Slay My Soul
Chapter 8 Carino

I'm certainly not earning any brownie points around here. While my presence is accepted among the men to a degree (with Eve as well) my magic is only tolerated as long as it serves their purpose. I replace myself struggling to fit in.

I know things.

Unfortunately, not good things.

So now I'm more of a harbinger of doom.

How is Eve ever going to see me as one of her mates, if all my words ever do is upset her? I thought she was going to murder me when I stopped her from going to Belestine when he looked like Reece. I'm glad she didn't, and I'm glad I was able to stop him from getting to her.

Eve sits in front of her deceased lover's grave deep in thought. I want to go to her and offer comfort, but I don't want to upset her further, so I make myself sit on the steps of the back porch and wait. She is thinking about Reece's soul being stolen. Part of me wishes I hadn't told her. But I'll always be honest with my flame.

Without warning, she gets to her feet and hurries toward the edge of the forest. Suddenly, she swings her fist at an oak tree, screaming at it, then swinging again with the other fist. I jump to my feet immediately and race to her, as she continues to pummel the tree with her bare fists. I wrap my arms around her, dragging her away so her fists can no longer make contact. She growls angrily at me and thrashes in my arms. I spin her around to face me.

"I am truly sorry Eve, that sharing what I know has upset you. I don't want to upset you or hurt you in any way, shape or form. But I would rather you know what is ahead than be caught by surprise. I would rather you have a chance to get your head around things than have the enemy use it against you and surprise you. I'm also sorry Belestine used Reece's image to try and get to you."

Eve's eyes glare at me and she huffs angrily.

"Be pissed at me if you want to be. I'd rather that than have you dead because I said nothing." Eve shoves me and sends me sprawling.

"I'm not pissed at you! I'm pissed at the way things are going. It's like the Fates just keep shoveling shit on top of me, to see how long it will take for me to be buried in it. Have I not done enough yet, suffered enough? And where the fuck is Poppy! I have questions, lots of questions, and yet I've not seen any sign of her!"

I raise my brow at her as I move into a sitting position.

"I don't know who Poppy is," I tell her.

"The Dragon Oracle, the idiot that first gave voice to this stupid prophecy. My supposed best friend, who I'm pretty damn sure is avoiding me. She hasn't even stopped by and offered her condolences. I'm going to kick her ass!" Eve seethes, redirecting her anger at a new source.

"Well hurry up then and have at it," A tired voice says from the tree line. A blonde-haired tribal woman pushes through to stand behind Eve, making her turn. "And for the record, I did stop by but your wolf was being a mopey bitch and wouldn't let me near."

"Did you know?" Eve whispers. "Did you know he was going to die?"

"It was fated. Eve, I'm so sorry. I promised him I would look after you when he was gone." Eve's legs buckle and I am just able to shuffle forward in time to catch her and cuddle her to me.

"So he knew. He knew he was going to die?" Eve asks, her voice cracking. The Oracle kneels down in front of her and clasps Eve's hands.

"No, Eve, he had no idea. He thought I meant I'd look after you while he was off trying to kill the King," Poppy says sadly.

"You knew he was going to die and you let him go? You didn't tell us what he was doing? Nothing! Who does that? Why would you do that Poppy!" Eve snarls, yanking her hands away from the blonde.

"Eve! You know the rules. If I could have told you, I would. It's not allowed. The Fates forbid it. I wouldn't have been able to utter a single word without them stopping me. I am so very, very sorry! I wish I didn't know what was happening or was able to change the paths, but I physically and mentally can't! All I can do is stand before you and apologize for what I knew after the fact and help you pick up the pieces. You are my best friend Eve and it kills me knowing what I know and not being able to do a thing about it!" Tears run down the blonde woman's face. Eve hides her own face into my neck, her body shaking as she fights her emotions.

"Did you know how he was going to die?" Eve asks in a small voice.

"No Eve. I just knew his time was coming and I knew he wasn't coming home alive once he left. He loved you, honey, so very much. He was going to do whatever it took to try and keep you safe. He was prepared to not come home. I think part of him knew." Poppy says gently. Eve sniffles against my neck and I tighten my arms around her, nuzzling the top of her head. She takes a few steadying breaths, then pulls her head away from me as she looks at her friend. Observing, weighing her words, and taking her in. Poppy's head tilts to the side in submission, shoulders shaking in sadness. Eve launches herself out of my lap and collides with the blonde, wrapping her arms around her.

"Oh Poppy, I can feel it all. The self-loathing, the guilt, the shame, and the sadness. What a weight you must carry. I'm so sorry my friend. It's not fair for either of us," Eve says in a shaky voice. Poppy holds her close and sniffles, while she runs her hands through Eve's hair.

"I have missed you, my dear friend. Forgive me for not staying close. I could not look you in the eye knowing what I knew. I hated knowing how devastated you were going to be and knowing I couldn't stop it."

Raised voices from the pack house have me reluctantly turning my head from the girls and focusing on an angry Lysario and Sirus getting into it. Then I see what is in Sirus's hands.

The fucking box of letters.

The damn thing had arrived the day after Reece had passed away. Sirus had been quick to remove his own from it, saying no one needed to read his ramblings. Magda's letter had been addressed to Mikyda and Acassus calling them both false Kings. At the end of the letter, she apologized to Eve, saying she hoped they could still be friends because she did actually like Eve, in spite of her being on the opposing side. Reece had written three letters. One to Eve, one to Darius, and one to the rest of us. We had read our one, putting the other two aside without reading them since they were not meant for our eyes. Keeping them safe for when it was felt that Darius and Eve were up to reading them.

Apparently, Sirus thought now was a good time. I open my mouth to warn Eve but swiftly close it. Nope, for once I'm not going to be the bearer of bad news. I tense as footsteps approach.

"Eve," her father says from behind me. "Since today has already been shot to shit, I figure I may as well give you this. Hopefully, tomorrow can be a fresh start. Reece left you a letter." Eve's face drains of color, her eyes moving and locking with mine in alarm. "He wrote one for Darius too, maybe you could both read them together. Be there for each other." He extends the box towards her only to have Lysario snatch it from him.

"No!! She has been through enough today. Eve, please do it another day," he implores.

Eve's eyes latch onto the box and her face crumples. Darius comes racing out of the house with Garret as they pick up on her distress. Eve's hand reaches out shakily for the box. "Eve, no. Please don't do this to yourself today" Ly beseeches her.

"Please?" Eve begs. Ly's shoulders slump as he hands it to her. She cradles it in her arms, hugging it to her as if Reece's essence is inside it. She looks up into Darius's agitated eyes. "Hulk, we have mail."