6 comments/ 21964 views/ 21 favorites Isabella Ch. 02 By: masked_maiden After their first meeting Rafa came to Isabella's place every other day; He watched over Isabella and even helped her by hunting for her. His knowledge of the forest made it easy to find the prey. It was also easy for him to take aim with his bow as he kept pace with the deer that he hunted; his long horse legs covered the same long strides. As Rafa spent more time with Isabella he started to wonder about her. There seemed to be an aurora around her, it felt as if there was magic in the air around her. He could feel it in the air the same way he had felt it when the Elves had placed the protective stones around the village. That thought brought the elves to mind; he had avoided them every time they came to the village. His tribe had been allies with the elves since before Rafa's grandfather was even born but the thin elegant grace that they moved with made him uneasy especially since he had seen them in battle. They had come and helped his tribe the last time the Werewolves attacked. He had made it one of his life missions to never cross an elf. But he still noticed them when they came to visit his king. Rafa and Isabella had made a small lean-to against a large boulder with some branches and vines so they could be together without having to be in the house which made Rafa feel boxed in. Rafa had covered it with vines so that it blended in with the surrounding forest. Rafa had noticed that Isabella had made a crude mark on the rock that made one of the inside walls. Rafa also had the feeling that he had seen the mark somewhere before, but couldn't remember where. As they went inside for their supper Rafa held aside the vines letting Isabella slip inside first. She showed her appreciation by running her hand over the long hair that hung down between his front legs to hide his genitals. He smiled and followed her inside the lean-to. He turned and laid down so he could hold her to him as they ate and watched the sunset. Rafa had gotten use to the peace and quiet that always surrounded Isabella. Isabella had raised her hand to fill his mind with another of her wonderful visions. Then Rafa straightened up and gently held her by the wrists. Isabella knew from his body language that he had heard something that was out of the ordinary. So she moved out of his arms quietly and moved to the side letting him have a clearer view through the vines. Soon ten men on horseback came into view. Rafa had his hand on the hilt of his sword ready to draw it, if he needed to. The uniforms the men were wearing were faded and in rags. The stench of stale sweat and beer coming off of them was over powering and made Isabella nauseas. They stopped as the leader turned his mount to speak to his men. Isabella saw his face and moved farther into the shadows causing Rafa to give her a questionable look. He was taken aback by the pure fear that showed on her face. He looked back at the men. A man as wide as he was tall was the first to speak out. "How much farther?" he whined. "Just a few more minutes and we'll be there." Their leader snapped at him "Then why are we stopping now? Especially if this girl is as special as you say she is." Said a thin man from the back; this man had the look of someone calculating his chances. "I just wanted to remind you all, she is a treasure and like any other treasure she is well protected. She can't speak but she has been given many other talents. She is the daughter of a king and the king will make us all rich when we return her from her kidnappers. Also remember that two of the best warriors of our time took her 15 years ago, they will not just hand her over. They might have aged but I doubt that they have forgotten how to fight." "I just hope she's worth all the trouble we've had so far and are supposedly going to have getting her out of there." "Why are you grumbling? I've paid you each a small fortune to get her and the king will give you more. That's all there is to say, so it's time to move out." The men continued on, Rafa looked back at Isabella. She quickly touched his temple. She showed a picture of the older couple. "You want to go and help them?" She nodded her head and started to walk out of the lean-to. Rafa got up and grabbed her by the waist. "I'll go, and you stay here and wait where it is safe. I know it will make you sad, but I could move on if they died, if I lost you I'd die too." She smiled, leaned up and kissed him goodbye, her eyes were a dark brown with worry. Rafa looked behind him once, just to make sure she was well hidden. He then raced though the forest and up the hill. By the time he got to the cottage the attack was well underway. Rafa charged though the door that had been ripped off of its leather hinges. Rafa was momentarily amazed at the old couple. He had thought them frail but now he could see that, while yes they had aged and obviously had been sick lately, they were strong and their fighting was so fast they almost looked like two blurs of light. It was as if Rafa had seen their fighting style before but he wasn't able to think about that as he cut down three of the men before they even knew he was there. The man that Isabella had taken care of took notice of Rafa but was too busy fighting two of the men to take any action against him. When a third tried to attack the old man from behind, Rafa took action. Rafa quickly threw his dagger at the man. The old man turned just in time to see the man fall to the floor with the dagger sticking out of his chest. He looked over at Rafa and nodded acknowledging that he understood that Rafa was on his side. The old man then quickly pointed behind Rafa before he was attacked again. One of the men had gotten behind Rafa and was about to put a blade through his chest, but before Rafa could even move the man was knocked to the side as Isabella charged into him. It caused his sword to go off mark and just cut along Rafa's side. Rafa quickly sliced the man's chest open. As his body fell he knocked over a stand of candles into the curtains, setting the dried logs of the house ablaze. Rafa looked to make sure Isabella was ok but was startled as his eyes meet hers; they were a cold burning black fury that scared him. With the fire climbing the wall behind her she looked like an avenging angel. The old man was instantly next to Rafa, throwing a blanket over Isabella. "Here take her," the old man said kissing her on the forehead, "Keep her safe from them. Since you're hurt you'll have to be careful not to come in contact with her skin until you are in a safe place. You'll understand later. Now get out of here. We'll keep them occupied." Rafa quickly and carefully picked Isabella up as he ran full speed out of the cottage. He was going to take her back to his tribe then he'd bring others to help once she was safe. He had just passed into the woods when an arrow whistled past him. Unfortunately, the next arrow, shot by the leader as he raced his horse alongside Rafa, found its mark in Rafa's side causing him to slowdown. The leader jumped off his horse in front of Rafa. Rafa set Isabella to the side, and as he did the leader slashed at him with a dagger. It cut across his chest but it wasn't deep. Rafa tried to draw his sword only to have a fiery feeling explode in his chest from the cut. "Feeling that burn horse boy? That's poison; I have the antidote and it's all yours if you hand her over. After all she's nothing to you." "Never!" Rafa groaned as he tried to clear his head of the pain. "Then die." The man lunged at Rafa only to be brought short as Isabella shoved Rafa's sword into his chest. She pulled it back out and with both hands on the hilt swung it, sending the man's head rolling into the woods. She then readjusted the blanket over her head and shoulders, leaning into Rafa as he leaned on her for support, they slowly moved farther into the forest. They finally stopped when Isabella found a place between the stream and a boulder where Rafa could rest. Rafa fell to the ground with none of his usual grace. His breathing was ragged and had a rattling that worried Isabella. Even in the weak moonlight she could see that he had a pale and fevered look to him. His veins were starting to show like rivers in a delta, but they were an unnatural black color. She knew there was little she could do but she knew she needed to slow the poison. She started to look for plants to help him when she heard hooves moving thought the forest. In her fear she grabbed Rafa's sword again and placed herself between the sound and Rafa. She just about sighed with relief when seven Centaurs came through the forest. The moonlight showed that three of them had similar features as Rafa, although they were all older than him. Toni, one of the newly arrived centaurs, looked past Isabella to Rafa then back to her as he let out a roar that scared her. He then charged at her thinking that she had hurt Rafa. When she sidestepped him she brought the sword up. It cut his arm as he ran by. She quickly dropped the sword and grabbed onto his arm. Toni immediately tried to pull away from the burning of her hand that was on his arm, but he found that it was as if her hand was fussed to him. Soon the burning cooled and a clam came over him. She removed her hand and stepped back once again putting herself between Him and Rafa. She bent her one knee slightly and held her hands slightly away from her sides with her palms up. Trying to show them that she meant no harm, but that she wasn't going to leave Rafa either. Toni looked for the cut on his arm, but it wasn't there. He looked at her again and saw the cut forming on her arm. She very slowly and hesitantly reached up to a branch above her, as soon as she touched it there was a loud snap as it broke away from the tree. Toni reached over and picked it up. The break was so clean it was as if it was made by a sword. He looked back to her in wonder. He noticed that her breathing was slightly faster and that her eyes had a tired look about them. She locked eyes with him and reached out to him with her palm up. He stepped closer; she reached up to his temple. She quickly showed him the events of the night. When she broke the connection he clearly saw how tired she had become. "She was trying to defend him. She means us no harm." "She is a sorcerer, she can't be trusted. I say we kill her for what she has obviously done to Rafa," said a centaur who was staring at Rafa as if he was the only thing in the world. "No we'll tie her up. We'll take her with us." A centaur that was standing slightly in front of the others said. When Toni started to say something his objections were cut off. "Once Rafa is awake we will ask him. If he doesn't awaken then there is no need for her and she will be executed as guilty. You two tie Rafa up between you so we can get him back, perhaps Nat will know how to save him. You run ahead so Nat will know that we are coming. Sebastián you stay by my side so we may talk." "Yes Juan Carlos." Toni leaned forward and grabbed Isabella's hands. "I'm sorry about this." He chuckled slightly as she just smiled back at him. "By the way my name is Antonio but everyone calls me Toni." He then helped her get on his back so she could ride him back. She notice that the centaur that was walking with the leader, Juan Carlos, kept giving Toni a glair for helping her out, she placed the palm of one of her hands on Toni's cheek and showed him the centaur's glair. "Oh him, the one on Rafa's right? That is his father Sebastián. I can understand him being mad at you; he will accept you after Rafa is better. The one in front of them is our king Juan Carlos. He can be ruthless when it comes to protecting the tribe, but he is fair when it comes to trials so if your innocent don't be afraid." Toni moved nervously as a thought came to him. "But if you are guilty this is the only promise I can make to you and keep" Toni looked over his shoulder at Isabella so she could see that it hurt him to say what he felt he had to say. "If you are found guilty I will ask to be the one to execute you. I promise I will make it a quick and painless death; there are others in our tribe that would drag out your death for days." At this Isabella looked at Sebastián and knew who Toni meant. "I know it is a poor repayment for healing me but it is all I can do." She just put her tied hands on his shoulder and gently squeezed it to show him that she understood that he was trying to be kind. The centaurs made quick time in getting back to the tribe. Isabella caught a glimpse of the medicine woman. Nat was standing outside of her long house waiting for them but, before she could even feel any relief at seeing her old friend, Sebastián who was the one who had wanted to kill her shoved Isabella off of Toni. As Isabella hit the cold hard ground he spoke to Toni. "You disgrace yourself Toni by letting the woman who murdered your nephew ride on you!" "I don't think she murdered him and besides I thought you wanted to get here fast. How fast would we have gotten here with her stumbling around in the woods trying to sit when she hurt her feet?" Sebastián could see that there was wisdom in what Toni had said so he quit fighting with Toni and shoved Isabella back down as she had gotten to her knees and was trying to stand up. He dragged her by her hair into a side hut. He tied her to the pole that stood in the center of it. She whimpered at his ruff handling. He grabbed her hair and slammed her head back against the pole. "If my son dies so do you." He left and heard him call two centaurs over to watch the hut. She hung her head in a moment of hopelessness. She saw a woman enter the hut carrying a pail of water. Isabella was relieved at the thought of a drink that she felt hopeful for a moment. Until the woman dumped the cold water over Isabella "Why should you be comfortable as my son dies." with that the woman left too. Isabella shivered as she watched the woman head out of the hut. She wanted to sit and cry at the injustice of her treatment and her fear at losing Rafa. But she couldn't let herself give into those feelings; she had to get free to get to Rafa. First she tried to untie the knots but