The Blind Witch

Darkness spreads like wildfire. You are never alone in it; there are more like you. There were many before you in the darkness, and there will be many after you.

Aiden and Clarissa were walking through one of the interior gardens of Haerford Palace. It was open to the sky above, serving as a way to bring in more light into some of the inner rooms. The grounds had dried up since the storms several days ago. His arm was around hers as he led her around the various hedges and bushes.

Clarissa enjoyed being in the sun. She loved the warmth on her skin. She sighed happily as she leaned against Aiden. Her strength had returned in the days since she arrived. She felt at ease around him, no longer flinching when he touched her.

“So, why do I smell like cedar and jasmine to you?” She inquired. Everything around her was all new. Werewolves, mates, witches, and covens. She had been taught none of this. She had been told so little as a child. She felt like she had missed out on everything.

“So, a lot of the time, your mate will smell like your favorite scents,” Aiden explained as he thought to himself. “When I was younger, my parents would take me to a faraway cabin. It was made of cedar, and the smell of the wood penetrated everything. I felt like I was outside when I laid in my bed.”

“But Jasmine, I’m not sure,” he admitted. “I like the smell of it, but I love lavender more. Or at least, I thought. I’m not sure.”

“I’m sorry to say it, but you smell like soap to me,” she teased as she deeply sniffed his arm. “No wood or floral scent.”

“Do you have any favorite smells?” He asked.

“I love the smell of clove,” she sighed as she closed her eyes. “My mother would bake with it. I can remember the smell of the gingerbread she would make. I’d always sneak a piece while it was still hot.”

Aiden smiled as he listened to her. He loved hearing about her past, both the good and the bad. Her eyes would sparkle in the light when she reminisced. Being near her, being this happy near her, he would sometimes forget to breathe. Perhaps it was good that she could not see him as he struggled to survive when around her. As they turned a corner, he saw his uncle.

“Lady Ophelia has returned with guests,” he informed Aiden.

Aiden led Clarissa inside and followed his uncle. They walked into a small gathering room. He saw Lady Ophelia standing with an old woman. Clarissa looked up, but her eyes went to a back corner of the room. She could see dark orbs in a cloud that swarmed around. She froze, suddenly feeling nervous. Someone was there. Ophelia noticed Clarissa's expression on her face. She glanced over her shoulders and only saw shadows. But she knew who was there, lurking.

“That is just Victor, your new personal guard,” Ophelia informed Clarissa.

“Who?” Aiden questioned as he looked around.

He could not see Victor as Clarissa did. Victor was able to blend into shadows and smoke. He would become invisible to the rest of the world. Except for Clarissa. She could see his dark magic swirling in the cloud around him.

At the mention of his name, Victor stepped out of the shadows long enough for Aiden and Azrael to see him. After only a second, he stepped back into the darkness to sulk.

“Clarissa, come here, child,” Ophelia instructed, ignoring Victor and his brooding nature. “Come meet Lydia. She can help you understand what you are seeing. She has eyes just like yours.”

Clarissa stepped forward hesitantly. She could see Ophelia and her bright, white orbs. But next to her was someone with glowing green orbs that danced around. Ophelia helped to take their hands and touched them together.

“It is good to meet you, child,” Lydia said as she squinted her eyes. “I have heard a lot about you.”

“It is good to meet you as well,” Clarissa responded softly.

“Aiden,” Ophelia said as she stepped away. “I need to go meet with your uncle privately. I shall return shortly.”

Ophelia and Azrael left the small gathering room and began to walk down the corridor.

“How have you been?” Ophelia inquired with concern.

“These last few days have been horrible on my body,” he admitted hesitantly.

“This is the longest you have gone without me healing you. I’m sorry. I had not intended to be gone nearly two weeks.” She apologized as she placed her hand on his shoulder.

“No, don’t apologize,” he scolded softly. “You found someone to help teach Clarissa. She will need a lot of help to prepare her for her future.”

“She has dark magic, you know,” Ophelia divulged quietly.

“I assumed as much,” Azrael nodded. “Did the counsel give you any pushback?”

“Only one man spoke against her, calling her cursed.” She replied with a shrug. “But if anyone else had an issue with it, they did not speak it.”

“That is good, at least.” Azrael stopped as he began to cough. His body shook as Ophelia gently rubbed his back.

“Let’s get you in bed so I can heal you.” She said as she took his arm, leading him further down the corridor.

Back in the gathering room, Lydia and Clarissa talked while Aiden glared at the shadowed corner. Victor had not left, at least, not that Aiden had seen. Something about him, Cyrus nor Aiden trusted. He began to growl under his breath.

“What is it?” Lydia questioned him sharply. “Why are you growling?”

