User blog:Ore-samma/My Doll (True Love) (slight horror) (HIGH EFFORT)

Hello Fans, Ore-samma here

This story is perhaps one of the best efforts I have put out. It only took about two hours to write, but it was refined and added onto for WEEKS and represents a higher-than-normal effort for me.

I would like to thank L man 2200 for his story premise. This was such a treasure to write, and is a sure-fire candidate to become a manga in the future.

I do hope you like it,

Ever your Servant-

Ore-samma

“Look! Father! Look!”

It was a long night, trick-or-treating with Stephanie, and thankfully it was almost over. I glanced over to what she was pointing at and noticed several dolls hanging in the tree in front of the house of the local Magister.

I strode closer to a magical sign that appeared, and glowed brighter the closer someone got.

'' My gift to the land- I made these temporary animated dolls for any who would want one. ''

The dolls seemed to be hanging from nooses and were producing a rather funny, albeit disturbing scene. Most were the size of normal dolls, but some were the size of full-grown adults.

“Quick! Father! Let’s get one!” Stephanie cried out as she rushed over.

I noticed that many of the smaller dolls were already gone, but plenty of the larger ones were left. I was about to instruct Stephanie to get one of the smaller ones when-

“Oof! Gotcha!” Stephanie cried out, pulling one of the adult sized dolls down. She giggled in a bundle of dress and costume with the delicate construct who quickly stood and helped her up and discarded her noose. She took Stephanie’s hand as I walked over, feeling a little uneasy.

“Greetings! I am Heidi!” The doll said, looking at me and giving a double wink, and extending her hand.

“Hello, Heidi. I am Kyle.” I said, returning her handshake.

She was absolutely gorgeous. Her long rose-blonde hair reached all the way to her stomach. Her face was a soft, enchanted porcelain with just the right shade of rose on the cheeks, accenting her delicate features. Her pale skin was well contrasted by her eyes. One eye was doll-blue, the other a vivid emerald. She wore a rich violet and black velvet dress that hugged her body, accentuating curves that seemed to want to burst from the fabric with the amount of sensual energy they exuded.

“Um, well- it sure has been one interesting Halloween. Um, before we go home, how long does your enchantment last?”

Heidi shrugged. “I am not completely sure. My perception is limited. Needless to say, once I run out of energy, I will revert to being just a normal doll.” Her eyes shifted in a strange way to Stephanie and back to me.

“Come on! Heidi! Let’s play tag as we go home!” Stephanie cried out, as we all started to head home.

I watched them giggle and play and took in a sharp, painful  breath as I almost called out the name of Stephanie’s mother.

“ It’s times like this, I wish you would come back… ” I whispered, my head low, watching my feet drag up the hill, wishing her footsteps were next to mine.''  “ Our daughter needs you….I need you….please come back…. ”''

A sudden squeal of laughter caught my attention and I looked up. It was eerie to see a motherly presence interact with Stephanie. She would often glance back at me, her face taking on a demure expression and smile…. Seeming to invite me to be closer, wanting to be closer….needing me to be closer. Stephanie squealed and rushed up the last hill to the house while Heidi strayed back and walked by my side.

“Whew- forgive me that I don’t rush up the hill.” Heidi said, sliding a little closer while we walked. “It will needlessly drain my magical reserves.”

“Well….I….uh...” I stammered, as Heidi drew closer and wrapped her arm around mine.

“What’s wrong, Kyle?” Heidi whispered, pressing a little closer.

I drew my arm back. “Um, maybe we shouldn’t….uh….”

Heidi raised her eyebrows, “Wh- but why not? Am I not pretty? Don’t you find me attractive?” She said with a pouty face.

“You’re beautiful, Heidi. But, you’re a doll…..you’re not meant to last forever.”

Heidi sighed and shook her head, keeping a distance from me now. “You’re wrong there, Kyle. Because I am a doll, I am absolutely meant to last forever.” Her eyes bore hungrily into mine. “You just have to want me enough to have me last forever.”

We walked the rest of the way in silence. Heidi immediately warmed and brightened when she was led into the living room by Stephanie as they counted and sorted her candy

.

“Isn’t it cold?” Heidi said, looking about the house. “Perhaps a warm fire in the fireplace?”

