AN: a new story because I am a thing with no impulse control apparently. I know, I know, I have no business starting another when The Companion and Season of the Witch are there but I promise this is the last one *twitches like an addict*. Was just dealing with some writer's block when this all came to me. No beta, just me and my mistakes. Enjoy!
WARNING: Mature language, acts and behavior of bigotry, derogatory language, some sexual content. Rated M.
1. By the order of the king
The walls were made of stone so magnificent and tall. The green moss that covered it did not take away from its beauty, rather it added an aged appeal that made it much fearsome as though it were devouring the earth around it. Bonnie explored it all wide eyed like a newborn babe seeing shape for the first time. It was not the first walled city they'd encountered but Mystia was a city like no other. Since their entry into the surrounding Lupine Empire she'd been eagerly awaiting to see it. The stories from other traveling clans painted a picture of vast wealth and creatures of sharpened teeth.
"Close your mouth child or the flies shall make a home there," Caroline teased.
Bonnie playfully shoved her with her shoulder, "Who do you call child? We are both nearly the same age."
"Well shut your mouth either way. We are only near the outskirts and you are already enthralled. If we make it inside the city, I fear that you will shit yourself," the blonde stated, earning herself another smack on the arm.
"Girls behave," Sheila's no-nonsense tone chastened the two from the front of the caravan. "If you stop your chattering then perhaps, we may yet make it before nightfall."
"But I'm so excited grandmother!" Bonnie skipped causing her golden bracelets and headpieces to jingle. "I've always wanted to see Mystia."
"A fact we have not heard before," her cousin Lucy said sarcastically. "Personally, I do not understand your fascination with the city of wolf men and their clan. They are monsters to be avoided."
"Lucy!" Sheila sharply admonished her other granddaughter. "Stop such speak at once. We are about to enter their territory and beseech them for shelter. You cannot carry such talk with you." Lucy glared but held her tongue.
"Besides that's not fair to them. How many people have called us devils and succubus because of who we are? It would be hypocritical to cast such blame on another we have yet to meet ourselves," Bonnie reasoned playing with the cloth of her skirt.
"I will admit I am afraid of them. How they turn into beasts at night only to return to men the next day," Caroline said fiddling with her sisters' dark curls.
"How is that different from what we do?" Bonnie twitched her fingers to form a glow of blue light.
Lucy slapped her arm, "No showing off."
"Girls," Sheila warned. It was not always safe to practice magic so indiscriminately in public view. Many did not like witches.
"I have heard stories of the wolf king. Did he not slay his Father to gain the throne?" The tales of war of Brethor had gone far and wild. Niklaus the third son of the king slew his father, took his army and laid waste to the army of Parva. Many said that he was the reincarnation of the wolf god Fenrir.
"To avenge his sister," Bonnie defended. She had heard them too so she could empathize in a way. She too had lost a sister once.
"He cut off the head of the Patran king and sent it to his son I heard," Lucy piped up.
"Now that's just brutal," Caroline frowned.
"Unfortunately, such is the way of the world," Sheila admitted to her granddaughters. "Not everyone lives as we do, in service of nature and the earth. Behind those walls is a world of danger and caution. That is why I expect you girls not to wander off." The last words were a warning.
"Yes grandmother," all three girls echoed. The warning was more for Bonnie who tended to be more easily distracted than the other two. It was the volatile nature of the wild magic within her still being harnessed.
Sheila sighed wearily as she turned back to see them still whispering excitedly amongst themselves. She loved those girls with all her heart and wished more for them than to travel around as strangers.
The curse of their clan since they were driven away from the lands in the mountains hundreds of years ago. Their gifts in the craft helped them survive by trading favors and healing. The dancing entertained many, especially the men whose eyes were drawn to their fluid waists and kohl-lidded eyes. Beauty was both their curse and blessing. It made them both coveted and hated in equal measure. Protection needed to be guaranteed at all times. No small task for the aging matriarch of a dwindling witch clan.
Bonnie, her youngest, was easily the most fetching of them all. Caroline and Lucy had charmed enough men to lead an army but Bonnie had the most skill with the craft. Such power was intoxicating to many who would see her as a wife or a slave. Or both. Their kind was already very few in number so to possess a witch was a plus to many.