they were too well tied for her to even understand them. So she focused on the small cut she had on her arm from when she healed Toni. She had purposely had kept part of the cut left her arm in case she needed the energy that healing the cut would produce. She focused hard as she forced the energy from the cut to the ropes. As they gave way she stumbled into the mud. She started smearing it on her face and arms so that her pale skin in the bright moon light wouldn't give her away. She walked quietly out the door of the hut. Her two guards where young, and had foolishly positioned themselves a good foot from the door and were deeply engrossed in a game of some kind. She quickly went around the side of the hut and moved behind the next longhouse. There was a thick wool blanket hanging on a cloths line allowing the excess dye to drain from it. She grabbed it and placed it over her head and shoulders to look more like she belonged to this village. She moved back to the front of the longhouses. She hesitated as she saw the two guards look in her direction, but they just went back to playing their game. She moved as quickly as she dared to, but if she ran they would know something was up. She recognized Nat's hut and pushed aside the leather flap that served as a door in the village. She was sure that she had found the right house even, from behind she recognized Toni amongst the group of centaurs. When their impatient shifting caused a gap, Isabella saw Rafa. The two centaurs that had half carried half dragged Rafa were trying to lay him down gently but his stiff legs made it hard. He ended up in an uncomfortable looking heap. They placed his head on a chair and had his shoulders leaning against it to try and ease the difficulties he was having with his breathing. Isabella's heart sank at how terrible he looked. His skin was now a fearful looking grayish-blue. She took two quick steps before she stopped herself. She instead moved along the wall hoping to catch Nat's eye. Nat was in a heated argument with the leader of the centaurs. "I can't do anything for him. I'm sorry. Do you think I'm enjoying watching him die?" "I just can't understand you saved the young colt Ryan from the poison berries last summer. And me from that fever the year before surely this can't be worse than those berries?" Juan Carlos pleaded. "I told you, Apolo helped me then. And for the poison berries we had a little extra help." A guilty look washed over Nat's face. "What do you mean by 'extra help'!? You know no strangers are allowed in the village!" "Apolo brought her. I don't know what she did, all I know is we left her alone in here and when she knocked for us to come in he was better; she looked terrible and refused to let us touch her. Apolo lead her to the poison berry bush, and when she turned back around she looked better, but tired and the bush was dead. Apolo then took her back to where ever he got her. You know, Apolo and I would never break that law but it was needed to save a life. Apolo also said that she would become a member anyway so it didn't matter if she knew of us." "Fine, then where is Apolo? We'll help him get her again." "Apolo said something was coming and he needed a quieter place to contemplate the stars. I have no idea where he is. I love him and I refuse to make him answer to me every time he leaves. You know that. Besides you know it is against the law to try and restrain the tribe's star seer. And before you ask I have no idea where she is. I wish I did." At this point Isabella picked up a spoon from Nat's now cold dinner and tapped it hard against the table. When everyone looked several things happened at once. Nat's face went from complete hopelessness to unbridled joy. Rafa's father drew his sword and reared up going for the attack of the woman who had killed his son. Nat quickly moved between Isabella and him. "You can't kill her Sebastián." "I have every right to kill her! She's the one who did this to my son. She's an escaped prisoner, by law she can be killed on sight." "She didn't kill your son. You will if you kill her though. Juan Carlos, this is the girl who we were just talking about. Grant her a reprieve till we can sort this all out. I can't believe that she hurt him." "Ok, if she can save him we'll put her on trial. If he dies so does she." "Fine," Sebastián spat. "But I will not watch as my son dies at her hand." He stomped out of the longhouse. Isabella rubbed some of the mud off of her fingers and pressed them against Nat's face. "Toni, Isabella trusts you. She wants you to stay but wants everyone else to leave. Well at least to step outside." "I'm sorry Nat. I think we should all stay," Juan Carlos said. Isabella sighed but nodded. "She understands. No Isabella, that plant isn't used in healing I just like the Wandering Jude's colors, why?" There was a moment of silence and Isabella continued to show Nat what she needed. "Ok, let's get started." Nat walked over to a pail of water in the corner. She poured some into a bowl and as almost a second though poured two cups. Isabella quickly went over to the table and draped the blanket over the chair so she could wash her hands in the bowl. "Sorry it's so cold." But everyone in the room could see that Isabella's moves were speeding up as she kept shooting looks over at Rafa as if she was panicking. Nat cut two long vines off of the plant and put them in one of the cups of water. Isabella looked at her uncertainly. "So I can plant a new one in case we need it again," Nat replied. Isabella nodded as she walked over to the hanging plant. She pulled it down and started to wrap one of the vines around her right hand making loop over loop. When she seemed satisfied she touched Nat's face again. Isabella Ch. 02 "I know it was an honor to know you too." When Nat saw confusion on Juan Carlos's face she explained, "She thinks that she can save him but she's not sure that she won't kill herself in the process, so she's saying goodbye to the last person she knows." Isabella moved to sit next to Rafa with her back to the group of centaurs. She shook her head and stood back up. "Is she not even going to try?" Juan Carlos asked. Nat stepped over to Isabella as Isabella reached out to her. "She's going to try but he's worse than she thought. She's going to need to be touching him with more than just her hand." Isabella started undoing the lacing at the front of her dress. Nat went over to her forgotten dinner and picked up a sharp knife. She quickly started cutting up the right sleeve of the dress. When she cut the last strip away the dress fell to the floor and Isabella once again went to Rafa; the centaurs could see that even though she was determined, she was embarrassed at the fact of her nakedness. A blush crept up her neck and over her cheeks. She took two deep breaths as she kneeled next to Rafa again, keeping her back to her watchers. She placed her left hand on his right shoulder and pressed her arm against his chest. She also pressed her lips against his left shoulder and pressed her side and thigh against his. Almost immediately they could see why she wanted them to leave. Where ever skin touched Rafa, she took on the same sickly grayish-blue of Rafa's; they watched in amazement as it slowly crept across her back till her whole body looked like Rafa. Then the vine on her hand started to wither. After about twenty minutes Rafa's coloring started to slowly improve, but the veins under the skin still appeared like black rivers. All of the centaurs noticeable relaxed as they could hear Rafa's breathing also getting easier. When Rafa finally started to move, it was with the slow movement of someone in a deep sleep. He lifted his head as his body found a more comfortable position of being on his belly instead of his side. It was after a few minutes before he folded his legs up and tucked them in. When they couldn't tuck in all the way because of how Isabella was sitting he opened his eyes. His eyes had that glassy look of a fever but when he looked at Isabella he smiled weakly. He then wrapped his arms around her and placed his head on her shoulder. Almost immediately Isabella's head jerked and her whole body tensed. Juan Carlos had a feeling if she could have spoken she'd be screaming right now. The black veins in his face, hands and arms were soon leaving and showing themselves on Isabella. Juan Carlos could barely believe his eyes at how quickly Rafa was recovering; it had barely been an hour since she first touched him and now he looked healthy. Even the cut that had introduced the poison was now healed. She, on the other hand looked worse; her skin was an ashier gray then Rafa's had been and the veins were almost as black as a starless sky. Rafa opened his eyes and looked surprised to be in the longhouse with this family looking at him. He was about to speak and move when Nat stopped him. "Don't move Rafa, she needs to focus on getting the poison out of her body and into the plant. The poison is a lot more concentrated in her smaller body. It will take longer for her to filter it out." Nat was right; it took another three hours as Rafa watched worriedly over her. The plant went from being weathered to brown. If he hadn't seen it before, Juan Carlos would have thought that it had been dead for weeks. Then the plant basically disintegrated in her hand as her body slumped completely into Rafa. He pulled her close, but looked at Nat. She rushed over and placed Isabella's hand on her cheek and spoke her name; Isabella's eyes opened for only a brief moment she must have asked a question because Nat spoke to her. "He's just fine; well he's worried about you." Isabella looked over and relished it was Rafa holding her. She smiled and snuggled closer to Rafa. Nat laughed as she looked at Rafa. "She'll be just fine, but she may be out for a few days." Nat then handed him the cup of water "Try and get her to drink some while I talk with the others." Nat turned and locked eyes with Juan Carlos. "If you don't mind I don't want her to be moved right now. I think she has proven she's no threat, or do you want her tied up again?"Nat asked sarcastically. "Tied up? You tied her up!" Rafa yelled as he surged to his feet still holding Isabella. He swayed for a moment, but his eyes burned with a fierce rage. "She saved my life and you tied her up!?" "We didn't know she could save you from the poison." Juan Carlos tired to explain putting his hands up in a soothing gesture. Even though he was the king of this tribe he knew that if Rafa had chosen this girl as his mate; Rafa would kill for her. "I didn't mean from the poison. She beheaded the guy who poisoned me. She also prevented one of his men from stabbing me in the back." Juan Carlos looked confused. "There were no bodies anywhere near you when we found you. Maybe you should explain." "I'll explain but can we get water heated? I'd like to wash this mud off of Isabella and get her in a blanket." Rafa looked around and said in a soft apologetic voice, "I'll also only explain to you, your majesty everyone else needs to leave. I don't like you all seeing her this way." He pulled her loser trying to hide her messy but very naked body form the view of the others. Juan Carlos nodded understanding Rafa's emotions he made a hand gesture that sent the others outside. Then he settled down to hear Rafa's story. As the others left, Rafa nuzzled into Isabella, taking comfort in the warmth coming off of her body. Nat pulled the pot of water off of the fire. She poured it into a bucket of cold to make it just warm enough to wash her with. She then handed Rafa a cloth. Rafa told both of them his story. By the time he was done telling them he had her washed and all wrapped up in a clean blanked that Nat had handed him. He then looked down at Isabella. Her hair still had some mud caked in the dark curls but it would have to wait till she could sit up for him to comb it out. His face showed nothing but worry and fear. "Don't worry Rafa. If she was going to die, she would have already. She's just had a long day and done some very strong healing. When she saved that colt last year Apolo took her home and helped her guards watch over her. It took a week for her to recover. Granted that wasn't as bad as your poisoning. She probably will be waking up in a few days and, just be very tired and weak for a week or two after that. In that pot on the table is some chicken soup. See if you can get her to swallow some of it. Juan Carlos, I'll show you out I think you should go tell Sebastián about his son and his soon to be daughter. I think you may be able to calm him down. Tomorrow if I can get Rafa pried away from her I think he can talk to his father then." "Yes, I think I will do that, it has been a long day for all of us." A very tired Juan Carlos quickly left the long house. Nat picked up a blanket and wrapped it around Rafa's shoulders. "I know you would never ask right now, but Isabella probably will kill me if I let you get sick again. I'll see you tomorrow." With that Nat left Rafa and Isabella alone. Rafa looked worriedly down at her. He noticed how she still has a slightly rosy hue from the washing he gave to her, but he could see the gray hue that was creeping back in around the edges. He gently rubbed his fingers over her cheek as he watched it fade. Now that they were alone he shifted her body a little. He pulled her so her hip was resting on his pulling her knees up to give his arousal some room. He was glad that her body had hid it from Nat and Juan Carlos while they had talked but now it was uncomfortable to be touching her and knowing she was too weak to do anything with. He watched as her eyes danced under their lids as she dreamed. He gently and curiously lifted her hand and pressed it to his temple. He was immediately immersed in her dream. At first it was just a swirl of green, grays and blues. As it came into focus He saw Isabella, she had walked into a pond that had been formed by a waterfall falling from the cliffs above. She walked in so that the water was at her knees. The gossamer white cloth that was tied around her neck crossed over her breast and fanned behind her floating on the water. As the waves moved they