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~o~o~o~o~
“Your letter said that you don't have a Familiar yet, right? I brought you this little one to keep you company for the meantime. The cat already has a spell and will be linked to your flow of magic as soon as you touch her. I hope you two become good friends.”
Those were her mother’s words before she literally threw a cute white female cat with a bad attitude into her arms. Suletta didn’t have time to say goodbye or even thank her, her mother mounted her own familiar (a huge, dark-furred wolf) and disappeared into the middle of the night.
Suletta took the cat in her hands and smiled at the little animal, but the cat didn’t seem in a good mood and scratched her face. And yet, Suletta wasn’t bothered by the feline’s attack, instead, the young witch carefully placed the cat on the ground, sat on the floor and took a respectful distance from the animal and cleaned the scratches on her face with a handkerchief.
“You’re a girl, right? You must be confused and tired from the long trip, I’m sorry if my mother isn’t very... Careful.” Suletta looked charmingly at the little feline. “I wonder if you could become my Familiar.”
The cat looked at Suletta for a long time while she slowly seemed to relax.
“Are you hungry?” Suletta looked around and realized that she had no food that a cat could eat, only her own food, and she didn’t want the animal to get sick. “Maybe some fried eggs will help? Sorry, I’ll buy you some meat tomorrow at the villa.”
The cat looked at Suletta a little longer before approaching the witch with her tail raised. A clear sign that Suletta had to gauge her approach yet.
“You need a name, little one.”
“I already have one, my name is Miorine,” the cat suddenly responded. “And your mother is the witch who put a spell on me,” she claimed.
Uh? Suletta blinked twice. “What?!”
Due to the spell that fell on her, Miorine couldn’t give the details of the deal she made with the mother witch. The only thing Suletta could know about that situation was that Miorine was a human until a few hours ago, not even a full day. And also that she was safe from the danger which forced her to make a deal with a wanderer witch in order to escape said danger.
“I’m so sorry my mother put you in this situation,” Suletta apologized to Miorine. “But I assure you that my mother doesn’t do things out of malice… She… Just… Well…”
“The devil is in the details, that’s the lesson I’ve been taught my entire life and it was the first thing I forgot,” the cat sighed as she settled lazily on Suletta’s soft bed. To tell the truth she had no complaints, never in her life had the opportunity to enjoy a moment of true laziness.
“Is there any way to break the spell that turned you into a cat?” Suletta asked despite already knowing the answer.
“Yes, but I can’t tell,” Miorine replied, stretching her small, furry body on the bed and honestly enjoying the moment. “And I’m sure you already know that.”
“Yes, I know, sorry for the stupid question.”
“I’m not going to eat animal food; I’m fine with human food.”
“Oh got it!”
“And don’t pick me up or pet me as if I was an animal, I’m a person, don’t forget that.”
“I’ll not forget, I promise”.
“And what is a Familiar supposed to do?”
Suletta smiled as she went to put on her night clothes, it was too late to stay awake anyway. Shorts and a loose shirt were her favorite clothes to sleep in. She turned off the oil lamps except for the one on the dresser next to the bed. Suletta began braiding her hair as she sat on the mattress.
“The Familiar becomes the eyes, the ears and the voice of the witch; the messenger, the companion and someone capable of channeling protection or attack spells if the witch is in danger,” Suletta explained. “As you could see, my mother’s Familiar is a black wolf.” His name has Lfrith by the way.
“And can that black wolf talk? I mean, I’m a bewitched human, and it would terrify me to think that the wolf was also a human,” Miorine said as she looked at her little paws.
Suletta laughed and shook her head. “No, my mom raised the wolf since he was a cub,” she explained quickly. “And only she can communicate with him and vice versa, even from a distance.”
“And why didn’t you have a Familiar? Your mother had to fish out one for you,” Miorine commented with a harsh voice, but not because she wanted to be cruel to the girl, she was still overwhelmed by her situation and the girl was a stranger to her, polite or not.
“A witch doesn't take the first forest animal in sight, the animal must choose you, it must come to you,” Suletta explained. “The wolf cub came to my mom,” Suletta smiled as she settled on her side to look at the cute cat. “I have a wonderful older sister, her Familiar is a falcon. My sister practically had the egg fall into her hands, the bird’s older siblings hatched first and threw the remaining egg out of the nest.” Her name was Aerial by the way.
“And I suppose your sister raised the falcon and became her Familiar because of that.”
