Layla
I sat on the bed for hours. I didn't know what time it was but I knew hours must have passed. I was still not any closer to a plan of escape or stopping this forced wedding from taking place.
I was still sitting and wondering if Alex got my massage and praying to the powers that be that he did and he and my friends and family were on their way to come to my aid when the door burst open and framed in the door was Loki, a woman dressed in blood red and to my horror, I saw Loki dragging Wendy along with him as he entered the room but she was limp and looked like a beaten-up ragdoll. Her perfect skin was covered in the worst bruises I have ever seen. Loki stood a few feet away from me and threw Wendy towards me. I scrambled off the bed as fast as I could and caught her just in time before she could hit her head on the stone floor. She was as cold as ice and she was barely conscious.
"I thought you might need some persuading."
"What the hell did you do to her!"
I never liked Wendy true, she made my life a nightmare every chance she got but no one deserves to be treated like this.
"Just making sure you get the message; this is just a small taste of what will happen to her if you think of causing any trouble and still think that you won't be marrying me."
"She was your girlfriend and you beat her practically to a pulp."
"She was useful for a time but that time has passed. I know you are too kind and good to let anyone suffer on your behalf, so here is what is going to happen: you will get dressed and be ready for the wedding. Megan will come and get you in one hour and if you do not cooperate well let's just say little Wendy will not fare so well."
"Blackmail, that is your plan!"
"Yes, and before you say it won't work, it will because you won't want Wendy to die no matter how much you do not like her."
The woman in red, I figured she was Megan waved her hand, and Wendy's whole body convulsed in agony. She was barely conscious but as soon as the spell hit her, she screamed in pain and agony.
"Stop! Just stop hurting her!"
Wendy's body stilled and tears were rolling down her cheeks in silence.
"I think we made our point. One-hour sweetheart you won't want to see what happens if you are not ready."
With that they left, I heard the door being locked and saw from the red glow around it, that it was spelled shut again.
"Wendy please don't die. Please come on, you have to fight, ok don't let him win."
Taking all the blankets from the bed I warped her in them she couldn't talk whether from pain or because her lips were too swollen. I don't know but when she looked up at me with great effort, I saw that she was thankful and she tried saying sorry but the word didn't come outright.
"It is ok, we may never be friends and yes you were a jerk in the past, but no one not even you deserve this. You just lie down ok and try and rest while I get dressed."
At these words, she tried to struggle even more to get up and stand.
"No, Wendy, don't move you will only hurt yourself even more."
But she won't stop struggling then it dawned on me she was trying to stop me from getting dressed.
"Wendy it's ok. I am not going to marry him but for now, we have to play along ok, just trust me ok."
Her face was a mask of horror but as my words broke through to her, she relaxed a little and stopped struggling.
"I don't have a plan yet, but we are going to get out of here and we are going to go back home. Try and get some rest. I don't mean to sound mean but you look like hell so I take it he made your powers useless huh? But you know granny always says there is always a way out of everything so cross your fingers we find it ok. Just rest now his witch will be back in an hour. Let's not give her a reason to hurt you again."
Finally, she fell asleep but I think this was just a way for her body to protect itself from the pain she really did look awful and I don't even think I could imagine the pain she was in.
"He really was a monster."
Getting dressed was hard. I didn't like the "wedding dress" at all; it was black and purple. This place really made me hate the color purple. But for Wendy's sake, I got dressed and did my hair. I tied it in a messy knot on top of my head making no special effort with it, using the makeup that was provided I just did a little eyeliner and mascara. I was not going to experiment with normal makeup now.
Looking in the mirror I didn't look bad, I still looked really pretty even though I didn't make a big effort with my hair or my makeup. I was just putting on the ridiculously high-heeled shoes when the door opened up again and Megan stood there. She was beautiful but cold and unfriendliness were radiating out of her.
"Well I am pleased to see you at least got dressed but as for the hair it won't do."
Waving her hand, she changed my hair, it styled itself into an updo with intricate braids and knots and it was so not me, pretty as it was but so not me.