To possess a powerful witch like Bonnie was the dream of kings.
They had reached the city gate with little light left in the sky when they were stopped by the men guarding the gates. "Stop, who are you?"
The guards regarded the group with suspicion. Travelers were common enough but these ones seemed unique with their bare feet on the ground, gold ornaments and eyes covered in dark markings.
Sheila stood straight, "We are travelers. We wish to pass through the city for temporary refuge. We will stay no more than two moons."
One guard stepped forward. Caroline shifted closer to her cousin but Lucy held her arm in comfort. He spoke gruffly, "And what have you to trade?"
"Supplies and healing," Sheila's voice was steady. "We have wares to trade."
The guard raised an eyebrow, "Healing? We have enough medicine men in Mystia. Why should we allow your kind?" the dripping disdain was not hidden. Many regarded all nomads as uneducated tree-huggers.
"We are witches," Bonnie added boldly. "We also dance."
Caroline winced at her lack of tact. Sure, they would discover eventually but one had to be delicate in such matters. It was difficult to know those who tolerated them and those who did not. But Bonnie had always been the bold and headstrong one. Even now she stood unafraid at the scrutinizing gazes of the soldiers. Caroline wished she could be as bold as her sister sometimes.
"Well," the second guard drawled. His eyes were firmly on her full breasts and bare midriff which exposed the jewelry on her navel. Dancing witches were an enticing prospect.
"That is certainly interesting. We will consult with the hand of the king which will let us know if we are to allow you entry."
"Thank you," Sheila said softly.
"I'm sure the hand will be very interested in the presence of witches."
Elijah Mikealson was a busy man. He'd been that way for about ten years ever since his brother took the throne of Mystia. Many times, he'd slept in his office overwhelmed with matters of land and settling the whining of the court. Servants knew to serve him his meals there.
So, any news that had the ability to let the right hand of the king out of his office was significant. Elijah reached his brother's chambers. He nodded curtly at the two guards stationed only pausing at the sound of items shattering and shrill screaming.
"The queen is inside," one of the guards said by way of explanation.
Well that explained it.
The door was yanked open and the irate queen rushed out hair flying wildly, skin flushed and sneer visibly distorting her otherwise attractive features. Elijah groaned internally knowing her ire was about to be turned unto him. "Your brother is a bastard! Tell him I will never give him the satisfaction. I will remain married to him until I die!"
"I'll pass whatever message you could not Aurora," He said with the unfailing politeness he was known for. She stomped away still cursing and shouting to herself. And to think she was known as the Rose of Marta. Terribly un-rose-like behavior.
Niklaus seemed unperturbed by this behavior as he sat goblet of wine in hand with both legs crossed on his desk. His tunic was unbuttoned revealing a scratch that had begun to heal already. "Fenrir's cock, that woman is shrill," he remarked.
Elijah stood hands folded, "Well we've all been subject to it for the past four years. It gets rather melodious now."
Klaus chuckled, "Good to know your sense of humor has not dwindled. I was beginning to get worried when you sent the last bedmate I gifted away."
"I'm not funny because I won't fuck anyone?"
"No, you're boring and rigid because you won't fuck anyone," Klaus stood up to pour himself another drink.
Elijah rolled his eyes, "So what was our dear Queen shrieking about now?"
Klaus shuffled through the parchments on his desk, "I told her I want an annulment." he looked to see what his brother would say already expecting the usual arguments. He had hinted it months ago but never outrightly said it.
Elijah remained silent for a moment. "Surely you can see how that might be a problem. We need the alliance with Marta."
Klaus dropped his cup and threw up his hands in frustration, "The alliance requires an heir. Four years and she is yet to grant me a single child. Not even a girl. I would have gladly petitioned the council to allow me a female heir. But her womb is as dry as dust."
Elijah understood his brothers' point very well. Years ago, after the war Marta had come with an offer of alliance through marriage. King Richard de Martel was a coward but a smart enough one. Marta had been neutral during the battle of Brethor. To secure his kingdom and remain in power he offered his daughter Aurora in marriage with the promise of heirs to rule. Klaus had united the lands of Mystia, Leptia and Orleans under one rule called the Lupine Empire. He ruled as emperor although not commonly referring to himself as such.