Suletta nodded. “On the other hand, I haven’t had that luck; mom said the time would come but...”
Miorine let out a feline sound of displeasure. “Your mother has a very strange way of helping people.”
Suletta laughed and then yawned. “Let’s go to sleep and tomorrow we’ll figure out what to do, okay?”
Miorine yawned in a very cute way. “Okay... It's not like I can get too far away from you.” She could feel it.
“Good night, Miss Miorine.”
“Good night, Suletta… Sorry for scratching you.”
Suletta smiled.
~o~
Even though Miorine made it clear that she didn’t want to be treated like a cat, she was the one who acted like one. When Suletta went to the village market to buy ingredients for their breakfast, Miorine didn’t plan to stay at the cottage. She made it clear that they should be together and the first thing she did was climb onto Suletta’s shoulder and snuggle into her warm hood and red hair.
“I suppose other people can’t understand me,” Miorine said while they were on their way to the village.
“To everyone else, you’re just meowing,” Suletta clarified with a smile.
“And I suppose all those people know you’re a witch.”
“I’m the local witch, of course they know that.”
“And what kind of services do you offer, huh? Where I come from, there were several witches because it’s a bigger city.” But Miorine had never heard of a witch who could transform a person into an animal, Suletta’s mother was a very powerful witch.
“Each witch has a specialty. Some can read your fortune or future, others cast protection spells for travelers, others make healing infusions and herbal medicine, and others help crops grow by invoking rain,” Suletta explained. “I have the tracking ability. I can find anything anywhere, including people and animals.”
That was quite a unique ability, so Miorine thought.
“Asking about your family’s specialties is out of line, right?”
“Yes, I’m sorry. I can’t divulge that, it’s up to them to offer their services themselves. Or it should be up to the people to spread the word about the witch’s ability if anyone needs it.”
Miorine wasn’t quite sure what to think about Suletta’s mother. If what Suletta said was true, then the witch gave her exactly what she asked for, but she wasn’t quite sure if her most hidden wish was to become a cat.
They didn’t have the opportunity to talk more, everyone in the villa always welcomed Suletta with good spirits and also tried to give her more things, they even insisted that it wasn't necessary for her to pay, but Suletta always paid. In the surrounding areas she was known as the Red Witch. There was no need to ask too much to know that Suletta has surely found a lot of things for them. Perhaps she has even rescued lost people, or livestock.
Miorine wasn’t going to admit it, but she felt very calm with Suletta. There were still things that had her worried, but the peaceful air surrounding the young witch was calming.
For her part, Suletta was happy that her new acquaintance was comfortable. And she also admitted that it was a very warm feeling to have Miorine so close to her. Suletta sometimes felt ticklish on her neck when Miorine’s cute white tail sought comfort and ended up around her neck. The young witch didn’t always understand her mother’s motives for doing things, but if there was one thing she was sure of, it was that her mother got that girl out of a very big predicament.
Some children from the village, children full of energy who were always happy to see Suletta, saw the cat that and tried to touch the feline. Miorine pulled her claws out and tensed as she hissed at the children fiercely, her fur standing on end.
“Calm down, the little one doesn’t really like being touched,” Suletta said in a calm voice to appease the children. “Remember that you should not touch any creature unless the creature allows you to... Of course, you shouldn’t approach wild animals.”
“But that’s a cat, she’s not wild,” claimed one of the children.
Suletta smiled nervously as Miorine hissed again.
“Not all cats are the same, neither are dogs, you should know. Some cats or dogs love to be petted, others prefer to just take care of their humans without anyone touching them, and others like hugs,” the witch explained with patience and soft voice.
“So she doesn’t like to be touched?” A little girl asked, her finger up her own nose.
“Exactly. Remember that you all have to respect the boundaries not only of animals and other creatures, but also of other people.”
The children answered “yes” in unison and ran off to play after talking a little more with the young witch. Suletta was able to continue with her shopping while Miorine finished relaxing thanks to Suletta’s aroma and warmth. Miorine didn’t say anything after that and Suletta let her calm down.
“Suletta, dear, do you think you can help me with some medicine for my rheumatism? My legs are killing me,” asked the old woman who sold eggs and feathers for pillow stuffing.
“I’m so sorry, ma’am, I’m not yet fully familiar with healing herbs,” Suletta apologized with some embarrassment. “But I’ll see what I can do for you.”
