Chapter 70:

Chapter 70:
Ezmeralda POV: 

I was starving by the time Maria was done looking me over. I was tired and sore and wanted a shower so very badly but my stomach started making dying whale noises and I wanted to check in on Sally and Cindy. Thena has been keeping me updated and apparently they are doing better than I would have thought. I still had a surprise for Sally though, I wasn’t about to go to bed without showing her what I wanted to. As we walked into the dining hall everyone greeted us with smiles. I looked up to see Thena, Sally and Cindy were sitting at the main table on the stage and they were eating.

“I’ll go get us some food, go sit down and relax.” Ash said, kissing the top of my head. I wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t let me out of his sight anytime soon. He is always worrying and now I’m hurt, a few bruised ribs and you would have thought the world was coming to an end. 

“Hello ladies.” I greeted with a smile. 

“Hi Ezie!” Sally beamed back at me. 

“Ezmeralda, what did the doctor say?” Thena questioned and I chuckled. 

“Just a few bruised ribs, nothing is broken or anything. Mariah got me some herbs to soak in so I’ll be alright.” I replied. I turned my gaze towards Cindy. Her face turned a bright pink and I smiled. 

“How are you adjusting?” I asked. 

“Better than I thought honestly. This is all.. Normal.” Cindy replied, making Thena laugh out loud. 

“Oh sweet girl, we are normal for the most part.” Thena laughed. 

“We really are. We just have different abilities.

“You make fire right? I saw the green stuff.” Cindy said. 

“I don’t make it. It’s already in me. It’s my protection or weapon depending on the circumstances. My mates wolf also has my flame. It’s pretty cool.” I replied. 

“Were you born with it? Sorry, I’m just very curious.” Cindy blushed. I sat down beside her and patted her shoulder. 

“No need to be sorry, you can ask us anything, but yes, I was born with it. Only queens and kings have specific gifts. My line is fire and Adiras is mind reading.” I replied. 

“And I can hear yours screaming from here, hopefully Ash hurrys up with your food.” Adira smirked. 

“And no, I don’t kill humans and drink their blood. We function like everyone else and we have blood donors.” Adira chuckled. A common misunderstanding is vampires can’t be in the sun and only drink blood. 

“Here comes your man with food. Also, they want us to have guards. I said no though.” Adira shrugged. 

“Too damn bad. I am your guard from now on.” Bobbie quipped. 

“Guards for what?” I asked. 

“It’s custom but with Victor trying to kill us they want us extra safe.” Natalie smiled. 

“Oh you are getting guards. Sally too. As soon as Victor finds out what she can do he will be after her too.” Ash announced. I looked over at Sally and noticed her eyes were wide. 

“We will keep it a secret for as long as we can. But yes, I agree that you need guards from now on. Keep Cindy close as well.” I winked. 

“You are getting them too.” Ash muttered.

“I won’t argue, but they don’t need to be up my butt and if something happens I need to be able to move. Plus I have you and really that’s all I need.” I smiled. 

“Nice try, I won’t be able to be with you all the time, even though I wished I could be.” Ash replied. 

“Who is Victor?” Cindy asked. 

“He is our father. Me, Dahlia, Adira, Mariah, Bobbie and Natalie. We just found out.” I replied. 

“That's intriguing, one from each race it seems.” Cindy muttered. 

“Yes, he was a white witch so I am half white witch along with the others but Natalie is full white witch. He is trying to kill us for power. My mother was turned into a vampire to sever his line to her and because we did that he is angry.” I replied. 

“And he’s after us mainly.” Mariah said. She looked overly tired. 

“I have to go deal with the rogue white witches after we eat. You all are welcome to join.” Natalie said.    

“Yes, we need to know what they know.” Adira nodded. 

“I’ll catch up with you guys, there is something I need to show Sally here in a minute.” I said. The way I was eating was very unladylike but right now I didn’t care, not even in the slightest. 

“I would like to shower or something. Do I need to go with Dahlia to get my things?” Cindy asked. 

“No, she already went and got them for you. It’s being handled. What we need to know is the type of jobs you like. You mentioned you wanted to work and we can find something here for you.” I replied. The shock on Cindys face was absolutely priceless. 

“Oh, remind me to thank her. I can make a list of different talents in different areas and give it to you in the morning.” Cindy offered. 

“That sounds fabulous to me. When you get to your room you will see a few jars of herbs. They are labeled. I had them brought to you to help you relax and sleep. You seem okay now but the shock hasn’t worn off yet.” I replied. 

“That’s very nice of you, thank you.” Cindy smiled. 

“Come on Cindy, I’ll show you to your room.” Thena smiled. I knew she would be just as protective as I am of them. 

“Oh Thena! I need help planning a birthday party.” Bobbie nearly yelled out. Thena stopped in her tracks and turned around with a big smile on her face.

“I’ll be back shortly!” Thena clapped. 

“You just made her day.” Natalie whispered. 

“Sally, there is something I would like to show you.” I said leaning over to her. I stacked my plates together and stood to my feet. 

“Ezie, Jordan has taking a liking to Malachi and Rowena.” Natalie smiled. 

