought you wouldn't enchant me."
“I didn’t.” The sincerity in her eyes overwhelmed me.
“Was that how I made love to you before?”
She nodded. “Perhaps you are not as numb as you believe.”
* * *
Sunrays warmed my face as they filtered through the leaves, and I could feel the mossy ground caressing my body as I stirred into consciousness. My lids lifted and found my brothers asleep beside me, at the base of the weeping willow. Like mine, their bodies were nude, but the Silesta once again slept between the watery grounds within the canopy, perfectly blending into their surroundings.
I stood and reached for my pants, swiftly getting dressed. We needed to continue our journey. I nudged Nyx and Ash, in an effort to wake them while I secured the multiple buckles on the sides of my black leather chest armor. Nyx stood, rubbing his eyes and placed his glasses back on, then began to get dressed next to me. When my gaze returned to the tree I had just slept under, I halted. My boots were set next to it, in perfect condition and waiting for me.
“They were here all this time?” Nyx asked, mirroring my thoughts.
“Yes.”
The soft voice reached me, and I whirled around to find the female I had been with, their leader, sitting behind us. The rest still slept. "We kept them safe as you requested my prince, and ready for when you'd need them once more."
Another memory suddenly flashed in my eyes, and my gaze dropped to the grounds at her sleeping sisters. "I asked you to keep them, so I wouldn't hurt you when I returned and walked among you." It hadn't been a question; she nodded nonetheless. "I can't remember your name."
“Ylthay.” A gentle smile curved her lips.
“Thank you, Ylthay.”
I took a deep breath, wishing things would start to make sense, but there was too much I still didn't know about my time here. I finished buttoning my leather pants and snatched the boots.
“Ash, wake up!” Nyx’s alarmed words made me turn towards him.
“What is happening?” I asked, kneeling next to him. His hands held Ash’s shoulders as he shook him.
"He's not responding," Nyx said anxiously. Pushing him aside, I slapped my brother's face, attempting to wake him.
“It is no use. He’s under the enchantment. He won’t wake unless I desire it so.”
"What??" Nyx asked, startled.
I lifted Ash's lids and saw a shimmery moss green haze covered his irises, confirming her words. My head whipped towards the Silesta, rage flowing through me. "You said you wouldn't hurt us!" I roared, standing. "You gave me your word that you wouldn't do anything that hindered our quest. Why have you done this to him?" She leaned back, frightened by the change in me. The ire coursed through my veins, my fists clenching and unclenching while I stared into her shocked eyes. "Answer me!!" One thought, and she flew out of the water. I held her in the air.
"You asked me to, my prince." Her voice trembled and the tree above us slightly shook, once again conveying her emotions. The water fell from its leaves as though it was raining.
Nyx placed his hand on my shoulder, silently asking me to calm, while I looked at her, startled by her words. I lowered her, gently setting her on the spongy soil next to us. "Explain," I ordered, and she nodded as the magic of my command fell over her.
“It was part of our arrangement. You said it wasn’t safe for him where you were going, that I must safeguard him for you until it was time.” The royal magic wouldn’t allow her to manipulate the truth to her advantage, which meant I had asked for this.
Nyx and I exchanged a glance, and we looked at Ash once more. One of the Silesta was now awake. She held him to her as though shielding him from me. His cheek rested on her chest while her arms wrapped around him protectively. She was one of the women who had been with him.
My gaze returned to Ylthay, and I bent low to hold her hand. “When did I ask for this?”
"The last time you were here, my prince; when you promised to return." I nodded resigned, although my puzzlement grew. "He is well. No pain will come to him."
“What is he reliving?” Nyx asked, reminding me of the Silestas’ magic. They hypnotized their victims and confined them in an endless time loop.
“The moments he spent with my sisters. All he feels is pleasure.”
"Ash will be pissed when he realizes he repeatedly had sex with three women, but wasn't actually awake," Nyx said, as a matter of fact, and I chuckled. Even Ylthay giggled and my gaze returned to her eyes. I sighed. "I'm sorry for reacting this way; I didn't mean to yell at you it’s just… he’s my brother—” I sighed as understanding filled her olive green eyes. “Thank you for helping us." I moved back.
“It’s okay, my prince. You warned me you might be difficult.” I chuckled. “Thank you for taking care of us.”
I wasn't sure what she had meant by that, but part of it filled me with unease. I wasn't a caring man; I was just like Father, and he cared for no one except for the power of his throne. I repressed a shudder when Nyx and I took one last look at my brother. Ash's form seemed lifeless, but I had felt his heart beating as I touched his chest. The blood rushed through his veins, and his breath continuously filled his lungs. I knew he was okay. I was certain of it.
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