“Thank you very much, dear, you’re lovely,” the old woman said as she took Suletta’s hand. It didn’t take long for her to notice the cat barely peeking out from under Suletta’s hood. “Is it your Familiar?”
“Not yet” Suletta responded. “I still need to name her.”
Miorine looked at Suletta as she said those words. Surely it was something related to the magical link with the familiar. She would ask later, and she also had to say a thing or two to Suletta as soon as they were alone.
After shopping, they both returned to Suletta’s cottage, a place that was on the outskirts of the village near one of the many streams that surrounded the town.
“I thought all witches knew about herbalism,” Miorine commented as she peeked her small head out of Suletta’s hood.
“I’m still learning,” Suletta said defensively. “I focused more on my tracking ability and recently I’m studying herbalism, I have books that my mom gave me.”
Miorine was silent for a few seconds. “I can teach you.”
“Really?” Suletta beamed.
“I know about herbalism thanks to my mother...”
“I’ll be a good student, I promise,” the young witch said excitedly.
“By the way... What did you mean by naming me?” Miorine asked.
“Oh, the name is important in sealing the bond between the witch and the Familiar.”
“So you really plan to make me your Familiar?” The idea of being enslaved by a witch while she was in cat form was a more acceptable fate than the one that originally awaited her at home.
Suletta quickly realized her mistake and shook her head several times. “I’m so sorry, I accidentally said that I was going to name you, but you’re a human, not a real animal. You’re not a servant. I won’t do that to you.”
Miorine was a little surprised by those words and it didn’t take long for her to get out of Suletta’s hood and climb onto the witch’s head.
“And what about that magic link your mother mentioned?” Miorine asked, maintaining her balance without any problem.
“Oh, that magic spell prevents you from escaping and we can feel each other’s presences,” Suletta explained. “I’m so sorry about that, I can’t break it. Not my spell, only mom can.”
“I’m fine with that,” Miorine murmured. It’s not like I have any desire to go back to the place where the witch rescued me from, she thought.
~o~
Suletta was frankly surprised by how smart Miorine was. She knew a lot about flowers, common plants and medicinal herbs, she also knew how to create a garden for seasonal fruits and vegetables. In a matter of a month, Suletta already knew how to prepare natural remedies to relieve colds, coughs, rheumatic pain and pain relievers.
And also during that month, Miorine witnessed Suletta’s tracking ability firsthand.
A lost sheep. Lost livestock could be problematic for a small family.
It was enough for Suletta to use a spell in the stable where the sheep were kept to be able to distinguish the tracks of the lost animal. And surprisingly, Miorine could also see the footprints and that surprised her.
“Are you sure we’re not already bonded?” Miorine asked as she followed the trail of the animal, the cat ran on her four legs along with Suletta. “I can see the footprints shining on the ground.”
“We’re not bonded,” Suletta responded immediately. “It’s mom’s spell that allows us to share some things and my magic flux. I know we’re not bonded because I can’t see through your eyes.”
That makes sense, Miorine thought as the two continued moving through the dense forest. They had to move carefully. Before beginning the search, Suletta told her not to worry about the wild animals, they naturally felt sympathy for witches but avoided them. Only domesticated animals could be near them, but they couldn’t become their pets.
Only until that moment did Miorine understand why the animals “chose” witches to become their Familiars.
After almost an hour of following the trails, they finally found the lost sheep, the animal’s leg was stuck in some thick roots. Suletta quickly saved the animal and noticed that, although its leg wasn’t broken, it was having trouble walking. And since Suletta had no healing spells, she did the first thing that came to mind. She put the animal on her shoulders, holding it by its legs.
“Suletta, you’re going to hurt yourself! That sheep is really heavy!”
“I’m strong, don’t worry. I can take this little guy back.”
Miorine growled and had no choice but to follow her crazy partner.
It was already late night by the time they reached the village. The villagers welcomed them with joy and the owner of the lost sheep paid Suletta for her help. Suletta did accept the coins, it was important for a witch to never do work for free, there should always be a fair exchange between both parties.
And thinking about it, Suletta wondered what it was that Miorine paid her mother to “help” her.
They both returned home and Suletta didn’t have the strength to do anything but fall on her bed, exhausted. Miorine was not happy at all, seeing her partner without strength made her angry, but she also understood that it would have been cruel to make the poor animal walk with a swollen leg.
“At least take off your clothes and shoes,” Miorine said close to Suletta’s ear.
