SHORT STORY-POPPY& THE PRINCE-CLAIMING ONE'S HEART

Hi everyone. Today I have another installment of Poppy & the Prince. Hope you enjoy. Have a great weekend.

Poppy & the Prince

 

Claiming One's Heart

 

 

 

It had been three days and Poppy was beginning to think that Seth was going to leave her with the fall king-Tomcat. He had been most kind of course and had made her as comfortable as possible.

Poppy would watch Tomcat talk to his tribe. She could feel their anxiety on her skin. They were anxious too. With every pick up of wind it made her jump and turn around expecting to see Seth standing there. Poppy knew he would not be happy and that's what frightened her most. 

The day was beautiful and Poppy decided to go for a walk to clear her head. She knew Tomcat's tribe was out there and would be following her.

It was down a path that she noticed something small up ahead. Poppy stopped to watch it. It was eating something. When it turned its little head it looked like a hedgehog.

They spotted each other. The little creature took off and poppy quickly followed it. "Come back, I didn't mean to scare you." She couldn't see it anymore but she could hear it. Poppy followed the noise.

When she thought she had caught up there was nothing there. The little creature had disappeared. She sighed and turned around and started to walk back. Her eyes were cast down on the path. Poppy went deep into thought as she slowly walked back.

Poppy's nose twitched a few times but she paid no attention. It happened again and that's when she came out of her thoughts.

"I would offer you a penny for your thought but I think I already know what your thoughts are."

She stopped abruptly. Seth was walking beside her. Poppy gasped and her chest suddenly started thumping.

"Don't panic love. It is just you and I."

"What...What do you mean-just you and me?"

"Just that love. We are alone."

Poppy looked frantically up at the trees looking for Tomcat's tribe. Seth's eyes followed her eyes. He grinned. "They're not up there love and they haven't been following you like you thought they were."

Poppy was taken back. "What? They always...

Seth shook his head. "No love, the ones you felt following you were from the summer court."

"That can't be. I swore they were members of Tomcat's tribe. They were protecting me from...She stopped.

"From me? I don't think so. My troupe was protecting you from them."

She couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Why would you do that? Tomcat brought me here to...

Protect you from me and that nasty winter queen?" He shook his head again. "No love, Tomcat is one faerie you do not want to trust. He has agendas of his own love. He has put you here as a pawn in his game."

Seth came close to her and all she could smell was a sweet summer day and the warmth of sunshine on her skin. It felt like she was being lifted and transported  to his world.

"Come with me, and I will get you away from him. You belong to me remember? You are going to be my queen when I become summer king. That will be soon." Seth took her arm and threaded it through his. They started to walk again. He took her in another direction from which she had come.

Seth was not mad at her and this made her nervous. Poppy finally spoke out about her concerns. He laughed and told her that he had forgiven her. She would come back with him and they would be married. Then she would be bonded to him and wouldn't leave ever again.

She was calm for some reason and wondered if he had anything to do with that. She looked up at the trees but there was nothing and no sounds came. They were almost at the end of a path. Poppy wondered if they would enter into the summer realm. A funny feeling crept through her.

"Going somewhere are we?"

Seth let out a low growl and pulled Poppy along faster to get to the end of the path.

She wanted to turn around and face Tomcat but she couldn't turn to him or say anything. The path ahead was all she could see.  The desire to reach the end of the path grew stronger and stronger.

Tomcat landed in front of them making them stop.

"What's the hurry love? Our good friend here doesn't  have to sweep you away from the rest of us."

"Oh yes I do. We all know what you are capable of doing. We are leaving."

He tried to go around Tomcat but no, he stopped them. "Remember whose court your are in Summer King? Oh, but wait, you're not king yet, are you? You don't have a queen and your court wants you to have a queen by your side." Tomcat's green eyes shone and his wings expanded slightly, then relaxed. He looked right at Seth. "Since you are on my turf and have not much power, I will take Poppy for the keeping right now. When you are ready to get married and claim her for your queen, then we will discuss what you can do for me in exchange for your queen."

Seth gritted his teeth. "I will not do any deals with you. I will claim my queen right now. I will marry her today."

Tomcat shook his head and chuckled. "No, you don't get married like that. You have to have a party and celebrate. Only the desperate do it your way." He was taunting Seth now. Poppy could feel the air change. The trees started to stir. Then a yelp echoed in the trees startling Poppy.

Suddenly Poppy was yanked from Seth and she felt herself rising into the air. When she looked down she saw the two of them fighting. They soon disappeared out of her sight. With a blink of an eye she had landed on the ground in  tall grass. There was no one around her.

She bolted up with the sound of someone coming toward her. When the grass parted the winter queen was standing there smiling. She sighed. "I knew those two would screw up and leave you vulnerable."

"What do you mean? What do you want from me?"