caused it to open like a curtain from just below her breast showing him her soft belly, wide hips and the dark triangle of hair at the apex of her thighs. She had not realized that he was there; she was running her hands over the water and laughing softly at the feel of it. When she did sense him watching her she blushed as she turned and smiled at him. She took some steps back into deeper water. Rafa smiled and ran in after her. His powerful stride sent up a spray over her as she playfully ran into even deeper water. He caught her and swirled her in the water till she faced him. He laughed at the pure joy that radiated off of her. Her eyes were a joyful honeyed hue. He held her savoring the vibrant softness of her. In his own mind he pushed back the image of how she truly was at that moment and to forget how frail she looked outside of this dream. Her warm breath washed over his shoulder. He fisted his hand in her hair and pulled back gently so he could kiss her. What he meant to be gentle turned into a passionately needy kiss. It left her clinging to him and he used his hand to gently touch every inch of her. Soon he had her whimpering and shivering with pleasure. They had waded out far enough that Isabella was floating in the water. Even though Rafa's hooves were still on solid ground he could feel his tail floating in the water and the cool water lapping over his back between these sensations and Isabella's kisses he was starting to feel weightless. He wanted to keep it tender and reassuring so she would know all would be well, but as always Isabella had other plans. She moved his hand under the sheet to feel it against her breast. Rafa growled as he felt the soft weight of her breast as she reached behind her and untied the sheet. It fell slowly into the water. She brought her legs close to Rafa. She tried to hold her body as close to him as she gently swayed with the water's current. Rafa pulled his head back to look into Isabella's eyes. They were now a beautiful sea-green showing him how arouse she was. His breath came out in gasps as he panted for breath. She brought her hips close to him and could feel the cool water move around his arousal as she moved. She pressed her mound against his arousal smiling shyly as she started to wiggle against it. Rafa groaned and pulled her closer trapping his arousal between them. She whimpered her approval as she kissed his shoulder. He smiled down to her and said "I had hoped to take the slow and sensual path so don't rush it my sweet." She just smiled as he leaned down to kiss her again. He then kissed gently across her face until she felt completely relaxed in his arms. His grip relaxed slightly and that was his big mistake. She quickly moved her hips and placed the tip of his hard cock into her opening. "Don't," Rafa plead, "I don't have the strength to hold back and, to be tender. Isn't that what you want?" She just laughed as she slid more of his thick shaft inside of herself. She sighed as it stretched and filled her completely. She started to rock herself against him and then began the rhythmically squeeze that made Rafa groan. She sighed and moaned as she enjoyed the feel of his hard hot shaft buried deep inside of her. He fought for only a moment before giving in. He grabbed at her hips and held her still as he bucked into her hard and fast until the water that was lapping between them was frothy. She screamed as a wave of pleasure over took her. As he watched her orgasm, his own wave of pleasure over took him. And he followed her into the abyss. When was sure he could move again he carried her back to shore. He was ready to lounge with her in the soft sand and hot sun. But the colors swirled again and he opened his eyes to find himself lying in Nat's hut again with her in his arms. He looked down to see her eyes were open but there were even darker circles under her eyes now. And she seemed even weaker then when she had first started to sleep in his arms. "I shouldn't have done that." Rafa said sheepishly, "I forgot how tired you are and how much it takes out of you." Her reply was to simply smile up at him as she gently kissed him on the chest. It warmed his heart and filled him with joy as she continued to nuzzle into him as she drifted off to sleep. Rafa nuzzled into Isabella as he let sleep overtake him. Isabella Ch. 03 Rafa woke to the sounds of Nat moving around. "Morning Nat." He said as he stretched his back with out letting go of Isabella. "It's more like good afternoon Rafa and you really should go see your dad. He's going ballistic that Juan Carlos as already issued her pardon and let everyone know that she is a member of our tribe now." "Why is he ballistic?" "Well he thinks she was the one that hurt you. I also think he is afraid of her healing power." Rafa rolled his eyes His father was not one to show a lot of emotions but that just made those emotions that much stronger. He slowly rose to his hooves in one smooth motion he took the blanket off of his shoulders and handed it to Nat. "If we need to, could we stay here, while I build our own place if he feels that way about her; I doubt that my father will let her stay in his house." "Of course you two can stay," Nat laughed gently, "I'll enjoy having some one helping me out around here. And I welcome the company, Apolo has been gone for a few weeks now and I'm getting lonely." "Thank you Nat, I'm sure Apolo will be back soon." He patted her shoulder as he passed. "Do you want to lay her on my bed while you talk to your father?" "No Nat he has to start getting use to the idea that we are a package deal. Where she goes, I go." "As you wish Rafa, good luck." Rafa squinted as he left the longhouse until his eyes got use to the bright sunshine. He smiled as he heard Isabella sigh and stretch in her sleep as the sunlight warmed the blanket that was still wrapped around her. He walked to his parent's longhouse. It saddened him that he already felt like the place that up to a few days ago had been his home too was no longer his home. He pushed aside the flap and knocked on the frame as he stepped in. His mother turned from the fire place where she had been putting on a pot to boil. When she saw it was him she smiled and walked toward him, but he notice that she was purposely ignoring what he was carrying. He continued into the longhouse. "Hi mom," She careful hugged him so that she barely touched Isabella. "Your dad said you were poisoned and that some witch had you under a spell. So is she a witch?" "Well Mom, Dad is partly right I was poisoned but Isabella is no witch and I'm under no spell. She's able to heal with touch. She absorbed the poison out of me and was able to expel it into a plant of Nat's. That is why she is still sleeping; she is exhausted. I would be dead if it hadn't been for her. I want you to know that she saved my life three times last night." Rafa then went on to tell his mother about the fight in the cabin, the man in the forest and the poison. "Poor dear, she did all that and I treated her poorly when she got here." Rafa could tell his mom felt terrible about what ever she had done but he couldn't help but feel angry at her for adding to Isabella's suffering. He had a good idea of what his father may have done to her. "What did you do to her?" his voice had a cold hard edge in it the made his mother nervous. "When your father had her tied up in the prison longhouse I threw water on her. I thought she was the reason I was losing you. I am so sorry." "I can't forgive you for that, only Isabella can." "How did such a wise son to come from two foolish parents?" She gently touched Isabella's hair noticing the dried mud. "You couldn't get the mud out of her hair?" "No I couldn't hold her and get it out at the same time." "If you can hold her I think I can get the mud out of it if you would like. I want to start making up for what I have done." Rafa smiled; he could never stay mad at either of his parents for long, "Sure mom." He laid down and held Isabella so her head was resting on his shoulder and her face was facing the door. His mom grabbed some water and a comb and started to wash and comb the mud out. "I'm glad that he was just over anxious over your delayed return. And she really is a beautiful girl you brought with you. Did you have to come here with her as she still sleeps?" "I want dad to see that she is mine and I will not leave her." "It is your choice, but do you want to lay her down on your furs when we get done with her hair?" Rafa smiled at his mom, "No mom I want her in my arms, I need to feel her breathing. Besides I don't think dad will be happy to see her; I don't think he is ready to forgive her for whatever he thinks she did." "She tried to kill you and, if she didn't do that she almost got you killed." Sebastián said as he stepped thought the door. The shadows hiding his face as the brilliant light out lined him and made his tense body seem almost sinister. Rafa actually felt threatened and quickly got up being carful not to hurt either his mother or Isabella. "She saved my life three times last night; she's going to be my mate. You can either accept that or you can't. If you can't accept that I'll get my things and leave." "Then you might as well leave I'll never accept that thing as something belonging to my family. But, if you leave know that you are no longer my son and my mate's new child will not be any brother of yours." Rafa looked at his mother, he had not known that she was pregnant, but now he could see that her belly was defiantly bigger then normal. "I'm sorry you feel that way." He then picked up his few things like his extra sword, his arrows and a bow off of the wall. His mother started to cry as she laid the furs that made up his bed on his back so that he could take them with him. "I'll see you around I'm sure, Good bye Mom, Dad." With a heavy heart he walked stiffly past his father and out the door. He was almost to Nat's longhouse when Juan Carlos walked over. Rafa felt his gaze take in everything from Isabella still nestled in his arm to the bow slug over the other and the hides on his back. "Your father still mad?" he smiled at Rafa and put his hand on his shoulder. "Maybe over time as the rest of the tribe accepts her, he will too? If not, then I'll gladly claim the both of you as my children." Rafa smiled. His chief had three strong sons and it would be an honor to be placed with them. "Thank you your majesty we'd be honored but lets give everyone time to get use to her." Rafa looked around and noticed that many had been staring at him. "I don't think my dad is the only one who distrusts her. As I walked back here everyone fled from me as if I was carrying a plague. We all need a little time. Now if I may be excused your Majesty." Rafa bowed his head to Juan Carlos and then entered Nat's longhouse. "Hi, Nat where can I put my stuff?" Nat looked at Rafa sadly "I can't say I didn't expect you back but I was hoping it would have gone better. You can put it over here I cleared out a corner for you two and hung some blankets so you can have at lest some privacy." Nat helped Rafa settle the hides in to a soft mound. On which Rafa finally set Isabella onto. She whimpered as he let her go. But when he brushed his thumb over her face she sighed and settled back down. "I'm going to go talk to Feli and Moya and see if they will help me build my own place. Since I now have no family to help me." Nat placed her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry about you dad Rafa but you may want to ask your uncle Toni. He was healed by her and they seemed to get along well last night." "Thank you Nat for everything is there anything you want or need me to do for you?" "No I'm good and I'm happy to help her." With that Rafa left the longhouse and almost collided with his uncle Toni who was cantering over to Nat's. Rafa was immediately on alert. "What is wrong, more men? The Werewolves?" Toni just laughed and hugged Rafa "Nothing that bad, I just heard you were up and I wanted to see you as quickly as possible. I see your dad kicked you out. I'm sorry; do you want to stay with us?" "You, Aunt Aida, and your three sons? No thank you, Isabella is still sleeping, she needs quite spaces. Nat is going to let us stay here. But I could use your help in building my own place I was on my way to ask Feli and Moya to help me." "It would be an honor to help you build your own place. Do you have any idea where you want to have your longhouse?" "No, I just want something close to the tribe but set back a little ways so those who don't like Isabella don't have to see her everyday." "I've got the perfect place. Come." Rafa cautiously fallowed his uncle as Toni lead him though a small grouping of trees. The trees opened into a sheltered triangular meadow. On the one side the soft grass gave way to fine sand as the meadow meet the rivers edge. The other side sloped gently up to meet the mountains that protected them. Rafa could see how if built right their long house would only add to the beauty of the meadow. Isabella would like it here amongst the flowers. Rafa noticed that there was a cave in the mountain side. "Every one stays away from this place because of the cave; there's nothing there I checked. But it does give me an eerie felling. We can build it right into the cave if you want that way in the summer when she is tired, like she is now, you can place her there she'd be both safe and cool." "That sounds good but I have to know why do you want to help me? I thought you'd be on my dad's side of this." "I would have if she hadn't cut me with that sword." Rafa looked at his uncle quizzically. "She cut you?" "Yes while she was trying to protect you, I kind of charged at her, it was an accident but she then quickly healed me. I figure any one with that gift must be nice especially since she got the cut she gave me?" "I didn't find any cut when I washed her." "I know that's how she got the binds off when your father tied her up. I looked at the ropes they were all clean cut. She's smart I promise you I'll stand beside the both of you no matter what your father does." "Thanks Toni," Rafa put his hand on his uncle's shoulder. "I appreciate that, your right