December 25th, 2019

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Sheila

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I watched the clock strike seven and all my nerves shot up. Seconds later there was a knock on the door. "I'll get it!" I shouted and was about to roll out of bed when my mate pulled me by the arm back down into the sheets.

He got up and gave me a look, "stay. I'll get it." I smiled, he was falling into the plan so well. I felt evil for using his kindness against him, though I would make up for it ten-fold soon.

He opened the door to see a smiling Xion holding a bottle of what looks like to be champagne. "Care for a drink with an old friend?" He waved the bottle in front of Vince's face. "I didn't bring your favorite champagne for nothing."

Xion is pulling out all the stops today. Though Vince looked back at me with a worried expression, "Xion... I can't," he looked back to Xion. "My mate is injured and needs help."

"I'm just going to be laying in bed. Go have fun!" No seriously, get out of here. Love you lots, but are things this woman needs to get to.

"But what if—"

"Its not like I'll be getting out of the bed anytime soon. Unless you have some sort of bed monster, I'll be fine." I have him a reassuring smile. Go have fun with your friend. I feel bad for having you around me all the time.

He gave me a concerned look one last time, before looking back at Xion who raised the campaign glass with an excited look on his face. "Come on. Let's get wasted." Xion was the first to disappear down the hall.

"We are not getting wasted!" Zaivinth shouted after Xion. Then he put a hand on the door knob, looking back at me. "I love you," my heart fluttered at the words.

"I love you too." Then he closed the door. The second later I jumped out of bed and landed face first onto the ground, again. "Gods, I need to get used to this," I push myself up and grab at the nearest wall. I slowly made my way to our closet.

I got dressed in my warm layer when I heard a knock on the door. "Coming!" I shouted as I strap on my sword and shield, and tied up my boots. I grabbed at the drawers and pulled myself up. I waddled over to the door and opened it. "I'm sorry for the wait." I said with a sheepish smile, "I don't move as fast as I used too..."

The red-head smiled, "no worries," and that was it. Not much of a talker, or maybe she didn't like me.

"Ah, um, I'm Sheila, thank you for coming with me today." She held out an arm and I grabbed at it. Maybe she did like me?

"I'm Atwood," she looked down at me with a smile, she was still in her armor, the same ones I saw on that cloudy day a long time ago. She had this overpowering aura, the same one that Weni and Ross had. I felt safe when I was with her.

"Atwood? What a pretty name," the name Atwood means protector of the forest. "Your parents must've had a brilliant plan for you, not everyone can live up to the goddess' name that symbolizes protection and fortune."

"What if I told you I was the Goddess of protection and fortune?" She looked down at me, her face filled with worry though a spark of excitement. She had the most lovely green eyes.

"I'd believe you," we made it outside the castle. "You don't seem like someone who lies," I looked back at her and smiled. "Though the name Sheila means blind one," I chuckled, "so I guess I'm probably wrong."

"The name Sheila means Heavenly," she places a hand on my head. "Which stands for a heavenly creature," she smiled softly down at me. "I think you fit that description very well."

My lip quivered and I looked down at my feet. "That is very kind of you to say," I stumbled over my words, "thank you, your words hold deep meaning to me."

Then the willow tree and the long dock came into view. I looked up at Atwood, "why would the Goddess of protection doing here? With me?"

"I'm protecting you." She looked out at the water.

"Why?" I tilted my head puzzled.

"My sister. I have an alliance with her, anything that she stands for, I stand with her." She looked down at me for a moment, "and she stands for you."

I didn't know what to say to that, the only thing I could think of was, "thank you," though even that couldn't express all the feelings I was trying to convey.

We made it to the end of the dock. "Sirens, it's been two months I'm here again." We waited for a minute, then all of a sudden the three water witches shot to the surface. Atwood pulled me behind her back and drew her sword.

The first one clicked her teeth together. "It looks like you have brought a friend," her snaky tongue licked in the direction of Atwood.

Atwood didn't falter and pointed her sword at the siren. "Speak your trade and get lost."

The second siren made eye contact with me. Their red eyes and wet hair sent shivers down my spine. "We want your first born chil—" Then the third siren ducked the one speaking under the water.