"Those two want you for themselves. Seth wants you to be his summer queen and Tomcat...She didn't finish what she thought he wanted as if maybe that was a secret.

Her ice blue eyes shone as she came closer. "As for what I want, well...

She reached out and touched Poppy's chest. Coldness went right though her and Poppy gasped. She couldn't breathe. She looked into the winter queens ice blue eyes and tried to speak but couldn't. The queen leaned over ever so gently and kissed her.

Poppy felt ice on her lips and her body fill with cold. She was losing conscience. The last thing she heard was the winter's queens whisper in her ear.

"I want to claim your heart too love."



DIRTY PAWS STORY-A NEW DOG IN TOWN

Hi everyone. I thought it was time for another cat story. I wrote another Dirty Paws adventure. I hope you cat lovers enjoy it. Have a great weekend!

 I thought that I had posted this on Thursday but  something happened so I'm late. Hope you enjoy my cat story.

Dirty Paws Story

 

A New Dog in Town

 

 

 

Bluesy Boy was out for his morning outing, checking out all the usual places. Misty stayed behind today to have her catnap. Bluesy didn't mind. He liked going out on his own every once in a while.

All the smells that he was familiar with greeted him in his morning walk. Up a head he could see something large walking toward him. Bluesy knew who it was. Big Bert, who was a bulldog was out for his morning walk as well. He was alone too. His companion Lulu wasn't with him today. They were both on their own.

"Hey, Dirty Paws, checking out the neighborhood?"

"Just like you Big Bert. Everything appears to be good. How about you?"

The big bulldog stopped in front of him. "So far, so good. I heard some rumors that some new people moved in so was checking to see of they have any pets."

"Are they close by?"

"That old Wilson house finally sold."

"The one the mice were taking over in?"

Big Bert chuckled. "Yeah, that's the one. Not sure what they are going to do with the place. I don't think that house is fit for a dog or even a cat to live in."

"Well, let's go see what is going on over there then."

Both of them headed over to the old Wilson house that had been left empty for a long time. The house was old and was now falling apart. When they arrived, there were humans walking around the house. They had hard hats on.

Bluesy Boy and Big Bert stayed safe behind a building that was next door and watched. The men continued to walk around the house, taking measurements. After a few moments they got in their truck and drove away.

Big Bert looked at Bluesy Boy. "What do you think they were doing?"

Bluesy Boy twitched his tail. "I'm not sure but I can smell something that is not quite right. "It's coming from the house. Let's take a closer look."

Big Bert went first. His nose was to the ground sniffing as he went along. He stopped and looked up at the old porch. Bluesy Boy could see his nose sniffing the air.

"Did you pick up something?"

"Not sure, will have to go in there to see."

Bluesy Boy jumped up on the porch and walked up a plank that was leaning against a window. He looked in and sniffed. It smelled like old skunk, mildew and dust. Bluesy Boy's nose twitched.

Big Bert had gone around the corner. "There's a window that is broken on this side. We can go through here."

They were standing in the living room. An old couch slumped in the corner with cobwebs around it with a broken table beside it was all that was in the room. The floor itself looked a bit sloped like it was ready to cave in.

"Be careful where you walk in this room. Nothing looks too solid," Bluesy Boy told Big Bert.

"Gotcha on that. I don't think we'll stay inside this old heap too long. Something tells me this place is going to collapse at any time."

They both cautiously went from room to room and then came to the stairs. Big Bert looked over at Bluesy. "Should we take a chance?"

Bluesy Boy hesitated. "Let's check it out. My twitching tail is telling me something is here."

"Big Bert followed him up the stairs. Every step they took the old stairs creaked and groaned. A few times they almost jumped. When they finally made it to the top landing, a sound from one of the rooms made Bluesy startle. Big Bert let out a low growl.

They cautiously went to the room and stopped at the door way. The door was halfway closed. They both peaked around the corner. There were some movement and that sound again. They both sniffed.

Big Bert went in first. Bluesy Boy stayed back a bit. Under some garbage and an old broken dresser, a head popped up. "Hey can you help me?"

It was another dog. Big Bert trotted over to him. "How did you get in there?"

"I was here with my owners, the ones who bought this place and I got lost."

"You're stuck in there pretty good."

"I know, Maybe you can pull at some things to loosen me up."

Bluesy Boy came over then. "Hey, you have a cat with you."

"He's okay. That's Bluesy Boy or Dirty Paws as some cats call him."

"His paws look pretty white to me."

Big Bert snorted. "Yeah, some of the cats call him that because they don't think he should be with the likes of me."

"Oh. I see. Well, I'm glad to see you both. Maybe you can both pull at some of this garbage to free me."

They both started to take away stuff but nothing was really helping him. Then a loud sound from outside shook the old house. "What was that," he cried out at them.

Bluesy Boy jumped up on the window. "There's a big tractor out there with a mean looking thing in front of it. Looks like a big metal claw."

