like death calling

...heart heavy with a profound sense of defeat.

Crown found herself at the entrance of Mora. Her mind was scattered and everything that was happening felt overwhelming. Maybe Nalu could offer some comfort but even now she felt like a burden to her best friend or anyone else for that matter.

"Honey is mad at me, everyone is. I'm definitely going to die in a loveless marriage. I'm very sure the villagers hate me all over again. I just feel like I can't breathe." She was talking to herself as tears ran down her face. "What do I do?" She turned back ready to go anywhere else she could be alone.

"How long are you going to make me wait on you to enter?" Miss Neoma said startling Crown.

"Miss Neoma I— I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Crown said sadly. She thought for a second that truly no one had been around and she didn't hear any sound of one walking, so where had miss Neoma come from.

"Are you alright child? Neoma walked towards her, her simple green dress flowed to the ground, her feet, bare.

Crown shook her head vigorously sending her hair into a dance of their own. "I don't know."

"Come on. Come inside and tell me all you can possibly tell." Neoma led her inside.

"I don't want to be a burden to you. I'm sure you are busy."

"Oh child, you are correct in a way. But I won't turn away a crying lady, now would I? That will be too cruel." She explained. "Also I could use the distraction, there's just a lot happening right now."

"With your business? How is it going?" Crown asked concerned as they now walked into the foyer of Mora.

She didn't notice the sadness and worry that flashed across Neoma's face for a split second. "Don't worry your little head about my business. Tell me the reason there's so much tears in your eyes." She led Crown to a private parlour she only use to come rest and read. The room colored in a dark shade of pink and green ornaments held the fresh aroma of ginger tea and something sweet.

Crown sat on a cushion as she explained all that had transpired earlier as well as her confusion on the matter. She still didn't understand how the people from Tahu suddenly had a change of heart and thought to pick her as the bride to be.

"I'm going to die Miss Neoma. This feels like death calling, not a marriage."

"Aw, listen to me," Neoma wiped away a lone tear that was starting to fall. Her voice soft and calm. "I can see how this is going to seem like a difficult time in your life. Marrying a being from Tahu is the first of its kind in over five hundred years, and I understand your fears. Believe me I do, but can you trust that maybe destiny has some amazing plan for your life and is only just intervening."

Crown looked up, half surprised at what she just heard. "Miss Neoma I am scared of the unknown, of what it means to be part of that world, and from what I've witnessed it isn't going to end well. Why would destiny treat me so?"

"What you've witnessed?" Neoma asked. "What did you witness Crown?" Her tone got very serious.

"It's nothing." She shook her head and shut her eyes as the memory became fresh again.

"Do tell."

"I was almost— killed by one of them years ago."

"Almost? They don't almost kill you," Neoma replied frowning.

"Honey said the same."

"If it didn't kill you, whatever it was. Why can't you chose to see that destiny is on your side and probably has something amazing in store for your life, something bigger than us all, and this may be it." Neoma said with a distant look in her eyes.

"It's hard to see, I can't see it especially with that experience."

"I know it is, little one. It's natural to feel this way, especially with all that's happened as I now know, especially when you're about to enter a world so different from your own." She carefully chose her words but Crown failed to notice. "But remember, love has a remarkable way of transcending boundaries and bringing people together in a way that almost seems magical."

"Love? Love?" Crown asked as she chuckled. "I do not know who this person is as does he. How could he possibly love me? Are they even capable of such feeling?"

"Don't be quick to judge what you do not know. If animals can show love to their own why can't the creatures of Tahu do same?"

"I'm not one of them!" Crown stood up to pace. "The only feeling we share amongst ourselves is hatred. They cant—" her voice broke. She turned to look out the large arched window as more tears were threatening to fall.

"I'm sorry it had to be you Crown. But there's no one else in all our lands that can do this."

Crown turned abruptly with a questioning look. "What does that mean?" She asked.

Neoma stood up and walked to her. "What's about to happen to you is the first of its kind and allow me to say it's a beautiful thing, Crown." She held Crown's hand in hers. "Allow me to also boldly and confidently say that I believe your husband-to-be will protect you and cherish you with all the fierceness of a werewolf's heart. He won't hurt you or let harm come to you as long as you are his."

Tears welled up in Crown's eyes, and she whispered, "But what if he does hurt me? What if I can't adapt to his world?"

Neoma leaned forward, her voice still gentle and calm but sure. "No man knowingly seeks to hurt himself. Crown, you are stronger than you realize. I've seen you face challenges with grace and determination like no other in Ashford." She smiled now. "You won't be alone in this journey, you have friends and loved ones who will support you every step of the way and I want you to believe I will always be here for you."

Crown nodded absently. Her mind tried to recall where she had heard something similar to what miss Neoma just said. Her eyes widened when it came to her.

"What is it Crown?"

"Are you— are you... A witch?"

Neoma's eyes filled with amusement as she threw her head back and laughed. "You have a wonderful mind to think that. There are no more witches in our realm."

"But you said something... It sounded similar to the words someone once told me too."

"Oh child. I only meant to say, you and your husband are going to be one now. So hurting you will be like hurting himself."

"But I never even told you what was it that sounded familiar." Crown frowned as she tried to make sense of her thoughts.

Neoma gave her hand a friendly pat as she smiled. "You are a wise girl, Crown. You will make a worthy princess, your highness." Neoma tried to change the conversation.

"A princess..." Her voiced trailed off. Her eyes widened as a realization hit. "Oh no. Darius!" She had completely forgotten about him.

"Oh the man you were to marry?"

"What do I do about him Miss Neoma?" She asked.

"Nothing child. A higher power called, you have to answer. You two aren't married and all he's done is an introduction. It hasn't gone far enough—"

"Crown!" Tiran called from the foyer. "Crown, please answer me, I know you are in here somewhere." He looked around as he went in further. "Miss Neoma! I want my sister!"

The two ladies walked out of the parlour to check in on the guest.

"Brother, I'm—"

"Crown! Oh thank heavens. Let's go home." He walked towards her, sparing a moment to greet their host.

"I don't want to." She protested.

"Fine. Wherever you wish to be, I'm going with you"

"I do not need to watched over."

"No arguments." Tiran said in a tone that shut her up.

Crown nodded finally. "Thank you, miss Neoma," she said, her voice quivering with gratitude. "Your words have managed to bring some comfort to me. Although I will admit I still have worry in my heart somewhere but with time all will end well. Surely." 

"Oh believe me, little one. All will be made well that isn't." Neoma said finally. "Do not say something to annoy her." She warned Tiran.

"Thank you for the advice Miss Neoma." He responded sarcastically. "Come on little sister, let's go." He took Crown's hand and led her outside to wherever it was she chose to escape to.

"Sister. Are you sure that all will be well." Nalu came out from one of the rooms that surrounded the foyer. 

"Oh it has to be, she's the chosen one." Neoma replied as a small smile graced her face. "It has to be. I have to speak to mother, I'll be back soon." She turned and walked towards the passage way leading to the garden, to the mysteries of her world.