Page 28 of Wolfsbane

“You’ve returned home,” he snarked, his sword in hand.

I rose, stepping from Morel as he tried to break free from the chains, to rush after me, but it was no use. He had to wait and watch.

“Boletus,” I hissed, stopping at the base of the steps. “How does it feel to know you will die a traitor?”

“Traitor?” He smirked. “No, the only traitor here isyou.” He raised his sword in my direction as I chuckled, clutching mine at my side. “You fled Hellbore in its time of need, running into the arms of this illegitimate king, living amongst his people and warming his bed as your kingdom burned. And now, you stand before me, slaughtering and killing for a man with no place in this world.” Boletus stepped down further. “Tell me: how does it feel to know your parents' sacrifice was wasted?”

“You knownothingof sacrifice.” I raised my blade, adjusting my footing as he approached, standing less than a foot away. “I have done everything for my people, the very people you let die for a throne and a crown you will never have. Morel is more of a king than you will ever be.”

Boletus glared at me, looking past me to Morel, who was still chained.

“This may have been my home once, but Grisset is my home now. And I, the queen of shadows, fight for the people inbothmy kingdoms. I fight for Hellbore, I fight for Grisset, but most importantly, I fight for my king.”

My body twirled as I swung my sword toward him, clashing blades with him. He grunted, pushing back as I backed down a few steps, grinning.

“You are insane,” he stated. I ran up the steps as he tried to back away, nearly falling as he blocked my aim.

“No,” I growled, kicking his sword from his hand as he fell back. “I amdeath. I am here to set things right, to seek my revenge.” My foot pressed down on his chest, pinning him to the floor as I pierced my blade gently into the flesh of his neck. Hegroaned, blood staining my blade. “It’s time to pay for all you’ve done, Boletus.”

His fearful expression changed as her whip cracked, forcing me back as it wrapped around my neck. I nearly fell down the dais when it released me, dropping my sword as my body rolled down the stairs.

“Wolfsbane!” Morel’s voice filled my ears as I groaned, my vision slightly blurred from my head slamming into the cold stone floor. The whip cracked again as Hystrix stalked towards me. “Hesper!” I could hear the fear and pain in his voice. My eyes raised as I spotted my sword nearby, and I crawled to reach it.

Hystrix’s whip caught my ankle, the stinging strength pulling me back. I groaned, rotating my body as I looked up at her. She was mostly covered, dressed in dark assassin’s gear, a hood covering most of her face, though her cloudy eyes burned into mine. My eyes fell to her chest, a necklace hanging against her clothing—a golden sun pendant. Hystrix was not just a skilled warrior; she was a child of the dawn. My smile returned. Children of the dawn were enemies of children of the night, matched in almost every way—almost.

My leg rotated, yanking the whip and her body forward, her feet stumbling as it broke from her grasp. I quickly removed it from my ankle, running to my sword as she picked her weapon up. We both studied the other as we slowly rotated, easing closer. Boletus stood, groaning as he held his neck, his ridiculous smile back now.

“Kill her, Hystrix.” The hooded woman nodded, raising her whip as she spun and cracked it, hitting my arm. The impact shredded the armor, causing my flesh to bleed as I backed up, refusing to give in to the pain.

“Hesper!” Morel finally broke free of his chains and ran for a nearby sword, watching me closely.

“I can handle her!” He stood nearby, his eyes rising to meet Boletus.

“Let us fight like men, Boletus.” Morel threw his sword aside, removing his gloves as he approached the dais.

I couldn’t watch, my focus returning to Hystrix as she swung, her whip missing me. I took advantage of the moment, rushing her as I swung my blade. She moved quickly, her whip wrapping around the end of the sword, attempting to pull it from my grasp. I remained firm, fighting her. My muscles screamed, my new strength building as her eyes widened in shock. She tried to use both hands, tugging with all her strength, but it was no use.

“This is not possible!” She groaned, her feet sliding across the stone. “You cannot possess such strength! Not unless—” Her hands gave out as I stole the whip from her, my sword in one hand, whip in the other as thunder once again rumbled. Hystrix stared at me in fear, slowly backing away.

“You may be a child of the dawn,” I hissed, stepping closer, twirling my sword, “but I am a daughter of the night.” I cracked her whip, the end catching her neck as I pulled her to her knees. She tried to fight me, one hand gripping the coil around her throat, the other pulling at the whip. I tightened my grip as I approached her, my sword at my side. “And unlike you, I am blessed by the moon goddess herself. You cannot defeat me. Darkness will always consume the light and triumph in the end.” My eyes bore into hers. “Let’s see the dawn save you now.” As I dropped the whip, my body swung, my blade following as it sliced through her flesh and bone, decapitating her. Her blood sprayed across my face as her head fell, her body slumping to the floor. Lightning flashed as my head rose, and I inhaled the smell of her blood stained across my face.

“No!” My head snapped as I watched Morel swing, his fists landing into Boletus’ face.

I gripped my sword, gripping Hystrix’s head as I slowly approached the base of the dais, looking up as Morel yanked Boletus to his knees. His eyes fell to me, grinning as he beamed at my victory.

“Your pet,” I spat, tossing Hystrix’s head down. We all watched it roll, hitting the lower step of the dais. I exhaled, my men surrounding me, as they, too, had been victorious.

Morel adjusted his grip, snatching the back of Boletus’ neck as he casually began to drag the bloodied and beaten man down the steps.

“Allow me to present you with one last wedding present, my queen.” He dropped Boletus at my feet, the man groaning as he looked up at me, defeated and filled with absolute fear. I raised my sword, smiling as I stared at him, the moment of my revenge finally within my grasp.

“Any last words, traitor?” Boletus laughed, spitting blood at my feet.

“You may win today, but someday, youwilllose. The ancient kingdoms will never accept your kingdom or its king.” My smile nearly reached my ears.

“The ancient kingdoms will either accept our kingdom of shadows or they will burn. We will cover this world in darkness, starting with Hellbore.” My arm swung as his eyes bulged, his head falling to the ground as it rolled next to Hystrix’s.

Morel looked at me as I dropped my sword and ran into his arms. The storm raged outside as our men cheered, my mouth crushing to Morel’s, our laughter mixing with our breath.

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