Big Bert came over to see. "I know what that is. That claw will tear this house down. They are going to rip this old house down. We have to get out of here."

"What about me?"

Bluesy Boy and Big Bert looked at each other. They couldn't leave him here. Bluesy Boy looked out the window where the tractor thing was.  The family was here as well. A boy of around twelve was looking rather anxious. Bluesy Boy put it together pretty quickly. The dog stuck was his dog. They somehow had to let him know where he was.

"We have to get their attention Big Bert."

"How? We haven't got much time. We can't jump down. That old roof doesn't look like it would hold me."

"See if this window will budge up."

Big Bert nudged his big head up against the window. It budged a bit and then finally let go and he could lift it some.

"Let's all make noise and see if we can get that boys attention."

So, all three of them started to make noise. At first they didn't appear they were getting any attention. Soon that big machine would make more noise and it would be too late. But luck was on their side. The big machine sputtered and quit leaving everything quiet. They went for it again. This time the boy looked up and his eyes widened. He pulled at his father's jacket and told him something. They both came towards the house and all three of them heard them coming up the old stairs. the dog made a noise and within seconds the boy was in the room going straight towards the dog.

"This is our cue to leave," said Big Bert.

They both took off down the stairs as quick as their feet would carry them. It wasn't long when the father and boy came out with the dog. The all looked quite happy. Just in time as the big machine roared back to life.

The boy took the dog back to the truck. He was hugging him. He instructed the dog to stay put while he went to his father for a minute. But the dog spied Bluesy and Big Bert by the old building looking on. He trotted over to them. "Thanks guys, you saved my skin back there. I owe you one. They call me Skip. I'll be living here when they get the new house built."

"Well, welcome to the neighborhood. They call me Big Bert and this as I said is Bluesy Boy. We were glad to help."

"Thanks again, I'll get back to David. I don't want to lose him again."

They watched him go back to the truck in time for David to pick him up and take him into the truck with him.

"We better get going before they start tearing this thing down."

They both took off down the street where they parted ways at the corner. Bluesy Boy had enough excitement for one morning. He was ready for his own catnap.

When he got in the house Misty was just getting up. "Hey Bluesy Boy, are you ready for a run outside with me?"

Bluesy Boy went to his food dish and had some cat food along with some water. "The only place I'm going to right now is my basket in the window to take a long nap. I've had enough excitement for one day or even all week."

Misty sniffed him. "I smell something strange on you. What were you into?"

Bluesy Boy flopped into his basket and started to lick himself. "I met a new dog that will be living in our neighborhood. Although, we almost didn't have one but we saved him."

"Should I even ask about this adventure of yours?"

"Later, after I had my nap. But don't let me miss wet cat food time. Okay?"

Misty sighed. "I won't."

Bluesy Boy was snoring away before Misty even turned around. She shook her little cat head wondering what kind of adventure he had without her. 

 

 



FLASH FICTION-COOKIE DREAMS

Hello everyone. I hope you are all well and happy. Today I have a flash fiction piece. Hope you enjoy. Have a great weekend!

Cookie Dreams

 

 

 

 

She brought them over and placed them on the table.

I looked up at her, not pleased.

Tess sighed, as if she knew I would react like this.

"Trust me," she said with a grin on her face. It was the grin I knew all too well. It was the-don't believe me one.

I shook my head. "You need to take those away before Clara gets here. You know what she will do when she sees those."

Tess crossed her arms. "I'm not taking them away, just because of her."

I rolled my eyes. I had forgot that they had a disagreement last week. "Okay," I said. "I will take them away."

Tess snatched them up before I could get near them. I looked at her in annoyance. "What are you doing? You can't have those cookies here. They are not like other cookies and you know it."

 She hung onto the plate of cookies so tight that I thought the plate would break. I tilted my head at her. I noticed her eyes were a bit funny looking. "How many did you eat Tess?"

Her eyes instantly cast down. "I don't know. Maybe one...or two."

"Tess, really? Put the plate down before you drop them."

Her hands were shaking a bit but she sat them down. "I couldn't help it. They were so pretty and when he gave them to me, he said they would give me wonderful dreams."

I sighed. "You should know better when he gives you cookies. The faerie magic is in everything that he offers you."

Clara came into the room and spied the cookies. Her face turned red. She didn't look pleased at all. "Did he give you those?"

"He gave them to Tess and she shouldn't have taken them, okay? So, calm down. We'll get rid of them."

Clara gasped. "You can't do that. Something bad will happen. Don't you know anything?"

I folded my arms tightly, getting madder by the minute. "So, faerie girl, what are we supposed to do with them then?"

"Give them away. One of those humans will take them. They will think they are pretty and he will go chase them instead and leave us alone."

This would be a cruel thing to do. I had a few human friends. They weren't that bad. They didn't know what I was of course but I still didn't feel comfortable with this.