as always this place is perfect for us. Let's get Feli and Moya so we can start working on it." It was not hard finding Feli and Moya as they were practicing their sword fighting. It took very little to get them to come and help Rafa. Rafa could tell they were worried about him and even a little nervous about the girl he had chosen, but apparently they wanted to be close to their friend if there was trouble. By the end of the first day they had the poles cut and the first holes dug. Tomorrow they would put the poles in and start making the frame. It would take about two weeks to build the house. Rafa returned to Nat's and as he entered he noticed all the things that he and Isabella would have to do with out. Usually when a mate was brought to the tribe she stayed with her mate's family learning the skills that she would need to run her centaur's home. Isabella had no one to teach her and the longhouse would be done before she woke up enough to start making any thing. Nat read his face. "Don't worry about it Rafa. I don't think your home will be as empty as you think it will be. I heard you are one of the king's sons now; do you think he would give you nothing?" Rafa laughed at Nat's spunk. "I am not his son yet. I know I am not alone here but Isabella deserves better. Rafa reached down and picked Isabella up in his arms but stopped when a pure white lizard came out of the blanked and hissed at him. "Nat, what is that and when did it come in?" He was nervous about anything else strange about Isabella. "Oh him, the last time when Isabella was here to help the colt, Ryan, she had also helped that thing. It had hissed at Ryan but he trampled it to get to the berries. Apolo said that it won't hurt anyone unless it has to defend it's self. He also made me promise that I would let it in our house. Apolo acts like he is afraid of it, but it; is so little I can't see why he would be afraid. I think it understands us; at least it moves when I ask it to." "Okay," Rafa looked at the little white lizard and thought he understood Apolo, he felt like it was stronger then him. "I am only going to pick her up I mean her no harm." Rafa felt stupid talking to the lizard. But the lizard settled down ant Rafa was able to pick Isabella up. He rubbed his cheek against Isabella's hair as he continued to talk to Nat. "You know Nat we need to get her some clothes she can't start walking around naked that would just cause more trouble. And you may have some one need you soon." "I have clothes that will fit her. But I think the blanket will be just fine for now. If nothing else while you are working on the longhouse we can put her back in my room to keep her hidden. Now will you eat; you didn't stop for lunch and I don't need you getting weak on us. I already got her to drink some chicken broth so I think she will be good for the night." Rafa sighed and knew Nat was right so he put Isabella back down and started to eat. That is when he realized how hungry he was; he ate a whole chicken and two loafs of bread before he realized that he had eaten most of her food. When he looked at her to apologize she just put her hand up and said. "Don't say anything I knew you were hungry. I already ate some chicken so I am good and full. I am off to bed, see you in the morning. With that Nat left and walked to her back room. Rafa cleared the table and washed the dishes in the tub of water that he would dump out for Nat tomorrow morning. He then settled in to sleep with Isabella in his arms again. Over the next few days his life fell into a routine. He would wake up in the morning and take care of a few things for Nat. Like bringing in a deer to help restock her supplies and after a rainy night he fixed a leak in her roof. Then he would meet up with Feli, Moya, and Toni to work on the longhouse. They had decided that they wouldn't make it into the cave as it would take too much to heat in the winter but they did build a small room in the cave where Isabella could go to sleep with out anything or anyone bothering her on the hot days of the summer. Sometimes they had extra help as Juan Carlos and his three sons would help when ever they had some time. But they were being kept busy with all the people who wanted Isabella gone. Rafa knew that the only reason they hadn't gone into Nat's home and dragged Isabella out is that they wanted to keep Rafa around and to throw Isabella out was to throw Rafa out. It was a nice warm day when they final finished the long house. Normally the next day would have see a celebration for the new couple as they moved there things from the families' longhouse to their longhouse. Instead Rafa knew that he would just carry his few things in and try and make Isabella comfortable. He was surprised when he entered Nat's longhouse and found Isabella sitting at the table. She smiled and got up, she took two quick steps, she got shaky and almost fell but Rafa caught her and picked her up. "I take it you are feeling better. I am glad to have you back in the land of the living." She smile and used her hand on his face to show him a picture of her kissing him. He smiled and bent his head to kiss her. Nat playfully slapped his arm with a wooden spoon to get his attention when the kiss was going on for too long. "You two want to do that go to your own longhouse." "Tomorrow night we will be in our own longhouse." Rafa smiled down at Isabella. She was smiling back at him when they heard a horn blowing. Rafa quickly put is bow over one shoulder as he put her down, and grabbed his sword with the hand. "Stay with Nat I have to go see what the trouble is." Rafa joined in with the rest of the men who were all galloping to where the horn was sounding. It was a young sentry who was very relieved as the men came. Just on the other side of the protections stone there stood a man who was flanked by two wolves the size of small bears. The men all held their swords ready to strike if the protection stones should fail. But they parted when Juan Carlos came walking though. "You are the leader of this tribe correct?" the man said in a polite but sarcastic voice. "Yes and you are a pack of werewolves. If you want to attack you can see you are out numbered and you have already found out you can't cross those stones. So turn around and leave we will not follow you." "Like we expect you to keep your words; your kind has killed ours since before our histories were written down." "You have killed us just as long. We are peaceful and don't want to harm you but if you don't leave or if you try to cross the stones again we will kill you." "There is no honor amongst thieves like you so your words are hollow to us." "No one here is a thief." Rafa angrily called out as he stepped up beside his king, thinking they had insulted his king. "Yes it is you who is a thief." The man pointed at Rafa. "You stole one of our greatest treasures and we want her back! We are only the ones who were sent to check on her when she did not make her trip to see us. We found her house burned to the ground and that thing's scent all around it. So what happened she wouldn't leave with you so you stole her killing our friends? Give her back and we will leave you in peace as you said you would leave us. Don't and we will bring our whole pack down on you and there will be others besides our pack coming. I doubt these stones work against shape shifters or the Druids, just us werewolves. I will give you three days to decide." "Thank you for the time." Juan Carlos nodded his head and turned around as the man changed into his wolf form and all three wolves left. "Rafa you come with me. Anton I need you to set up patrols. Divide the men into three shifts; I trust in the stones and I doubt that they would attack with out knowing where the girl is but I don't want to be surprised. You three take the message to the Elves that we need their help again. It should only take you a day and a half so be quick we have no time to lose." The three he had pointed to took off at a hard galloped in three different directions going to the three Elf villages as it was hard to know in which one the elves would be in at this time of the year. Rafa walked back to the King's long house before Juan Carlos spoke. "Rafa I know you love her I have seen it when you look at her and the care in which you built your house. And she is a member of our tribe and I would not usually hand over a member of our tribe. But they are right; shape shifters can cross the stones. The Druids won't need to they can turn every stone and tree against us. Even with the Elves on our side we may not stand much of a chance. Are you sure you want to put the whole village in danger for her? Because think of this, even if we win by some miracle we will lose some of our men that will be held against her no matter how many she is able to save with her touch." Rafa thought of it for a moment. "I will not give her up, but I can not make the decision on my own I will have to ask her what she wants." "Oh is she awake?" "She just woke up tonight. I finally get her back only to lose her." Juan Carlos put his hand on Rafa's shoulder. "Perhaps we will win or they will let you go with her. She loves you and I doubt that she will want to leave you any more than you want to let her go. We will use the next three days preparing for war. Go and tell her and see what she decides." Rafa bowed and left; Nat was at the door as he entered. "What is it? Are the werewolves back?" "Yes and they brought friends the Shape shifters and the Druids. They want Isabella." He then walked past Nat and looked down at Isabella. "Did you know they would come for you?" She couldn't look at him as she sadly nodded. "Are you a werewolf?" She shook her head. "Do you want to go with them?" She reached up and touched his face and showed him a picture of him holding her as he walked away from the village with the werewolves. Isabella Ch. 03 "I don't think they will let me go with you." Rafa scooped her up in his arms relieved that she wanted him. "We will fight them and we sent for the Elves to help us." She shook her head again and showed him a picture of the Elves standing with the Wolves. "That isn't going to happen the Elves hate the Werewolves almost as much as we do." She shook her head again but pulled her hand away and moved her arms around him to hold him closer as she cried about the fate of their love. She knew she could not explain how she knew that the Elves would stand with the Werewolves. As Rafa turned he saw his mother in the door way. Fear was visible on her face as she asked, "Rafa? Your father hasn't told me what is going on he just says it is her fault." She realized that Isabella was awake and then "Is it your fault Isabella?" Isabella just nodded tears still pouring down her face she reached out her hand to his mother. "She wants to show you what she means she won't hurt you." Rafa said to reassure his mother. His mother walked up hesitantly. Isabella touched her face and showed her that the werewolves were there because they thought Isabella was in danger and that she was friends with them. She also asked if she could touch the woman's growing belly. "Sure you may, you should also know my name is Anna I hope you can one day forgive me for what I did in the prison longhouse." Isabella just smiled as she made Rafa put her down. In Isabella's mind Anna was already forgiven. She then placed her hands on either side of Anna's belly. Nat's longhouse was then a washed in a soft pink light that sparkled as if it was being reflected off of a pool of water. When Isabella took her hands way there was two soft pink hand marks on Anna's belly. Isabella reached up and showed Anna a picture of Anna holding a baby, then of that baby growing up into a beautiful young girl. Anna laughed as she spoke "Isabella there hasn't been a girl centaur for almost 100 years I doubt I am going to be the mother of the first girl." Isabella just rolled her eyes and clearly showed that they would just have to wait and see what the baby comes out as. "Well I better go before your father comes home. I have to hide these handprints" as a group they shared a laugh then Anna left and then Nat and Isabella got ready to rest as they would be helping the other women of the tribe pack and move into the mountains so that they would be safe if there was an attack. On the morning of the third day the three young scouts that had been sent out returned. Rafa was relieved when the last one came with two elves behind him; their long strides let them easily keep pace with the centaurs. The taller male had a thin gold crown around his head showing that he was the king of the elves. Juan Carlos made a deep bow to the new arrivals. "It is an honor to see you again I wish it was on a happier day. I fear that my messengers must not have giving you the right message. Over in the clearing to the north of us a whole army of werewolves, Druids, and shape shifters has set up camp; they mean to make war with us today. I was hoping for your help." "No your messenger gave me that message Juan Carlos." Said the Elf; his voice was tight and he looked as if he wanted to be anywhere but in this village. "We have been friends for many years with no problems but this time I must fight with the werewolves." The group of centaurs groaned at the news that a powerful friend is now turned into a powerful enemy. "Isabella was kidnapped was under Elf protection and that dishonorable mule over there killed them to get her; I will not fight beside him. Over the years of knowing her I have come to think of her as my daughter. Please return her to us. I would hate to have to kill you. You all have been good friends with us. I would also demand he be put to death for harming my elves." "I am saddened at hearing this. But, I will not put Rafa to death as he says he tried to save them, and if you will promise nothing will happen to him I will give you her back as long as Rafa can go with her." "No I can not promise his safety and there are others who wanted her for themselves. We only want her. So I must go now I will be sad if we have to meet on the battle field." With that the Elves left the centaurs; many of them turning hateful glairs