The next morning could've marked the last day I woke up in Lan's arms.Could have. Not if I could help it.That morning I watched as he strapped himself with ammunition, jamming handguns into the leather holster around his waist. After he slid sharp daggers into the sides of his boots, he packed a light bag and we both headed down to Lev's. Lan must've informed him he now had enough funds for the travel, because the old man was already up and smiling.Lev spoke over the dark silence engulfing us. "Good morning, good morning! I see you are all set. We will be on our way now."Heclosedo the door behind him, drawing his coat tighter around his little form. Then he started to lead the way down the snowy path.Drifts of snow blew past me, leaving goosebumps in its wake. Beside me, Lan was a large wall of brooding silence. His face was cold and expressionless, a hand tucked into the pocket of his coat while the other held onto a small bag.I chased away the heavy feeling closing around my c

After they'd all seemed really determined to hug and query the life out of me, I stood in the midst of my aunts as they ran their gazes over me, still a tad disbelieving. Familiar sights surrounded me, the beige walls of the living room, the black grandfather clock in shape of a pointy hat, bats, rats and other familiars hastily moving around the wide space. But all this did nothing to contain the anxiety turning my stomach inside out, they only heightened it: because it brought to attention how I could lose everything, everyone, in a blink of an eye if king Dmitri prevailed. I'd told my aunts about everything, from the vampire king's plan down to my gift from Hecate, but the first thing Maren asked was, "You and king Lan are mates?" A sharp breath tore out of me. "Guys! We need to concentrate. The elixir is almost done and at any moment, th-the zombies of our past ancestors would come hunting us down." Aradia scoffed. "Lowe, the lycans hunted us in the past, tortured us. You can't

WILLOW__The faces around me were cold, set.It was time. The atmosphere had darkened considerably, thunder rumbling off at a distance. The cave was filled with countless lycans and some had shifted, standing over nine feet tall with a build as wide and large as the tanks displaced outside. Witches around spent the last few minutes practicing their spells, their armour plates glinting against the residue of fiery hues from the cauldrons.Vials were passed around and when Tristan sounded the order, they turned it over their mouths. All around me, warriors, both witches and lycans, started to slowly disintegrate. The ever present dark feeling in my stomach intensified, rising to spread around my chest.Meridith shouldered her way through the diminishing crowd, advancing towards me. When she stood before me, she held my arm and brought her face closer to mine, saying in hushed tones, "Try to stay clear of the fight. I know for one king Dmitri's not going to be on the battle field, he'

The rain threatening to fall had let up, and the sky had been cleared of every dark cloud by the time I went back to the battle field.Stopping above a hill, I took a moment to look at the crowd below. The witches and lycans that'd been under the influence of the elixir were now restored back to normal, their faces bright with tears, relief and happiness. The emotion that was most palpable was sorrow, for the people lost. My stomach knotted. I didn't think I would ever have it in me to feel happy again.Meredith was the first to notice me. Her face brightened. "Willow!" she yelled.Heads swerved around and soon a cheer rose up in the crowd, prompting me to come down the hill and walk over to the wide field. While I neared, Meredith noticed the bleak look in my eyes. Perhaps the rest did too because gradually, they quietened.Meredith drew closer to me, the rest of my caste witches in tow. Sybil stepped forward, a tentative smile on her face. For the first time since I've known her,

[A YEAR LATER] __ I woke up with a smile on my face. The space beside me was empty but warm, and I rolled over to inhale Lan's delicious scent. I supposed he was downstairs making sure everything was set for tomorrow. I should join him. Exhaling, I got off the bed and started towards the bathroom, yawning as I went. Water bursted out of the shower, rousing me up completely. Scrubbing a hand down my face, I looked around. The massive, marbled space never ceased to amaze me. In fact, every part of the luxurious house never did. Lan and I had bought a mansion at a secluded part of Chicago. A place that was near Gornagon though. And it was magnificent. Washing my hair with shampoo, I exhaled in content. Everything was magnificent. I was at final year of fashion school and already, in my repertoire: were a few collaborations I'd done with reputable fashion houses. I was expecting, too. Lan and I were yet to check the gender of the baby, but we'd set a date to next week, and despite th