"There that will do after all it's not like a real wedding we both know he just wants your power. Well, we best be on our way come on then ducky we don't have all night."
"I am not leaving Wendy here alone."
"A, yes, I suppose she must come along after all she is the bait we are using."
Calling a guard, she said in a rather bored voice.
"Please bring that bundle of rages along, but be careful you don't drop her, inflicting pain is Loki's and my job."
Fury at the unfeeling way she talked about Wendy surged through me but I bit my tongue and held back the words I wanted to shout at her.
Wendy looked awful; the pain was etched in every line of her face. The guards shoved me out of the room forcing me to walk a lot faster than I wanted.
We were walking to a part I haven't seen before. Not that that is a surprise as I have only seen the dungeon and the dining hall. This part of the castle was older than the part I have seen.
After a few minutes, we arrived at a big wooden door made out of black wood. It looked old and had images carved on it that showed the history of the Elven kingdoms on it.
Megan opened the door with a wave of her hand. I figured she used magic because that door looked so heavy that I don't even think a monster truck would be able to push it open.
We entered a room that was huge but it was a beautiful room. Natural crystals hung from the ceiling and the walls were embedded with crystals; the torchlight made them reflect the light in the most beautiful way colors danced all around the room.
After I could pull my gaze away from the crystals and their beauty, I realized we were standing in the throne room. Only Loki and his most trusted and loyal guards were there.
"Welcome sweetheart, I am glad to see you heeded my warning. Though I must say it looks like my dear Megan had a bit too much fun. But then again, I think you may have needed more persuading."
He truly was a monster he had no concern for Wendy even though they had been in a relationship how toxic it was they had been in a relationship my anger reached its breaking point.
But before I could speak pain engulfed me my vision blurred and when I could see again, I was standing in front of Loki and a very old elf was standing in front of us Loki was clasping my hand so tightly it felt like he was breaking my bones the old elf looked at me and I could see the sorrow and sympathy in his eyes.
"My lord I cannot do this, the Lady does not willingly wish for this it is against our laws."
Loki gave him a look that turned the old elf as pale as if he had seen a ghost.
"I am sorry my Lady please forgive me."
He took out an old book written in runes and flick through the pages till he stopped at the words for the bonding ceremony.
But just as he started to speak, he was robbed of his voice he literally talked, but no sound came out like he was put on mute. But other than that, he was unharmed.
"What the hell!!!"
Loki screamed, turning to Megan but she looked as confused as the rest of us. I had no idea where he was but instinct told me Alex was here seeing my chance, I blasted Loki with a gust of wind so powerful he went flying across the room turning to face the guard that held Wendy, I made the stone under his feet warm up till it burned threw his shoes he dropped Wendy and using what little time I had I sent a gust of wind to move her to the far side of the room. I turned just in time to see Loki recover but being focused on Wendy I did not see that pandemonium had broken out in the throne room my parents, Tempest, her parents, Dominic, Damien, Aurora, Alex, and what I took to be his parents where all their fighting their way closer to me I felt the love I had for all of them grow so much. I was glad to see them all but my eyes sought Alex and as are eyes locked just as everything was about to be perfect again my world shattered. I saw Alex's eyes change from happy and filled with love to being filled with pain and shock. He stopped and then I saw six blood stains soaking through his shirt and he fell to the floor. Covered in his own blood the stone floor around him was covered in scarlet blood.
"ALEX!!"
My scream was filled with horror and pain. I felt his pain, I felt him slipping away from me.
All around me the people I loved the most and cared about fell to the floor in pain unable to do anything.
Then I heard the only thing that could have pulled me out of my shock and the nightmare in front of me was the sound of Loki's laughter.
I turned to see him standing on the other side of the room Laughing like a maniac.
"Well, this will make things a lot easier, you have your powers back and to be honest I didn't think you would be that powerful. As for your saviors, what happens to them now is up to you."
I saw them, they were in pain and Alex was starting to drift in and out of consciousness.
"Stop this Loki just stop it. I will do whatever you want just stop hurting them."