“Then they shall be his guards. They are the best of the best.” I replied. If Jordan liked them and he was comfortable around them then I had no issues with that. 

“Aren’t they yours?” Ash asked. 

“They were. Jordan needs them more right now.” I replied. 

“I’ll get you squared away. I have some warriors.” Adira said and I nodded. I held my hand out to Sally and when she took it I started walking forward. I knew Ash was close behind, he wasn’t going to let me get too far. 

“His wolf looks sad.” Sally whispered. I stopped walking and looked at Ash. 

“What is wrong?” I asked. 

“Caspian is just not in a good mood.” Ash shrugged and I knew he was hiding something. 

“I’ll talk to him, see if maybe I can perk him up.” I winked and Ash smiled. I didn’t want Caspian to think I forgot about him or I’m not showing him enough attention. 

“Caspian, my handsome wolf, talk to me.” I said through the link. 

“I am well my beauty.” Caspian huffed and I snorted. 

“Yeah right, tell me what is bothering you. Sally can see that you are sad.” I said. 

“I don’t like that you were hurt.” Caspian growled. I knew it wouldn’t sit well with him.

“It’s not so bad. Things happen sometimes and that’s okay. Besides, had things gone bad I knew you would step in. You’d never let anything or anyone really hurt me.” I said, stroking his ego a little bit. 

“Damn right I wouldn’t. I want to put you in bubble wrap. You can be reckless sometimes.” Caspian said. I couldn’t help the laugh that escaped my lips. 

“I am not reckless.” I giggled. 

“Remember when you jumped off of me straight into black witches? It was an amazing sight but reckless. I almost had a heart attack and Ash was screaming at me.” Caspian snorted. 

“I suppose that was a little reckless. I am sorry Caspian, I don’t mean to stress you out. Forgive me?” I asked. Truthfully I’ve never been in a war, I suppose I can be reckless at times and maybe I shouldn’t be. 

“Nothing to forgive. Just please train with me, or everyone. Wars are hard and I want to make sure you are safe whether I am there or not.” Caspian urged. I could feel it through our mating bond. He was really worried. 

“I promise, I will. I can train with you first how about that?” I asked. 

“It’s a date.” Caspian replied and I could feel his smile. When we got outside I took a deep breath. It was absolutely beautiful here. 

“Where are we going?” Sally asked. 

“To see a very special girl of mine.” I smiled. I didn’t want her to know about the horses, I wanted to see her reaction. As we rounded the corner, the familiar smell of hay bales hit my nose. It was so comforting. 

“Close your eyes, no peeking.” I said.

“Delilah, please make sure the others stay silent. This is a surprise for Sally.” I said through the link. 

“Yes Queen. I can’t wait to meet her.” Delilah responded. I looked over to see Sally had her eyes closed tightly and was holding my hand even tighter. I guided her through the barn and stopped outside of Delilahs stall. 

“Open your eyes.” I whispered. She did as I told her and she blinked a few times before her mouth fell open. 

“Is that a friesian horse?!” Sally shrieked, her excitement clearly on her face. Delilah snorted and walked forward. 

“She is, her name is Delilah. She is my horse and she has been waiting to meet you.” I whispered. I unlocked the stall door and Sally nearly bolted in. Delilah didn’t flinch at all as Sally cautiously slid under her neck and wrapped her arms around her thick neck. 

“She is beautiful! Oh my.. And soft too! Her mane and tail are so shiny.” Sally gushed. 

“Tell her I said thank you.” Delilah said. I knew the compliments made her feel good. 

“She said thank you.” I smiled. Sallys head snapped to mine,

“You can talk to her?!” She asked. 

“She can, Delilah is her horse and she is a very special horse.” Ash replied. Sally tilted her head to the side before she stepped back and looked at Delilah. 

“She has a wolf.. How is that possible?” Sally said shockingly. 

“Sienna, the moon goddess, gave her the ability to shape shift for the war to come. She’s very fierce and she is protective. No one knows what she can do so I am trusting you to keep it a secret.” I whispered. Sally nodded her head and went back to hugging Delilah. 

“Do you think I should call the packs in?” Ash asked, pulling my attention from Sally. 

“Honestly, I’m not sure. I was going to talk to you about your thoughts on me pulling my witches in after today.” I replied. 

“I think we need a meeting with everyone. Your mom and Talon, my parents. They’ll be able to give us some advice, the lands are protected but it’s not protected from bag bombs or whatever else they decide to create.” Ash said and I nodded my head. 

“We need to deal with the other witches first though. I think tomorrow should be split, half meeting, half ceremony planning. Plus Sallys birthday party.” I replied. 

“How long can I stay out here?” Sally asked.

“As long as you want. I will have some guards be with you and escort you back to your room when you are ready to leave.” I smiled. Sally let go of Delilah to give me a tight hug. 

“Thank you so much.” She whispered. 

“You are most welcome sweet girl, Delilah, take care of her for us.” I said looking at her. 

“Always.” Delilah replied. 

“Let’s go meet up with the others so we can take care of these other witches.” I said as I held my hand out. I needed to figure out a night away with Ash before all the chaos starts…