Hello, sorry for the late update. Thank you Prayergirl, DerpyTheFangirl and everyone else for the reviews. Trolls is not mine. Enjoy!

Chapter #6. Secrets Revealed part 1

Night of the Full Moon

Poppy moaned as she felt something pressed against her neck. It was morning and a second time Branch woke her up with a kiss. He's been more affectionate towards her the last two mornings and she forgets about it later so she hasn't figured out why. Assuming it was to make up for being distance when it came to singing in the castle's Music Room. Poppy tried to get Branch to sing but failed when she caught him humming yesterday. She refused to give up. She'll find a way to get her husband to sing again. She wants to hear his voice if Grandma Rosiepuff said it was like an angels'. Why won't he sing with her? Is he coming down with something? She moaned again when Branch trailed kisses down her neck while pulling her nightgown off her shoulder.

"Mmmm…Branch wha…"

Branch silenced her with a kiss on the mouth while pulling her close. Guess this is the second time Poppy is unable to get any answers. Suddenly there was a knock and the door opened. Branch snarled before turning to see Spruce standing in the doorway.

"Sorry to interrupt." Spruce said. "But John Dory said there's another order of damaged furniture that needs your attention in your workshop."

Branch glared at his older brother, not wanting to stop making love with his wife, said nothing but nodded. Turning to Poppy he said.

"We'll finish this later."

He kissed Poppy again before getting up and went to the closet to fetch his clothes. Once he entered the bathroom, Spruce went over to his sister-in-law, checked her partly exposed chest and sighed when he found nothing out of the ordinary.

"Thank heavens he didn't do it." he said quietly.

But Poppy heard him. "Didn't do what?"

Spruce's eyes widen.

"It's nothing." he quickly said. "Listen if Branch tries to kiss you on your heart don't let him unless you want him to."

Poppy raised an eyebrow as she straightened up her nightgown. "Why?"

"Just do as I say please." Spruce said his eyes glistening.

Poppy nodded when she saw her brother-in-law was upset about something.

"Alright."

"Thank you."

With that, Spruce left the room. Poppy laid on the bed confused. First Clay now Spruce were asking her to do something for them and they said it in desperation. She's sure it has something to do with the curse she heard about two nights ago. But how bad is this curse? And if she should know about it is she ready to handle it? When she asked Branch if something was bothering his older brother he told her he didn't know the whole story. After she got dressed and combed her hair, Poppy went downstairs for breakfast. It was quiet and no one talk much. While helping clean up, she told Grandma Rosiepuff about what happened this morning and Spruce's behaviour.

"Something happened between him and Brandy a few years ago and he's regretted it since." Grandma Rosiepuff said. "It's really Spruce's place to tell you what happened exactly."

"I doubt he'll do it willingly." Poppy said.

"I'm still having trouble getting Branch to sing with me."

Grandma Rosiepuff chuckled. "They're both equally stubborn, Poppy." She said. "But in time, they'll open up."

Meanwhile, unknown to the princess and former queen, Spruce overheard their conversation. Tears threaten to form in his eyes. He didn't want what happened to his wife to happen to Poppy and he can't tell her what happened until after she knows about the family curse.

"It's ok, honey." Brandy said as she placed a hand on her husband's shoulder. "I wasn't mad at you when it happened."

"It shouldn't have happened." Spruce said as he started crying. "I never wanted to hurt you."

"You warned me what happens during the first quarter moon." She said. "I wasn't ready for it."

Brandy picked up Spruce so he could cry in her shoulder.

"It'll be alright, Spruce."

After breakfast, Poppy went to the partly finished Music Room and played music for most of the day. She haven't seen Branch or the other family members for hours and she was getting a little bored. After lunch, Poppy spent time in the library reading since Floyd had locked himself away so he can focus on some damage books he received this morning. Poppy frowned before picking up another book after finishing the first one. It was like everyone was avoiding her. But why? Did she say or do something wrong? As the sun set below the horizon, Poppy shook her head as she suddenly felt a little nauseous. Weird she was fine a few minutes ago. What's going on? Poppy pushed herself off the chair and regretted it as she felt dizzy.

"I need to lay down." Poppy said quietly as she made her way to the secret passage way Floyd showed her a few days ago and went in.

Meanwhile, Branch was trying to focus on fixing a table at his work station but his demon instincts weren't making it easy to do so. It was a fight to remind civil in front of his family and Poppy…Oh no. Branch groaned when he thought of being with his wife. Holding her. Kissing her. Placing his mark on her heart…

"No!" Branch shouted as he slammed his fists on the work station making a loud noise. "I won't give in!"

"That's good."

