Page 16 of Dark Captivation

As if she could read my mind, Sunny appeared at the corner of my eye, marching across the garden in a series of wide gaited strides.

She was a vision. The way the sun hit her shiny emerald green hair made my tensest muscles relax, softening them to jelly. Her ample curves were worthy of devotion, her full red lips demanded a kiss. From head to toe, my beauty was a creature of graceful perfection. She was everything I’d dreamed of and more.

“Sunny’s awake.” I beamed at Jeffrey. “What should I do with her today? Should I take her shopping? The theme park? A picnic in the forest? How should I show her my love?”

“You haven’t answered any of my questions. Did you see the letters from the human president? They’re piling up and you haven’t opened a single one. It could be something important.” Jeffrey moaned.

“I won’t stop until her heart is mine.” My eyes followed her as she left the gardens and stepped into the driveway. “But how do I make myself worthy of someone so pure?”

“Are you listening to me?” Jeffrey flew over and perched on my left horn.

He flapped vigorously as if he were trying to lift me off the ground.

“Isn’t it mating season for crows yet? Last year it started around this time.” I plucked him from my horn and nested him between my palms.

He looked up at me with doe eyes. “How am I supposed to enjoy mating season until I know you’re alright? Just because you’re big and scary to others doesn’t mean a thing to me. I know how vulnerable you are.”

“I’m fine, Jeffrey! I’ve never been happier. Now come, you shouldn’t keep your consorts waiting.” I scurried out the office door as Jeffrey flapped wildly.

“Wait, if you take me to my concubines now, they'll seduce me for the entire mating season. They won’t let me leave them for days, maybe even weeks! Who’s going to watch over you?”

That was the point. I loved my familiar, but I didn’t want anyone watching over me right now. I wanted as much alone time with Sunny as possible. My overprotective familiar had glued himself to my shoulder 24/7 since I started receiving threats in the mail a few weeks ago.

“Come on, mating season only comes once a year. You deserve your fun.” I opened the double doors at the end of the hall. Hundreds of glossy black wings fluttered in delight as I brought Jeffrey inside.

His harem of exactly one hundred and fifty female ravens set off from their golden perches flying for Jeffrey all at once. He was the lone male in the harem, and though the females couldn’t speak like Jeffrey, they didn’t need words to express their glee. By the speed at which the females torpedoed for their male, it was without a doubt the height of raven mating season.

“Ladies, please calm down. Not all at once. There’s plenty of me to go around.” Jeffrey sputtered nervously. Three females snatched him from my grasp and tackled him to the ground, pecking him softly in what seems like the raven version of kisses.

Jeffrey quickly regained his footing, standing tall in a show of dominance over his consorts. This move calmed them as they settled on the floor in front of Jeffrey, lowering their wings and waiting for his instruction.

The spirit of mating season seemed to have taken Jeffrey as he hopped on his left leg five times, then switched to his right for another five hops. He threw his left wing skyward, working himself to the right in a matching dance that seemed to entrance the females.

He was like a showman, putting on the performance of his life for scores of adoring fans. Slave to the pull of love and desire, Jeffrey had completely forgotten I was even here. Feeling the very same pull tugging at me, now was the perfect time to go see Sunny.

I left the room and went outside to meet Sunny where I’d last seen her in the courtyard.

She had left the courtyard and ventured north towards the driveway. Her back was turned to me, so she didn’t seem to notice I was there as she picked up one of the larger rocks that were scattered on either side of the driveway.

With both hands, she swung the heavy rock back, gathering momentum to launch an apparent attack, but an attack on who?

Tossing the rock with the precision of a discus thrower, she smashed the driver’s side window of my jeep with an explosive crash.

Glass shards flitted in all directions and the car alarm suffused the palace grounds in a tumultuous sound.

Wow. She was dauntless and completely unhindered. Like the world was hers to command. Her glorious emerald hair fluttered freely in the wind, like a warrior princess. What a woman she had become.

She reached her full arm through the shattered glass and unlocked it. She swung the heavy door open. Even though she was tiny, and my truck was massive, and custom made to accommodate my height and weight, she confidently climbed into the driver’s seat, slamming the door behind her.

Curious, I peeked through the broken window and wordlessly watched my Sunny fidget with live wires, attempting to hotwire my Jeep. Sparks flew, but it didn’t bother her one bit. She just kept at it like a tenacious conqueror.

“Has someone vexed you, Dearest One?” I asked, and she jumped, turning to the side and gawking at me in shock.

“No.” She breathed, frowning savagely at me.

“Then it seems you’ve grown quite mischievous. I like it.” I smiled at her, but she just kept frowning.

Her sweet lips were so mesmerizing, I couldn’t look away. Every atom of my being dared me to break what was left of the car glass between us and steal her sweet lips for myself.

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