Milo
The whole castle thing overwhelmed me. It really was a medieval castle with a real moat, and real water. I kept looking around to see if there was a filming crew capturing some Hollywood movie or something.
The only thing was...the castle was empty. Not a living soul around, and that was freaking creepy. I could see in my mind’s eye what it should be like. People should be milling through the halls. There should be all sorts of trades going on. Knights should be practicing in the arena.
The emptiness was wrong. Despite that, I loved this place in a way I couldn’t quite understand and wouldn’t have been able to explain. It’s like I belonged here, in a real deep way.
There was something else going on, too. It was almost like I could feel a flower opening up inside me. Clack had told me that at some point, I’d be getting my powers. He had to keep me safe until then. I had no access to any of those powers, not – well, not until now.
I knew I wouldn’t be able to use them, but while here, in this place, I could feel it. Something real growing inside of me.
I felt freer, happier even, as we walked through the chambers up to the upper level where I instantly knew this was the heart of the home.
I should’ve been afraid. Terrified. I thought about being afraid, but the truth was, I wasn’t even slightly surprised when a conglomeration of spirits formed in front of us.
I could feel they weren’t hostile. Annoyed, at least toward Clack, which to be honest was weird. To me, it was like their presence was a balm. Then it became clear what was going on. The spirits were Clack’s ancestors. Three women. They were ancient. Older than the earth itself were the words that came to mind. It’s almost as if they’d always occupied this land.
They wanted Clack to claim his place as clan leader. I almost laughed out loud at how obvious they were being about it. I kept it together though. I was almost sure they wouldn’t be happy if I were to laugh at their tactics.
I heard the voice of Clack’s father in my head even before he began to form. “You are welcome here, your majesty, but we must handle my son, please excuse our lack of protocol.”
I responded in my mind. “Thank you for the welcome. Do what you must, but I’ll apologize for enjoying watching him squirm a bit.” I had been abused by this elf way too long not to enjoy seeing him get a little bit of it coming back at him.
I heard the man chuckle in my thoughts then he began forming. It was all for show. What was most present was how much these entities loved Clack. That was something that caused my own heart to swell, and also filled me with sadness.
I’d never known the love of my birth parents. Clack had, at least until he’d lost them. As the spirits flew around us, all our emotions were heightened. I could feel Clack’s sadness. I could feel the two Generals' fear. I could feel the love of the entities for this land, this castle, and for Clack.
Damn, I really liked it here. I thought to myself and felt the humor of the spirits around me, clearly they’d heard my thoughts.
When Clack went inside the chamber though, that’s where the welcome ended. We weren’t to follow him in. Only the one who committed to him as a life mate would be allowed in there. As much as I knew the entities liked and welcomed me, I had not, and wasn’t willing to make that commitment to him. Not that I wouldn’t eventually. I sorta thought I would, if I’m honest, but until then the chamber was not for me.
I realized in that moment, I too had a calling, I felt
my royalty and my destiny and I knew it was somehow charged by the magic that was in this place. I was thankful and disturbed all at the same time.
Even as Clack led us away from his chamber, I heard the humor in the ghosts who occupied the castle especially when I teased Clack about his father being hot. Yes, this was going to be a fun place, and I also knew no one would breach the walls of this castle. It would be virtually impossible.
I didn’t know how, but I was safer here than I’d ever be again. That felt so good and so right.
As soon as Clack showed me the chamber I would be staying in I laughed. “This place is amazing!” I said, as I walked around the room. “It’s a freaking apartment, not a room.”
No one commented as I walked around the apartment. It was more luxurious than any place I’d ever lived in before and about twice the square footage of the home I’d lived in with my foster parents.
I wondered if they’d be staying here with me. It was certainly big enough for all of us, but I kinda wanted just to be with Clack. Not that I’d remember. I hoped I would still be able to see the ghosts after the spell was cast. I liked feeling the ghosts around me and there were a lot of them here. I suspected there were way more ghosts in this castle than I’d ever meet. All of them felt friendly and excited to have me here, though.
As soon as we got set up, General Bay and General Olcarlamon asked me to sit down as they explained they’d be removing my memories now. I nodded, and they both put their hands on my head and began to chant.
The second the chanting started, the world began to separate in front of me. I was standing next to my body, and I could see myself sitting in the chair with the two General’s hands sitting gently on top of my head. Clack stood in the corner, looking nervously on.
“Your majesty,” I heard a voice behind me and I turned to see one of the most beautiful women, no elves, I’d ever seen.
“Hello?” I asked.
“Welcome, your majesty. I am Orliavia Morgana Riperian, I am the shade of Clack’s mother.”
I looked at her closely and could immediately see the resemblance. Clack had his father’s hair and build, but her sleek and sharp facial features.
I bowed before her, “It is truly an honor to meet you,” I said.
She laughed, “the honor is mine, your majesty. In all the years of Castle Riperian, only one royal family has ever stayed here, would you like to guess who that was?”