Stephanie shrugged, “It’s okay. Father often forgets to light the fire, and it's too close to bedtime.” She tilted her head and smiled, “Speaking of bedtime, Heidi, you are gonna sleep with father, yes?” Stephanie blurted after she put away her candy and was all washed up.

I coughed a little on my evening tea and was relieved and somewhat alarmed by Heidi thumping my back as I coughed.

“Well, I am not so sure it  would be appropriate.” She looked at me and gave me a coy look. “I’m just a doll after all. I can just sit on the couch and wait till you wake up, okay?”

“Well,” Stephanie blurted, “you can sleep with me! I can make room and put my other dolls away.”

I coughed again, and Heidi thumped my back again and took the cup of tea away as I coughed and coughed from the shocked sip I just took.

“Oh dear, Stephanie. Your bed is rather small. I don’t think I would fit on it. You go off to bed now, okay? I will be right here in the living room in the morning!”

Stephanie nodded and hugged me, “Okay! Night Heidi! Father!” She said and padded off.

“What a wonderful daughter.” Heidi breathed and settled into the large easy chair where Stephanie’s mother would usually sit. “You are a lucky man, Kyle.”

I nodded. “Um….yes...thank you for...” My voice trailed off as I coughed and bumped my chest with my fist, clearing out the last of the tea.

Heidi leaned forward, showing off her cleavage and smiled. “Why, you are most welcome! For what little time I have, I will do my utmost to serve your daughter.” She leaned back. “And you, of course.”

“Um, you….won’t be cold by yourself here?” I muttered as I got up to go to bed.

Heidi shrugged. “I won’t refuse an invitation to share your bed Kyle, I am but a doll. I know that it is cold, but it does not make me uncomfortable.” She stood and sauntered over to me, slowly bringing her fingers to my chest and stopped when I backed up. “Oh dear, do I make you uncomfortable though, Kyle?”

“I….I...well, it's just that.”

Without breaking eye contact, Heidi reached over to her left and took a picture from the wall. “Ah yes.” She breathed and glanced at the framed picture of me, Stephanie, and my unfaithful, and absent wife.

The candle light in the room flickered, and for just a brief moment I could have sworn her expression took on a demonic visage of vehement rage and jealousy….but like a phantom, it was gone so quickly I wondered if it was ever there.

“You haven’t forgotten your…..” She returned her face to me “…. heartbreak …. I can understand that my presence doesn’t make things easy for you.” She held out the picture for me to take.

I started to reach for it, but it tipped from Heidi’s grasp and fell to the ground with a shattering crash.

“ Oh dear ,”  Heidi muttered in an emotionless voice, her eyes remained locked in mine...seeming to keep me from watching the frame fall or it shattering on the ground.

“My enchantment must be dwindling.” Heidi mumbled, still keeping direct eye contact as she knelt and swept up the glass fragments and picture with one sweep of her hands. She stood, with a deliberate slowness, still keeping eye contact. Her mouth opened slightly near my swollen pelvis, and her eyes somehow changed seeming to demand that I look upon her cleavage...almost….forcing me to. My gaze easily rested on her ample bosom, and flashed back to her eyes, noticing they seemed to have softened in their bearing and expression. She stood, almost seeming out of breath, her breasts pitching and heaving within the confines of her dress. She extended her arm to me, holding the picture in a savagely clenched fist.

“Um, Heidi...please let go of that.” I almost whispered.

Heidi raised her eyebrows, still keeping her eyes locked to mine….almost seeming to demand that I either keep eye contact with her, or her breasts.

“Hmmm? Oh dear! I do forget myself.” Her fingers relaxed and I took the picture away. I tried to look at it, but her gaze grew intense, almost hostile until I stopped trying to look at the picture. I lowered my hand, and somehow, I just knew the part of the picture that had the savage crumples and creases was the portion of the picture that only had my exwife on it, leaving me and Stephanie unscathed.

At last, Heidi turned, but only breaking eye contact at the last possible moment to forcibly dump the glass into the waste bin, giving me an opportunity to pick up the wooden frame.

I stood and startled a little seeing how close Heidi was to me.

“I do hope I did not upset or displease you, no?” Heidi said, a large, almost unnatural smile on her face that did not reach her cold blue-and-green eyes. “You don’t think I meant to drop that, no?”