I picked up the colorful cookies. They looked so good and my mouth started to water. Clara and Tess were right there. We all looked at each other. "Lock the door and spell it."

Tess ran over to the door, locked it and whispered a few words.

We sat down on the floor and sat the cookies in the middle. Clara had brought over some milk. We were set.

The plate of cookies soon disappeared.

Just as the last colorful cookie crumb was gone,  he was there.

"Ah, my lovelies, three for my delight to play with. I will have such fun."

I sighed. "I will never eat another cookie." I drifted into his play land. 

SHORT STORY-METAL ROSES

Hello and hope everyone is fine. Today I have another one of my strange little stories. I hope you enjoy it. Have a great weekend!

Metal Roses

 

Lilith had a daughter. She was the only thing that she loved-in her own way. Lily-Ann avoided her mother for the most part. She couldn't stand the way her mother threw parties for her to meet boys. Anyone that was invited to meet her made her cringe.

Lily-Ann would sneak out of these parties and go down to the library and read about botany. Lily-Ann loved plants and gardens. Her mother hated them and told her so.

She didn't care what her mother thought. Lilith announced to her that she had found the perfect suitor for her and that he would be coming over for dinner. Lily-Ann didn't argue with her but rolled her eyes when she left the room. She sighed. Why does mother do this? I will hate him. I'm not going to go to any dinner.

Lily-Ann went to her closet and pulled out a dress that resembled something out of the fifties. It had a form fitting bodice and flare skirt. It was cream with bright red roses on it. She also grabbed her black army boots.

Her black fish net stockings were a bit ripped but didn't matter as Lily-Ann pulled them on. She did her makeup with bright red lipstick and smoky eyes. Lilith tried to teach her daughter about makeup but Lily-Ann always went for the dramatic to almost Goth her mother hated. To finish things off she placed a red velvet bow in her black cropped hair.

 

Now she was ready. But she wasn't going to the party. Instead, she was going to sneak out and go to the small café where poetry readings and performance art was performed. She would drink lattes and listen to them all.

Lily-Ann went out the back door and down the back alley. Her mother would be furious but it wasn't the first time and wouldn't be the last so it was no big deal.

When she got there, there was a line up. Lily-Ann picked up her pace. She knew something was on tonight when she seen the line. This would be far more fun that some boring dinner with a boy she couldn't  stand to be in the same room with.

She barely grabbed a seat at a table. The place was full. Lily-Ann sipped at her latte while the first few performed and then the main attraction of the night came up and performed. Lily-Ann just stared.

A tall gangly boy stood up on stage. He wore a black suit that didn't really fit very well along with red boots. His black hair was tied in a ponytail with a red ribbon. He also wore makeup. Dark eyeliner outlined his smoky eyes. His lips were stained red.

Lily-Ann was captivated by him. Standing there he appeared to be so shy and awkward but when he cleared his voice and started speaking, Lily-Ann's heart leaped. His piece was about plants and that they were special in a special garden that was created for a love. She hung on to his every word. It felt like he was talking about a garden that was meant for her.

Their eyes met. She didn't blink in case he disappeared or something. As he continued on he kept his eyes on her and read the words out to her telling her about the garden. It was a magical garden were magic danced the night away and true love bloomed.

Lily-Ann held her breath.

When he was done he took a bow and smiled right at her. He walked off the stage and went right to Lily-Ann. His eyes were cat green and he smelled of sage and rosemary with a hint of spicy rose.

"Hello, my name is Edward. May I sit with you?"

She nodded and he sat opposite her. His cheeks slightly blushed as he spoke. "What may I call you?"

"Lily-Ann is what mother named me."

"She chose well I would say. Lily-Ann is the perfect name for you."

"Thank you Edward. It's the only thing pretty my mother gave to me."

"Really? I bet your mother gave you many pretty things." Lily-Ann sighed. "My mother is Lilith and she wants me to find a boyfriend that totally bores me."

"You're Lilith's daughter? I see." Lily-Ann watched his cat green eyes go a little deeper in color. She was hoping he wasn't going to get up and leave.

"I would like to take you to the garden that I talked about in the performance. Would you come? I might make you forget about your mother for a bit."

Lily-Ann's eyes went wide. "The garden really exists?"

Edward smiled. "Of course it does. Will you come?"

They left the coffee shop and together went for a walk to a part that Lily-Ann had only heard about. There wasn't much to see. Edward led her to an old cemetery where at first it looked abandoned but when they both stepped in, magic started to awaken. He took her hand and led her to the back where a black silver wrought iron bench was sitting. The back of the bench was roses that twined up into the air creating a large back to the bench.

They both sat down and Lily-Ann watched the garden come to life. Beds of roses popped up and sprang into bloom. Everything shimmered because the roses were metal. Two cello player were in the corner playing. Edward offered his hand. "Would you dance with me?"