I nodded, knowing instinctively it was my parents. “Mom and dad?” I asked and she smiled.
“They loved the castle, said it represented all that was good about Elfdom.”
I felt tears sting the backs of my eyes, and had to suck back the emotions. “thank you for telling me this, I wondered why I felt so… so at peace here.”
She smiled, “they would’ve liked that you thought so, but I’m afraid it's the magic that is so embedded into these walls.” She ran her hand over the plaster then looked back over at me and smiled. “The magic recognizes you and is honored by your presence.”
She looked back at where the scene was unfolding in front of us. “None of what they’re doing will work here,” she said then. “You are under the protection of the castle, and the castle’s magic. It won’t let spells be cast on you, even if you allow it.”
Hearing that, I reached up automatically and touched my ears, surprised to feel that they were pointed. “Um, that’s going to be a problem. I’m supposed to look like a human, and I’m supposed to forget I’m king. It’s to keep my evil uncle away.”
She frowned at that statement. “He can’t enter here, the castle’s magic would kill him if he tries” Regret filled her expression and she sighed lightly before continuing. “That was the case even… even back then. We tried to get your parents to come to Castle Riperian, but… their only thoughts were for your protection Milo, that’s what they call you correct?”
I nodded but wanted to hear more. She seemed to understand and continued her story. “Your parents believed they could defeat Atticon, but they underestimated his evil, and his ability to recruit evil to him. In the end it cost us all our lives, but, it did save yours. For that, we are all thankful.”
“Are… are my parents here?” I asked hoping beyond reason that I’d be able to see them.
She shook her head, “no, I’m so sorry Milo, we were only allowed to return because Clack’s father was the last clan leader. When Clack takes his place, we will transition as well.
I nodded for some reason this made sense. “So, how will I stay hidden? They don’t wish for me to be known as king, or as an elf.”
She smiled, and looked at me almost like she was talking to a child. “The castle will keep your secrets, but again, you will not lose your memories. The others, yes, I understand more elves will come to stay, and the castle will guard them as well. Nothing will be allowed to harm you or them while you are here.”
I nodded, so appreciative for this moment of reprieve. I turned to Clack’s mom and asked, “Will… will we have privacy?”
She literally laughed so loud, for a moment the Generals paused their spell casting and even Clack looked up surprised.
“Young man, we will not be spying on our son as he loves on the man he has mated with. Nor will we intervene with your love life, although we can all feel your heart hasn’t bonded with his. No self-respecting elves living or dead would interfere with the love lives of others. You will have your privacy and all the time you need to decide how to move forward with your heart.”
I nodded, again more than a little thankful for what she’d said. “I… I hope to get to know you and your husband more. I believe Clack would benefit from having you around more as well.”
She looked sad then sighed, “he will not be able to see us. Only you can and only that because what lives deep inside you has connected with the very essence of this place. Once we have died, we are not allowed to interfere with the living.” She looked over at Clack, sadness and longing mixed together on her face. “Once we’ve passed, we must let the living be, but yes,” she said looking at me again. “I and all the other spirits of this castle shall be at your disposal. You may call upon us if you ever have need.”
I nodded and thanked her. “I… I’m very thankful for that.”
She bowed then and slowly began to disappear, before she completely evaporated, I heard her say in my mind, “don’t tell them the spell didn’t work. It’s best if all elves, including our son believe you’ve lost your memories.”
I looked up just as the Generals completed their spell. They stood back and looked at me. “Milo, can you tell us why you’re here?”
I heard Clack’s mother’s voice in my head, “I am here to help with a reenactment of medieval times.” I didn’t realize it until I looked up that the voice had come out of my mouth.
Every question they asked, was answered in the same way. Somehow, Clack’s mother was answering the questions through me. Both Generals looked pleased with themselves.
General Bay looked up at Clack then and smiled, “And who is this?” she asked pointing toward Clack.
When the voice didn’t come, I chuckled, appreciative that Clack’s mom was still giving me the latitude she promised. “That is my boyfriend, Clack.”
General Bay literally did a little jig on the carpet in front of me, but Clack just blushed. “It worked… “Okay, why don’t you lie down on the bed, Milo and get some rest. Your parents are coming soon and we know you’ll want to see them.”
They left, but Clack hung back. When he came toward me, he looked into my eyes. I smiled and winked at him. “I really like it here Clack. Thanks for inviting me.”
The whole pretense included him as one of the main reasons I was here, so I could say this without giving too much away. I knew his mom had told me to keep my memories a secret, but as I looked into Clack’s eyes, I knew it wasn’t a secret I’d be keeping for long.
I cared too much for him to do that. What I would do, however, is let things settle and speak to Clack’s parents and maybe the guardians if they wanted to weigh in, regarding when I should do that. They were committing to protect us. Not just me, but my family and Clack as well. So, I’d totally be including them in on the decisions.
Join us next time for another chapter of Milo and Clark |