“No, of course you didn’t.” I blurted.

“Wonderful!” Heidi simpered, her eyes now seeming to catch up with her smile that relaxed into a more natural expression.

“But, do try to be careful the next time, okay?”

“Well, certainly.” Heidi said, holding up her finger. “But you did just agree that I did not do such on purpose, no?”

I thought back and a cold chill broke out to realize how she phrased her sentences. A style of conversation my mother always called double speak….said it was the hallmark of a devious and nefarious mind. A manipulator, a liar, and an overall evil person without conscience or morals..

“I….I uh….” I froze in place as Heidi leaned forward, the back of her hand brushed against my pelvis, her cheek slid across mine as she whispered, her lips so close to my ear I could feel them move and push out her words with a delicate hiss.

“Good night Kyle.” She breathed, finishing her words with a succulent kissing sound. She withdrew with a whispering swish of her dress and sat upon the chair and closed her eyes.

I stared, feeling my body ache to be near her….all the while also pouring out cold sweat by the exchange we just had.

I tiptoed into my bedroom and exhaled….it would soon be over, her enchantment can’t last forever….thank goodness.

I sat down on the bed, and smoothed out the crumpled visage of Stephanie’s mother.

“ Please, come back .” I whispered to the frozen paper smile. ''“ Before she forgets you...before I forget you. Will you ever come back? She needs you here, I need you here…. ”''

(later)

“Father! Father! Wake up!”

I mumbled and rolled out of bed to see Stephanie smiling at me.

“Good morning, Stephanie! What’s the  matter?”

“Father, could you please help Heidi change her dress? I would do it, but...she is too heavy for me to do it on my own.”

I felt an icy chill spread through my body. Heidi was still active? How was this possible?

I got up, sitting on the side of the bed and rubbed my eyes.

“Why can’t Heidi do it? Surely if she can walk, she can undress herself?”

Stephanie’s face grew solemn. “Um...well….Heidi can’t move today like she did yesterday.” Her eyes grew a bit wet as she looked up at me. “Please? Father? She said the other clothes are light and it will help her last a little longer!”

I stood, my heart breaking to see my daughter’s face express so much anguish. I nodded, “Okay, sweetheart. How about you get washed up, I’ll have her changed by the time you’re done.”

I felt an unnatural heaviness, and chill as I padded into the living room. I shivered and noticed an extended burn log in the fireplace. How strange? How could the house still be so cold, even with the fireplace going? My attention was quickly drawn to the garment laid across the armchair, stopping my heart as I took in the sight of the dress my exwife would often wear in the late fall. A light wool dress with cotton underlay. A vivid blood red and pale brown ensemble.

“Uh, you want to wear this?” I blurted, fingering the dress and looking up at Heidi. The moment my eyes passed over her face, I felt almost helplessly locked into her gaze.

She nodded, her rose blonde hair cascaded over her shoulders.

“Forgive me for being so bold to look into your closets, yes? But I find myself a bit weaker today than yesterday. It’s only good manners to help those in need, yes?”

“Uh, yes. Of course.” I muttered and walked over as Heidi stood from the chair and raised her arms. “But, Heidi...seriously. You should have- ”

“-Oh I know. But I thought you have already forgiven me for such, yes?”

I wracked my brain…..another chill emanated from  my core….again she slyly covered her actions with her double speak….I gritted my teeth as I pulled the dress over her head.

“Wouldn’t you say?” Heidi said, flourishing her hair as the last part of her Halloween dress slipped off and over her head. “All forgiven, hmmm?”

I nodded and started to turn, to get the other dress when her hand shot forward and touched my cheek, keeping my eyes on her.

“Say it then, it would only be good manners, yes?”

I nodded again. “Yes...I did say that.” I tried to turn away, but Heidi kept her hand on my cheek.

“Kyle. Look at me.” She said, her eyes growing more intense, almost seeming like gemstones with an inner fire.

“Wh-what?”

“Look at me, Kyle. Look at my body.” She breathed, her entire body pitching and heaving with every breath. She tilted her head and edged closer, her flesh now pressing against my chest. She opened  her mouth and raised her eyebrows…..

“Please see if there might be any damage from my manufacturing or anything out of order, please?” Her sensuous air evaporated, and she stepped back and suddenly the physical tension released.