My loved ones all came to, as the pain left them all but Alex.
"What did you do to him?"
My family and friends were still kind of dazed from the pain but Tempest's mom recovered fast and she heard something in my voice that made her look toward Alex. She gave an audible gasp and started to run towards Alex. I saw her trying to heal his wound but she only succeeded in bringing him back a bit the wounds won't heal.
"What did you do to him Loki?"
My voice was flat and filled with a coldness, I did not know I was capable of. But there was something else in it, power or authority forcing Loki's smile to waver a bit.
"If I can't have you no one can."
"You are killing him?"
I was shocked by this time my family and friends were around Alex. Trying to form a protection circle around him.
"Well yes but I can heal him and let him and your parents and friends go in peace. Unharmed if you marry me out of your own free will."
"The only other way to save him is to kill me and we both know with my gift that will be impossible."
My blood turned cold. I saw my mother. She trembled. Her face was filled with horror and my Dad looked about the same. But it was Tempest and Dominic and Tempie's parents that looked worse because they knew the person I have become. They knew the people I cared about were everything to me and all of them knew how much I loved Alex; they knew I could not let him die, not even to save my own life.
Tears were rolling down my cheeks as I looked at Loki, he was a monster. But he knew he won the battle and the war.
"Fine, I will do it but I want your word, swear by the powers that be you will let them all go and live, and you will leave them and all the Light elves in peace. That is the price I ask of you for my freedom. And you will give me a chance to say goodbye."
The words were just above a whisper but he heard me.
"Fine, you have my word."
He waved his hand at his guards and they parted. I walked through them towards my family because I realized now that that was what they all were. They were my family.
My Dad wanted to start speaking but I cut him off as I used my gift to speak to them all as they were all connected to me either by blood or love.
"Daddy shhh, I have a plan just trust me, and please don't be mad this is the only way."
Where this crazy idea came from, I have no idea what it was like as soon as I was close to them inspiration hit me and I knew what I had to do.
I went to Alex first as he was dying. No one looking at our small group would think it was an odd thing to do.
Tempest's mom and Alex's mom and dad were bent over him but they made space for me so that I was right next to him. I placed his head in my lap. He looked up at me, his eyes full of pain. He struggled and tried to sit up but Tempest's mom's hand was still pressed firmly to his chest trying in vain to save him.
Grabbing my arm, he spoke in a whisper:
'Layla, no you can't marry him!'
'Alex honey, shhh it's going to be ok trust me and I can't let you die. I would not survive it.'
He still struggled and tried to talk but the pain was getting worse and he was still losing blood.
'Layla I can't keep this up much longer, it is taking all my energy."
"I know aunty Amber but I only need a bit more time."
Using my gift, I let my words flow into their minds,
Aurora, can you place a shield of protection around us, please? If you can?
Damien when Loki and everyone are focused on me, please get Wendy to safety.
Daddy, I need you to help Tempest give her as much strength as you can, you will know when.
Tempie, I know what I will ask of you is too much but there is no other way. When I tell you to, I want you to turn everything to ashes and I mean everything.
Mommy, Dominic, uncle Luke and Mr. Night when the time comes, please make sure all the innocent elves are safely away from the castle. I know granny once said druids have spells to move objects, even people if they wish so if possible, save as many as you can. The ones in the dungeons take them to the border where Nutt and Sonne meet.
They looked at me but I knew they understood. Even though they did not know what I planned, as I looked at Alex again my mom looked at me and gave a small nod, she understood she figured out what I was going to do. The only thing that will save us all because we all know Loki will not keep his word.
Leaning over Alex I whispered to him:
"I am sorry, I wanted it to be different and not forced but this is the only way. I wanted it to be special but it has to be now, it is the only way I can save you. When I start talking, just say it in your mind, think it and mean it with all your heart."
He looked up at me and all I saw was his love shining in his eyes. He had a suspicion I saw it in his gaze but he didn't know exactly what I was going to do.
As I was bending forward, I shouted in Aurora's mind.
"AURORA NOW!"