She blushed as she took his hand. In the middle was a clearing and they danced to the cello's mournful music. "This garden was meant for you. It had waited for a long time for you to show and now you have." He smiled down at her.

They danced for some time until the moon above shone on them. "I guess it is time for you to go back to your home. Lilith will be  wondering where you are."

Lily-Ann shrugged. "Maybe, but I wouldn't count on it."

Edward looked at her. "Do you think that your mother would think I was a good suitor?"

Lily-Ann smiled. "She hates everything I love so she wouldn't approve of you."

He nodded like he understood what she meant. Then he grinned. "What if  I was to approach her on my own? Would that make it different?"

Lily-Ann like Edward very much. "You could try." Before they left he plucked one of the metal roses and gave it to her.

 

Three days later an invitation came to Lily-Ann's house. Lilith was in a good mood. She told Lily-Ann that they were invited  to a special dinner party and that this time she couldn't run away.

They went to the party and Lily-Ann was very nervous. She chose to wear a black gown that had little crystals in it that shimmered like the stars on a  black night. Her mother didn't see but underneath she wore her army boots. Her smoky eyes were darker tonight and her lips were painted a dark purple black. Around her neck she wore the only necklace that her father had given her-black pearls.

When they arrived at the home, the gothic style home glowed from within. A tall older man that looked like a walking skeleton greeted them at the door.  He ushered them into the dining room. A small group was already there. A man clothed in white and gold stood in front of  a massive stone fireplace. Lily-Ann thought it was odd. She didn't know what he was.

Edward came in wearing his finest and when he saw her he gasped. "My love, you wore the perfect dress for the occasion tonight."

He took her hand and kissed it as well as Lilith's. Lily-Ann watched for a reaction. Her mother appeared enamored by Edward. She let out a sigh.

They all had a wonderful meal and when the evening meal was done , Edward stood up with his glass and proposed a toast.

"I want to thank you all for coming tonight. This is a special evening tonight as something very special is going to happen. This lovely lady to my right will become my bride tonight."

Lilith almost choked. Edward continued on as if he never heard her. We will gather around in front of the fireplace and Lily-Ann and I will stand and recite our vows. Come join us."

Lily-Ann thought her mother would spit fire but didn't say anything-yet. It made her nervous as they approached the large stone fireplace. She could picture Lilith throwing Edward into the fire place and watch him burn but so far nothing.  It was as if Lilith was enamored over him again as she stood there and beamed.  

The white and gold robed man took his place in front of them while everyone looked on. Lily-Ann and Edward faced each other. He handed her a small bouquet of roses. They were metal. Edward was the first to say his vows.

From the first time I saw you I knew you were the girl from my special garden. It was fate that brought you to me I'm sure. I promise to be the best husband to you for all eternity. I will give you as many metal roses as you like and as many poems as you would like to hear. My darling Lily-Ann, I give myself to you."

She smiled at him and said a few words.

I promise to be the best wife I can be and will cherish every metal rose I get and every poem you read to me. I give myself to you.

The man in the white and gold robe mumbled something and then they were announced as husband and wife. Everyone clapped.

Lilith did not. It appeared that whatever spell Edward cast on her was now wearing off. Her eyes were demon red and she was mad.

Marching up to the couple she pointed her sharp red painted fingernail into Edward's chest. "How dare you...

Lily-Ann watched her mother's angry face turn into a happy one. She hugged and congratulated Edward and smiled at Lily-Ann.

"What did you do to her?"

Edward smiled down at his bride. "Mother in laws can be nasty things my dear. One can never be too careful. I will always keep tricks up my sleeves to protect us from her. She will never be the wiser and one day she will come around and accept me."

Lily-Ann felt a chill go through her. She wasn't sure where it came from, him or her mother. He quickly pulled her into his arms as if he felt her chill. "It will be okay. Nothing will happen my dear."

Everyone went into the other room and celebrated the night away.

Lilith went home without her. She never said goodbye or anything. Lily-Ann was not surprised but worried all the same.

Edward was the most gentle husband and Lily-Ann was so enchanted by him that any worries that she had, disappeared. She loved Edward.

Then one day sitting in her metal rose garden , the sky darkened and this smell of burnt grass made Lily-Ann cough.

In a haze of black smoke, Lilith appeared. Lily-Ann had no place to run. Her mother's feral look told her to stay put. Lilith sauntered up to her daughter and smirked. "So, you thought you had the wool pulled over your mother's eyes. Well, you should have known better. My eyes are never blind no  matter   what you put in in front of them."

"But mother...

Lilith waved her hand in the air silencing her. "Never mind, you will come with me back home. This marriage was a fiasco."

"What about Edward? I love him mother."

She scoffed at her. "You don't know what love is."

"And you do,?"she spit back at her. "How many men have you had?"

Lilith narrowed her eyes at her. "How dare you talk back to me? I think you need to be taught a lesson."

