Something you didn’t expect.

You look back at the Queen of the Forest, feeling of fear, anxiety and anticipation flooding you as she looks down at you like a little lamb at the mercy of the farmer. She pulls your head closer as she leans in toward you ear “I know everything that goes on, especially within my own walls.” She pulls away slightly to look at your perplexed face. “Congratulations by the way.”

“What? Why-”You never expect it, she pulled your face towards her kisses you, her tongue slipping through your lips and ravishing your mouth with an insatiable hunger, like a starving predator devouring their prey. You’re shocked at first; the thought of pulling away slips into your mind before it quickly slips away and a feeling of lust, desire and excitement takes over as she buries her fingers into your hair pulling you in closer and deeper.

You feel her hand grab yours and place it onto her back, inviting you to pull her closer, you do instinctually as you begin to match her intensity, her hunger maybe out of fear for offending her or maybe you’re being taken over by your demonic instinct. She pulls back, biting your bottom lip as she breaks the kiss.

“Donmal, tell me that you’re mine.” She ordered softly, almost irresistibly.

“I’m yours... Lady Kaede...” you breathe out in a lust filled trance as she runs her lips to the side of your neck, planting kisses on it before bitting down it slightly.

“Good...” she replies in a seductive tone, she then slowly pulls away from you, leaving you with a feeling of want... among other things. “I think that’s enough.”

You quickly regain your senses “Wait... what?” You question slightly confused as to what happened. You turn back to Tara and Adel; Adel was slightly red faced as she looked at you and Lady Kaede, standing there a bit awkwardly. Tara stood there, an unimpressed look on her face with a barely noticeable icy stare.

“You should all bathe and eat, you have a long journey ahead of you.” The Queen elegantly walks away “Tarasynora, you can show them where.”

You turn towards Tara, she looks back at you and her face softens but a look of disappointed doesn’t seem to fade, she waves you and Adel along as the three of you go to bathe and later eat a meal of berries, roots, vegetables and bread.

The three of you then pack your belongings, what few items you have, as you prepare to leave, stepping outside the main doors. You see Lady Kaede bathing in the pool outside the mansion, the mist of the pool almost blanketing her, you walk toward her, you could just make out her outline through the thick mist. “Lady Kaede” you call out just a few steps from the pool “Thank you for your hospitality and your advice.”

“You are welcome, young king.” The Queen replies.

“My Lady, if I may, I have a few more questions.” You ask.

The Queen sighs gently “Speak, Donmal.”

“If I am to retake my throne, I’ll need to face my mother... is there any way she can be defeated? Can I kill a demon?” You ask.

“I can not answer that.” Kaede replies, much to your dismay “Because you already know the answer; you are, after all, her son.” She continues “You and your sister should know your mother better than anyone else, including her weaknesses.”

“Right, of course, my apologies for the foolish question.” You reply “My last question; what did you mean when you congratulated me, what have I done or what will I receive?”

“You will find out in the future, I can only expect that it will bring you great joy.” The Queen replied, there was a playfulness to her voice which left you confused.

“Thank you, Queen of the Forest.” You reply, bowing slightly.

“Tarasynora.” The voice called out, catching you off guard “come closer, I wish you tell you something.” You look towards Tara who glances at you before she walks toward the pool, passing you by as you walk back to Adel.

“What did you talk to Lady Kaydee about?” Adel asked through a hushed whisper.

“Just had to ask a few more questions.” You reply. You both then watch Tara as she spoke to the Queen, you could barely make out their mutterings which was followed by a low laugh of Kaede, Tara turns to look back at you too before turning back and bowing her head.

Tara turns back toward the group and heads back, a thoughtful look on her face. “Okay, let’s get going.”