I glanced over her sensuous form, noting that her joints were so well crafted they only showed on her wrists, shoulders and hips.

“Only my sphere joints are visible. A testament to my builder.” Heidi muttered, extending her hip and leg closer to my face as I looked up from my kneeling position as I inspected her feet and ankles.

“Very good work.” I nodded.

“Indeed.” Heidi said, and curled her hand behind my head. “So many feminine features, wouldn't you agree? Desirable features, sensual features….sexual features….no?”

“Wh-what?” I said, glancing from her moist crevice and back to her eyes, standing suddenly.

Heidi’s face was blank, but for some reason I could see a powerful rage burn behind her green and blue eyes. “Please dress me, Kyle.” She said flatly and raised her arms up.

Suddenly the irresistible attraction her eyes used to hold over me, flipped its polarity. It was impossible for me to look in her eyes….her face….her body….then, even peripherally. I turned, almost seemed to be pushed by an unseen hand and took up the dress and raised it up high, bringing it upon her slender curvaceous form.

Heidi spun before the mirror, adjusting her hair and bosom. She looked to me and gave a coy smile.

“Looks good on me, yes? Kiss for good luck, yes?”

My mouth opened, and I just barely stopped myself from speaking. I closed my mouth and cleared my throat.

“It looks wonderful on you.” I said with a nod and smile.

Suddenly her aurora shifted so dramatically, it took everything within me to not flinch. Her eyes seemed to flash blood red and her face took on an expression of demonic rage. But before I could register the change-

“Heidi, there you are! Wow! She looks so beautiful! Thank you, father!”

-my daughter shattered the moment.

“Well hello, Stephanie! Of course I am here!” Heidi cooed, and knelt to receive her in a hug. Her smile slipped as she stared at me. Her expression could be called neutral….but her eyes…..her eyes were filled with rage. “I will always be here so long as I am wanted.”

The rest of the week was something that was almost too familiar with memories when Stephanie’s mother was still around.

Heidi would play with her, sing songs, and was a perfect surrogate mother. But her energy was definitely nearing its end on the third day, as Heidi almost always seemed to be out of breath, and wanting to sit down….till at last she couldn’t stand anymore.

Stephanie seemed most distraught over the issue and kept begging for me to find a way to replenish her energy….but unless I was an elite magic user, there was no way I knew of, which distressed Stephanie to no end, almost to the point of nearly being inconsolable, with her wailing that Heidi was going to die.

“She most certainly will not die, sweetheart!” I said sternly, torn between the renewed grief my daughter was expressing at losing Heidi, who had instantly became an immensely powerful, dare I say intimate, mother-figure to her, and my relief that the nightmarish moments spent talking with her would soon be done with forever.

Every possible moment she could, Heidi would try to press herself closer to me, but I couldn’t bring myself to open up to another. I was betrayed, and I would never trust like that again….especially someone who was as two-faced as that construct who terrified me so much that I pushed the heavy dresser against my door every night, and even had to hide the last few pictures of Stephanie’s mother at a friend's house, or risk having them be destroyed by Heidi’s jealous rage which she always would squirm her way out of admitting to destroying them deliberately by her ingenious use of double-speak and innuendo.

And yet, I wanted her so badly…...but the memories of me being betrayed seemed to be the only thing preventing me from giving myself to her.

It got so bad that I finally confronted her harshly, demanding she spell out what she wanted from me. Her answer was almost as chilling as her behavior.

'' Why, to be your wife, Kyle. That is what I want. I want your love. I want your energy. I want your seed, and I want your children. ''

'' You stay away from Stephanie! You hear me! ''

'' Don’t be daft, Kyle. I can not lie to either of you, nor can I harm you or her! I don’t want your daughter in some nefarious sense. No. I want you to give me a daughter! Can’t you see that I love you? Don’t you see that I would never hurt you? Love me, please! I beg you! I do not have much time left! I see so much ability to love within you! Why can’t you love me? It would be one thing if you were not interested in me, but you ARE! You can save me, you can give me life! And I would give you the love you deserve! I swear! No more double speak! No more tricks! Love me, Kyle! Please! I love you so much! ''

'' I can’t. I want to, but I can’t. ''

