Chapter IV

Kathy gazed at his sleeping frame as she lay on the green grass. She felt a sharp pain in her abdomen and realized she had forgotten to take her medicine. The pains became more excruciating with every passing second. Beads of sweat had formed round her forehead. She shook Kyle's shoulder, waking him up abruptly.

"What is it now Kathryn? Can't a guy get some sleep around you?" He whined. Staring at her pale face, he said, "What happened?"

"I need to get going," she said hurriedly.

"What happened?"

She hadn't told Kyle about her medicine. Looking back at him, she said, "It's late."

"You didn't think it was late when you snuck into my room. Or when you dragged me out here for a walk," he complained.

"Go home Kyle," she smiled. "I could walk you home," he suggested.

"I'm very sure that I can go home myself. I'm not a child. Besides, I just told you to go home."

"Suit yourself," he said, walking into the forest. She picked up the cloak that lay on the grass. Throwing it over her shoulder, she stared at the moon once last time. The immense pain she felt in her abdomen jolted her back to reality. Without wasting any more time, she ran into the forest, taking a different route.

****

He walked effortlessly into the dungeon where the enchantress lay. He hated the fact he had to do the same routine every night. She peered up to him with her seductive green eyes. "What a lovely surprise Andreas! I haven't seen you since forever."

"Save your chatter for later Sarah," he said in his emotionless voice. "I can't help it, I've missed you," she smiled, caressing his cheeks. He pulled her hands off his face, making her frown. "I'm not weak minded Sarah, I know your little games."

"You accuse me of so much Andreas. Tell me, did I do anything wrong?" She pouted.

He chuckled briefly. "I don't know what my father sees in you that he kept you alive this long. I would have you hung if I were in his place."

"Such a decisive leader," she commented, "I should be afraid."

She ran her fingers through his silky black hair, roughening it. Once again, he pulled her hands away. "I don't trust you one bit Sarah," he hissed, "The moment you get out of those bars, we both know you'll turn against us."

"True, but you should at least give me a chance," she sulked. "However, you aren't to blame. I blame your father for this, he put you up to me."

"You should be careful of what you say Sarah, many people aren't a patient as my father. Besides, on the next full moon, you two are going to be married."

"Which means I will become your stepmother. I don't like it. Also, if I am to become queen, shouldn't I be released?"

"You ask too much of me," he said, walking away. "But can you…"

The sound of a howl interrupted their conversation. "What was that?" Sarah cried. "How would I know, aren't you the sorceress?" he asked, also wanting to know what made the sound. "Maybe your father would know," he mumbled. He threw a quizzical look at her. "Maybe…" she said once more. Tired of her debates, he made his way out of the dungeon and into the throne room. There, his uncles and the high ranking generals sat, also pondering on what made the noise.

"Silence!" The king ordered. Immediately, the room became quiet. "I know we are all here to discover what made that sound."

The chattering among the crowd resumed once more. Once again, the king ordered for silence. "What do you think made the noise?" He inquired.

"It could be a bear…"

"Or a bull…"

"Bears and bulls don't howl. It could be a werewolf…" General Montague suggested. Once again, the throne room went into uproar. The king calmed them down. "If it is a werewolf, then we will go to battle with them!"

The crowd cheered. Andreas stayed at the end of the crowd, running his tongue over his fangs. "This should be nice," he thought, "Another decade of bloodshed and chaos. Do they know how much we lose in these meaningless wars with the dogs?"

"Then it is settled," the king said in his sonorous voice. "We will organize a search party to find out what made the noise and if it is indeed a werewolf, it means war!"

 He walked back into the dungeon where Sarah was. "What do you know about this?" He snarled.

"I know nothing about this! Don't you believe me?"

"Of course I do," he said, rolling his eyes. "They want to go to war with the werewolves."

"Why would they do that? I thought they signed a treaty after the abduction of one of their queens?" she asked.

"The treaty was more or less of a formality. We all know there's no love lost between the werewolves and vampires. Did you have any hand in this, enchantress?"

She raised her hands in the air in submission. "I believe the jig is up! Of course I led a werewolf into our territory while I was in the dungeon and had my hands bound up with these cursed chains that prevent me from using magic," she said sarcastically.

He punched the wall in defeat. "You better make sure the king does marry you because if he doesn't, there's nothing stopping me from killing you myself."

He walked towards the door. As he was turning the knob, he looked at her for one last time. He sighed as he walked out the dungeon. Seeing he was gone, she pulled the pin out of her hair, picking the lock on her wrists. The chains fell with a clang. She had a sultry smile on her face as she rubbed her wrists with her head. "You'll never learn Andreas," she said aloud before opening her spell book, muttering the spells in it.