Death Wish Upon a Star
Challenge Nineteen: Bring Out Your Dead!
Title: Death Wish Upon a Star
Author: SeaIsleWitch
Wizard/Witch: Regulus Black/Bliss Fairchild (Original Witch)
Rating/Warnings: PG-13/R for non-graphic sexual interaction
Genre: Romance/Despair
Word count: Exactly 750
Prompt: 52. an escape
Summary: His actions were irreversible.
- My Bliss,
If something happens,
know that I loved you.
R.A.B.
I summoned our house-elf. "I want you to find Regulus and watch him tonight," I instructed, feeling traitorous. Regulus would loathe being spied upon. "You cannot be detected, so you must wear this." I placed a heavy chain around Hibby's leathery neck. It held a rare Blood Disc, a flat black circle etched with runes.
"It requires something of you." I pricked her scrawny arm with a sharp pin, smearing the Disc with blood. Hibby immediately became a shadow, receding into the background. As long as it touched skin, the enchantment would work. "Keep watch over Regulus. If something happens… If he is harmed, bring him to me."
Tired of pacing my cramped bedchamber, I escaped to our hideaway, the ruins of a medieval fortress. Regulus and I first made love here, under the cover of stars, to celebrate my eighteenth birthday. He was expected to propose this summer, yet he had not. Instead, he was distracted and wouldn't tell me why. Maybe I could help him if I knew. For hours, I gazed into the night sky, unsure if my star was safe.
Suddenly, a crack of magic disturbed the darkness. Hibby was back -- with an Inferius and Regulus in its clutches!
"Confringo!" I cast at the wretched creature, blasting it away. "Incendio!" Ablaze, it disintegrated in seconds.
Panicked, I fell to my knees next to where Regulus lay pale and soaking wet, convulsing and barely breathing. I cast charms over him: Warming, Drying, Pain-Relieving and dripped water into his mouth, fighting to keep him conscious.
"Hibby, what happened?"
"Horrible things in a cave! Master Regulus drank much green potion. Kreacher helped his Master. 'Go home' Master yelled at Kreacher. Death pulled Master into the lake. Hibby removed Master Regulus from the water. Master retched. Hibby brought him to her Mistress."
Shaking my head, I tried to make sense of it. Regulus had possibly consumed and expelled poison. "Get a Poison-Antidote Potion from Severus. Tell him nothing. Go!"
The potion quelled his shaking and eased his breathing, but Regulus was dreadfully ill. My terror grew as I questioned Hibby further. I suspected Regulus' actions in the cave were irreversible, forcing his death wish. We were in danger and could never go home.
I sent an owl to the only person who could help. A reply came at dawn with a Portkey, which conveyed us to an abandoned cottage. There Professor Slughorn administered the Healing Elixirs. Much to my relief, Regulus responded.
"He must sleep, but do not stay here past tomorrow. Keep moving," Slughorn advised. He left behind some food and two school broomsticks.
After sleeping for twelve hours, Regulus was much improved.
"You deserve to know the truth," he said in a raspy voice. I was shocked to hear of the Dark Lord's agenda and why Regulus went to that cave.
"I am as good as dead."
"There must be somewhere…"
"Will you come with me?" Regulus asked, taking my hand.
I met his gaze. "I am already with you."
Regulus tethered the broomsticks, and we flew side-by-side across the windy English Channel, making landfall at sunrise. We were exhausted, chilled, hungry, and filthy -- yet alive and together.
Out of necessity, I used the Blood Disc to sneak clothing and supplies from Muggle shops. Regulus spelled an innkeeper to think we had paid for a room and meal.
We ate first, and then Regulus showered and napped. I indulged in a long, hot bath, joining him in bed afterward.
Kissing me tenderly, Regulus opened my towel, drawing me into his sleepy warmth. His lips slid along my neck and shoulders; his longish hair tickled, making me smile. He caressed and kissed my breasts ever so gently. I was pure, desirable, and even beautiful under his loving touch.
"Tomorrow, we go to a faraway land," he whispered, nudging my thighs apart.
I pulled him closer. "Where it is always warm."
"We will marry," he said unmistakably, thrusting inside, "and make love under the stars." Regulus gazed into my eyes, filling me with the deep, powerful strokes I craved. "You are loved and forever my bliss…"
Something had happened: I kept my star from falling.
Author's Notes: This is a sequel to The Disposition Discerner. Thanks to Gelsey for her Proof Witchery.
ETA: There is a sequel to this story: Under the Protection of Stars.
Proof-reader: gelsey