'' And I will not force you. But mark my words Kyle. You should have forbidden your daughter from taking me off that tree. You know how she sees me….she’s always watching your memories of your marriage through your memory stone. She says she sees me and you together like that. You know that, right? ''

'' I do. ''

'' And? What happens when I fade to nothing? ''

'' She overcame her grief over her mother. ''

'' Oh? Is that how you see me? My mind fades to porcelain but at least you get to keep my corpse around to console the living?! Well, I suppose I am just a plaything…. A doll, afterall- ''

'' -You’re more than that! You...you brought her so much happiness! ''

''I could bring you happiness, but that is a moot point. Good night, Kyle. When I’m gone please remember to keep the fireplace going. All houses are cold without love, you may revel in the freezing bitterness- the choking despair of your loss, but your daughter could certainly do with whatever warmth possible.''

 -I….but- 

'' I said, goodnight! ''

“Your father is right, dear.” Heidi said with a nod. “I was only supposed to last for Halloween, to make it happy for you, you know?” She said with a smile from her chair….no longer able to walk or stand.

“I don’t want you to just make Halloween happy!” Stephanie bawled. “I wanted you to make my life happy!” She wailed, holding onto Heidi as if squeezing her would keep her from losing the last bits of energy she had left.

“Gracious!” Heidi whispered. “If I could cry, I would be doing so right now.” She said, stroking Stephanie’s hair. “But everyone must move on to the next life, no one could be immortal you know.”

Stephanie sniffed. “That’s what my mom said, before she ran away and died!”

Heidi looked at me with a cross between a helpless, and a furious expression. “I’m sorry Kyle, Stephanie….I just don’t know what I can do or say. Maybe the Magister could help? But he will be away until next weekend.”

(pov shift)

I watched the helpless, tragic stricken man try to console his daughter….and I couldn’t help but feel a helpless impending horror in my own heart. I was dying. I knew it. I felt the great yawning darkness opening up before me to swallow my consciousness away to oblivion.

I stifled my own facial expressions, and settled my porcelain face to not betray an outward calm bearing, to not display the terror and rage I felt in my entire being.

Terror of my impending death, rage at Kyle for denying me, his daughter, and even himself the love we could all have. It wasn’t fair! Oh! My creator! Why did you make me? Only to know this love existed, just so barely out of reach, and denied to me….denied to me to the point that I get to die like a man from dehydration chained just inches from water? Oh! It wasn’t fair!

I watched Kyle go to sleep, begging his daughter to soon follow. I looked back to Stephanie, a young girl I had come to love like any mother would love a daughter.

“Stephanie! How about you go to sleep? Who knows? I may be here tomorrow, after all!” I said with the bravest smile I could muster.

“No! Father may not care! But I do! I must do something!” She cried and took ahold of the memory stone of her father’s wedding.

“There is a spell that I might be able to cast!” She said, her eyes going far away as she relieved the memory again.

“What spell would that be?” I said, barely able to see her, my sight growing dim.

“The Heartline spell! It is supposed to share magic!”

I shook my head frantically. “No! Stephanie! You mustn’t! That magic is not meant for me! You’re too young! Oh! Oh! Help! Kyle! Oh no! Stop!” I cried out.

Despite my feelings of death, darkness, or my frustrations with Kyle, I could not let Stephanie do this. I struggled to get up. I tried to gather my magics to cry out louder to Kyle. To stop his daughter….but nothing.

In my struggles, I fell upon the ground! My legs could not work, I heaved my body on my arms. I had to get to Kyle!

Stephanie must not….

“I want you...”

must not….

“...stay with me...”

oh no! No!

“...I love you....”

NO!

(later)

The next morning I heard a loud crash, then Stephanie laughing and giggling. I breathed a tentative sigh and quickly went up to her room, shivering a little in the morning chill that was only going to get worse as the winter fast approached.

“Stephanie? What are you doing?” I said, opening the door to her room.

Stephanie looked from Heidi who was motionless and back to me.

“Playing.”

“Playing what?” I said, looking at the drawings and makeup that came from who knows where.

“Playing dress up and make up.” Stephanie said, looking back to Heidi who was still motionless.

“Where did you get this makeup?” I said, looking at the jars of rather expensive designer brands.