That's when Lily-Ann saw  Edward standing at the garden gate. He not look happy. Lilith didn't turn around to face him. She knew he was there. Lilith sighed. "You almost had me dear but you knew that I would come to be wise to your tricks demon boy." She snapped her fingers and Edward fell to his knees holding his throat, choking. Lily-Ann raced to Edward and screamed at her mother. "Stop this. I love him and I don't care if you like him or not. You hate everything I love and I'm tired of it. It is time you left me alone."

Lilith's eyes went wide and were feral. Still, Lily-Ann held her ground with her mother. "Stop this now or you will never see me again."

It was like cold water was poured over Lilith. She stopped and Edward could breathe again. Lily-Ann helped him to his feet.

Lily-Ann could tell that he was angry by the way he shook. She held into his arm to settle him but she was afraid it was too late.

He flung his hand out at her and Lilith disappeared into black smoke.

"What did you do to mother?"

Before Edward answered a black cat sauntered out of the black smoke.

Lily-Ann looked at him. "You like black cats, don't you?"

"Yes, I do but you turned mother into a black cat?"

He shrugged. "It was the only thing I could think of that I hadn't given you yet."

The black cat rubbed up against Lily-Ann's leg and purred. She picked it up and petted it. "I'll call her Lilith in honor of my mother. She can keep me company in the garden."

"I thought you might. She will make a nice pet, I'm sure."

Lily-Ann put the cat down and walked out of the garden gesturing for the cat to follow. Edward went to follow his wife when Lilith hissed at him making him wait for her to go first.

Edward sighed. "Mother-in-laws."

SHORT STORY-POPPY&THE PRINCE-TOMCAT

Hello and hope it's a warm Spring day where you are. Today I have another installment of Poppy & the Prince. Hope you enjoy and have a great weekend.

Poppy & the Prince

 

Tomcat

 

 

Poppy grabbed hold of Seth's arms and forced him to look at her. "You can't do this." Her voice came across as desperate and Poppy instantly changed her voice to a softer tone. She had to get through to him.

"She doesn't care about you. The winter queen will hurt you." Poppy was hoping that he would believe her since she had only just met her but she knew that this queen was only for herself. She knew humans at school like her.

Seth did look at her. His silver eyes shimmered. "You're the one who hurt me. I'm very aware of what she is capable of doing." He grabbed her wrists making her flinch. "Let me teach you lesson in listening." His silver eyes narrowed at the queen. She had stood quiet watching. An eerie feeling went though Poppy when she looked over at her.

"We'll play by my rules," he told her.

She pouted. "You always do that. Snippy prince always wants his own way." Her whine sounded like a school yard fight.

Seth shrugged. "Suit yourself." He grabbed Poppy and started to drag her away.

"Wait, where do you think you're going? I was the one who found her. That should account for something." The air started to cool down. Poppy shivered. She looked up at the trees waiting for the snow to start coming. Seth didn't like the cold either as he let out a feral growl at her.

Poppy watched as her staff started to transform. She now held the same staff as she did back in the snowy world where Poppy encountered her.

The winter queen tapped her staff on the ground. Roots from underneath sprung up and started to wind themselves around her and Seth's feet. Poppy instantly pulled her feet up yanking the fine roots out of the ground. Seth did the same thing but they kept sprouting our of the ground.

The snow queen was laughing. "I like my games better. We'll play by my rules today. I feel like chasing today." Her cold blue eyes looked at Poppy. "I'll hold him in place and let you get a head start."

Poppy looked at her with wide eyes. "What are you doing?"

A large snowy wolf came out from behind her. It looked like it had come out of her skirts. It growled at Poppy.

Seth flung out his hand sending the wolf up against the trees. The snow queen snarled. The roots from the ground came up like spiders  They were climbing up his legs now. There was no roots for Poppy. The large wolf was back at the snow queen's side looking meaner than ever.

The snow queen tilted her head at Poppy. "I would start running soon dear. My puppy is anxious to play with you." She grinned and gave Poppy the creeps.

Seth was busy struggling with the roots to help her. So she ran as fast as her feet would carry her. The shrubs felt like they were claws that were reaching out to grab her and hold her or tear at her skin. Poppy kept going regardless and tried to find her way out of this magical forest.

She didn't know if the pounding in her chest was her heart or the wolf that was pursuing her. Poppy was too scared to look.  She could see light a head of her and suddenly hope filled her. Poppy raced toward it.

Just before she got to the end a shadow leaped over top of her and landed in front of her. It was the wolf.

Poppy screamed shielding her herself with her arms. Suddenly, she felt her feet being lifted off the ground. When she looked down she could see the wolf snapping at her and jumping up trying to get her.  But she kept getting higher.

She fell against something solid.  When she looked up she peered into yellow cat eyes. "Why hello dear. Nasty puppy down there I do say."