Suletta mumbled some unintelligible words, but she obeyed. Doing her best, the young witch took off all of her clothes until she was only in her underwear. Miorine took care of turning off the lamps carefully so as not to burn her fur and with her small mouth she pulled her blanket to cover Suletta.
“Thank you very much, Miss Miorine,” were Suletta’s tired words and she fell asleep.
“Idiot,” Miorine murmured and leaned against Suletta’s chest, cradling her small head into the witch’s warm neck and red hair.
The two of them woke up a little late, but it wasn’t like they needed to wake up early.
Suletta opened her eyes and discovered herself with the cat in her arms… With Miorine in her arms. The witch swallowed, she knew she should let her go but she didn’t want to wake Miorine either. Suletta squeezed her eyelids shut and sighed, trying not to make any noise.
She’s warm, Suletta thought and she couldn't contain her next move. She began to caress the fur on Miorine's back very carefully, seeking a gentle movement with her fingers. The young witch admitted that she had always wanted to pet her and until now she had refrained from doing so, she didn’t want to bother Miorine. But this time she couldn’t contain herself but she decided not to do it anymore, Miorine made it clear.
As Suletta moved her hand away from her partner, the cat snuggled up completely against her neck and chest.
“You can continue,” Miorine said, surprising Suletta.
“I-I’m sorry! I shouldn’t have...!”
"Shut up and keep going. I’m giving you my permission.”
“Oh… Oh, okay”, Suletta shallowed and the petting continued.
Maintaining the care and gentleness that her partner deserved, Suletta’s fingers moved through the white fur with soft caresses, carefully scratching behind the cute cat ears.
On her side, Miorine enjoyed the caresses of that large, gentle hand, also the herbal scent of Suletta and how the red of her hair was all she could see. Miorine sighed silently as she closed her eyes. Neither of them said anything while Suletta didn't stop and Miorine didn't stop her. They both felt good.
“Tell me your price, witch. I’m the princess of this kingdom, I can give you whatever you ask for, but get me out of here.”
“Oh, young lady, you cannot pay me as a princess would pay me, because you no longer want to be a princess and you no longer wish to carry the surname of your father the King.”
“Then I’ll pay what I can pay as Miorine, only as Miorine!”
“Oh... My deal is this: I’ll make sure that no one knows that you’re a princess, no one will recognize you. You’ll not say your last name, you’ll not say that you’re a princess and you’ll not say the payment I’m about to ask for.”
“Say it.”
“Give my daughter something unique that only Miorine could give her. Give her something that comes from your heart, give her something that she doesn’t want but needs. And when my daughter reciprocates your gift with something of equal value, you will be free to choose your path.”
“So I won’t have to marry someone who wants to kill me as soon as he becomes king?”
“Yes.”
“I hate my father but I don’t want him to be killed either, will he be safe?”
“I can take care of that.”
“Won’t I be a princess anymore?”
“You will be Miorine and only Miorine.”
“Then I accept.”
Miorine was the first to move and go to the stove, her memories invaded her short nap.
“Let’s have breakfast. Last night we arrived very late and didn’t have dinner,” Miorine said.
Suletta nodded and got out of bed. She needed a shower but she could do it after breakfast. Still in her underwear, the young witch went to wash her hands and face and began to prepare breakfast for the two of them.
Miorine wrinkled her nose as she glanced at Suletta out of the corner of her eye. The witch was tall and had a strong body, her tan skin was pretty and her fire-colored hair was messy and nice. Miorine wanted to tell her to put on more clothes, but she herself was technically naked. It was best not to make things awkward.
Besides, they were both women, there was nothing about Suletta’s body that was unknown to Miorine, right?
After breakfast, the two went out to the small artificial pond next to the cottage. That water was only for washing purposes. Suletta took out a couple of buckets of fresh water, stripped naked, and began washing her body. She always did it like this and this time Miorine joined her.
“Miss Miorine! Ah… I…” Suletta covered her chest with both hands.
“Silly, we’re both women. I need a bath, my fur feels sticky.”
“But cats...”
“I know how cats clean themselves! And no, I’m not going to lick my fur!” It was humiliating enough for Miorine to use the bushes around the cottage as a toilet. The thought of licking cat hair sickened her.
Suletta nodded repeatedly and finally lowered her arms. “You can get in here,” said the witch and half-filled another bucket. “I’ll help you wash your fur, okay?”
“Okay.”
