Chapter 22: Chapter 22

I told King Titus, Tristian and Lynia I have some business to attend to in the Witch Kingdom. I walked to the stable to retrieve midnight, my have I missed riding her. I walked up to her and gave her an apple, grabbed her saddle and put it on her. I rubbed her beautiful black mane before I jumped on her and rode away. I shouldn't be gone longer than 2 days if I hurry, I just need to get some answers to some questions. I was riding for a couple of hours when I decided to stop when we reached the river, midnight need some rest. I grabbed my blanket and copped a squat while she drank from the river. My mind was racing with questions, I was so anxious, but I relaxed and kept my cool. I sat there in a daze when I hear a noise, I know who it is, I can smell her from here. I was staring into the water, " You can come out, I already know youre here. A shadow emerged from the tree, " I can't get anything past you. You were always the smart and clever one". I stood up still facing the river, " What the fuck are you doing here and what do the fuck do you want?" " Is that any way to talk to your mother? I swear you kids are so disrespectful these days, or should I just say you", as she smiled. I slowly started to stand and turned to face her, " Mother?!" as I scoffed, " What mother leaves her child to be raised by someone else?" Like I said WHAT THE FUCK DO YOU WANT?". Tatiyana stared at me for a moment, " My dear Aubree, you have to remember, I AM YOUR MOTHER!!!! Be careful how the hell you talk to me! I came to help my granddaughter anddddd YOU!. I laughed at her comment, it really amused me. "Help me? Oh please, I don't need your help and neither does Alora. Just go back to the hole you climbed out of, we've gotten this far without you". She laughed, " Aubree, you wouldn't be this far without me. Who do you think that has been slowing King Morton down? If it wasn't for me, he would've been able to come up with a plan to kidnap Alora by now". She started to walk closer to me and started to circle me, " I know why you're going to see Razel, I could tell you if you want, It will save you some time". How the hell does she know about what's going on? I swear she's a pain in my ass, I hate to ask her but I need to know. I stood there silent, contemplating if I should ask her or not. She stood there with a smug look on her face, " You don't have to think so hard dear, I'll just talk and if you chose to ignore or listen will be on you". She walked over to the blanket i was sitting on and laid down looking at the sky. " I was young and naive like you, that was until I was picked to be Razels first in command. Razel is my best friend, I grew up with her because our parents are best friends. I loved my carefree life until my gifts came in and everything changed. Just like you my gifts came fully in when I had an argument with my brother. Queen Magna seen the argument and commanded my mother to let her have me, but what I didn't know was that meant I would have to give my family and friends. Razel was very excited that I would be her right hand but I was upset, I was only 16 at the time. After the ceremony I felt different, almost emotionless, I went on for years like that, until I met your father. I was infatuated with him and didn't understand why, but I wanted him like no other. I've had other lovers but your father was different, he felt the same way but couldn't understand either. One day I was mentioning it to Razel and she instantly became serious and said she had to tell me something, I was about 30 at the time. She told me during the ceremony that we did so many years ago had a potion that suppress my emotions so I would be a more effective witch and that I was feeling like that towards your father because he was my Heart. I felt so betrayed, I tried to leave, but Razel promised me that once I complete the mating ritual, I could feel our bond. She also promised me that she wouldn't keep anything from me or make me do anything without my permission, that was one promise she broke". She sat up and faced me, " So my darling daughter, the problem you're having can easily be remedied. You did the ceremony, so you have to complete the mating ritual, then Malik and yourself can start to feel your bond". She stood up and walked back toward the tree, but then turned towards me, " I can teach you how to use all your gifts to their highest potential, you have the same gifts as me", and with that she opened a portal and walked through it. I stood there alone again, trying to process what she just told me. Is that why she left? Malik is my heart? She left me with a lot of questions, but she also saved me some time, now I can go back to the castle and test this little theory.