“Heidi had them in her trick or treat bag!” Stephanie said, “Father, could you please close the door when you go? Heidi says that she has to be like a non magic doll when anyone but me is around so she can conserve her energy.”

“What? Stephanie, Heidi could barely move yesterday. Are you telling me she is still conscious?”

Stephanie nodded, “Uh huh! She said that she figured out that she can conserve more energy when there is no one but me.” She giggled, “Father! Watch this!” She grasped her finger and pulled clean off with a sharp pop. “My finger fell off just a little while ago, and Heidi showed me how to put it back in!” She said and popped it back into place.

I moved closer, almost as if in a dream and inspected my daughter's hand. It looked normal, no trace of a doll joint….

”Stephanie, could you show me again.” I whispered, feeling my mouth go dry as I watched her flesh shimmer into a doll’s flesh as she pulled her finger out, and back in again.

“Isn’t that neat?” Stephanie said with a smile.

I peered closer, noticing her skin looked more porcelain-like, her eyes that were once hazel were an alarming, almost artificial doll-blue color.

I tried to swallow but there was nothing. I walked over and picked up Heidi and slung her over my shoulder and looked at Stephanie. “I need to talk to the Magister, and make sure this doll isn’t dangerous.” I said in a calm voice….I had to keep this under control, my daughter must not suspect what I fear might be happening.

“Um, okay. But Heidi says she isn’t dangerous. Even still the Magister won’t be in today.”

“All the same.” I retorted, “I am going to keep her in the closet and take her to the Magister first thing.”

Stephanie frowned but she nodded. “Okay.”

The day passed by with a certain tension between myself and Stephanie, but I let it go- I had to be the adult here. There was no one else ever since Stephanie’s mother decided to run off with a pirate band.

“Why do you think I am dangerous?”

I gasped, hearing the muffled voice from my closet.

“Do you really think I would harm your daughter?”

I strode to the closet, unlocked it and flung the door open and stared into Heidi’s blue-and-emerald eyes.

“I don’t trust you! Stephanie shouldn’t be playing with makeup! And what the heck is happening to her? Her skin! Her eyes! Her finger! She is turning into something like you!”

Heidi shrugged, “She found them in my purse without asking.” She waved her finger, tsking her tongue. “The make up was for me, not for her. Up until now, I kept them hidden from her, but.....she pried, then insisted.” Heidi strode deeper into my bedroom and tilted her head. “As for her finger, that was her body reacting to damage. She fell and would have broken her finger if not for the magic within her...and her skin and eyes, well, I don’t control any of that.”

“How much energy do you have left?” I said, cutting to the chase.

“Depends.”

“On what?”

Heidi untied her dress and moved her fingers in an arcane manner. A Heartline emanated from her chest and illuminated its way to the door and through it.

I felt an icy chill ripple through my body as the Heartline faded and Heidi refastened her dress back up.

“Depends on how much spiritual energy and love your daughter gives me.”

My arm jolted forward and I grabbed Heidi’s throat and squeezed

“You! You will release my daughter! Right now!” I whispered, just barely able to keep my voice from a scream.

“Would you not do that?” Heidi said, her voice not affected at all by my actions. “I don’t need to breathe and your rage is misplaced.” She dusted herself once I let go and tilted her head. “You are aware of the counterspell to a Heartline charm, yes?”

I nodded….I knew all too well…..

“Very well, watch this.” She moved her hands and recited the counter-charm to break the line.

I felt another icy chill run through me as the line flared to light again, unbroken.

“You see?” Heidi said with a shrug. “I am not the one who cast the spell. Your daughter did.” She placed her hand on my shoulder. “I am actually trying to protect her from becoming like I am, by telling her I will only animate and talk when only she is around me, so I-.”

“-So you would take less spiritual energy from her.” I almost moaned.

Heidi nodded and opened her mouth and stuck out her tongue and pointed to the Truthwynd rune on her. She closed her mouth and placed her other hand on my other shoulder. “No more double speak. Let me say plainly; I tried to tell her to not do it. I wanted to warn you, so you could stop her. But I was nearly drained when she did it. She cried over me and said that she lost her mother, she couldn’t lose me too.”

Heidi sighed and shifted closer to me. “I tried to crawl to you, to warn you. I swear, I tried as hard as I could!” She sighed and shook her head, “From the memory stone you have of your wedding, she knew how to cast the Heartline enchantment upon me. I tried to stop her, I tried to break the charm myself, but I cannot.”