Suletta left her modesty completely aside and relaxed. Miorine was right, they were both girls and she could almost swear they were friends. Plus, the girls in the village bathed in the river together, so there was no need to feel embarrassed.
On her side, Miorine jumped into the bucket and the cool hit of the water relaxed her. It was lucky that Suletta had recently learned how to make herbal soap, so the two of them could properly wash. They would have the same scent on their bodies but the idea didn't bother Miorine.
Neither of them was going to deny that their shared shower time was fun.
As soon as they were clean, dry and combed, they began their day’s tasks. Suletta had to take care of the garden under the supervision of Miorine and the latter regretted not having human hands to help her. She confessed that she really liked gardening.
“When you regain your human form, will we work together in the garden?” Suletta asked with a smile.
Miorine smiled; unfortunately her feline form didn’t allow her to fully show her human emotions. Instead, her tail moved like a sea wave as she jumped onto Suletta’s shoulder and rubbed against her cheek for a second before moving away again.
"Yes, and you’ll see how a professional works."
Suletta smiled.
~o~
The moons passed one after another, the witch and the bewitched girl shared those moons in the cabin while they learned from each other. Suletta taught Miorine about the basic spells she mastered, about construction, cooking, exploring the forest. Miorine taught Suletta about botany, the stars and told her stories that she in turn learned from the castle’s books.
It was autumn. Harvest time. Suletta looked very happy with everything they were going to harvest in her small garden.
“Can we exchange some vegetables with the people in the village?” Suletta asked, looking at the vegetables and fruits almost ready to pick.
“Yeah, we could use some cheese,” Miorine commented as she rested on Suletta’s shoulder. “And bread.”
“I’m glad you don't get sick from human food.”
“There are things I can’t chew because of my teeth, but it helps me a lot when you cut my portion into small pieces. Thank you.”
“Miss Miorine...”
“Uh?”
“You miss your human body, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do and I would like to get it back soon, but in the meantime I don’t mind being lazy in your bed.”
Suletta laughed and with her right hand she caressed Miorine’s back and behind her ears. Miorine already allowed it, but only Suletta, neither the children of the village nor anyone else was allowed to touch her, she didn’t like it.
“And what do you look like? In your human form,” a curious Suletta asked.
“Nothing special I think, I’m around your age. I’m not as tall as you, I’m probably up to your shoulders, my hair is white, I’m thin and I don’t have a pair of monsters like yours,” Miorine said playfully, touching near the chest of Suletta with one of her paws. There was no envy in her voice.
“Miss Miorine, you pervert!” A blushed Suletta covered her chest with her arms.
“I’m not a pervert, I just pointed. Plus you always touch my back and my tummy.”
“But you’re a cat!”
“I’m human trapped in a cat’s body! What’s the difference, Suletta?”
Suletta couldn’t say anything to that.
Miorine sighed and climbed off her shoulder. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have touched you.”
The witch shook her head many times in a clear state of panic. “No, no, no! Forgive me, I shouldn’t have reacted like that! You’re right, I’m always touching you... You... You can do the same.”
“Look who’s the pervert...” Miorine sounded amused.
“Miss Miorine, you’re so mean!”
Anyone who saw them would say that they were old friends, they went everywhere together and their few discussions were brief because Suletta couldn’t stand not talking to her for more than an afternoon and Miorine, surprisingly, couldn’t either. Even though Miorine really wanted her human body back, she didn’t mind at all enjoying Suletta’s caresses on her back and belly, and she also didn’t deny how comfortable she felt resting on Suletta’s chest.
The days passed and the girls went to the village to exchange part of what they harvested. It was a surprise to hear that there was big news straight from the capital of the kingdom.
It was said that an official statement had already been made regarding the disappearance of the Princess of the Kingdom and that the crime was blamed on the princess’s Fiancé, who was also plotting to kill King Delling Rembran.
Miorine tensed upon hearing that.
The news didn’t end there, people said that the chaos caused by the disappearance of the princess finally exposed the most corrupt nobles and that the King was in charge of punishing them. Until that moment Miorine realized that Suletta’s mother was keeping her word. Her father was still alive and safe.
And Miorine still didn’t pay her part of the deal.
That thought left Miorine in a contemplative state. They were already friends but she didn’t know what she could give to such a clumsy girl.