at Rafa for all the trouble his woman had caused them. Juan Carlos walked over to Rafa and Rafa could see what his king was going to ask of him. "Rafa I don't think we can fight the elves as well. Go talk to Isabella as see what she wants. Then come back to me with the decision I have already made her a part of this tribe I will not hand her over against her will, but I also can't justify all this bloodshed for her." "I know I will go talk to her now." Rafa's heart was heavy has he had already made up his mind he would convince Isabella that it was for the best that she left him. The thought was enough to make his whole body ache as if a large boulder was sitting on his back. But his sadness left him as fear took its place as he entered Nat's longhouse . Isabella was thrashing around on the floor and her eyes were rolled back into her head. He reached to her but was stopped by Nat. "She is having a vision it must be a hard one. I don't want her hurting you by accident." After a few minutes Isabella went still then her eyes came into focus on Rafa she just weakly held her hand out to him. He took it and placed it on his face. She shared the vision she had just had with him. He saw his king and all the other warriors lying on the field of battle some were dying slowly, but most had been ripped to shreds by the wolves. From there Isabella ran to where the women were hid. The site made Rafa stomach revolt. The young colts and been speared and some were in there dead mother's arms with their throats cut. Finally the vision moved to a cliff that over looked what Rafa had planed to be there place of solitude to find that Isabella had tried to protect Rafa and had taken multiple arrows to her body before falling. Rafa must have caught her, for two spears had been thrown though his back as they had gone though Isabella's body. They had died, but the spears kept them up and at an odd angle. As the vision cleared he saw that Isabella was crying. A new vision came into focus this one was what she had decided to do. She was in his arms wrapped up in blankets as the vision had made her weak again and Rafa was handing her over to the Elves. They would never see each other again but everyone would live she couldn't sacrifice the village for their love. He nodded sadly and it wasn't until she kissed the tear on his check that he realized he was crying too. They shared one long passionate kiss as he wrapped her up. Nat stood by quietly crying as she knew what they had deiced to do. It broker her heart to see such a strong love be killed before it could bloom. Isabella nestled into his chest has he ducked out of the door. He carried her to Juan Carlos. "Isabella has had a vision; if we fight even the women and foals will die, neither of us can live with that thought. She will go back with them." "I know this is hard for you Rafa but I know you have made a good decision." "Besides there are many others that you can mate with besides that witch." His father Sebastián said from behind him. Rafa did something he never thought he would ever do. He kicked back with his back legs and sent his father rolling in the dirt. He looked at him and said. "I swear on my life I will never love anyone as much as I love Isabella. I will also never take a mate that is not this woman I am holding." Rafa then turned and headed north to the clearing where the armies of their enemies had gathered. Juan Carlos was at his right side and the crown prince was on his left. The king of the Elves started forward, the leader of the werewolves, and the leaders of the druids and shape shifters fell in line after. Rafa barely notice that Juan Carlos was carrying a white flag meaning that this should be a peaceful meeting. When they were twenty yards way from each other Juan Carlos yelled so all could hear "We centaurs are handing over the woman named Isabella who was accepted as one of our own. It is with heavy hearts that we send her away. Rafa, the one she chose for a mate has sworn not to take another mate unless some day Isabella here returns to him. Rafa and I will cross over to deliver her we mean no harm and no blood needs to be shed today." Rafa notice that while the Elves, druids and shape-shifters all look relived the werewolf looked disappointed. Just as Rafa started moving forward, three bodies came racing out from their left. It only took on glance to identify them as the two elves that had protected Isabella and the Centaur Apolo. The elves had their swords drawn but instead of pointing them at Rafa and Juan Carlos they had them pointed at their own king. Likewise Apolo had his sword pointed at Juan Carlos. The male elf spoke first. "My majesty you put Isabella in our care we where to see to her health and her happiness. I have seen that she is happy with him I will fulfill my oath and die protecting her even form you. If you take her away she will become a shell of who she was meant to be." One of the Elves stated. "My majesty," Apolo looked into Juan Carlos's eyes, "I will not let you hand her over; our tribe's life depends on that woman." Rafa's vision blurred, and a moment of panic almost overwhelmed him before he realized Isabella was showing him something. But it was just the white lizard that she showed him. "I can find him and bring him to you; this is not the time to worry about your pet." Rafa said tensely. Isabella rolled her eyes and shook her head as she pointed back over his shoulder; everyone looked and it took a moment for Rafa to realize why he could see her "Pet" so clearly. He was the size of a small mountain and flying. The little lizard was acutely a dragon. The elves and Juan Carlos all spilt off to the sides as the dragon came in for its landing. It landed with Rafa between its front legs. It sent out a small flame that scorched the ground in front of them and roared at the other army. Then it started to shrink and change form. It turned into a naked man. He had dark hair that was just long enough to curl around his ear. He was about 6' 2 and had a chest as wide as Rafa's. "Before anyone thinks of attacking me I can still breathe fire in this form. I just find it easier to talk this way. Isabella saved my live last summer and she loves him. I am going to do my best to keep them together even if I have to fly them out of here. I am Roger, I am one of the last dragons around and I am also one of the most powerful. I can change my shape and size at will. And I swear in the old magic that any one who lifts a finger to hurt these two will die a painful death of being burnt alive." Rafa watched as all the armies drew back at this oath. The Elf king came forward first. "It is an honor to meet you Roger. We shall try and make peace but there is a few things I need to know first. Nesa, Lewis, what happened the night that the house burnt down? We thought you were dead." The woman that had taken care of Isabella laughed. "As you can see we are fine. Rafa and Isabella had stepped out to have some alone time and then about ten men came into the house. We fought well but, would have failed completely if Rafa hadn't come to help us. We left Isabella in Rafa's care and he carried her away. Soon after the whole house collapsed on us; Apolo here dug us out and has spent that last few weeks nursing us back to health. We heard you all moving in and came to give our side of it." Nesa and put her sword away as she spoke. "I trusted Rafa to keep her safe and he has." The Elf king held out his hand to Juan Carlos. "Come we have to speak about this Juan Carlos." The five leaders made a small huddle as they talked away form Rafa, and Isabella. Nesa and Lewis both came over as Isabella held out a hand to welcome them. Roger changed shape into a medium size dragon. His shoulder was at the same level as Rafa's head and he held out his wings giving Rafa and Isabella some shade. "It is good to see you again little one. You look tired and weak doesn't this mate of yours know you need rest?" Nesa asked. "We are not mates yet. She had to save me from some poison. And then she had a vision this morning of the whole tribe being killed because of us. So she is tired but I did my best to help her rest." "You have had a busy few weeks haven't you girly." Was all Lewis could say before they noticed that the leaders were coming back. "Rafa I will stand with you." Apolo whispered as he stood at Rafa's side. "I don't think that will be necessary." Rafa could see that Juan Carlos was visibly more relaxed and happier then he had been moments ago. "We have decided, but there are a few more questions that need to be answered." The Elf king spoke loud enough for all sides to hear. "Isabella did you go with this centaur willingly?" Isabella nodded. "What if we decide to take you way today?" The Leader of the Shape shifters asked. Isabella held her hand up, the Shape shifter leaned in. He laughed at whatever she showed him. "She showed me that she would run away from us and try to find her way back to him every time we try to take her away from him. "Do you choose to stay with him?" The druid leader asked. She smile and nodded again. "Do you really want to have him as a mate? You know you can have your pick of any of my kind." The leader of the Werewolves asked and, Rafa could tell he was hoping that Isabella would reject him. But she shocked almost every one when she reached her lips to Rafa and kissed him till he lowered her to her feet and then very blatantly started to stroke his cock. Rafa became slightly awkward at this behavior but the leader of the werewolves just laughed. Rafa was shocked at the close range of the laugh he looked up a saw that he had come closer "I get your point." He held out his hand to Rafa. "I want to be the first to welcome you to my pack my son you can call me Zander. You are now an elf, druid, shape-shifter and Werewolf. Take good care of her. And you two should get some rest we want to see you two mated to seal the peace pact that we just wrote up." Rafa put his hand in the werewolf's hand and shook it. He already liked this man even if they had been enemies. The centaurs went back to the village to tell of the good news; as the others set up tents and cooking fires Rafa and Isabella were to have three different mating ceremonies to unite the elf, centaurs and werewolves. Juan Carlos came to Nat's longhouse were Isabella was having some elves attend to her so that she would have the energy needed to make it though the ceremonies. "I have to thank you. You have made our greatest enemy our friend, so I wanted to give you this." He handed her a light blue robe that was so sheer it was see through. "It is a ceremony robe for when a princess gets married. It is only fitting that you have some things that a princess is meant to have." Before she could ask how he knew of her birth right he left. Nat pulled the top half of her hair into a pony tail so that it would stay out of her face for the ceremony. Then she was bathed in scented water and dressed in the robe. Nat could feel how nervous Isabella was getting so she whispered in her ear. "Don't worry Rafa will be kind and be as gentile as he can be." At sunset Isabella was walked out of Nat's longhouse. She was meet by a group of women formed all of the clans. Rafa's mother placed a head dress of flowers on Isabella's head and kissed her on the check. "Welcome my daughter." The others handed her flowers until he had a beautiful bouquet and then they led her to a huge white tent that had been constructed by the men. The flap was held open for her and that is when she saw Rafa. He was wearing a crown of flowers too. The sight almost made her laugh; he just smiled as he could read her mind he was happy that she was happy at this moment for he knew that the ceremony would be hard on her. Juan Carlos brought her the rest of the way up to Rafa. Then he pulled out a scarf that was the same material and color of Isabella's robe. He had them face each other and placed both of their arms on a small alter that had been placed between them. "Today we welcome Princess Isabella who was born the mute daughter of a foolish king. He disowned her and made her a servant in the kitchen where she one day would be able to save the life an Elvin child. She took the young elf and in the dark of night ran with out knowing where she was going, knowing only that she needed to save the child. The child it turns out was the son of the elf king and when they were found Isabella was rewarded with a place amongst the elves. They helped her control her visions and how to control her healing powers. They taught her how to channel pain and poison from her body. They also taught her how to share her thoughts though pictures. This being said we the centaury head counsel declare she is healthy and fit enough to join with this tribe. Isabella, do you agree to be Rafa's mate and, to stay here for the rest of your life?" Isabella nodded, and smiled up into Rafa's eyes. "Rafa do you agree that you will care for her and protect her as she becomes one of the healer's of this tribe and a peace keeper between us and the werewolves and the elves? And do you swear that you will not mate with any other as long as Isabella is alive?" "I will protect her and care for her to the best of my abilities. I will go where ever our tribe sends her and there is no other that I could even think of mating with while she is alive and my heart will stop beating when hers does so there will be only her as my mate for all my life." Juan Carlos quickly brought a dagger over their arms. He then had them join hands as he tied the scarf around their arms. "Your blood is her blood and her blood is yours. May it never need to be shed." Isabella and Rafa could both feel the magic of the ages passing through from one body to the other. Soon their arms were untied Nat carefully covered the cuts with clean bandages. The curtain behind the alter opened to display a large bed that Rafa could fit in. It was high, the edge was at Isabella's waist. Before Isabella knew what had happened she was disrobed by Nat and, gently pushed towards the bed. Isabella blushed at being naked in front of so many. But soon Rafa came though the curtain and shut it behind him. He pulled