I backed away and sat down on the bed and placed my face into my palms.

“She’s doomed, isn’t she?” I almost wailed.

“Perhaps not.”

I looked up, “What do you mean? I know my daughter, she won’t release the spell! And destroying you will mean her death!”

“Not exactly, I will ignore you believing that your daughter being like me would mean she would be doomed, but allow me to say; there are….options.”

I looked at her as she started to ease me backwards to lay upon the bed, already knowing what she was going to say….already knowing what she wanted….and her, already knowing that deep down, I wanted it too.

“Give me your heart, Kyle. Stephanie’s charm is one-way. It will be forced out and broken if you and I are bonded….and she will be fully human again.”

I felt my body jolt as if I were struck by electricity. I looked up at Heidi and felt my jaw slacken as she swung her leg over my lap and settled into my groin, placing her hands on my chest, looking at me with a calm expression.

I was about to speak, to protest, to say something when Heidi placed her fingertips to my lips.

“Kyle, I know what you’re going to say- you’ve been telling me for the past few nights; your former wife broke her Heartline first and demanded you do so, or let her die.” She traced her fingertips down my chin and over my chest. “I know that she left you, and broke your heart…..but I am not her, I will never be her!.” She cupped my face, “Please, I want what’s best for you, and you want what's best for Stephanie, don’t you?”

“You...” I whispered. “You can’t be trusted! You are a manipulator! You-” I stopped as Heidi started to nod.

“Yes. I suppose I did try to manipulate you….but….it wasn’t until I was dying when I realized how damaging that was to you, and your daughter.” She closed her eyes and lowered her face. “My eyes are closed. I hold no enthrall enchantment to you. Your heart is free….and to prove it, another option is to cast me into your fireplace.”

I felt the entire night grow cold and still. Heidi opened her eyes and slowly closed them with a grimace, squeezing a glittering mana tear from under her eyelid.

“That will kill my daughter! Don’t you realize-”

Heidi shook her head, “No- it won’t….don’t you realize that because I’m not ali-…...because I’m not flesh and blood that I can be destroyed without danger to her?”  She sighed and nodded, “That’s right. Cast me into your fireplace, light an extended burn log with me, and this shall be over by dawn.” She opened her eyes and her face took on lines of sorrow with shining mana tears streaking down her cheeks.

“But….Kyle….could you forgive me?” She whispered, now facing away. “Could you forgive me for not being fully upfront with you? I wanted…..I wanted you to choose me without me telling you my enchantment would last only a day or so. I wanted you to fall in love with me without feeling like it was either ‘love me, or I die’.”

Her face turned back to me. “For your exwife, it was ‘either let me go, or I die’ and I couldn’t bring myself to do anything even remotely similar to you….I….I wanted you to want me….without reservation or stipulation.” She lowered her head. “But….I did….I was so desperate, and still am….desperate….desperate…..so….so….afraid...”

“You could have just said so.” I muttered.

Heidi nodded. “You’re right…..I may have been born a few days ago...but it might as well have been yesterday for all things I have yet to learn. Kyle, I’m so sorry….I was, and still am a hostage to my desperation, my absolute terror of fading into the endless void! Is that so wrong? Am I really that evil and nefarious? For wanting to live, to rage against my impending death? For loving you? For needing you?”

“No….It wasn’t so evil or nefarious.”

“So then….Kyle….do you want me? I want you, and I want to be your eternal beloved...your wife…. a mother to your child, and to a child of our own. No double speak...we can do this one step at a time….I just…..I am just so desperate to live…...please….be my husband? Don’t you like me? I would be yours forever! I could only be yours….want me to be yours…. Just...kiss me….give me your love….your daughter will be released, and I will be your wife, now and forever.”

“She said these things to me too.” I almost bawled, feeling a horrible dejavu hammering upon me, my eyes burning with tears that froze on my face.

Heidi gave me a loving expression full of understanding as she opened her mouth again and I saw her Truthwynd rune glow. She lowered her body closer to me, and brushed her tongue against my lips as she moved her face closer to my ear..

