The terrain they stood on was rustic and beautiful. Upon high, Willow saw green and brown mountains folding into the horizon. So beautiful that they will soon see the ugliness of their world.
Lothaire and Willow sat still inside the idle truck, both deep in their thoughts.
Willow doesn't know what will happen next. Whether the mage will restore him or will the imposter's army catch up to them. They don't know even if an army remains but since he is imposing as a king, anything is possible.
She looked at Lothaire next. Her emotions in turmoil. She doesn't know whether she will be alive by tomorrow or not. Whether he will be. It is so final.
Willow wet her lips. "Lothaire I-," she tried to tell how important he became in her life, but couldn't.
"This isn't over Willow. Whatever you have to say, say it after. I won't let anything happen to you. You have to believe me Tinkerbell," Lothaire professed. He is in awe of her strength. Even knowing she has to face an army, she stood by his side. He is all the more grateful for her presence in his life. He vowed he would never let her go that minute.
"Let's get going. We are wasting precious time," Willow snapped, shutting her emotions in a deep chest in her heart.
The address was revealed to be a manor house. Nothing outstanding amidst the castles in this kingdom.
It looks homely and well-lived in. Nothing that screams a powerful mage lives here.
"Is this it?" Willow asked, a frown forming between her eyebrows.
"Appearances can be deceiving Tinkerbell. You should know by now," Lothaire drawled, his arms folded.
They knocked on the door and waited for a few seconds before it opened on its own.
"I'm here," said a voice.
They turned and entered what looks like a study room with couches on the side to grab a book and get lost in the imaginary world.
"Yes?" A woman in her 50-60's asked. She looks so simple and plain, like a grandmother of a friend. But they know better.
In answer to her question, Lothaire grabbed his shirt and lifted it up. He then turned and gave her his back.
Willow sighed internally. So much for easing her slowly to help them.
"You need to help us remove those runes," Willow said pointing to his back.
The woman stood and circled Lothaire in deep thought. After poking and probing each rune, she sat once again on the chair.
"Do you know any of those runes?"
"Yes... yes. This one is for memory loss. And these," she pointed to an intricate pattern of two runes, "they are mainly to block his powers"
"Fuck!!"
To be a king he must have powers. Powers that are beyond the Elite vampire ones. That is no match to anyone in the vampire kingdom. Why didn't she think of that before? That's the reason behind his confidence. Willow looked at his stubborn chin. No doubt he is so arrogant.
"Can you do that?"
"It's tough. Will take many hours to take them out. The skin must be burned completely"
Willow gulped, picturing it. She looked at Lothaire in fear, her eyes worried. Lothaire remained silent, his face a mask as if talking about burning his skin is normal to him.
"Will... will you, do it?"
"Now, why would I do that?"
"You don't need to do it for free. We can pay you," Lothaire informed her sternly, once again clad in his shirt.
"A very generous offer. But I don't bother myself with such things," the woman replied, thinning her lips.
"Bullshit. Everyone covets something. What's yours?" Lothaire took a step forward, his hands clenching and unclenching.
"You can't afford me"
"I can't but he can. After all, he is the king," Willow countered before Lothaire could open his mouth.
"The king?" She cocked her head and peered at Lothaire closely.
"Yes"
"Which one?" The mage leaned forward, sounding interested suddenly.
Willow looked at Lothaire silently communicating with him. They need to trust her if they want her to help them.
"The vampire king," Lothaire said with great difficulty as if the words were stuck in his throat.
The mage raised her eyebrows. Other than that, she remained stoic.
"Interesting. Tell me, vampire, for how long did you have this power?"
She doesn't need to say it out loud to mean which power she is talking about. The broad daylight is evident enough to point it out.
"A few days"
"Hmm... since you met her?"
"Where are you going with this?" Lothaire snapped, irritation oozing out of him.
"Just answer my question. Appease an old woman's curiosity"
"Yes," Lothaire grumbled after taking a minute to answer.
"I never thought I would see the day," the mage sounded surprised, her eyes widened.
"What do you mean?"
"What are you talking about?" Willow took a step, not liking the mage's excitement.