Isabella close to him and kissed her. The feel of her warm body on his sent an electric current though him. He ran his hands down her back and cupped her butt as he lifted her off of her feet. He set her on the edge of the bed. He kissed down her neck and across her shoulder. He kissed along the collarbone; he kissed down to her breast. He could hear her sighing and starting to moan as he kissed and nibbled on her breast, but he could feel the tension in her body. He kneeled on his front legs and looked up into her eyes. "Nervous?" She nodded. "It will hurt," he couldn't bear to lie to her, "but soon it will feel good and I will try to keep the pain to a minimal." Before she could think of what he was going to do he used his hands to make her lay down on the bed. The view of her cunt had him growing even harder and wanting to feel her surrounding him. Instead he trailed kisses from her knee up to her cunt. He knew he startled her because her body did a funny jump when he kissed it. He cradled her butt in his hands as he started to gently lick at her sexy little numb. He couldn't help but smile as he felt her hands in his hair holding him close and urging him on. Then he pushed his tongue into her and curled it along the slick warm sides of her love channel. He soon felt her legs tremble in his hold. He pulled his head up and kissed up her stomach as he moved his hands from beneath her. Isabella Ch. 03 With one hand he kept stroking her while with the other he started covered his hard shaft with her juices. When she felt the head of his hard cock pressing at her opening she closed her eyes. He continued to kiss her as he entered slowly and then with drawing. The only hard thrust he did was when he broke her hymen. After that he went back to his slow movements savoring how tight she was. Soon she was moaning and running her nails over his back. He started to thrust harder and faster going as deep as her body would let him. She pulled away from his kiss as her whole body quivered. Rafa held on to her as she was overwhelmed by her orgasm. He thrusted once more and felt his own release. As he pulled out he saw the white and red mix on his cock and smiled. As was their custom he cleaned the mix off of his cock by rubbing it on her thighs and stomach. He was going to pick her up and show his marks on her when he fell forward onto the bed. His vision blurred and he felt as if he had an ax striking his head. He barely noticed when she wrapped her arms around him trying to comfort him. Soon it passed but he was still breathing hard from the pain. He was startled when he heard a woman's voice. "Are you ok?" it was soft and sweet sounding to him it made him feel like he was home. But his feeling passed as anger flared up in him "Who ever you are you need to leave. This is a time for just my mate and me." The voice laughed and in anger Rafa got up quickly and turned to see the side of the tent he couldn't see from the bed. But him and Isabella were alone. "Rafa it is me." Rafa turned to the bed and Isabella placed her hand on his face as she continued to speak to him. He wasn't hearing her voice in the normal way. It was as if her voice was in his head. "This is one of the things the elves taught me. Since we are now mates you will be able to hear my thoughts when I project them like this it will help with any confusion we will have later." Rafa leaned his head forward and placed his forehead on hers. "I will have to thank them for it. It is nice to hear your voice." She smiled "Rafa you can project your thoughts too but it might take some time for you to master it." He smiled, "Ok, now you can heal with a touch, have visions and can speak with your mind, are friends with elves and werewolves and have a pet dragon, is there anything else I need to know?" "Only that I love you and am happy to be yours. Now what do we have to do?" "We have to show you off to the tribe. The marks I made with our joined juices mark you as mine for now on." Isabella rolled her eyes and tried to get off the bed but her legs still felt like jelly after all the pleasure Rafa and given to her so she had to lean into Rafa and have him support her. He pulled back the curtain and the members of the tribe that had come to witness their ceremony cheered. As the sun had set it was time for the ceremony that would make them mates under werewolf laws. Since Rafa could not change his form there would be a couple that would stand in help represent Rafa and Isabella's wolf half. Isabella and the other woman were led to a high flat stone they then climbed it and kneeled on the hard stone. They faced each other and held on to each other's wrist. It was meant to show that they were of one body. Rafa was going to be represented by the leader of the werewolves. Rafa had been told that this was an honor but like all the other centaurs he felt uncomfortable when the leader and the other werewolves came to the clearing. It would be hard to put aside generations of hate, but Rafa could feel Isabella's happiness at having this part of her family here so he was relaxed when a long satin rope was tied around his ankle that would link him symbolically to the werewolf. Then he and the leader went to their women. Rafa wrapped his arms around Isabella and rubbed on her stomach he could feel how sticky it had gotten and there was a jolt of pride at the thought that this was his woman and everyone knew it. He then moved his hand lower and started to play with her. Almost immediately she was moaning and leaning back into him. The other woman leaned forward as her mate started to lick and suck at her cunt. Everyone in the clearing could see that both women were writhing in ecstasy as the males brought both women to climax but only Rafa could hear how Isabella was chanting his name and begging for more. The rock had small pools of the women's juices that reflected the moon light. Both women were leaning on their mates. Then Zander changed into one of his wolf forms. A ripple of fear and awe went though the centaurs that were gathered there. He was almost eight feet tall he had the head of a wolf and his body became covered in long gray hair. His cock, which and been average in his human form, grew too. It was now twice its size. His mate wasn't scared she even wiggled her butt against it in anticipation of having it buried inside of her. Rafa leaned forward and whispered in Isabella's ear. "We don't need to couple, if you are too sore still." Isabella shook one of her hands free and placed it on Rafa's face showing him how badly she wanted him. She didn't want him to make love to her like he had in the tent. She wanted to have him fuck her hard and long. Her images had Rafa flaring his nostrils and even before Zander could start taking his mate Rafa had his hands on Isabella's waist he picked her off of the stone and in one hard thrust had his cock buried in her hot cunt. She whimpered and her nails dug in to the other woman's arm as Isabella actually snarled at Rafa's ruff treatment. Zander took Rafa's lead and fucked his mate just as hard; the other woman screamed into the night at the hard handling; it didn't take long at the hard fast pace for both men to be ready to cum. With one look at each other Zander and Rafa lowered their mouths to where their mates' necks meet the shoulder and in the meaty area. They opened their mouths and bit down hard. Rafa could taste the hot copper taste of Isabella's blood and rammed his cock even harder into her at the feeling, this was all his. His name echoed in his head as Isabella came. He soon sent his own hot cum into her as he felt her shaking from exhaustion. The women let go of their hands as they each leaned into their mates. Their blood was running down over their collarbones and down their breast. Rafa leaned down and licked at her bite mark. While Zander spoke. "By the bite mark on Isabella, she is now Rafa's mate. He has the right to kill any wolf or man who tries to take her away and it will not break our peace with this tribe of centaurs." Howls of agreement went up in the air. Soon Nat came over and bandaged both women as they were nested in their mates' arms. The ceremony of the Elves was much simpler. They gave the couple wood rings that when slipped on the fingers turned into beautiful rings of gold that had sapphires set in with intricate carvings of water. Then they gave each centaur a wandering Jude plant so that it would be easy for Isabella to heal anyone in the village. They also gave the Werewolves pendant stones that would allow only this pack of werewolves past the protective stones. The feast soon began and after the long day and the warm light of the bonfire made Isabella sleepy. Anything they wanted to eat was brought to Isabella and Rafa as they were expected to be tired and weak from the two ceremonies. It wasn't until Nat brought a blanket did Rafa remember that Isabella was still naked. He wrapped her up in it as she snuggled into him. Rafa thought it odd at how comfortable he felt sitting between his king and Zander. Rafa knew that Isabella had drifted off to sleep but he continued to talk to Zander. He wanted to know about the rules of being a werewolf as he would need to know them. He thought it was odd at how similar their two tribes were and found that he enjoyed talking to Zander about things that both sides could do to help insure peace between each other. As others started to leave Rafa said his good nights and took Isabella to the beach that was behind their lodge. He gently unwrapped her from the blanket and walked out to the water. When her feet touched the cool water she jolted awake. "I wanted to clean you off before we go to our house." Isabella smiled and kissed him softly. "I could go another round with you if you wanted." "I think I created a monster. You wear me out. I will be happy to just be in the same bed with you and have you in my arms while I sleep." He gently sloshed the water over her as he rubbed off his cum and her blood. He wrapped her back up in the blanket as they reached the shore. "Now I want you to know there isn't much in there yet we will have to make a lot of things, maybe Nat can help you do that." "I know Nat has already planed a lot of things for me to do." Isabella rolled her eyes at how Nat had taken over planning everything the young couple would need. Rafa was taken by surprise when he opened the door to find a warm fire in the hearth already and the lodge already filled with things. He had only had time to put in the furs he and taken from Nat's. The bed that they had mated on had been brought in but he couldn't think of where the table and chairs had come from. His answer came in the form of a knock on the door frame. When he went to the door frame Roger was standing there. He had borrowed cloths from the elves "I took the liberty to bring you guys a few things; I have what you could call a treasure cave filled with things I will never need. So I bought you some. If you don't like it I could always take you and Isabella to pick out something else." Isabella answered for both of them when she wiped away a tear of joy and hugged Roger. "Now don't think you get this all for free. I want you to build me a lodge too. Close by here. Right now I live in the cave but I would like to take a mate now that I have found a safe place to stay. Oh and I will be staying away from you guys for the next few weeks I have to go visit the elves and discuses a few other things with Juan Carlos." "See you around then." Rafa and Isabella settled down in the soft bed and were soon asleep neither noticed the dark shadow that passed their window. In the bliss of knowing that they finally had each other for life they had not noticed that there was at least two people that were unhappy about their union. But the troubles would have to find them another day. For tonight they slept in peace with the knowledge that they were finally together for the rest of their lives no matter how short that may be. Isabella Ch. 04 Isabella woke up the next morning and slipped into the robe that she had used for the ceremony yesterday. She put a pot of oat meal over the fire to cook. As she straightened up Rafa wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck, "Do you want to open some presents?" "We have presents to open?" "Yeah, they are over in the comer." They went over and started opening them. Some gifts were very impersonal from members of the tribe who weren't sure about their joining but they didn't want to upset Isabella and Rafa either. There were small things like sharpening stones, cooking utensils and even a few mats and small furs to use as patches around the hut. Then there was the present from Sebastián, an old hunting knife that was so dull there was probably no hope of putting a sharp edge on it. Most newly joined mates would know to be upset about the small slight the dull knife was meant to be but, Isabella either didn't know or she understood his father's feelings better than Rafa did. He was upset that anyone in his tribe could be so mean to someone that they barely knew. But from the King and his sons, they got an extra sword for Rafa and some cloth Isabella could make into clothes. From Nat, Isabella got a huge box of different colored yarn that Isabella could knit into clothes. Nat also gave Isabella ten dresses for her to wear around the village. It surprised Rafa when they found a gift from his mother. It was a small copper statue that she had, had since she was a little girl. It had been one of Rafa's favorite things when he was young. They hid it, in the off and unlikely case of Rafa's father ever came over to their place; they didn't want to get her into trouble. Isabella dished up two bowls of oatmeal and, after they had eaten, Isabella put on one of the dresses and they headed over to Nat's hut. Nat would be teaching Isabella the rules of the tribe and seeing what else Isabella could do to help the tribe. Rafa kissed Nat on the check as a greeting. And Nat's mate, Apolo hugged Isabella. "We really didn't expect you two to be out and about today. Most newly mated couples need to be dragged from their huts to get back to normal." Teased Apolo. "I want everyone