Original Stories Fan Fiction ❯ Priestess of the Moon: Return of the Lunar Dragon ❯ Transformation ( Chapter 3 )

Lord Aubrey paced in the throne room. He had heard of the attack in Blackwolf and how people had seen his daughter before the attack. There had been no news if she had survived.

 

He thought that the werewolves crossing the Sea Dragon Spine were bad enough. It proved that the prophecy that the Futuresighter had told him a hundred years ago was coming true, or just merely coincidence. Now he had the problem with the orcs trying to take over. There hadn't been an orc problem since his grandfather ruled. Now they were back. If he could find a way to wipe out both orcs and werewolves from this planet, then his problems would be solved. Both were fouling his plans.

 

Flexing his hands, Aubrey allowed his fingernails turn into wicked, black claws. He growled under his breath. Just when the time was coming, he had to be troubled with these minor problems that could ruin everything. Not counting the fact that his daughter was missing. She was the key to all of this.

 

A guard came in and Aubrey quickly allowed his claws to turn back into fingernails once more. He turned around as the guard bowed. “My Lord,” the guard said, “news of your daughter, Lady Kiya.”

 

“What s it,” Aubrey said, walking swiftly over to the guard.

 

“People, survivors, of Blackwolf saw her leave during the attack. She and her companion got away safely.”

 

“Oh thank the Gods,” Aubrey whispered. He was so glad that Kiya, and Mitt of course, were safe. That was one problem that he didn't have to worry about anymore.

 

“But my Lord,” the guard continued, “they saw her leave with a man. My Lord, that man was a werewolf.”

 

And yet, one problem is replaced with another. Aubrey was suddenly filled with fury. If that werewolf said anything, especially to his daughter… then the prophecy…

 

“Find them!” he roared, “Find them and bring them here! And I want that werewolf alive!”

 

~*~

 

Kiya lay beside Reiku in the tent as rain fell outside and thunder rumbled in the distance. She snuggled close to Reiku under the blankets, enjoying the closeness of him. Reiku wrapped his arm tightly around her and lightly kissed her forehead at the hairline. Kiya looked into his golden hazel eyes, falling into their warm depths. Did she really ever despise the man she was laying with now? It seemed ages ago. And yet, how could she have fallen in love with him so quickly? She had just met him, but it seemed like she'd known him her entire life.

 

A few strands of his slightly damp hair fell down, slightly hiding his eyes and Kiya smiled. “Do you love me Reiku?” she asked, stroking back the hair from his eyes.

 

Reiku looked at Kiya and smiled. “I think I was in love with you the first time I saw you.”

 

Kiya smiled and rested her head on Reiku's chest. “I like this,” she said, wrapping her arm around his middle. Reiku began to stroke her hair gently. “I like laying here with you. Could we do this every night?”

 

Reiku sighed sadly. “Not tomorrow night though,” he said softly.

 

Kiya lifted her head up quickly and looked up at him. “Why not?”

 

Reiku looked at her sadly. “Full moon, remember?”

 

“Oh,” Kiya said softly. She sat up, wrapping the blankets around her to keep out the chill. She stared off, not really seeing anything. “I… I forgot,” she whispered.

 

Reiku sat up and wrapped his arms around her from behind. “I know,” he said, “it's hard. I keep forgetting that you're…”

 

“We both live as long. We use to get along so well before. Why can't our kind forget the past? It would be so much easier for us.” Kiya leaned against Reiku, liking the warmth he gave her. “The only difference we have is that your kind can turn into wolves, but that small thing sets my kind on your kind's throats.”

 

“You know that's not all of it,” Reiku said.

 

“I know, but I don't want to go there.” Kiya pressed herself closer to Reiku. A tear began to fall down her cheek. “It's just that, when you bring me home, I'll never see you again.”

 

“We'll see each other again,” Reiku said softly, but Kiya knew his words were empty. It also didn't help that she felt a tear hit her shoulder, letting her know that he, too, was crying.

 

Pressing her face against his shoulder, she allowed the tears to flow freely. “If anyone sees us together,” she sobbed softly, “my father will have you killed.”

 

Reiku took in a shuddering breath. “Let's not talk about this anymore,” he said. He lifted Kiya's head from his shoulder and held her head with both hands. “Let's enjoy the time we have now, and maybe we'll find a way for us to be together.”

 

Kiya nodded and gave him a soft smile. “Alright,” she whispered, “I trust you.”

 

~*~

 

The sun was almost set and already, Reiku could feel the change begin. He had them start camp early. He tried to fight the will to change, and it hurt, but he knew that he was fighting a lost battle. He let out a soft groan as he set up the tent.

 

“Are you alright?” Kiya asked him gently.

 

Reiku started to nod, but another ripple of pain ran through him. “I'm… trying… to fight…”

 

Kiya eyes widened when she realized what he was saying. “Reiku, don't fight it. Not if it's hurting you.

 

Reiku looked at her with pain-filled eyes. “I can't change… with you…” He groaned and dropped to his knees. The sun had long ago set, the two moons, Kiadi's moon and Daorth's moon, were rising. Daorth's moon, nearly invisible in the night sky, was always full, but Kiadi's moon was the one that triggered the change. If he fought anymore, he could kill himself. But he couldn't change with Kiya near.

 

Kiya knelt beside him. “Go on,” she said, “I know who you are. Your transformation won't change anything between us.”

 

Reiku looked at Kiya's eyes and he stopped fighting. The change took over, turning him into a bear-size, black wolf. He whimpered and flinched from Kiya. He knew that she was looking at her people's most hated enemy, and it pained him.

 

Kiya reached out slowly and stroked his muscular neck. “You're a beautiful wolf. The most beautiful creature I have ever seen.”

 

Reiku wagged his tail slightly, his spirits lifting. She didn't care, which let him know that she really did love him. He thrust his head against Kiya's chest and whimpered happily. Kiya hugged him tight.

 

~*~

 

“Yay! Crossroads! We're almost home!” Mitt cried, practically bouncing in her saddle. Kiya couldn't help but feel down.

 

The night before had been hard, but once she snuggled next to Reiku in his wolf form, she had felt content. She now knew that she could do this. Her love for him was true. But their time together was growing shorter. Soon she'll have to leave him, and probably never see him again.

 

Reiku nudged his stallion forward. He scratched at his arm fiercely. Since changing back, he had been scratching all over. It was because of the fur he had had the night before. But Reiku assured her that he would be fine by midday.

 

As they neared the city, Kiya saw guards at the gate and she frowned slightly. Something didn't feel right. When they got to the gate, a guard stopped them. Kiya saw them surround Reiku and then it hit her. Her father sent these guards to find them. Then that meant that he knew what Reiku was. Fear gripped her chest and she wanted to tell Reiku to run, but it was too late. Her eyes locked on Reiku's and she knew that he knew what was going on as well. She felt tears prick the back of her eyes and she couldn't help but feel guilt. Oh, Reiku, I'm so sorry.