"Could you tell me what is your connection with him?" The mage asked instead.
"That's none of your business," Willow snapped, irritated that she is taking too much interest in unnecessary things.
"Well, since you won't answer, I will. You both are lifemates"
"Lifemates? What is it?" Lothaire probed, his irritation ebbing at the prospect of learning more.
"It's like soulmates but more, much more. You both are bound to each other for eternity. No bond is stronger than this. It was said to be a myth until today. Only a lifemate's blood can let a vampire walk under the sun unharmed. What you have is never heard of by some and never believed by many''
Willow opened her mouth and shut it swiftly. It's too much information. She doesn't think she can handle this now before the battle. And a battle it will be if Lothaire's assumption is to be believed. She can research about lifemates later.
She turned to Lothaire and said with a blank face, "could you please give us a minute?"
"No"
"Please Lothaire?" Lothaire nodded reluctantly and left. Not because she pleaded but because she said his name. It's precious. She has said only twice now. Both times when she asked the impossible of him. To leave her alone in a hostile situation.
Lothaire stood facing the door, his frown deepening with each passing minute.
"Lifemates," his lips curved into a smile. If he had his memories then he would have known about them. Nevertheless, he couldn't be any happier.
"She is truly mine now. Nothing can separate us," Lothaire whispered in excitement.
Inside the room, Willow is no way near excited.
"What you said about lifemates, is it true?"
"Why else would I lie?"
"Oh. That's... that's...great," Willow gulped as if all the weight of the world landed on her shoulders. She shook her head and continued, "But that's not why we came here. You must help him"
"I don't want any trouble at my doorstep. A king seeking me out in broad daylight hints at nothing but trouble that is brewing. I don't want any part of it"
"I swear I won't let anything happen to you while you work with him. You don't need to fight beside us. Just give him a chance to fight"
"It all sounds good and wonderful but again, I'm not interested. I like my solitude. If the current 'vampire king' knows that I helped him, he would have my head"
"He is not the king. He is just a murderer and imposter. You are not that secluded as you paint the picture. If we can find you then he can too. And what will stop him from taking you? Using you for your powers? He already has a mage under his thumb and he will do the same with you"
"Nonsense! He doesn't scare me. I can handle him"
"Yes... but can you handle his army and him? He has captured thousands... thousands of supernaturals before. He can do it again. If he is not stopped now he will start a bloodbath that will only end with the war. Do you want to have it on your conscience? Knowing that you could have stopped a war? That you had the tools to stop but you didn't want to?"
"Listen, child, I have seen many things in my life. Nothing can phase me. Will he start a war? Fine! Let him do that. What's in it for me?"
Willow clenched her fists in frustration.
"I'm not asking for myself. Do it for him. Help him"
"You love him, don't you?"
"You must be smoking pot because that's never going to happen"
"Denying it won't take away the fact. You care for him. Why else would you argue with me to treat him"
"Didn't you hear a word I said? They are coming for him. Him. He is the key. I just follow him"
"Whatever you have to say you are saying it to yourself, not me. If you believe that then you are a bigger fool. Let that man standing outside die. The impersonator is not going anywhere. You could kill him anytime. With better force at your side. Why risk your life for him?"
"I could punch you in the face if not for the fact that you are an old biddy"
"Punching me won't change the truth darling. You love him. You are willing to die for him. Admit it, if not to me then yourself"
"Listen, lady, this has nothing to do with my feelings. For fucks sake, what do you want?"
"You put forth an enticing prospective Fae. So many possibilities. What do you think you have that you can give me?"
"I hate riddles. Just spit it out already"
"Temper, temper. You need to learn patience my dear. Especially when you deal with your children"
Willow blinked her eyes, unable to believe what she was hearing.
"Children?"
"I did it again, didn't I?" The mage asked as if she caught her hand in a cookie jar, giving a sheepish smile to Willow. Willow is not up for her games. Now, what is she talking about!
"What do you mean children?"
