Cursed Melody

Chapter 13

Merida

"Bullshit." I growl out at him.

This is utter bullshit.

I'd been in the training room for three days, working off my exhaustion and fatigue. My initial plan was to begin training with the other warriors before checking in on Mia for the fifth time today. A plan that was abruptly halted and then abandoned, especially when I realized why he summoned me here.

"You need to." He demanded.

"I don't need to do a damn thing when it comes to her." I snap.

"Merida, dear." He breathes. "You see it, the same as we do. It's possible that you're affecting her."

"A witch nearly killed her and you're telling me to stay away." I throw my arms in absolute disbelief. "When it was because of our bond that we found out in the first place and it's also likely that our bond is reason that she's currently unharmed."

"You need to understand-"

"Screw your damn enlightenment. We're mates and it's undeniable by this point. Why can't you just accept that?!"

"Your connection is different. Mia's different. And until we can figure it out, you need to stay away from her. You have a gift inside of you, and so does Mia. And together that can be dangerous."

I run my fingers through the white strands in frustration. "You're asking me to deny my nature."

"I asking you to help me protect this pack. We already have one witch blood related problem to deal with. Merida, look. I'm not asking you to break your bond, but you're connection isn't normal."

Melody growls at his insult.

"What I mean," He says softly, "is that the things both of you feel shouldn't be possible without a full link. The longer you're near her, the more the link tightens. It's the magic between you too. But it's different. And two types of magic don't blend well."

I look over to the picture of my older brother as a child and my biological mother. The two pairs of eyes from long ago reflect into mine. "You and Mother blended well. Twice actually."

"That's different, the power in me is ancient." Magic from an Old God passed through our bloodline, he means. "Natalie... pulled from the same source, her coven worshipped that same God." Father closed his eyes for a moment, likely remembering her.

"It's the same feeling, you know." The thought of her leaving me again tears me from the inside out. "I felt like this for the past four years. Just without the realization that she was my mate."

We both linger in silence for a moment before I eventually speak up.

"I can't do what you ask of me."

"Merida." He begins ready to fight me on my decision.

"No, Father. I'm going to tell Mia." I tell him, my resolve already set. "She needs to know."

"Tell me what?" My head snaps to the door at the same time Father's does. Mia lingers at the entrance, her expression tense as she stands in a gray top and sweatpants that now sag slightly due to her rapid weight loss from the three day coma.

My nature rises in me, wanting me to feed her. "Mia, you should go back to bed. It's only been a few days."

"What do you need to tell me?" She questions, pushing further.

I turn towards Father for a moment and notice his tense expression. Our worries are reflected in one another but like I told him before, I'm done running. I'm going to tell her.