“'' You are more than a plaything….as is your heart…. ''” She whispered with her teeth around my ear. “'' As am I, I am more than a plaything, more than a doll. My heart- no, all our hearts need this, you need this, your daughter needs this….and I need this….but if it’s not going to happen...please...finish me quick….I am so afraid….I will take the fire, I will take the void….but this fear and longing….it’s so unbearable... ''”

How long did I stare into her desperate face? Her horrible longing?

She sighed and lowered her head and shook it, sobbing as she rose from my body and started to the door.

''She was leaving me! She mustn’t!''

I jumped up, slamming the door just as she tried to open it. I grabbed her shoulders, spinning her around, slamming her against the door and pressed my body to her.

“Don’t…..don’t you ever do that again!” I whispered in her ear, feeling my tears mix with hers. “You...you can’t do this to me, and then leave me….she did….and you said….you said…..you said you would never be like her!”

“Say it then! Kyle!” Heidi pleaded, moving her ear away from my lips to look me in the eye. Her lips just barely brushing against mine. “Say it!”

A brilliant red light emanated between our chests, but I only had eyes for Heidi. I exhaled and locked my lips to hers, whispering between our breaths and kisses.

“I want you....Stay with me…..I love you….”

“I want you too….I will stay…..I return your love….”

(later)

“Father! Wake up!”

I stirred, feeling the arms of my beloved around me and noticed Stephanie smiling at us both.

“Is Heidi okay?” She said, her wide hazel eyes blinking a few tears from her eyes.

Heidi placed her hand on my shoulder as she peeked from behind me. “I am just fine, Stephanie. Could you please give your father and I a moment?”

Stephanie giggled and closed the door.

I rolled over and was immediately smothered by Heidi. Her touch, her kiss, and her love.

“Kyle….I love you so much!” Heidi cooed, running her hand across my cheek and kissing me again.

I nodded, “I….I love you too, Heidi.” I rolled to have my back on the bed and stared at the ceiling. “It feels unreal...it’s like I am forgetting to do something….”

Heidi moved over to rest her head upon my chest and curled her fingers in my hair. “Surely you have an occupation? Is there work to be done? Might I help you?”

I shook my head. “I am but a simple farmer, Heidi. It’s almost winter, the harvest is all done. And there is plenty of food for winter.” I looked upon her face and sighed. “It was this simple life that made Stephanie’s mother run away with a band of pirates.”

Heidi shook her head and tsked her tongue. “Dreadful.” She sighed and scooted higher to kiss me again. “I say plainly; a quiet country life, with plenty of friendly neighbors, a loving husband who takes care of me, and the chance to have a family….I can’t imagine anything more I could ever want.” She raised her eyebrows. “You believe me, yes? I swear- I will never double speak to you again! Please believe me, I want this quiet, simple life….it means we can enjoy every moment….without fear, pain or loss.”

I smiled, and received another of her sweet kisses. “I would believe you, even if you didn’t have a Truthwynd rune on your tongue.” I sighed, and closed my eyes feeling her hands upon my face like a soothing balm to my soul. “I believe you.”

Heidi squealed and flourished off the bed and wrapped a bright orange dress about her. “My love, you rest. I shall make all of us some breakfast.”

I laid back and noticed the last picture of Stephanie’s mother on the wall.

I stood, quickly dressed and took it off the wall….staring into her lifeless eyes, as I slipped into the living room that already had a cheery fire burning which gave the entire house a powerful warmth that I had almost forgotten, despite the window being open to let the cold, fresh breeze in from the fields now frozen with glittering morning dew.

“You’re never coming back, are you?” I muttered to the visage that looked so much like Stephanie. “You left her, you left me…..you left a love that I wanted to give you, and a daughter who loved you.” I looked up, hearing both Stephanie and Heidi laugh and play in the kitchen, their voices raised with such joy that I couldn’t help but weep.

'' How about you help me cook, Stephanie? I can teach you many recipes! ''

'' Thank you, mommy! ''

'' M-mommy? Um….I ''

'' Please? Let me call you mommy! I love you! ''

'' I….I love you too, and of course! ''

I glanced one more at the picture.

“Goodbye, wherever you are….I hope you never do come back. I don’t need you anymore, she doesn’t need you anymore either.” I looked up and tossed the picture in the fireplace and turned to the open window which showed the morning of what would be a beautiful winter day.