He married their sister Rebekah to the king of Orleans, Marcel Gerard, a bastard who he helped ascend the throne after killing his father on the condition that he aided him in the battle.
"But you still have no viable option for a bride Niklaus," Elijah explained. "And the Martans have benefitted us so far. We need their grain and cattle."
"Yes, yes I've heard it a thousand times," Klaus waved feeling a headache come on. "But Aurora has been nothing but a liability and I need an heir. We both know it's not me." shortly after his ascension a seer prophesied three healthy children would be born of him. The seer was trustworthy and all her prophecies had come true without fail.
"So, what do you plan to do now?" Elijah sat down on the chair in front of the desk.
Klaus shrugged, sauntering near the windows. The golden hue of the torches illuminated his face. "I need an heir. You have refused to marry so I cannot adopt any child of yours yet. Irina is but a year old and heiress to the throne of Orleans already. Kol does not favor the company of women so he is out of it." Elijah did not say it aloud but he did not want any child of his to become king. The burden and dangers of the crown were more than exemplified in Niklaus. Elijah loved and was grateful to his brother. If it were not for his act of rebellion their family would remain unavenged.
He was seen as the brutal wolf king but he only became that way due to the heartbreak of losing their sister Freya and brother Finn. And their father's inability to do anything about it. Mikeal had been a useless king; he had no pleasure in ruling but preferred to waste his time visiting whores, drinking himself to sleep and gambling. Mystia was left nearly bankrupt under him. The house of Mikealson had become a laughing stock under his reign.
Until Niklaus took a sword and drove it into his heart.
His short time as king brought them prosperity, safety and peace. But being king was still no easy task. Elijah was content as hand of the throne advising his brother and seeing certain matters. Still, what use was a mighty king with no heir to carry his legacy?
"Aurora is a fucking headache I need to purge. Richard knows better than to cross me," Klaus declared, taking another gulp of wine. "By the way, what did you want to see me for?"
Elijah was reminded of why he left his desk. "There is a nomadic clan requesting to enter the city."
"And this concerns me because? I thought you'd taken it upon yourself to vet everyone who enters these walls. You promised not to bother me with it," Klaus plopping himself on one of the velvet sofas. Elijah as the hand created a system to vet people coming into the city. It became necessary after a few assassins made their way in.
His brother smirked, "They are witches."
That caused Klaus to freeze.
Witches were rare and practically endangered at this point. Many were driven out of their homes in the mountains of the east hundreds of years ago during a slaughter by the tribes of Septa, the dark casters. They were forced to wander about from place to place. There had been a hundred clans which now dwindled to only a few dozen. Many feared them and what they could do but Klaus was more on the side of admiration when it came to displays of power.
Elijah knew his brother had a certain fascination with witches. It all started when the seer, Ayanna, had told him as a boy that he would be tamed by a powerful witch of great beauty. Since then he'd studied their histories and tried to trace the remainder of them. Not an easy task since many of them concealed themselves for safety as they travelled.
Now it seemed Fenrir was smiling upon him once more. Klaus immediately jumped off the couch and buttoned his tunic. "I want to see these witches. Allow them into the palace."
"Look at that. The wolf king himself rushing to meet mere nomads," Elijah teased.
His brother gave him a sharp look, "I don't like you this funny."
Elijah liked being funny very much.
"What do you think he wants from us?" Caroline nervously asked holding firmly to her cousin and sister as they were led through the impressive doors of the palace. Bonnie was too busy admiring the large halls filled with portraits of past rulers, the fine armor of the guards and the soft feel of the carpets beneath her feet. One would think she'd missed the odd and fascinated looks they got as they walked through the city.
"The king obviously wants to keep us as pets and make us his dancing monkeys," Lucy muttered.
"Hush girls," Sheila instructed, mindful of the ears of their escorts. The guards had come back to say that the king himself had requested their presence in the palace. She took it in cautious stride praying to the goddess that all they would have to endure were a few tricks.
"I wonder if the wolf king is handsome," Caroline said, earning a snort from the two other girls. "What? I'm merely curious!"
"If we're lucky he bathes regularly," Lucy snarked. "Remember that lord from Rosehaven?"
