Chapter 15.
* * *
I feel a gentle breeze on my skin. The scent of flowers lingers in the air. It is sweet, delicate, and refreshing. The last thing I remember is the hard bark of the tree I was leaning against. It's strange, because now I feel like I'm lying on something incredibly soft and fluffy.
Something is wrong here...
I try to remember more, but my thoughts are foggy. I feel dazed and confused. One thing I know for sure. Wherever I am right now and whatever is happening to me, I feel at peace. As if I was always meant to end up here.
"He's awake!"
I hear a voice nearby. I open my eyes and sit up almost immediately.
Now I see that I'm lying on a large patch of moss. Right next to me is a small pond, surrounded by tall trees. I feel like I should be incredibly exhausted, yet I feel fantastic.
I hear loud giggling behind my back. But for some strange reason, I feel I don't need to worry about it. That it's completely natural in this place.
I turn around unhurriedly and see three figures emerging from between the trees. I feel calm, because I have the impression I know them. As if they were a part of me. A strange feeling. I don't remember ever feeling this way.
They are three women. In the very center stands the tallest one, my height. Instead of hair, she has thick, green leaves. Her body is entwined with vines. Right next to her walk two blonde women, identical as drops of water. I get the impression that both of them are constantly wet. Water drops dance joyfully on their skin, turning into small streams time and time again.
"Welcome, warrior. My name is Aio, and this is Keira and Reika."
The woman in the middle smiles shyly. They step closer and closer.
"You scared us a little when you appeared in our forest."
They stop a step away from me. I am able to discern every last detail of their bodies. There is something predatory about them. Something that draws a thirsty man to water.
"You can stay with us. We will welcome you with open arms."
I am enchanted by her very being. By her warm voice and beautiful shape.
"You only need to intertwine our fates together."
Aio sits next to me, her face barely a breath away from mine. Her green eyes are mesmerizing.
"Seal our bond with a kiss. Then we will be together forever."
As if in a trance, without hesitation, I join our lips together.
* * *
"He's awake!"
Reika and Keira run toward me, all excited.
I don't blame the sisters. I can't believe it myself!
The first part of the spell succeeded. We managed to invade his mind.
Thanks to this, we can understand what our target desires. In this case, it is the desire for closeness. For understanding and trust. The need for love. That is why we are all so restless.
This is exactly what we wanted. The easiest things to control.
I keep smiling, but I know the hardest test is coming now. Now he is the one who must take a step toward us. It doesn't matter how. He must make a move himself to seal the spell.
During the last such attempt, exactly in this second part, the victim broke free from our magic. It was dangerous, but we managed to kill him then. That is why we must do everything carefully. Because he could break free from the cast infatuation at any moment.
"I will coax him, and you, sisters, keep singing in the meantime. Be ready to fight, too."
"Of course, Aio!"
"We are so close!"
"As soon as I manage to coax him into contact, don't wait too long."
"We will pounce on him immediately!"
"We can't wait!"
All together, we must have control over him.
He must protect each of us. Only then will we survive.
Especially since lately more and more people have been venturing into our territory.
There is no other way.
I try to stay composed, but I feel my hands trembling. This is the last stage before complete obedience, and at the same time, the last moment he could do us harm.
We emerge from between the trees. The sisters sing a song of seduction as we approach the warrior, step by step.
He is fascinated! The magic is working!
This is the moment I must finally beguile him.
"Welcome, warrior. My name is Aio, and this is Keira and Reika."
We are getting closer.
"You scared us a little when you appeared in our forest."
My heart wants to jump out of my throat.
"You can stay with us. We will welcome you with open arms."
I sit slowly next to him, maintaining eye contact.
"You only need to intertwine our fates together."
He looks at me with such wildness in his eyes that I wonder if he is really human.
I can't back down now!
"Seal our bond with a kiss. Then we will be together forever."
The breakthrough happens. He does it almost immediately. He throws himself at my lips before I have the chance to say anything else. From now on, he is our slave.