Bless Me

17

Dorian's eyes drug along Isolde's bare skin. She undressed as if it were nothing, exposing her supple body to his hungry eyes. He licked his lips, flicking his gaze away in shame.

"On and on; the days dredge on and on," she said solemnly, making him glance back. "I have felt out of my mind for so long. Do you have it?"

He raised his brows. "Your mind? I'm afraid—"

"Give me my mind back now," she whispered. "My..."

"It is the sudden loss of your Julienne, no doubt. She was the youngest...and," he nodded to the drawing that had been mounted on the wall. "Most beloved child."

Her eyes shuttered, looking down. "Will you serve me a drink, Alpha? I'm parched."

Dorian nodded, taking from the bedside tea set. He poured her a cup, offering it to her gently, his hands wrapping around her own, before swallowing roughly.

She took it in hand. Her rage...oh how he adored her rage. Unending, brilliant, scorching. It had simmering now, in the loss of her Julienne, grief smothering it out like a wet blanket.

Dorian glanced out at the small makeshift temple. His lips softly mouthed the words in his heart. He wished the little one knew.

Her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. "Your mother's crying...your mother is crying for you. And is she is not one to assault the earth with her tears. So know you are loved. That you were so deeply loved and will always be."

Isolde's eyes widened, her brows furrowing a bit. Her lips trembling.

He smiled softly. "I...that is what I would've said, at her burial. But I was busy with the...killing that man. His blood so lurid, warm...thick and wet. But I endure it. For you. Isolde."

"For me..." she murmured. "Bad luck comes in threes. There remains...rain on the horizon."

Dorian's stomach dropped, stirring his suspicion. The last time she saw rain a child died.

"Any clue what kind of rain? Could you be specific? What might this rain entail?"  He pried, tucking his arms under his ample chest, his braids resting on his large forearms.

She leaned back on her hands and heaved a heavy sigh.  "I am no fortune teller."

"Women's intuition then?" He murmured, reaching out, cupping her cheek with his large hand.

"Something of the sort. Your cousin...Aaron? Was it?"

He nodded, stroking her cheek idly.

"He can prove to be dangerous. Keep him close until you kill him. I advise...will you take my advice?" She mused.

Dorian smirked. "I will take anything you offer me, priestess."

"I think you may...have run in with him shortly. Despite the circumstances, I advise...discretion above all."

Dorian raised his brow. "Is there something he would be coming for? One of your girls, perhaps?"

She smiles. "He seems more the forward type."

He stroked her bottom lip. "I suppose you? Will he try to take you. What gave you that impression?"

"Hm. I have no idea what you mean." She smirked. He sat on his knees in front of her, his forehead against her knee.

"What then am I to do? Wait out the storm? I prefer such a hands on approach you know this well, Isolde." He looked up at her, and there it was.

Her rage. Glittering. Surrounding her like a halo. He smiled softly. His sins would sharpen the knife she would use to plunge in his back and at last free him of his miserable existence.

Her fingers shook but she raised his hand, stroking his long, thick mane.

"Do whatever you want so long as you stay here, Isolde. I need you. And if I must steal you away, I will. My priestess."

His lips lingered, brushing her hand tenderly.

She said nothing.

"Each day we spend together I fear your rage may engulf the world in flame...and worse still I fear I may enjoy it."

She smiled softly, but said nothing. "Am I the one to set the world aflame? Or you?"

"That is the question, isn't it?" He murmured, pulling herself away from his grip, settling into bed. "I will go where you go. I will die when you die. We're mated now, after all, Isolde."

She grinned, and shrugged her eyes on the picture her lovely Julienne had drawn her.

"One would almost think you loved me, Alpha, if they heard those broad and sweeping proclamations you're so fond of."

He chuckled. "One would be wrong. Though, they say there is a thin line between love and hate."

She just smiled knowingly, her gaze drifting to the window, with a slight shiver.

Dorian closed his eyes, content. His Isolde, he thought to himself, worrying about nothing and everything all at once. 

Slumber took him, and he found himself dreaming of her. She was quietly stroking a wild wolf, her curly hair cascading down her shoulders, her armor diffusing light around her giving her an unearthly glow.

"Isolde?"

Her lips turned up, her eyes hidden by her long lashes as she glanced down at the large wolf. "Close. I am...and I am not her. Come closer, Dorian."

His stomach dropped, glancing around at the clear sky.

"Who are you?" He whispered. "No...I know who you are. Moon Goddess."

She smiled. "You are truly blessed with Sight, Dorian. You must know it is important, for me to appear to you. A man. An alpha at that."

She stood. "Have you forgotten what I taught you? I taught you well, didn't I?"

Dorian looked down. "I..."

"I lost another child today" She murmured. "I should've known better than to tryst you, is that it? I thought you being half of me would be enough...but your father's inadequacy creeps in."

Dorian pursed his lips. "I have troops conquering. But Isolde wants to settle with the girls and I thought...since you loved your girls you would agree,"

She smiled, plucking a flower. "Hm...you thought...don't think. I want you to march and kill until there are no more alpha's left."

Dorian blinked. "I thought I was to...change the world."

"You are. My way. You are but a child, Dorian. You do not yet understand the ways of the world," She soothed him, her voice a song, as she approached him, touching his face.

He closed his eyes, leaning into her palm. "Yes...Goddess."

And with his eyes closed, he missed a look. Just a small look he would've otherwise noted. 

"Good, my child. Very good."