"Forget my ramblings darling. My old age must be getting to me"
Willow snorted. "You want me to believe that? You are hardly a fool. Anyways, I don't have time for this chat. As you said, the imposter's men are following us. We can't waste any more time. Just help him... please," Willow doesn't want to cry before her; however, a tear slipped past her guard, thinking of his life and what does it mean if this mage doesn't help him.
The mage looked at Willow with an understanding.
"Very well. You give me no choice. I will help him," she sighed.
"But-"
"But he has to grant me a favor when I ask him"
"What is it?"
"Not now. Perhaps not ever. But he must be ready to give me what I ask"
Willow frowned. That is too open a statement if she ever heard one.
"No. You have to narrow it down. Who knows... you could ask for his life. You have to be more specific"
"I'm not a murderer if that's what you are afraid of"
"There could be things far worse than death"
"It's me who is doing you a favor"
"Don't pull that bullshit over me. Do you think the imposter's men are walking in this direction to have a tea party with you? They have a mage with them. You can't conceal from them. You are as much in danger as we are. So, ask wisely"
"I never wanted this", the mage rubbed her forehead, sensing the upcoming headache.
"Tough luck"
"Fine. A favor that doesn't ask for his life," she waved her hand in the air as if to be done with this bargaining.
"No. A favor that doesn't ask for his life nor his blood, him and the people he cared about should never be harmed, that doesn't affect his status as king nor his wealth, that doesn't disturb his reign nor his kingdom, that doesn't bring him, new enemies. Do you agree?"
"What else is left to include?" The mage asked sarcastically.
"You are a mage. You will figure it out," Willow left her there and went outside.
She met Lothaire's eyes.
Lifemates
Blush spread across her cheeks.
"She is ready to do it"
"You, vampire, come with me. If we need to remove all those runes before dusk, we need to start it now"
She motioned them towards a hall that looked like a ritual place. A stone bench is in the center before the altar.
"Drink this and lie down," the mage put something in his hand.
"What is it?"
"I'm not killing him, Fae. Calm down. It's just a sleeping potion. What I must do is very painful. It's better if he is not awake to witness it"
"No," Lothaire informed gravely.
"Don't be an idiot. You will need this"
"No. You will be left alone. If they come before this is finished-"
"Then I will handle it."
"No. I won't let you," Lothaire growled, grabbing her arms.
Willow's temper rose like a volcano inside her. She didn't think, she just grabbed his neck swiftly and pressed the nerves firmly.
Before Lothaire could interpret, Willow said softly to his ears alone, "I'm sorry. I love you." She then kissed him hard. It lasted a max of 2 seconds. His eyes widened, confused before dropping at her feet unconsciously.
"Well, that's another way to go through with it," the mage snickered, enjoying herself. She then dropped her potion in his mouth and pinched his nose until he swallowed.
She can't wait to see the fireworks when this couple reign the kingdom, the mage thought while she prepared the ingredients for the gruesome work before her.
Willow left the mage to her devices and went outside. She doesn't know why she said that to him, only she needed to let him know before everything went down.
She is no weakling, sitting with one hand over another, sighing wistfully and looking far away, waiting for something to happen.
No. She is a take-charge kind of girl. They almost got her once. Never again. This is her turf now. She will be the one who does the hunting.
Willow scanned the meadow. Yes, this will be her battlefield.
While the mage worked on Lothaire which she tried to keep her mind away from, she laid booby traps all over the place.
She can almost smell the smoke of his skin burning on the blustery wind.
Without further ado, Willow got on her business. Once she was satisfied with the traps, she went inside the manor and replenished herself. She needs all her strength. She then forced herself to take a nap. She needs to be alert and on her feet. She can't let her sleeplessness bring her down. It could be fatal in a battle.
After a couple of hours of sleep, Willow peeked once again inside the hall.
The mage's back is to her. She is still working on an unconscious Lothaire.
Taking his condition to mind, Willow stepped out, arming herself to the teeth.
She has everything that she may need on her now. That is... what she can carry.
Dusk fell slowly, bringing the sense of doom with it. The sky turned a fiery orange as if alerting all underneath, it to be wary of this day before changing to a darker shade.
"It's time," Willow muttered under her breath, standing straight, looking at the horizon as it slowly clouded with people.