"We want to know what happens when you die." The first one smiled through her pointy teeth. I cringed at the thought of the afterlife.

"Well, I'm here to make a trade, the spirit stone, for my memories." They all furrowed their brows.

"But you still owe us," one hissed swimming to my side of the dock. Atwood moved to protect me.

"Last time I checked, you gave it to me, without asking. Which is considered a gift," I placed a hand on my sword.

"Why do you want the spirit stone?" The third placed her hands on the dock. Though retreated into the water when Atwood took a swing at her hands.

"Why do you want to know what's on the other side?" I countered, I was slowly falling back into my General attitude, and I loved it. Loved the power that came with my General attitude.

"If we give it to you," the second one started speaking. "You have to tell us all that you remember about the underworld. All, good and bad."

"A deal is a deal." The second one disappeared and reappeared with a triangular shaped blue stone. She placed it on the edge of the dock and pushed it away from her. The perfect distance that both of us can't reach it without movement.

So I started, I told them everything I remember, from the red mountains to the God of Stars. I spoke for a long time before I concluded my speak. I took two steps and grabbed the stone, clutching it close to me. I didn't like reliving the times I was dead, I hadn't even brought it up to my mate.

"Thank you for your trade." I said with slightly shaking hands, and I saw the sirens smile, a grave digging smile.

"Let's do it again, Queen Sheila." They gave me a mocking bow before dipping back into the water.

Before we started walking I looked to Atwood. "Did I just do something I shouldn't have?"

She looked at me and smiled, shaking her head. "Wherever they will end up is going to be a lot different when where you went."

"Where did I go?" Though I didn't get an answer to that question.

—

I made it back to the room to see my mate sitting on the bed, looking out the balcony window. I slowly cracked the door open and tried to make a mad dash to the closet. I dropped my sword and shield, it would only weight me down now.

"Where did you go?" He snapped his eyes to mine, his bright blue eyes seemed to have stilled and it made my blood run cold. He stood and started walking in my direction.

I was about to leap into the closet in order to hide from the fury that I was about to receive. Though before I could Zaivinth wrapped his hands around me, stopping me from jumping.

I yelped and started wiggling in his arms. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry! Have mercy! It was something that I had to do," then I wiggled something out of my pocket and held it out to him.

"I got this for you," the second I heard about this spirit stone, I knew I had to give it to him. It would make his life so much easier.

"You went to see the sirens?" He growled, hugging me to him tighter. "Alone?"

"No, no, I went with Atwood, the goddess of protection." I said with a cheeky grin.

He let out a deep sigh closing his eyes as he cooled down. Then he looked me in the eyes again. "This is for you," I pushed it into his chest once more.

"But what was the cost?" He scanned my body for any injuries.

"Why can't you just take the gift?" I groaned, then reluctantly he took the gift with one hand an arm still wrapped around my waist.

"What was the cost, mate?" He growled out, "sirens don't give things for free. Especially something of this value."

"So you know what it is?"

"Of course, now stop trying to change the subject." I looked down at me a smile playing on his lips. I let out a little growl.

"I just had to tell them what the afterlife was like." I let out a whisper, suddenly not feeling well, my legs started shaking from over use. I did too much today.

He picked me up and set me on the bed. He tucked me is and sat at the side of the bed. Out of nowhere he shook his head. I reached out and grabbed his hand. "What's wrong?"

He looked back at me, uncertainty swimming in those blue orbs. "Our people," he turned to look out the window. "Our people want to hear from their queen." He looked down at me again. "Though I don't think you are well enough to make a formal announcement."

"No! I'm well enough!" I almost jumped. The duty of queen overriding my need for sleep.

He just shook his head, "No. No, you aren't." Then he frowned, "I wish there was something I could do." He squeezed my hand. "Do you know how much it pains me to see you suffering. It's like your pain is mine." He kissed my forehead.

Then suddenly he stood from where he was seated and started to walk towards the door. "Where are you going?" I sat up on my side.

"I'm going to find a way to speed up your recovery." He put a hand on the door knob.

"Wait!" Though the door just closed behind him with a click.

—

I hope your Christmas was filled with joy and love!!

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Where do you think he is going?

Which sister sent Atwood?

What do you think Sheila's next move will be?

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