As my lips touched Alex's, Loki screamed and his guards stormed forward but Aroura was truly brilliant; her shield was already in place. As I lifted my lips, I said the ancient words of the bonding ceremony, knowing they will not only marry me and Alex but bind us together and give us each other's powers and abilities.
"What is mine is yours
What's yours is mine
By the powers that be
I bond myself to thee from this day for
All eternity"
As I said the last word and even though I did not hear his words, I heard Alex say every word with me. It was like the moment I kissed him we were connected mind to mind but as soon as the bonding ceremonies words were spoken the bond intensified, we were now connected mind, body, and soul. I felt his soul still trying to drift away, but I now had the power to hold him with me to keep him alive for as long as I lived. It was what my dad did to save my mom for all the years they were imprisoned.
Bright blue and green and the brightest iridescent pink light, I have ever seen swirled around us and I knew the exact moment I received Alex's druid magic. It was amazing I had all his knowledge and knew exactly how to use the power that was so new to me.
As the light faded, I turned to see Loki; he was enraged there was no sign of Megan. But then I think she knew what was going to happen and as much as she loved Loki in her twisted way, she knew he was not so untouchable anymore.
"What did you do!!!!"
He was screaming at me really beyond control.
"What did I do? I made sure Alex will live. See Loki I know you did not plan on letting Alex or my family live? I told you I will not marry you and I will not let you have my power."
He tried to use his wicked gift of pain and death on me but I was faster and I now had the power and skill of a very powerful Druid. Before he could even move his hands to use his gift, I placed a power-binding spell and a spell that turns anyone it is used on into a living statue on him and all of his guard and for good measure anyone that served him willingly. The bright iridescent pink light of my new druid magic swirled outwards around Loki and his guards.
To say he was shocked when he was so easily rendered powerless was an understatement.
"What did you do to me!"
"See Loki, that is your problem. You only think of yourself; you don't care about anyone else. I just did to you what you did to others."
My family and friends did what I asked only my Dad, Tempest, her mom, Aurora, Alex's mom and Alex were still in the throne room with me. Stepping forward I faced Loki but this time not in fear and uncertainty, I faced him as the rightful queen of the Dark Elves.
"I am taking back my crown and my people Loki and as the rightful queen. I sentence you and all that served you willingly to Death. You showed no mercy for others and as my Granny always said you will reap what you sow. You will be shown no mercy."
I used my gift and called to my mom asking her if they and every innocent elf were safely out of the castle. When she answered that they were I waved my hand and opened a portal that will take us to the border of Nutt and Sonne.
Dominic and Damien had returned, I saw as I turned to face my loved ones my mom had sent them back through a portal.
"Damien, Dominic please take Alex through the portal Mrs. Night and Aunty Amber you must go with them."
"Tempie…."
I faltered; I knew I was asking my best friend, something that was too much to ask anyone. But she knew me well enough to, know I did not like what I was asking her but she stepped forward and hugged me.
"It is ok Layla, trust me I have more than enough of my own reasons why I want to see him dead. And you are right he cannot leave here alive."
She turned to my dad and gave him a small bow and asked.
"Your grace when you are ready…."
My dad smiled at her and came to stand next to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Pulling me to stand behind her, Tempest lifted her eyes and looked into Loki's for the first and last time.
"You made a lot of mistakes, your biggest was taking Layla, hurting Granny, and sending your men to kill me, Alex, and the love of my life but the worst thing you did, was trying to force my best friend into marrying you by trying to kill the love of her life, and stealing the romantic moment that should have been their first kiss and wedding. Goodbye, Loki may the powers that be show you more mercy than you have shown others in your life."
Rising her hands blue and red flames sprang to life and engulfed everything they touched where the flames touched the fire turned purple everything turned to ashes. Loki and his guards didn't even have time to scream. We left after that but I knew Tempest made sure there was nothing left of the castle but ashes.
Stepping through the portal was strange but as I stepped out of it the strangeness of it was all forgotten. As my gaze fell on the sight that awaited us there were hundreds of elves, some looked sick, some looked badly hurt, others looked like they were starved and others just looked like they had very hard lives.