Branch turned to see John Dory and Spruce standing in the doorway.

"Because we won't let you."

"It's time, little bro." Spruce said as he held up the talisman Branch was suppose to receive days ago.

It was a necklace made of sunstone beads with the symbol Cybil would normally placed on their foreheads once a month inscribed on the large flat sunstone bead in the centre.

Branch nodded as he slowly stood up. It was time to get it over with. As he walked towards the door, he felt the transformation starting to take effect. Before Branch could say anything, there was a sound of someone panting and running in the hall. The king and princes turned to see Clay stopping and lean against the wall so he can catch his breath.

"Guys…have you seen Poppy?" He asked worried.

John Dory, Spruce and Branch shook their heads. Clay groaned.

"This is bad."

"What are you talking about?" John Dory asked. "Poppy wouldn't leave the castle she has to stay for the alliance."

"I know but Floyd said he last saw her in the library reading and when he was about to leave for dinner he couldn't find her. She's gone."

A loud growled filled the air. The brother's eyes widen and turned to see Branch's eyes go from blue to solid black. Spruce nodded when he saw John Dory's do it now look and carefully walked towards his youngest brother.

"It's ok, Branch." He said holding the talisman tightly in his hands. "We'll find Poppy together just put this on."

"NO!"

Before anyone could react, Branch threw Spruce out of the room and he hit the wall in the hallway. John Dory and Clay caught him before he landed on the floor. Still in mid transformation, Branch emerged from the workshop and glared at his brothers before him.

"I will find her and finish what I started."

The princes and king gasped. Branch's voice was deeper and menacing. He screeched as his transformation into his bat demon form completed itself and he flew up to the higher levels of the castle.

"Quick!, we have to find Poppy before he does!" John Dory said as he and Clay help Spruce to his feet.

"No, wait!" Spruce said before looking at the talisman in his hands. "Let's go to their bedroom and get him there."

"What?"

"He's planning to mark Poppy. If we wait for him there and put the talisman on before…"

"He'll have better control over his instincts." John Dory and Clay finished in unison realizing what Spruce was talking about.

"Clay, find Grandma and get her updated. Spruce lets get to Branch's and Poppy's room now!"

Meanwhile. Branch flew around the castle while using his sonic hearing to avoid getting caught. Clay said Poppy was last seen in the library and he knows about the secret passage ways. That would be the best place to look first. Landing in front of the library doors. Branch listened to make sure no one was inside or coming down the hall. Once he was certain no one would stand in his way, Branch open the door and walk inside. He hovered a few feet off the ground so no one will heard his footsteps. There were two secret passage ways. One in Floyd's cataloguing room and the other located near the old collection shelves. Branch flew towards the shelf next to the collections of books dating back a century or two, pulled a fake book back and pressed a button to reveal the entrance. Branch blink when he heard heavy breathing and sound of female voice inside. His mate is in there all right and she's in pain.

"Find her then help her." He thought as he went into the passage way.

Poppy moaned as she sat down on the ground with her back against the wall. She was getting worse and she's not sure if she'll make it to the bedroom before anyone knows she's missing. Poppy took deep breaths and closed her eyes in hopes to settle her stomach so she can continue. She needs to get her mind off her illness.

"I can't sleep here." Poppy thought. "Please let me walk again."

Suddenly, Poppy felt herself being lifted by strong arms. She tried to open her eyes but couldn't. This person felt familiar and furry? Was this person wearing a fur coat? She tried opening her eyes again when she felt soft sheets underneath her. Her vision was blurry but she could tell she was in hers and Branch's bedroom.

"Branch must've found me and brought me here." Poppy thought relieved. She gasped when she felt a hand stroke her forehead.

"Stay here. I'll get you something."

Poppy couldn't recognize the voice. It was deeper then Branch's but concerned. What's going on? What's happening to her? Her vision cleared when the doors opened to reveal John Dory and Spruce looking at her with worried looks on their faces.

"I knew Branch would bring her here." Spruce said as he and John Dory went over to check on the princess.

"So it was Branch." Poppy thought as Spruce felt her forehead.

"She's feverish." He said.

"Poppy listen. Did Branch do anything to you?" John Dory asked.

Poppy shook her head. "No."

"Good. We need you relax and distract Branch. We'll explain everything later, I promise."

Poppy watched as her brothers-in-law hid in the closet leaving the door open. She was wondering if whatever she caught was affecting her brain but said nothing while she laid on the bed and closed her eyes again. Her eyes opened when she felt something being poured into her mouth and a hand rubbing her throat. The liquid was gold in colour and felt warm like heat from a fireplace. Once she finished, Poppy noticed she started to feel better. What was that?

