The Regal Rogue

11. Donella

It's been three days and the blackbird returns. He is accompanied by a swarm of green tinted faeries.

They were like humans, but smaller, with sharp facial features and ears, and had the beauty of the gods.

A soft wind picked up and I heard the hushed, light voice of the pixies within it.
A voice of gold stood out among them.
The most superior Faerie swirled around me to bring a breeze and I listened.
I could hear the quiet, golden tone, " We agree the queen must be ended. If Grimshaw is ever to remain our home. We must fight. With the alliance of the pixies and the rebels, we cannot lose."

The breeze rose with the cry of pixies singing 'Donella' after her speech.

"Agreed and many thanks. If you'd prefer we can start planning tomorrow." I told her, with a respectful bow of the head.

"Very well." She returned the modest bow.

It was evening and the faeries flew around the now dark campsite like fireflies. Serenity and Roselyn went to sleep without me since I decided to sit sit in front of the fire and think of battle plans to share with the pixies.

I listened to the crackle of the flames and watched the smoke disappear into the night fog.
I was in deep thought when I heard a snap that hadn't come from the fire.

I pretended not to notice and wait for whatever was sneaking up on me.

I went along poking the firewood to keep it going and act natural.

I could feel whatever it was approaching. Discreetly, I placed my hand over the handle of my dagger.

My grip tightened. I spun around and leapt on the sneak.
I held my knee in his stomach, my hand at his throat and my dagger raised and ready.

"Shite, Crims. It's me. It's Callum!" He struggled underneath me.

I crawled off of him and he sat up and pried the knife from my stiff hand.

I was at a loss for breath. "What happened?" I barked, holding my emotion.

"I survived." He shook his head at the fire and looked back at me.

"No. You tell me everything." I started to cry in anger and hit the ground with my fist.

"When I fell in Callyway Valley, I was lucky enough to keep hold of my silver arrow and seriously wounded him. He struck me and ran off into the Callyway Wood. I even found some herbs you must've dropped and used those to heal the beating, but the scar remains." He said and turned, lifting his shirt to show the curved markings that stretched across almost half of his back.
I covered my mouth, tears welled, and softly I reached out to trace the gash scars with my fingers. Callum tried to hide his discomfort, but he flinched and I drew my hand back.
I pulled his shoulder so he would turn back to face me.
"When I woke up. I heard the chime of the pixies and followed it here." He finished.

"Gods." I said in sad amazement.
"Do you need me to get anything?" I ask him, ready to get up.

"No. I've got everything I need right here." he tried to say casually.
I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but I refused to make any assumptions.

"There's........something I've been wanting to ask you." I was hesitant to talk about it, but I had to know.

"About your nephew? Aye. I never finished telling you." He dusted his hands and examined them as a distraction not to look at me.

"Callum." I put my hand on his forearm and gave him a reassuring look. "You can tell me anything."

I could see in his eyes he believed me, but shame still shadowed his face.

" I have reason to believe that the kin is not Desmond's own." He began.

"What would make you think that?" I asked.

"You remember my story I told you?" He asked.
"Of course. I had asked to hear it." I tell him.

"I had said I was abused. Now that wasn't a lie, but I didn't mention the details. I didn't want anyone to know, but it involves your family and I thought you deserved to know." He went on, still hesitant to get to the point.

"Callum. Please tell me. This will go no further than us, I swear it. Trust me, tell me what is it." I ask squeezing his forearm.

" I was abused both physically and........sexually. I was flogged and raped. Desmond would beat me and your sister.....well......," he couldn't say it.

I just wanted to hold him as tightly as I could. I had heard many stories in which girls were raped, but something about the reversal of it was much more frightening. Especially knowing my own sister had done this.

I nodded to say I understood. Sentiment overwhelmed me and I grabbed him and held him, hugging him to my chest. He mechanically held onto me as if I was the strongest shield for him.
I could hear his quiet, gaspy breaths deep in his chest as if he were trying to hide them there.
I stroked his hair and suddenly he went on.

"She used her magic to control me. She did things to me and compelled me to respond and I had to watch all of it. She made me do things against my will and it was just....hell." His cries broke.
He was only a year younger than me, but I felt as if I was comforting a child. It was odd though, because I think I may have stirrings for him. But I knew I could never fall in love.

It only made me never want to let him go.