Then my gaze found Alex. He was still weak from blood loss but he was sitting up on his own and someone had removed his bloodstained shirt.
That's when I saw it. My mark but it was different than any other mark I have ever seen. Where other marks only covered the arm, shoulder, and neck.
My mark covered not only Alex's arm, shoulder, and neck but the front of his chest and as he turned slightly, I saw it coved the back of his shoulders too.
I wasn't even aware of the fact that I stepped forward until I stood right in front of Alex. I looked at my mark and gasped it was truly beautiful and artistic in its design.
The main design was an iridescent pink and black Celtic heart connected with hundreds of Celtic knots in different designs. It was beautiful but then a thought hit me. What if Alex didn't like it, I mean the heart was pink, a glowing pink for that matter.
But before I could even look up at him, I felt him take my hand.
"I love it honey because it is you in every way. From the color pink, you love so much to the different knots."
"That is the sweetest thing you ever said to me but why it is Celtic knots I don't know."
"That is easy honey you connect two worlds, you're the bridge between two worlds the knots are always connecting also, the knots are all connected to the heart it shows that we are always connected for all eternity."
I hugged him then. I didn't care that everyone was staring. I loved him more than life itself and I knew he loved me just as much.
Epilogue
The next few weeks were a blur we returned to the human world only to get Granny, little Nyx, and Aunty Brie. Granny was overjoyed to see me and also over the fact that Alex and I were now married. Little Nyx was happy and she was flourishing having finally been made part of a family. A family she can call her own. We all love her very much. I love having a little sister.
Aurora returned along with Dominic and Damien of course was always by her side. Their father's trial took place and the Light Elves were out for blood, they felt betrayed by their former King and wanted him to be beheaded but that would have been too hard on his family and Aurora couldn't bring herself to give such an order.
Luckily Aunty Brie stepped in for her daughter-in-law to be and used her gift of persuasion to make the Light Elves agree to eternal banishment instead. So, the former king was banished to the human world for the rest of his life and Alex's parents at the request of Aurora placed a power-binding spell on him to basically strip him of his powers.
After the trial, the real work began. Aurora and I decided to build one castle, spanning the border of Nutt and Sonne. That way we all could live together and we decided to rule over both kingdoms together and unite the two races into one with two rulers that was the best decision
Life truly has become amazing again and happy, everyone is happy. Nutt transformed overnight into a tranquil paradise of flower-covered meadows and tranquil rivers and streams and magical forests filled with deer, rabbits, thousands of birds, and all kinds of animals. It was breathtakingly beautiful.
Alex and I decided that even though we were married we will wait at least two to three years before we move in together. As we were still young and not even finished with high school. And because I gave him my Mark, he will age like I do so we have lots of time. But just to clarify we did make sure to live right next to each other in our very big castle.
Damien and Aurora are planning their wedding and Tempest and Dominic are just happy and enjoy doing everything together. They are planning to travel after high school.
Things are even looking up for Aunty Brie and Dominic's mom. Aunty Brie isn't interested in finding love but rather in finding love in how she lived her life so she started teaching at the new school we built in Nutt and she loves it. Rebuilding two kingdoms and making them into one was not as difficult as it sounds. The citizens all help each other and there is true unity between the two races.
As for Dominic's mom she finally after years in a very bad marriage found true love with my new head guard Nicodemus he was imprisoned because he refused to follow Loki, he is a very nice man he is tall and built like a true warrior with raven black hair with wisps of silver in it. They are happy and we are all happy for them.
Even Wendy came around and truly we will never be the best of friends but she is trying really hard to make up for her past and we all are glad to give her a second chance after all she was really used by Loki, she just didn't realize it until it was too late.
So, life is great and you know Granny was right. My parents had the right idea making two worlds into one was the best thing that could ever have happened.
We know Megan is still out there somewhere and we are pretty sure that one day she will return for revenge after all she was kind of Loki's queen. But until the day comes when she does, we will live life to the fullest. Because after all you only have one life even if it does span centuries….