“The man in the shadows,” he answered. “I do not like him.”

“Neither do I,” Lydia hissed as she looked in Victor’s direction.

“Why don’t you like him?” Clarissa asked curiously. Whatever Aiden felt or saw, it was unknown to Clarissa. Yes, Victor’s aura made her nervous, but there was nothing about him to distrust. Not yet, at least.

“He is the man who abandoned you as a baby. He is your father.” Lydia explained.

Victor stepped from the shadows with a scowl.

“Why did you have to tell her that!?” He shouted.

“Because I felt like it!” Lydia yelled back. “If Edith were here, she would be disgusted by what you’ve done to her daughter. Shame on you! Go back to your shadows!”

“You’re a vindictive witch,” he retorted as he leaned against the wall. He did not return to the darkness but remained out to glare at Lydia.

“And you are a disgrace to the Lode Star,” she spat.

“You knew my mother?” Clarissa asked as she tried to change the conversation.

“I did,” Lydia nodded as she smiled. “I knew her for many years. I passed on my knowledge of healing herbs and gardening to her.”

“What was she like?”

“I did not know what she looked like physically, but I do know that she had the same green orbs as I did,” Lydia said as she looked down towards her own body.

“Green?” Clarissa muttered to herself.

“Yes,” Lydia nodded. “Look at my orbs. This is the color green. Your mother, Edith, had the same aura as I do. She was blessed by the Goddesses Frigg and Eir. Your mother was a great healer and wondrous student. She loved to learn about any healing methods, advanced or not. She wanted to know anything and everything so she could help everyone.”

“She sounds wonderful,” Clarissa whispered. “How did she die?”

“While giving birth to you!” Victor yelled as he began to walk towards them. “You set her on fire!”

Clarissa held her hand out and created a wall of fire, separating him from her. She began to breathe heavily as she processed what he told her.

“Clarissa,” Aiden scolded.

“No!” She yelled at Aiden. This made him step back. Clarissa had not raised her voice to him since she was scared during the storm. She was angry; she was on the verge of tears. “He does not get to be angry with me over something I have no memory or control over!”

“It’s alright, child, take deep breaths,” Lydia said as she reached for Clarissa. She could see the girl’s aura rising. Clarissa’s red orbs were spinning wildly around her body, through her arm, and into the wall of fire. Her emotions drove her magic into a frenzy.

Clarissa did as she was told. A deep breath in through her nose and out through her mouth. A technique her parents had taught her. By the third breath, her body began to relax. The fire rushed back into her palm, disappearing from sight.

Victor stood there, seething. But being close to the girl, he was able to look at Clarissa clearly for the first time. Her hair was indeed similar to Edith’s. The thickness and waves were precisely the same; only the color was brighter for Clarissa. Though he rages over losing his partner, he cannot help but be awed by her powerful magic. Victor was not a man who gave respect because of a title or status. He respected people for what they could do and what they did. The girl before him possessed great power; he could not deny that.

“Let’s get one thing straight between us,” he scowled as he pointed at Clarissa. “I may be your personal guard, but I am not here to be your father. So do not treat me as such; I shall not return the courtesy.”

“Good!” She grumbled. “I had a father who is now dead. I don’t intend to replace him any time soon!”

“Prince Aiden,” a voice said from the doorway. He looked to see Lady Ophelia. She had returned. “When you go for your magic training in the afternoons, be sure to have Clarissa go. I’ve already spoken with your tutor.”

“In the morning,” she continued. “Clarissa is to meet with Lydia.”

“May I join to watch?” He inquired.

“Yes. But if requested, you are to leave.” She instructed him.

He nodded his head and stepped to Clarissa. Ophelia took Lydia and led her out of the room, followed by Victor. Aiden’s gaze did not leave Victor until he was gone. But then Aiden stiffened when he heard Clarissa sniffle.

“What’s wrong?” He asked as he cupped her face in his hands.

“Is it true? Did I kill my mother?”

“I don’t know,” he replied as he put their foreheads together.

“He would not have said it if it wasn’t true,” she said as tears fell. “My human parents feared my magic. I wonder if they knew.”

“Shh, Issa,” he said as he embraced her. “Do not dwell on it. It will only cause you more pain.”

Clarissa’s arms wrapped around Aiden’s waist. He wrapped one arm around her shoulders, holding her tightly, while the other hand rubbed her back gently. He knew Lady Ophelia would not have brought Victor if he was a threat. This much Aiden knew. But that still didn’t mean he had to like the man. Shadows... the last time he saw a witch that could disappear like that was the one who attacked his parents. But that witch was dead, killed by Ophelia. He had to trust her judgment, even when his own was clouded.