"Thank you…" Poppy turned to see a bat-like creature laying next to her. "Branch? No…you can't…"

The creature chuckled before he crawled over and wrapped his arms around Poppy.

"You don't recognize me?" He asked. "Surely you recognize this."

He held up his left hand. Poppy's eyes widen. The monster was wearing her husband's wedding band. No, it can't be! But then…

"You are Branch."

'Branch' nodded and nuzzled Poppy's cheek.

"Brains as well as beauty." He said.

Poppy felt her heart race in fear. It's clear as day but how could it be Branch? Is this the family curse Spruce and Floyd talked about? She was not ready for this and Clay was right to ask her not to pry into their business. Now she wants to get away. Even if she can't go back to the Troll Tree anywhere was better then here. She tried to get away but 'Branch' tighten his hold on her.

"Where are you going?" he asked. "We have to finished what we started this morning."

"What would that be exactly?" Poppy asked even though she's afraid to know the answer.

"We demons mark our mates so no one will take them away from us." 'Branch' explained. "You gave me your virginity on our wedding night. Now I must bite you on your heart to make the union complete."

"I thought our rings did that."

"That's not the demon way."

"But you're not a demon."

'Branch' stroke Poppy's hair as he undid her dress. She whimpered when he pulled the top down revealing her bra.

"Please don't…"

'Branch' kissed Poppy before laying her back down on the bed.

"Just relax." He said as he stroke her heart. "It'll be over soon."

"Someone help me!"

"Get him now!"

John Dory jumped out the closet and turned into his bull demon form. He ran over and pulled his little brother off his sister-in-law.

"Quick! The talisman!"

"Hold him still!"

"I'm trying!"

Poppy really couldn't take it anymore. Not caring if she was indecent, she ran out of the room and into the hall while the king and prince fought to restrain their bat demon brother.

Meanwhile, Spruce and John Dory struggled to get Branch to hold still long enough to get the talisman around his neck. The king finally pinned the youngest prince to the ground so Spruce could slip the talisman onto him. Once it was around his neck, the symbol glowed as Branch cried out in pain.

"I was so close." he said before becoming motionless on the floor.

The brothers breathed a sigh of relief. They stopped Branch from doing something he would regret. Spruce turned away as he remembered what happened the night of the first quarter moon he spent with Brandi after moving away from the Southern Lands. He marked her against her will before Cybil had a chance to give him the talisman needed to control his demon instincts. He heard her screaming but he didn't hold back as he bit her heart. He wished he could take back what happened. But there's no changing the past. All he can do is live with it forever. John Dory put his ring back on and returned to his troll form before placing a hand on Spruce's shoulder.

"It's ok." John Dory said. "It's in the past and we saved Poppy and Branch from the same fate."

"Brandi said that to me when I marked her." Spruce sobbed. "'You're not a demon!' she said! And no one stopped me! Not even Cybil could've stop me in time."

While comforting the distraught prince, John Dory failed to noticed he has another brother to worry about. Branch groaned as he pushed himself off the floor and looked at his older siblings with red snake eyes.

"What's going on?" he asked confused. "Where's…"

Branch turned back to the bed and remembered what happened.

"Poppy!"

Branch spread his leather wings and flew out of the room with his brothers close behind him.

Poppy ran down the stairs to the main hall. She reached the doors and tried to open them only to find they were locked.

"No!" Poppy moaned as she pulled on the handles.

Her eyes widened when she felt a warm hand on her shoulder.

"You can't go out at night, Poppy."

She turned to see Clay standing behind her.

"It's dangerous out there."

"It's dangerous here!" Poppy said as she turned around.

Clay turned away. Poppy looked down to see her dress was still undone and quickly covered her front.

"I'm sorry I can't stay here! I can't do this! I want out!"

Clay and Poppy looked up when they heard footsteps coming from the stairway. It was John Dory and Spruce.

"Guys." Clay said as he approached his brothers. "Did you take care of Branch?"

"Yeah, we did." John Dory answered. "Now we need…Branch no!"

Branch landed behind Poppy and pulled her away from the doors while covering her mouth with his clawed hand and not listening to the king.

"It's ok." Branch said. "It's over."

Poppy kept struggling.

"Please, Poppy. Don't leave me."

Poppy stopped. She heard that sentence before. The dreams. They were about…Poppy thought nothing as she crashed from the adrenaline rush.

The royal family stared in silence for a few minutes before Clay spoke up.

"What just happened?"

"She passed out from the ordeal."

Everyone turned to see Grandma Rosiepuff enter the hall.

"Take her to bed. We'll fill her in tomorrow night."