tw: implied/referenced rape, implied/referenced nonconsensual acts, implied/referenced abuse

( 10th century — kingdom of norway )

Esther had been married to Mikael for two years. It was the most miserable she had ever been in her life and only continued to get worse. They had moved Northwest from where she lived originally. She hadn't seen anyone she used to know, she was barely even allowed outside—with all the bruises over her skin.

Esther silently watched as Mikael redressed. She could tell he was angry, had been since the moment he got home from his trip and saw she wasn't with child still. Esther hadn't known she was infertile when they got married, she truly hadn't thought much about it since she and Alix were so young.

Regina didn't have Alix until she was 25. Esther had been 18. And now she's 20.

"You're useless. As always," Mikael sneered, staring at her with disgust. She'd probably stare at herself like that too. Afterward, she'd go to the river and scrub her skin raw to get the feeling of his body off hers. Mikael reached down, catching Esther's chin between his fingers. Esther knew she'd bruise. "You better be with child when I come back." He shoved her back down and left the house.

Esther stared at the ceiling. How ironic was it that she was blessed by the goddess of family and childbirth and yet, she had neither. Could have neither.

She sighed heavily and sat up shakily. He was always so rough. She stood, her knees buckling slightly. She winced as pain erupted from between her legs. She closed her eyes and muttered a couple of spells to dull the pain.

She had gotten used to it.

She collected her things and then headed down to the river.

Mikael wouldn't be gone for so long this time. Sometimes it was months, sometimes it was weeks. This time it was only for a few days. She never understood why he wished for a wife when he was gone all the time.

Esther set her stuff down and stripped out of her dressings. She slipped into the water, shivering at the cold. It soothed her aches. She dipped her head under the water before popping back up.

She reached for her soap and began scrubbing. She hated the feeling of him. She hated him. If it weren't for the stupid cuff, she would've killed him that night before her wedding.

She spent a long time washing herself, getting everything off of her.

She was rinsing off when she heard a twig snap. Her head jerked up, meeting glowing golden eyes. She watched the wolf silently. It wasn't hostile, she could tell since it wasn't in a stalking position. It was merely watching her.

She tilted her head a bit, taking in the fur color. It was red like Alix's was from the few times Esther was allowed to watch her after she was transformed.

Her breath stalled in her chest as she realized who was in front of her.

The wolf did nothing, barely even breathed. Just stared.

Esther slowly began to swim toward the other side of the river, away from her clothes. She came a couple of feet in front of the wolf. In front of her best friend.

"Geia sou panémorfi," Esther whispered, reaching a hand up. The wolf moved then, tilting her head into Esther's open palm. "Den eíste éna théama gia ta mátia pou ponáne?" [Hi, gorgeous... Aren't you a sight for sore eyes?]

The wolf made a purring sound, eyes closing as Esther's fingers brushed through her fur. Esther felt her eyes tear up a bit at the familiar sight.

Alix was here. Right in front of her.

"I've missed you so much," Esther murmured. The wolf nuzzled her cheek a bit before stepping back. The blonde swam back to her clothes and dried herself off. She dressed herself and turned, her heart dropping when she didn't see Alix. Had she imagined it? Had she gotten so desperate to be free of this life that she hallucinated her best friend's wolf form?

"I've missed you, too," said an all-to-familiar voice. Esther spun around, her eyes wide as she met Alix's beautiful green eyes. She was dressed in trousers and a long shirt with her hair flowing freely.

"Alix," Esther grinned, her heart filling with warmth and her whole face lighting up. She rushed into the redhead's arms, hugging her tightly. Alix hugged her back, closing her eyes and sighing. She had missed the blonde's hugs.

"Hey there, Sunshine," Alix murmured into her hair.

Esther pulled back, taking Alix's face between her hands. "How are you? How's Regina? The pack? What are you guys doing so far away from Norway—?"

Alix leaned her forehead against Esther's, rubbing her arms gently. "There's something I must tell you," she whispered sadly. Esther frowned in confusion, but then she caught the look in Alix's eyes. It was the same look she had when Elric passed away.

"No..." Esther whispered, her eyes welling with tears. Alix smiled sadly, tears of her own filling her eyes. "When... how?" She asked.

"A couple of months ago," Alix replied quietly, closing her eyes, "I think with the combination of losing my father, with losing you, and with the stress of trying to get you back... it just all became too much." Esther made a small sound, burying her face in Alix's chest. "She gets to be with father, though. She gets to continue to have her happy ending now."

Esther sniffled a little. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there. I'm so sorry, Alix," she said, her arms squeezing her best friend's biceps tightly.

Alix set a hand on her cheek, gently pulling her face up to look at her. "I understand why you weren't. Why you couldn't." From the look on her face, and from the anger and hatred in her eyes, Esther knew that Regina had told Alix about what Dahlia and Mikael had done. About the cuff around her wrist.

"Alix..." Esther sighed.

Alix shook her head. "How are you, love?" She asked softly, "you've grown somewhat since the last time I've seen you."

Esther laughed a little bit. "You're just tiny, dearest," she teased, cupping Alix's face between her hands.

Alix huffed a bit, rolling her eyes. "Whatever," she muttered. Esther laughed, grinning. Alix smiled back at her, just staring at her. Her eyes flicked all around Esther's face, taking in every detail. "There is another reason I've come."

Esther tilted her head a bit, raising an eyebrow.

Alix took Esther's hands in hers, squeezing them firmly. "Run away with me."

Esther's eyes widened in shock. "What?"

"Run away with me," Alix repeated, her expression determined and firm. "I know it seems impossible, with the cuff and everything—"

"Yes, have you forgotten the part where he controls me?" Esther asked, looking incredulous. Even if she wanted to—and gods, did she want to—Mikael would be able to find them or make her come home. She'd never be free unless she got this cuff off her wrist.

"No," Alix scowled, her eyes shimmering. Esther got lost in the waves and swirls that filled her eyes. She always loved what Poseidon's blessing did to her eyes. "But, there's a loophole. My mother and I, the pack—we've been searching for witches. We have answers to this." She gently took Esther's wrist and raised it, her fingers brushing over the leather.

Esther's brows furrowed. "What have you found?" She asked, not wanting to get her hopes up, but very curious.

Alix smiled a bit. "See, Dahlia wouldn't've been able to create this unless it was attached to something else. A totem. And we know that's the spell she used, it's a spell that's been passed down from generations in your family. Mikael can control you when he's in the vicinity of the cuff, but the totem that Dahlia has... that's what truly controls you."

Esther frowned deeply, thinking it over. "But, if Mikael went to my sister—"

"I know. That's why we would need to get to the totem first. After your father died, Erika didn't last much longer. Dahlia fled to a village about half a day from here. If we leave tomorrow, we could do this. Destroy the totem, rid you of the cuff, and then be free," Alix grinned.

Esther stared up at her in shock and awe. "You continued to search for a way even after what happened? You still..."

"I'm always going to love you, Sunshine. Always and Forever," Alix promised.

Esther laughed softly, tears filling her eyes. "And I'm always going to love you, Moonshine. Always and Forever."

Alix scooped her up, spinning her around. Esther laughed, hugging her tightly.

She was going to be free.

AN: guys, remember the totem and the cuff. just trust me.

wc: 1467