to get use to Isabella and she also has a lot to learn. But I forgot that you have been away for a long time and probably want time alone with your mate." Rafa replied cheeky. "Yeah but I miss Isabella too. " Apolo leaned over and hugged Isabella again. "So have we." Nesa and Lewis the elves that had been Isabella's protectors came up behind them. It was Nesa speaking, "Why don't us girls go join the other women who are doing a weaving circle that way Isabella can both continue working on the art, and start winning over the other women. I think they just need to be around her to notice how normal she is, and for them to start liking her." "Us men are needed in your king's hut." Said Lewis he rolled his eyes with sarcasm as he said, "We are trying to figure out a schedule for Isabella to visit everyone, and everyone wants Isabella to live with them. You will also have to tell us elves and the werewolves what type of home you expect in our villages." Isabella rolled her eyes "I don't care what my house looks like as long as you are happy Rafa. I don't know about you but I don't mind spending a few months in each tribe if you don't mind. I just don't want to have to travel every month." Rafa laughed but understood how she felt he had never lived anywhere else besides his village he was both excited and anxious to be leaving it. He didn't want to be gone for too long. He looked back as he and the other males walked in one direction and the women walked in the other. Nat's arm was around Isabella's shoulders and Nesa's was around Isabella's waist they look like just what they were, three old friends off to enjoy some much needed time together. He watched as Roger in his small form climbed up Isabella's dress to perch on her shoulder. It helped Rafa to relax knowing she was well protected by the dragon. He then started to talk to Apolo as they got closer to the king's hut, they passed by the tent that the king of the Elves had set up. There were raised voices arguing in a language that Rafa did not understand. The argument ended when an elf stormed out of the tent. He collided with Rafa and was about to apologize until he recognized Rafa. Then he spit on Rafa and walked way. Rafa reacted to the insult the only way he knew how, he wanted to go and attack the elf, both Apolo and Lewis where holding him back. "Rafa calm down. That was just Suiauthon He has been asking for Isabella's hand almost as long as she has lived with us; he is just mad she did not chose him." Lewis whispered in Rafa's ear. "Is that who your king meant when he told my king 'there are others who wanted her for themselves?'" Rafa asked. "Yes that is the one I meant," King Caunidhrenon said as he came out of the tent behind Rafa. He was also looking at Suiauthon. He was afraid that the young elf had made a deadly enemy. He wanted peace and this was not going to help. "Please give us time Rafa I will let you settle with him later. Just know that when you two fight I will not find fault with you. He started this.", King Caunidhrenon was now between Rafa and Lewis. He faced Rafa and Asked, "May I walk with you three to the gathering? I want to get to know you better." Rafa pushed back his thoughts of the elf for another time as a warrior he knew how to redirect his thoughts. He would settle with the elf at the proper time. Rafa was mildly shocked when another elf came up to him, this one greeted his king then he putting his hand out to Rafa "I am prince Meldiron I have thought of Isabella as a sister since she saved my life all those years ago. I know that Suiauthon has started something with you, just know there was a reason Isabella never chose him, besides I never even liked him," he looked slightly guilty as he looked over to his father, "with respect father." "Did you say something son? I was distracted by the decorations that this family has decorated their hut with." The king went back to looking at a dream catcher and medicine wheel that were hanging in a doorway. "It is wrong for an elf of my ranking to speak so publicly against another," he explained to Rafa before he continued, "there is something hard and cold in him. You are a warrior and thus there are times where you are terrifying and violent but I also know you are kind or else Isabella would never have healed you. I hope that over time you come to consider me as a friend." "Thank you, if you are a friend of Isabella then you are a friend of mine. I hope that you and Lewis can help me to understand all of your tribe's rules." "I look forward to it." Meldiron fell in behind the others as they walked as a group to the king's hut. Once the talking got underway Rafa quickly became bored. They really didn't ask him for advice on what he and Isabella wanted they just argued then asked if what they had come to agree on would satisfy them; the first plan was that him and Isabella would move every month. Rafa said no as he knew that Isabella didn't want that. Then the leaders went back to arguing. Rafa's vision blurred for a second then he could see Nesa and Nat sitting on either side of him. He could hear laughter as the loom in his hands had gotten into a knot and the other two women helped him to unknot it. Then his vision cleared to what was truly in front of him. He understood that it was Isabella just saying she was having a good time. It helped him relax as he again said that the plan of them staying a full year with each tribe would not do either as it would make him uncomfortable at this time. The final agreement was that the cycle would be every four months and that if there was anything major they could send for Isabella. Rafa was amazed that the werewolves and elves lived only a day or two away. A few of the centaurs found it shameful that their enemy had lived so close and they had never found their home in all of the searches of the mountain that they had preformed to find the wolves. Most of them now understood that their long battle with the werewolves had been more of a tradition then actually based on anything. Both the pack and the centaur heard had similar rules and living styles. The only difference was that there were female wolves, so the women were of more equal status with the males where in the centaur heard women were viewed as weak and needed to be defended. While most of the centaurs left the hut at lunch to eat with their families, Rafa stayed talking with the leaders. Because he was Isabella's mate they viewed him as an equal it made Rafa a little nervous; he had never really talked to Juan Carlos before all this had happened. Now he was on first name basis with him. Caunidhrenon was asking him how to make a suitable lodging for them. On top of all that Zander was acting as if Rafa was an old friend instead of an old enemy. Isabella came into the lodge and sat with Rafa as they sat down to eat. Through their new way of communicating she told him of her morning, how she thought she had made new friends with some of the women in the tribe; even how his mother had given her a pat on the back as they passed. It made Rafa think of how his mother had treated Isabella and how he had told her that Isabella is the one who would have to forgive her when his mother had asked for forgiveness. "How do you feel about my mother? She told me that she was not very kind to you on your first meeting?" "I would say she wasn't kind," she played the scene of the water going over her and he could feel how sore and cold her body had been. A moment of hate flashed though his mind but before it could take root she showed him his mother's eyes and how much pain his mother had been in. "I can understand her actions so. If it was our son I think I would have behaved the same way; wanting the woman punished and not wanting to wait for the trial for my justice. She has been nothing but kind now, as long as your father is not around; that is when he is there she seems scared of angering him. He won't hurt her will he?" "No, he won't hurt her but he can make her miserable if he chooses to do so, he can even tell her she can't talk to us and by our law she has to obey him. Most of us won't go that far because we love our mates so much that the women have more power over us males than we would like to admit." Rafa winked at Isabella. "She can make him just as miserable since she knows what will hurt him the most. But my father will come around just please give him time. After all it has only been one day and I can already see how the tribe is relaxing around you. You have actually brought a lot of peace to us as the greatest threat to us was the werewolves. Now through you they have become our friends. Since the wolves and us are both threatened by the humans that would either enslaves us or destroy us out of fear. We now have a common enemy. Because, the wolves can appear human, they have been protecting these woods from men. By the law of men they own most of these woods. The wolves also told the centaurs how they got new mates from the human cities. Isabella nodded. "I know, remember how I sent you a picture of what I was doing? I was practicing, the more I do that the better the picture is and over longer distances I can send it. I can also tap into what you are doing so I could hear most of what you were talking about." "About the picture, you freaked me out a little. Promise that you won't do that if I need clear vision. Like if I am in a fight." "Of course I won't do it then. But, if we practice you will know what is happening and it won't scare you, plus I hope that eventually you will be able to see what is in front of you and what I am showing you. Because if I see you are going to be attacked from behind I want to be able to send you a picture of where the attack is coming from." "I understand." He kissed her softly on the temple as they were brought more food to eat, Nesa seemed to think Isabella was underweight; they enjoyed the company of their family. Rafa contemplated how just a few days ago he felt like he had no family and now the most powerful beings he knew were like his brothers. "By the way what happened that your loom got all knotted up? I thought all women knew how to weave?" "I didn't have a woman around until Nesa was put over me. One of my earliest memories of my mother is of her throwing me down a flight of stairs then a memory of one of the female staff beating me because I did something wrong. When I got to the elves I clung to Meldiron as my life line. I trained with the men on how to fight and even the other healers who trained me were men. Then the day came to that I became a woman; I didn't understand what was happening and I wanted one of the healers to fix me. When he said he couldn't I threw a temper tantrum," she turned her head a way in shame, "I am not proud of what I did. I started to beat him up; I also started to assault his mind." She felt Rafa go tense as he pictured how that could really hurt. "I can do it only if I am really mad. I can't promise that I will never do that to you but I have only ever done it to him. One mental assault in 24 years seems like I have really good control over it." "Was he ok after you were done with him?" Rafa asked trying to assess how strong the attack had been. "Yeah, in fact we became great friends after that; you have even met him. It was Lewis," they shared a laugh at the thought. "Nesa came in and literally knocked me out to stop the attack. She was then put in charge of me. That was when the king realized that he had neglected a major part of my learning; mainly that I needed to be with women and to learn how to do women's work. Nesa agreed to teach me but the other elves grew scared of me after what I did to Lewis. That is when I was sent to live with them in the woods." That reminded Rafa of what the men had said about the king paying for her return. "Do you know if your father has been looking for you?" "Not that I know of." "Yes her father is looking for her." Caunidhrenon said as he had been listening to Rafa's side of the conversation. "Sorry to intrude. He wants her back because he realized that by accepting her now he would be forming a treaty with us elves but we are not handing her over, ever. We have sent a group to tell him that she has died so he will quit looking for her. We said that she attacked a high member of our society and as punishment was executed. That should make him quit looking for her; after all he only wanted the treaty with us. Even if he thinks she may be still alive he we think that he will see she has lost favor with us and quit looking. We will never hand her over to a greedy man like him." "Tell him thanks for me. Also tell him that I think of him as my true father. He was the one who raised me and made me feel like I was worth something." "Can't you tell him?" "No it only works with people I share blood with and because of your ceremony we now share blood. I was thinking of some form of sharing with him but I didn't want to make my husband feel like he had to share me. I was thinking while I was listening to the leaders talk if I shared my blood with the leaders I would know when they need me faster. But I will leave that up to you to decide; now tell him what I said." Rafa laughed before he said to Caunidhrenon, "She said that she thinks of you as her true father, you taught her how to be and that she was worth something. She also thanks you for covering her trail." "She is welcomed, but she knew that already." Isabella was feeding bits of chicken meat to Roger when she said to Rafa "Ask Roger if he wouldn't mind traveling with us. That way if someone was close to dyeing he could fly me to where ever I was needed." Rafa passed the message on to Roger. Roger spread his wings and hissed at Rafa. "Don't get mad at me Isabella thought of it." Roger looked at Isabella and when she nodded so did he. He spread his wings and did a loop around the room he enjoyed the feel of the warm air on his wings. Isabella laughed at his joy. But the happy moment was ruined as Toni came charging into the meeting house. "Rafa's longhouse is on fire." All the men took off to try and put it out. When Isabella tried to follow Rafa turned and said "I need you to stay here. I doubt that this fire