It was Tomcat. She didn't know if she should cry or hug him. He straightened her up. They were standing on a large limb of a tree.

"You saved me. Why?"

Tomcat frowned. "I do a good deed and get questioned for it? If you would rather face...

"No, no, I'm sorry. Thank you for saving me. I just was surprised that you...

"Saved you even though you ran away from me?" He smirked. "This little royal game that they are playing with you is more interesting. I just have to figure out what to do with you now."

"You could just take me out of here and take me back to the human world where I came from." She knew she sounded too hopeful by the way he grinned at her.

"I could but what fun would that be. Your prince is mad at you and wants to punish you and the queen wants you for some reason. This could be to my advantage you know."

He leaped up onto the limb above them and held out his hand to her. "Take my hand and we will fly over to my camp where you will be very safe. Neither one of them go there. It's out of their territory."

Poppy stood there looking around wondering what to do. Tomcat sighed. "If you would like to sit here for eternity, be my guest. But be forewarned, puppy down there won't stay down there much longer. He'll come join you and you may or may not want that." He stared at her expressionless.

Poppy let out a huff and grabbed his hand. He smiled. "I though you might make the right decision."

His large butterfly wings spread out behind his back and he pulled her close to him. The smell of the forest devoured her. Up they went and he flew effortlessly over the tops of the tress, letting the wind carry then far away.

They landed in a mossy bank near a gurgling creek. The moss was soft under Poppy's feet. The moss started to rise in one spot. Poppy watched it popped open and a tiny little creature came scrambling over to them. "What do you have Tomcat? Is it something we can eat?"

Tomcat frowned at the little thing. It resembled a cat that looked as if it hadn't been brushed in some time. It look matted. His large cat eyes appeared too big for its body. Its paws had long claws that made Poppy uncomfortable.

"No, this is not to eat. This will  however bring us better things to eat my friend." Its large cat eyes looked her up and down and didn't see how she could mean better thing to eat.

"Trust me Sphinx, this will give us everything we want."

His nose twitched still not convinced. Sphinx sniffed carefully anyway. Poppy watched his nose wrinkle. She was glad as she didn't want him to sample her.

"Let's show our guest to her new home for now. We will have visitors soon and we will have to be ready for them. Lots to do. Let's go."

Poppy walked beside Tomcat and Sphinx walked at a safe distance behind them. She could hear little feral noises come form him every once in a while.

Poppy's eyes widened when they got to the place where she would be staying. It was a small village of faeries. They were all colors and shapes and sizes. They came out of their homes to investigate what had arrived. She felt like Alice in Wonderland arriving in Wonderland.

Everything looked surreal as they all started to gather around her. Some were brave and touched her and others just sniffed her. Tomcat looked quite proud of himself. He reminded Poppy of a cat who caught a big fat mouse. She was the fat mouse.

He smiled at his audience. "Let us welcome Poppy, the summer king's bride to be." There were a few gasps in the crowd. "She will be our guest for a while. Let's make her welcome, shall we?" Poppy picked up an air of warning in his tone. "There will be much activity in the near future and it will mean lots of fun for all." Poppy cringed at what he might have meant by fun.

Tomcat came up beside her and leaned in close to her cheek "The next few days will be most interesting my pet. I suggest you prepare yourself for the wildest ride of your life." 

FLASH FICTION-LILY & MOUSE

Hi and today I have a flash fiction piece. It's whimsical so I hope you enjoy it. Take care.

LILY & MOUSE

 

Lily was a tiny faerie.

She liked tea parties very much.

Today she was inviting Mouse who also liked tea parties.

She made camomile tea with small plates of seeds from dandelion and since the sunflowers were ready, she picked those, especially for Mouse. They were his favorite.

Lily baked tiny tarts filled with wild raspberries for dessert.

 

Mouse was dressed in his finest. He wore a dark grey velvet vest and a top hat. He hopped up on the mushroom and sat down. "Good day Lily."

Lily giggled. "Good day to you, Mouse. Have some sunflower seed. I picked them for you."

Mouse quickly took one and cracked it open. "Thank you. These are my favorite."

Lily placed some acorn cups out on the stump that served as their table.

She poured tea into each cup.

They sat and enjoyed their tea and seeds.

 

Out of the clearing came Buttercup who was a small butterfly faerie. She spied the raspberry tarts and came running.

Mouse grabbed the plate just in time before she upset everything.

Lily frowned. "Buttercup, you almost ruined everything."

Buttercup's wings drooped. "I smelled the tarts and couldn't help it."

Lily sighed. "Fine, you may have one but please sit at the table and eat nice."

She hopped up on one of the mushrooms and ate her tart. Buttercup was very careful.

Mouse poured her some tea to go with her tart.

They all had a nice tea party.

Buttercup thanked Lily for tea and tart and excused herself politely.