Suletta noticed Miorine’s poor mood and the only thing she could think of was to make a special dinner of roasted meat and vegetables. Dinner helped improve the spirit of the bewitched girl, and then Suletta devoted herself to stroking the cat’s back in silence in front of the fireplace before going to sleep.
Miorine was lovingly wrapped in Suletta’s arms and that made her happy.
“You dumb girl…”
Miorine didn’t resist her next wish. Taking advantage of her position, she lifted her head just enough to place her mouth on Suletta’s lips.
“I wouldn’t mind staying with you forever...”
And Miorine slept.
It was early morning when Suletta moved a little to take a more comfortable position in bed. Her arms felt strangely heavy and there was a slight pressure on her chest. The witch clenched her eyelids before opening her eyes.
Suletta had to focus her vision once more because of what was in her arms.
Trapped in her arms was a girl with milky skin and silver hair, a naked girl with a slim body. A girl who had on her the scent of the floral soap that Miorine taught her to make, a beautiful girl who slept peacefully in her arms.
“Miorine?” Suletta almost felt breathless saying her name.
The sunlight entered and the vision of the beautiful lady in her arms disappeared as the sun’s rays illuminated the bed.
Suletta was left with her mouth open when she noticed that it was once again the cat that was resting in her arms. Was that Miorine’s human form? Was the spell finally losing its effect? Were the conditions that her mother surely imposed on Miorine already being met? Suletta didn’t have the answers to those questions, she only had one wish: to see Miorine in her human form once again.
And, if possible, hug her one more time.
~o~
“So you saw my human form?” An incredulous Miorine asked.
“Yes, before dawn, I saw you, you were just like you told me,” Suletta said, affected by the experience. “Silver hair, fair skin, slim body…”
Miorine remembered exactly what she did before falling asleep in Suletta’s arms and luckily any signs of embarrassment or shame were hidden by her feline face.
“When the sunlight came in, you became a cat again.”
The witch of course couldn’t ask Miorine the details of her deal with her mother, but she could ask something similar.
“Are Mom’s conditions being met?” The young witch asked.
“I...” Miorine sighed. “Maybe so, thanks to you. There’s still more to do.”
Suletta’s face brightened upon hearing that. “I’ll help you, I’ll help you with whatever you need!” The witch exclaimed as she carefully held Miorine and brought her closer to her face. “You know? Ah... I really wish I could hug you again like that.”
This time the mental image of her and Suletta embraced in a tight embrace made Miorine’s heart jump in her chest and she couldn't resist the instinct to scratch Suletta’s face and escape from her hands.
“Pervert!”
“Miss Miorine, wait...!”
~o~
Miorine wasn’t stupid and of course she already knew what was going on. She already knew what she could offer Suletta as Miorine and only as Miorine.
“And when my daughter reciprocates your gift with something of equal value, you will be free to choose your path.”
Those were the words of the witch.
“Damn woman, you just wanted a girlfriend for your daughter.”
Or so Miorine wanted to think, the truth was that Miorine was offering trust and affection to Suletta, and Suletta was reciprocating in the same way.
And what was the climax of the love story?
A kiss.
A damn kiss.
Miorine was in no position to be offended, she had already stolen a kiss from Suletta and it was obvious that they needed to kiss her for her to finally regain her human form. The only detail she had to clarify with Suletta was whether her feelings of affection were reciprocated.
And that was a step that scared her.
That would be the first time that someone other than her mother professed love and affection for her. Suletta already had enough affection for her and it was just a matter of confessing her feelings, just that and nothing more.
“Do you think she will accept my feelings?” Miorine asked the bird that was currently preening its wings on a nearby tree.
Miorine was thinking about her situation and the obvious path forward. Falling in love with Suletta was her decision and no one else’s, the mother witch had nothing to do with it.
Miorine had just gathered her courage when she noticed that a stranger entered the property. The cottage and a certain area around it was marked by Suletta’s magic. The cat quickly went to the front, Suletta was already there. Someone had gone to seek the Red Witch's help.
“Red Witch, I need your help, please.”
The fact that the man called her by her nickname and not her first name like the villagers did, meant that he came from outside the region. Suletta became serious, Miorine climbed onto Suletta’s shoulder, both attentive to the man's request.
“You know what service I offer, right?”
“Yes, Red Witch, I ask for your help to find my son’s body. I want to bury him,” the man asked, tearful.
Suletta’s face softened. “May I ask what occupation your son had?”