was an accident I want you here where you are safe." Rafa joined in on the bucket line as they pull water from the river and passed the buckets to each other trying to put the fire out. But it was all in vain; by the time the fire was out there was nothing left of the long house but burnt timbers that had made the frame. As Rafa looked at the devastation of his home Juan Carlos came up and put his hand on Rafa's shoulder. "We will build it better. Until then you and Isabella will stay with me." In an angry move Rafa brushed off his chief's hand. "I have to go tell Isabella. We are going with the elves as it is clear we are unwanted here." Juan Carlos looked to Caunidhrenon for help. "I will watch over them. You just find out who did this and make them pay." Caunidhrenon said testily. "This is a great insult to the both of them." The two leaders walked back to the meeting place when they heard Rafa's roar of agony. They ran to him. He was inside the meeting house but it was a different scene then the one they had left. Chairs and tables were broken, and food was spilled all over the place. The dragon Roger was hanging upside down he was tied up in shredded cloth and obviously pissed at who ever had done this to him. But the most freighting thing was there was no Isabella. Rafa quickly cut down Roger but wisely took him outside before he cut the bindings off. Roger promptly morphed into his lager form and let out a roar the shook the ground. He spread his wings and took off. He reached down and picked Rafa up and they went off to find Isabella. "Well we better follow if we want to see who the poor bastard that did all of this is." Juan Carlos said. The armies followed as quickly as they could. They tried to stay in Roger's shadow so they would know where Roger and Rafa were heading. They were lead to a clearing where they could hear the sounds of a sword fight going on. Rafa was fighting Suiauthon. Both of them were sweating profusely in the bright sun. Roger was not in sight and neither was Isabella. Two elves and two centaurs ran in and pulled Suiauthon and Rafa apart away. As Caunidhrenon went to talk to Suiauthon, Juan Carlos spoke to Rafa trying to calm him. "If he did take Isabella we need him alive to tell us where she is." "No we don't she was tied to a stupid horse. When the horse saw Roger it bolted in fear. Roger went to follow it. I expect him back soon." Roger's shadow fell over the clearing almost as soon as Rafa had spoken these words Two centaurs went over to control the frightened horse that Roger was holding in his front claws. Rafa went over to cut Isabella free and told them to let the horse go but follow it so that it would not hurt itself. They obeyed; all the centaurs knew that they would see that horse again. Horses were a kin of theirs and they watched over them whenever they could. Isabella was shivering in Rafa's arms fearful but also grateful to be back with him. Roger came to stand over them in his protective manner. Suiauthon was tied up and made to kneel in front of Caunidhrenon. "I told you she was mine I will not give her up." "Oh yes you will," Caunidhrenon replied, "by your own admission you are guilty." Caunidhrenon raised his sword, preparing to dish out the punishment for kidnapping Isabella. Isabella Ch. 04 "NO!" Isabella's voice echoed in Rafa's head so loud it gave him a head ache. And before he knew what she was going to do Isabella was out of his arms and had her body leaning over Suiauthon's neck. "I won't have him killed there is a worst punishment for a man like him." "She doesn't want him killed she says there is a worst punishment for him." Rafa told the group. "I don't know what it is but I vote we kill him let me do it even." Isabella placed her hand on Caunidhrenon's face. Caunidhrenon broke out laughing. "That is indeed a worst punishment for him. Do you trust me and Isabella, Rafa?" "Yes, but it is more that I want to see Isabella happy then to see him live. So do whatever she wants." "You two carry Suiauthon back to the centaur's village. We have to prepare for his punishment." Isabella went back to Rafa. He kneeled down on his front legs so she could mount him. He sighed as she put her arms around him. She kissed his back and then rubbed her cheek on it savoring the feel of him. As they walked back Roger kept blowing smoke on Suiauthon making him hotter and causing him to cough. Rafa took Isabella to Nat's longhouse before going to see if anything could be salvaged from the rubble. His mother and Nesa were already there. They had found a few things that had survived. Rafa was happy to see the copper statue on the small pile. "Looks like your staying with me again. " Nat said seeing Rafa. "Yeah looks that way. I am sorry Nat." "Don't be, so who did this?" "Suiauthon." "I am assuming he is dead." Nesa said sadly "No Isabella would not see him killed; she said she had a worse punishment for him." "That sounds like her. She can't stand seeing someone die. I already feel sorry for him Isabella knows how to make a man suffer." That night the whole village and all of their guest were gathered at the center of the village. Suiauthon was tied to a pole his upper body bare and gleamed in the fire light. Caunidhrenon stepped forward and spoke to everyone. "Suiauthon wanted to gain power by marring Isabella when he couldn't because she had chosen another he tried to steal her. Isabella chose this punishment for him over death. He will be a slave to any of the elves, werewolves or centaurs gathered here. This potion will cause him to never be able to raise a hand to hurt another except for in self defense. This spell is binding until he finds someone who he loves and who loves him." Caunidhrenon raised the bowl and then tried to force Suiauthon to drink it. When Suiauthon held his mouth shut an elf reached around and by putting pressure on his jaw forced him to open and drink the potion. Then he was untied, he stumbled but stayed on his feet. Rafa did not see that as much of a punishment but it was what Isabella wanted and he would stay quite about it. They went back to Nat's to sleep and in the morning he could see how bad the punishment really was. Suiauthon was running all over the village caring messages from one person to another. He already had a tired look about him. Nesa came over and watched with Rafa. "No one is allowing him enough time to sleep or eat. He will probably die by the end of the week at this rate. So now do you agree with Isabella's punishment? Personally I can't think of anything worse for him." "Yes I agree with it now that I see it in action." Rafa went back into Nat's longhouse and came out with a loaf of bread and half of a chicken. "Suiauthon come here." Rafa called out the next time Suiauthon ran by. "Yes Master." Suiauthon said "What do you want? Is it to merely gloat over me?" "Why did you do it? Was it to really just gain power?" "Does it matter?" "Yes now answer my question." It was a command and Suiauthon could not disobey it. "Some of it was to gain power, but I also love the peacefulness that always surrounds Isabella. You see I can read minds but when Isabella is around everything goes quite for me." Suiauthon sounded sad at losing that comfort. "Here eat and rest a little bit." Rafa handed the chicken and bread to Suiauthon. "I think Isabella wanted you to learn a lesson not to be worked to death. I also give you this command, if you need a rest. Come here and do so. " "Thank you I can see why she loves you. I am sorry I burned your house." "Don't be you will be rebuilding it." Rafa smiled. "Nesa spread the word that Suiauthon is going to be busy building my long house and he is my slave for awhile." Nesa nodded and started to pass the word. She was glad that Rafa understood Isabella's punishment. Over the weeks of building the new longhouse Rafa and Suiauthon also built an odd friendship. So it did not surprise anyone when Rafa and Isabella left with the elves to stay with them for a few months. Rafa wanted to understand more about the elves. Rafa and Isabella had taken Suiauthon under their protection. Actually ordering him to rest or eat when everyone else was over working him. The months had past and a blanket of snow now covered the ground. It made Rafa's footsteps quiet as he reentered their home village. Wrapped in a blanket Isabella was a sleep on Rafa's back. Even the snow falling and clinging in her hair did not wake her up. Rafa noticed his father pacing outside of Nat's longhouse and turned left to avoid him. But Sebastián had seen them and came running up to Rafa. "Your mother is in labor and she has been in it too long. Can Isabella help her?" "I don't know dad, besides Isabella is tired." "I want to help her Rafa take me to her." "But Isabella," Rafa started but she had made up her mind and slid off his back and started to walk to Nat's long house. Rafa waited outside with his dad. "So she is now my mother again?" "Yes I have missed you. But, I am still unsure of the wisdom of having that woman as your mate though." Rafa saw his father turn pale as one of Anna's screams of pain reached their ears. After a few more hours Nat stepped out and hugged Rafa "Welcome home, you two can come inside now." Anna was lying on a soft mound of cloth by the fire holding a small bundle. She looked exhausted but happy. Isabella just looked sick and weak as she sat in a chair. "Let me see my son." "I can't show you your son," Anna replied "I can only show you your daughter." She pulled back the blanket and Sebastián saw the tan body of his daughter. Everything from her pinkish head to her soft tiny pale hooves seemed frail. "We would have lost them both if it hadn't been for Isabella she was able to use her powers to reposition the baby." Sebastián turned quickly and before Rafa could react; he had Isabella in his arms he gave her a kiss on the check and kept hugging her. "Thank you, I am so sorry that I caused you so much pain. You are very kind to have done this for me. I am glad to call you my daughter." He then reared up on his back legs and spun her which was a bad Idea as she vomited on him. Rafa came up then and handed his dad a wash cloth and took Isabella away. "Dad you should know not to spin a pregnant woman." Sebastián looked down and finally noticed Isabella's growing belly "I'm sorry. Isabella." "Tell your dad I am just glad to be his daughter. And let's go to Juan Carlos's longhouse tonight it will take too long for ours to warm up and I am tired." "She is fine. We had hoped to stay here tonight as it will be cold in our long house, but I think Isabella is right we will go to Juan Carlos's for the night." "Actually Roger came by earlier and told us he was starting a fire in your long house since you would be back soon. We asked him why he didn't just carry you. He wouldn't tell me, he said it was a surprise. But now that I know Isabella is pregnant I would guess that flying and pregnancy don't go well together." Nat said. "Thanks, see you all in the morning." Rafa picked Isabella up and they went back outside. When they got to their longhouse it was warm. Rafa set Isabella down into a chair near the fire as he laid down a bed of furs for them. Tomorrow they would get the bed that had been made for them while they had been away. As they lay down Rafa ran his hand over her belly. She sighed. "It is good to be home isn't?" "Yes, it is even better now that we have a family again." Isabella went to sleep and Rafa knew that they had truly found peace at last. When he heard her moaning in her sleep he placed her hand to his cheek; he enjoyed watching her dreams. Tonight it was a dream about them. They were in their bed here, his feet were tucked below him and she was kneeling facing him. He was kissing her as he held her close. His hands roamed over her back as she started to moan. He tickled the inside of her knees causing her to bend them; he then pulled her legs around him, he could feel her supporting her weight on his shoulders as he positioned himself at her entrance. He entered her slowly. When she tried to quicken his entrance by relaxing her hold on his shoulders he caught her weight with his arms and continued with his slow teasing of her velvet walls. Her warm wet folds pulled at him and she arched her back as she tried to get more of him inside of her. He then latched on to her breast; he suckled it and was rewarded as her whole body shuddered. He then changed his pace to the fast full trust that she had wanted. She was whimpering and moaning. "Yes, more, please Rafa, I want, I want." Her rambling pleas of pleasure were gong though his head. "Oh God Yes!" her nails were digging into his arms and back as he kept rocking her. He could feel her about to cum so he changed position. "Wrap your legs around me." When she did he leaned forward and placed his hands on the bed raising up onto his front knees. "Wrap your arms around my neck and hold on." He then gently rocked her. Her body sung under his and she under stood what he wanted. "You wicked man, I love you." She then started to swing. The weightless feeling she had and the sensation of his sliding in and out at a pace and depth she chose was sweet. She came close to coming again he lifted his body up and trust roughly into her. Her voice echoing in his head was his reward as he felt her body quiver with the intense orgasm that had overcome her. He quivered too as he shot his heavy load into her. He rolled to his side and slipped her one leg between his front legs but kept her one leg slung over his waist. He liked how it felt to still be inside of her as he went soft. She kissed his chest. Rafa took her hand off of his cheek only to see her eyes open watching him. "Are you ever going to get tired of watching my dreams?" "Not when they are so exciting." He pulled her so she could feel his hard cock. "Should we try what you dreamed of?" "Not tonight but we can keep it in mind for tomorrow night. Now go to sleep; we are going to have a lot of visitors tomorrow when the village realizes we are home." Rafa sighed she was right, she was always right. He closed his eyes and drifted off to his own dreams of what he wanted to do with his wife when she was more rested.