Bonnie groaned at the memory. He had been particularly handsy after they danced and wanted to bed her, only for her to realize to her horror that he did not favor brushing or bathing. They had to leave almost immediately that night. The three giggled until the guard beside him cleared his throat stopping them all in their step. Sheila clenched a fist to summon magic to her fingertips in case it was necessary.
"Why are we stopping?" Lucy eyed the guard.
"This is the throne room. The king and the hand are waiting. I suggest you straighten yourself and bow with respect once introduced. If that is a concept you lot can understand," He stated with a sneer. Lucy was just about to say something sharp in response when the large oak doors opened to reveal a room covered in gold and red.
The colors of the house of Mikealson.
The four women walked in wary. Despite its beauty, they were still entering the lion's den. Or rather, the wolf's lair.
Seated on a large throne adorned in white gold with the image of a wolf engraved on the center, was a tall blonde man with blue eyes. Bonnie couldn't help but shiver underneath his pinned gaze. She was unfazed with the attention of men used to it since she saw her first period. But he made her feel like she was being seen for the first time, every inch of her body touched by his eyes.
Niklaus Mikealson, the wolf king. The king of Mystia and emperor of the Lupine Empire.
Seated beside him was a darker haired man who looked more collected. The hand of the king.
"And who might I have the pleasure of entertaining today?" the king asked, his voice a rich low baritone that made her tingle.
Oh my.
Sheila stepped forward, "Your Majesty, I am Sheila Bennett, the queen of this clan. These are my granddaughters Caroline, Lucy and Bonnie."
His eyes never left her. "Bonnie. She is your youngest I presume?"
"Yes," Sheila answered.
"How many are in your clan?" Elijah questioned studying all four women.
"We are but a humble forty men, women and children in our clan," Sheila answered. "Conditions have dwindled our numbers greatly as I'm sure you're aware already."
"Yes," Klaus drawled. "Witches are in low supply."
"Hence why we come humbly seeking refuge, your Grace," She bowed her head slightly. "We seek to replenish our wares and rest before our journey to the Northern lands for the winter."
"The north? Why there specifically?" Elijah leaned back, placing both arms on the armrest. It did not escape him how his brother's eyes bored into the youngest witch. He did not blame him. With her waist long hair, golden trinkets on both hands and ankles, kohl lidded eyes and voluptuous body even he had lingered more than he'd liked. The talk of witches and their beauty was not a rumor. Her sisters as well were immensely striking.
"Our sister is married to the lord there. We are allowed safe haven there for the winter," Bonnie answered instead. From the look the others gave her it seemed they hadn't wanted her to speak. Interesting.
"So, what shall you offer us for this show of hospitality?" Klaus draped himself on the throne. "What magic can you do?"
"Healing mostly, your Grace," Bonnie answered before Sheila could. "We also dance for entertainment and trade wares from other lands. I can do other things though."
"Other things?" He repeated with interest leaning forward. "Show us then little witch."
Without fear Bonnie walked closer going up the short steps until she was merely inches away from the throne. The guards flanking him moved to stop her but Klaus waved them off. He was itching to see what she could do.
Muttering to herself Bonnie cupped her hands together and gently blew into it. Releasing her hands two butterflies flew out and perched on the kings' hand.
"By the gods," one of the guards said, unable to contain his shock. Klaus looked completely flabbergasted. Here was the power he'd been searching for standing before him. He raised his hand slowly watching the butterflies before they flew away. "Can all your clan do this?"
"No," Bonnie admitted. "I am the only one whose limits are widened."
"Bonnie is the most talented of us," Sheila couldn't contain the pride in her voice.
"Indeed," Klaus muttered. "Your clan is most welcome in my kingdom but on one condition."
"Yes, your Grace?"
Klaus reached for Bonnies' hand standing up from his throne. He easily towered over her, her head just coming under his chin. It was pleasant her petite she was despite harnessing such power. The feeling of his cool rings pressed against her hand sent goosebumps through Bonnie. Even her magic burned underneath her finger tips.
"I would ask that you and your granddaughters stay here in the palace instead of an inn. I would be honored to receive you as guests," He kissed Bonnie's hand. Caroline and Lucy widened their eyes while Sheila looked on with reluctance.
"The honor would be ours, my king," Bonnie said softly.
So should I continue or is this shit?