Bless Me

2

The trip back to Dorian's land was long and arduous. He carried her, with no complaints. Isolde could not stand the silence for another moment just as the sun set on the second day of their travel.

"Why were you in the temple? And what was that spell you were using?"

"I was looking for something. And it was just a little healing chant, nothing more. I wouldn't call it a spell."

It clearly was though, Isolde wondered why he was minimizing it, but she left it alone.

"We're getting close," he murmured. "I'll put you up in my house. You'll be across the hall from me."

"Alpha, you've returned," a woman ran up to them, as they approached a large pack that seemed to expand to the horizon.

Isolde frowned. He had a wife?

"Sarah...this is Isolde. Isolde this is my beta, and second in command Sarah."

Isolde smiled offering her hand. Sarah stared at it and then at her, taking her in. She seemed at home in Dorian's arms his long hair resting on her shoulders. Sarah smiled.

"Hello...Isolde." Sarah smiled tightly. Isolde patted Dorian's arm to be let down but he just kept marching forward.

"How is the harvest?"

"It is...coming along. Still, we're running out of resources." Sarah explained as they walked toward the town.

Dorian smiled. "That's about to change."

"Oh?" Sarah asked, quizzically.

"Because we have a priestess now." Dorian smirked. "And I intend to take back everything that was taken from us."

Isolde didn't know what in store for her, but the sun beamed at his back, bowing to his towering figure, bending around his hair, braids like a crown, adorning him, and she couldn't help but think whatever it was, she had hope it could be as beautiful as him. Isolde blink and scoffed at the thought, turning her head, burying herself away.

"You okay? You can't cower on me now, little Priestess. You're my chance of victory," his voice rumbled. She scrambled out of his arms, falling to the ground, before standing, clearing her throat.

Dorian watched her in mild interest.

"I'll...I'll walk the rest of the way, thanks." She murmured. Dorian stepped behind her, his overpowering presence blocking the sun, his hand hovering around her waist.

"We must begin preparations," Dorian proclaimed. "Ready a fifth of the finest warriors. The rest will stay here. Protect the pact. And if any Priestess makes her way here, you just protect her with your lives."

Sarah did not seem to like Isolde, and Isolde, having spent her entire life with women, understood the silent communication they were having innately. But, Dorian, of course was oblivious. He took her head, pulling her toward a entrance of the pack, a small wall the only demarcation from the dense forest surrounding it.

"Have the soldiers ready to go by tomorrow, waiting by the front line. We'll leave at dawn," Dorian ordered Sarah without a second look.

Isolde glanced back at her. "She seems to like you."

"Of course she does. I'm her alpha. She's my beta."

Isolde palm smacked her forehead with a heavy sigh. "Right. Where are we going?"

Dorian raised his brow. "I have something for you."