Mouse also thanked Lily and said that he would invite her back for a tea party.

Lily and Mouse hugged and off he went.

 

 

 

SHORT STORY-POPPY & THE PRINCE-THE WINTER QUEEN

Hello everyone. I hope everyone is fine. Today I have another installment of Poppy & The Prince titled The Winter Queen. Hope you enjoy. Have a great weekend!

The Winter Queen

 

 

 Poppy's heart pounded in her chest. Please don't come after me. Please...please. She knew that she was pleading with herself but she kept running until her feet came to a sudden halt. The site before her held her in her place.

It was a small clearing in the forest and it was all white as in snow. In the middle was a mound but it was covered with snow and she couldn't see what it was really.

There was movement behind it that made her startle. She gasped as she was it was the faerie that was beside Tomcat. She had heard Tomcat call him Efren. He leaped over the mound and landed in front of her. Efren was holding a bow and arrow. Poppy finally got her feet unlocked and backed up. He looked at her and all around him. It was as if he was looking all around him for someone or something that might come out of this snowy little world.

 

"What is it?" Poppy muttered.

He wasn't saying anything and then he held his finger up to his mouth to tell her to keep quiet. The trees around then started to shake and the snow that stuck to them came crashing down to the ground making him jump.

Poppy was about to turn around and run when a voice echoed inside the wintery setting. She stopped and so did Tomcat's tribe member. She watched his eyes widen like he knew who or what it was and that terrified Poppy. She went to run when a snow wall erupted in front of her. She could hear Efren hiss behind her.

"Come back this way so we can talk."

She glanced over at him and Efren let out a huff. His breath hung in the air as he looked at her with anger.

She could see something glittery behind him. The glitter moved. It was moving towards them. She was trapped between him and whatever it was.

It was another faerie.

She walked toward them holding a staff with a silver globe on top. The glitter Poppy saw was her wings. They spiraled into the wintery air and glittered like the sun hitting the snow. She wasn't very big but Poppy could feel the fierceness that she carried herself with. Her gown looked doll like and was silver and blue. Her hair that was in a unique braid matched the color of her dress.

Her ice blue eyes shone as she got closer to Efren. Poppy watched them as they reacted to one another's  presence. Her tiny thin pink lips almost sneered at him. A low feral growl that started out low and then went high. It reminded Poppy of two tom cats about to have a fight.  The bow in his hand was ready.

As quick as a cat she flung a wall of snow into his face. He leaped up into the air firing his arrow at her but she was quicker. With a flick of her wrist she plucked him our of the air and brought him down crashing into the snow. She was now on top of him.

Her staff rested on his throat. Poppy watched in horror. Was she going to kill him? Should she try and run again? There was nothing stopping her now.

She went for it and ran. Poppy could hear high pitched feral noises behind her. It made her run faster. She was back into the forest again and lost.

She looked up into the forest trees that appeared as high as skyscrapers. Why did this feel so unfamiliar to her? The school playground should be in on the other side, no? Or the row of houses that were on the other side of the clump of trees? No, this was strange Poppy concluded.

She whipped around and there she was. Away from the snowy world she looked different. Her shimmery wings looked dull and dirty. The staff didn't look anymore than a gnarled old piece of oak with a tarnished silver knob on top. Her silver blue dress looked pale.
She tilted her had at Poppy and grinned. "You look like someone I once knew. Why don't you tell me who you are?"
Poppy bravely threw up her chin at her. "Who are you and what did you do to him?"
She pouted like a two year old. "Was he your love?"
Poppy shook her head. Her pout to turned to a smile. "Then we won't talk about him. Who are you and why are you running or who are you running from?"
She came closer to Poppy. "I'm the winter queen and you are?"
"Poppy."
"Well Poppy, tell me why you are running. I'm most curious."
A sudden voice behind Poppy made her jump.
"She belongs to me."
Poppy whipped around to see Seth sauntering towards her.
He looked dangerous and Poppy held her breath. When he reached her he took her hand. He was cold. Why?
"She belongs to you?" Her voice suddenly became high pitched. "This isn't the one, is it?"
"No, it's not." He practically shouted at her. The anger in him transcended into her and made her shiver.
"Ahh, she doesn't love you, does she? Oh dear, that is a problem. What are you going to do with the little thing?" She was mocking him and getting great delight in tormenting him.
"I don't know. You have any ideas?"
Poppy's eyes went wide. "What?"
Their eyes met. "You deceived me and I will punish you for this."
She heard a giggle behind her and clap of hands.
"Let's play my favorite game, shall we?"
Seth's eyes were as cold as ice. He rested his forehead against her. "I'm sorry but you didn't listen. You hurt me."
"I'm so sorry and I promise to listen, okay?" She had to talk him down somehow.
His hands started to warm and his face took on a softness. She thought it worked.
Seth looked over at the winter queen.
"Tell me, what is your favorite game again?"