“He was a soldier in the Capital. Recently his battalion was helping to arrest the traitors who tried to assassinate the King,” the man explained and Miorine tensed. “The battalion fought the traitors near Bear Canyon. My son died in battle but the battalion couldn’t find his body and they told me they fear he fell down a hillside.”
And each person who was embraced by death, good or bad, rich or poor, young or old, had to be buried under a tree, with seasonal flowers adorning their grave and saying goodbye to them with a drink of liquor.
“I’ll take you there, I know that Bear Canyon is three days away,” the man added and immediately took out one of his son’s belongings: a shirt that he had left at home.
Suletta took the garment with great respect.
“Leave it to me, sir.”
“I’ll take you to Bear Canyon in my wagon, it’s three days away. Just find my son’s body, please, I’ll take him to our homeland.”
And Suletta nodded.
~o~
“I’ve never traveled this far,” Miorine commented as she looked around.
“I only traveled while I found a place to settle after mastering my specialty,” Suletta said while she was in charge of brushing her partner’s fur.
“Hey, if the man said the place is called Bear Canyon, then there are bears?” A curious Miorine asked.
“I thought the same thing too, but it’s actually because of a huge rock shaped like a sleeping bear.”
Miorine laughed. “I’m glad it’s not a place full of wild animals.”
“The only danger is the slopes,” which is why the man had ropes and climbing equipment in his cart. Suletta finished brushing Miorine’s fur and put her brush away. “I’ll be careful, I promise.”
“I hope so, I don’t want to worry about you,” Miorine reproached and Suletta laughed. People who saw Suletta talking to the white cat quickly assumed that the little animal was her Familiar.
The trip to Bear Canyon was peaceful. They arrived in daylight, so the Red Witch could proceed with the search immediately. It was enough to use her magic on the fallen soldier's garment to be able to find his trace immediately.
And just as they feared, the boy fell down the slope.
“I’ll go down for him,” Suletta said but fell silent when Miorine nudged her forehead with her paw. “Ouch.”
“I’ll go down first, I’m a cat and I’ll be able to move better on the rocks. Thanks to our link I can see the soldier’s trail. I’ll tell you how far down his body is and how much rope you’ll need,” Miorine said immediately.
“I’'s true! You’re very smart!” Suletta exclaimed and hugged the kitty lovingly, she even gave her a kiss between her ears and Miorine took her away from her with her paw. “I’m sorry”.
“Time to work, we have a soldier to rescue,” Miorine said, she felt that she owed him. After all, the soldier died protecting the King.
Protecting her father.
Miorine began to descend the hillside wall. Her light body and feline agility allowed her to get down quickly. What seemed curious to Miorine was not sensing the stench of death. There was a faint aroma of dried blood, but that was all.
The cat reached the bottom of that part of the slope and could see the soldier between some rocks. She said a silent prayer for him before approaching his body. She sniffed him a little and saw a wound on his leg, he probably hit his head when he fell and...
“He is alive!” Miorine exclaimed when she saw the soldier's face and noticed that he was breathing.
With her little paws she pushed the soldier's cheek and he weakly opened his eyes and smiled at her. Miorine had never felt so happy.
“Hello, little one,” the soldier greeted in a dull voice.
Miorine meowed at him and tried to move him with her little paws.
“I’m sorry, I broke my leg and I can’t get up.”
The cat looked around. There were puddles where the soldier was prostrate, which meant that he stayed hydrated with water from the puddles formed by the water breeze from the near natural waterfalls. Miorine also noticed flowers around him and flower stalks near him, a sign that he survived by eating wild flowers, and maybe insects.
Miorine gave the soldier a small bump on the forehead and quickly retreated. She felt sorry to hear the soldier's weak voice asking her not to leave. Miorine returned to Suletta as soon as she could and told her the good news. Suletta’s face lit up and she looked at the man.
“Your son is alive, sir!”
“What?!” The man covered his mouth as his tired eyes filled with tears. “My boy is alive!”
“He’s injured, he has a broken leg, but he was able to survive all this time. I’m going to get him immediately, tie three ropes please and prepare a stretcher.”
“Yes!”
Working as a team, the father and the witch prepared a stretcher where they would put the wounded soldier so they could lift him up with the help of the horses. Suletta would make sure the soldier didn’t fall off the stretcher or hit the rocks.
The soldier’s eyes filled with tears when he saw a person after many nights.
“Don’t worry, your father is waiting for you. Chew this leaves, they will make you sleepy, I need you to relax because I’m going to move you. I have to immobilize your leg and tie you to the stretcher.”
