The Forest Witch's Home for Magical Creatures

Chapter 36: Pledge

There was something wrong with his witch. She was always a bit twitchy, like a squirrel jumping from branch to branch but never like this. She looked ready to jump out of her skin.

The boys picked at their burnt toast and Wren kept his eye on the witch. She moved through the kitchen, back and forth getting nothing done. She'd stop and cock her head, intent on something Wren couldn't see or hear.

Maybe she was sick. Wren didn't have much experience with illness. Dragon hatchlings are susceptible to the pox and adults can get altitude sickness but nothing in the range of human-like illness.

He knew humans used to die from all manner of things, towns and villages would be wrecked when a fever rolled through.

Humans seemed more sturdy now. He's seen sick people in shows. They'd moan and complain about their aches and pains. They'd be dripping out of their faces or hunched over the toilet.

Disgusting.

He cornered her in the kitchen and took her face in his hands. Her wide eyes met his. He took a second to admire the freckles that fell like stars across her skin. She relaxed in his hold. He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

She wasn't warm and didn't smell sick.

He kept his face against the top of her head and just breathed her in. The smell of wildflowers and vanilla. Her hands reached up and tangled into his feathers. He could hear the boys giggling behind him but he just held her.

She released a deep breath and sagged against him.

He wasn't sure what had her unraveling but he could help hold her together.

***

Everything was quiet while she was in Wren's arms. All the rattling pieces of herself fit together. She saw the concern in his eyes, in the way he hovered around her. She didn't know how to explain the feeling of unease she was experiencing. How even her skin felt wrong today.

Something was going to happen today, she just wasn't sure what.

She kissed across the scaled arch of his cheek. He rumbled low in his throat.

"Go for your little nature walk."

He nipped at her jaw. His sharp teeth scraped harmlessly over her skin. "It's not a nature walk. I'm checking the perimeter."

She schooled her face and nodded. "Yes. You have to ensure all the squirrels and chipmunks are where they're supposed to be."

"Fuck the squirrels."

"That's immoral. Poor squirrels."

He sighed deeply and looked up at the ceiling with regret all over his face.

She took pity on him and gently pushed him away. "Go check the forest," She said, shooing him away with her hands. "We wouldn't want anything dangerous to get in."

His face softened and his wings perked up. "Exactly, little flower."

"But the Katshituashku might be getting lonely."

His nostrils flared as he snarled. "Is that wretched thing still out there?"

She shrugged. "Be careful on your little hike." She said sweetly.

He stood up straight and flared his wings. He made a formidable picture, large black wings carried by strong shoulders. Hard-earned muscles that were ready to tear apart any threat.

She stared up at him and tilted her head. She shot him a sunny smile. "Bye Birdie."

His wings brushed her as he headed for the door.