“Yes. Thank you so much.”
Miorine was on Suletta’s shoulder, she didn’t plan to separate from her, because Suletta had to climb the slope while she guided the stretcher.
The rescue took about an hour. Suletta secured the soldier, the father used the horses to lift his son and the witch, and the witch took care of the soldier so that he would not hit the rocks. The one who hit her forehead on a rock was Suletta, by the way, because of a slip. Miorine scolded her for the rest of the climb to the top.
The father paid generously for the help, unfortunately he could not take them back to their village, another town was closer and he wanted to take his son to a doctor as soon as possible. Suletta and Miorine decided to return on foot, they would join a caravan, merchant caravans always passed through those roads.
Father and son said goodbye, Miorine and Suletta decided to camp with the supplies that the grateful father gave them.
“You fool! You’re a fool!” Miorine’s scolding continued as she watched Suletta clean the wound on her forehead. “You’re lucky I told you to strap yourself to the stretcher too!”
“I’m sorry, Miss Miorine,” she apologized for the umpteenth time that night.
“I worried a lot about you!”
“Sorry.”
“You’re lucky you have a rock for a head, idiot!” Miorine climbed onto Suletta’s chest so she could face her. Carefully, the cat licked the wound.
“Miss Miorine...” Suletta hugged Miorine’s small feline body. “Sorry for worrying you... I got scared too.”
Miorine sighed and rested her small forehead on Suletta's chin. “You idiot...”
Suletta smiled.
Miorine couldn’t resist anymore and faced Suletta. “I can’t stay with you forever if you die because you’re stupid,” the cat said harshly.
“Sorry?”
“Exactly what you heard, we’re partners and I’m not going to be in love with someone who died because she’s clumsy.”
The young witch’s face burned hotter than the campfire. “Miss Miorine...” Suletta swallowed.
“What? Don't you want to?”
“It’s not that! It’s just...! I...!” Suletta began to wave her arms while her thoughts were a mess and her heart galloped at full speed like a wild horse.
“You’re hopeless.”
And then she put her little feline mouth on Suletta’s lips. The witch’s eyes widened as she saw what was happening: Miorine’s feline body shone with a gentle, soft light, and then she returned to her human form.
Suletta could see again those beautiful features on Miorine’s face, her silver hair, her milky skin... The witch immediately hugged the thin body of her dear partner as if she was afraid that human Miorine was going to disappear with the daylight.
The witch and the bewitched girl kissed under the stars.
The witch’s hands felt the smooth bare skin of her partner’s back, so she clumsily took off her hood and covered Miorine’s nakedness with her garment.
The sweet, slow kiss lasted a few more seconds.
Neither of them would ever know that someone else witnessed their true love’s first kiss. A dark-furred wolf watched them from afar, then immediately ran back to his Mistress.
~o~
“So she’s safe?”
“I kept my word, Warrior King. But remember that I didn’t do it for you, I did it for Notrette, who asked me on her deathbed to take care of her daughter when you couldn’t.”
“Will she be safe from any danger?”
“She is being protected by someone she wants to protect too.”
“Is she getting the love she deserves?”
“She is being loved by someone who also loves her.”
“That’s enough.”
“I have kept my word, Warrior King. I no longer owe anything, and you no longer owe me anything.”
The King nodded and the Mother Witch left. They had no more business to discuss.
~o~
“Mio, you’re a genius with gardening!” Suletta could really tell the difference in the garden since Miorine was working in it.
“I told you I was a professional,” Miorine boasted as she fertilized the soil in the tomato patch. “Here, cook something with this,” the girl said and gave her a basket with tomatoes and other fresh vegetables.
“I’ll make a salad!” Exclaimed the witch with joy, but before leaving, she sought a kiss from her dear Miorine. She only wanted a kiss, but her partner was still the same sneaky and fickle cat as usual.
“Pervert,” Miorine muttered before taking her feline form and running away from her.
“Mio, wait! It’s not fair!” Suletta made a sad child’s face.
“If I let you start kissing me right now,” Miorine said from the top of a wooden shelf full of potted flowers, “we’re going to skip lunch. I know you.”
“Just a peck, please…!”
Miorine laughed before jumping into Suletta’s arms and taking her human form again as her witch carefully carried her in her arms.
“I’ll let you kiss me all you want after we eat, okay?”
“Okay!”
FIN