Hello again reader...this part of the story has a heavy theme of breast milk. This theme/fetish may not appeal to all. Thank you and enjoy! The crone does refer to Nicolette and Amadeus as children, but they are both over the age of eighteen. Thank you and enjoy! :D
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The Crone - a milk so sweet and a potion so deadly.
"I knew you would be back." The crone said as she moved very slowly around her shack.
The little shack was very small, and Amadeus was very large. He felt very uncomfortable in the cramped space. He watched the small old woman as she moved constantly. She didn't move fast, but it was as if she couldn't stay still. He wondered if he made her nervous.
"I hadn't planned on ever coming back." Amadeus said.
"The love potion didn't work out as you had intended. I had warned you, Amadeus. You were so young and in love. I couldn't talk you out of it."
"I didn't understand the risks." Amadeus' voice was sad.
"She died, didn't she?" The crone asked. She already knew the truth of it.
"She did." He admitted softly.
"When you use a love potion, the person falls madly in love with you. You are their everything. However, if you then reject their love...well...they can die of a broken heart."
"You never told me that last part!" Amadeus all but roared.
"It's not for me to foretell futures! I warned you that it could have very serious risks. You would not listen to me or heed my warnings!" The Crone said back with force. Then she waved her hand. "That's the past. What brings the handsome warrior to an old crone today?"
"I need someone to die...in their sleep if possible. A quiet death that won't bring any suspicion." Amadeus explained.
The crone's wrinkled eyes rounded. "You seek a potion to murder?"
"Yes, can you help me?"
"It's not that simple, Amadeus." She kept moving. She circled a work bench. She looked at him and then away. "Bring in your Princess." She finally said.
Surprise registered on his face. How could she have known Nico was with him? He had left her just a little ways back in the forest with their mounts. "How did you know?"
"I know things. I know lots of things. If you want me to help you with this deed, you and your Princess are going to have to talk to me."
Once he went to get Nico and brought her back, they all stood in the tiny shack. Even though Nico is very small the shack felt even tighter.
"Princess Nico. It's an honor to meet you. I would bow but I am an old crone and my knees don't work so well anymore."
Nico smiled beautifully. "That is quite alright. It is my pleasure to meet you."
"So, you two wish to kill Princess Cleo." The old crone declared.
Nico's jaw dropped. She sputtered but couldn't form words.
"Princess Cleo is plotting to kill Nicolette, and all over jealousy." Amadeus explained. He felt judged by this old crone and he didn't like it.
"Jealousy is an ugly thing." the old woman circled closer to Nico. She examined the pretty Princess with her old knowing eyes. "You are very lovely, Nicolette. I heard tales of your beauty, but they didn't do you justice."
Nico blushed prettily. "Thank you, Ma'am."
"I am no Ma'am. I am but an old witch." she paused and looked from Nico to Amadeus. "You two are in love." It was a statement not a question.
Amadeus nodded.
"If Cleo is consumed with jealousy...I have a potion that will work for you two. However, your love must be pure and you will have to supply ingredients."
"Yes...yes...of course!" Nico agreed immediately. "Our love is pure. We will do anything."
The crone smiled now, and it was the most unnerving smile Amadeus had ever seen. "What are the risks you old crone?"
"But one, my dear lad. But one."
"Tell us true." He demanded.
"If her jealously is not true and your love is not pure the potion won't work. Simple."
"Our love is pure!" Nico insisted. "But even if the potion didn't work we would just find another way to finish her before she finishes me."
"If it were only that simple, child." The crone rubbed her old gnarled hands together.
"What do you mean?" Nico asked.
"You must trick Cleo into drinking the potion in the first place. If it fails she will fall violently ill immediately, but she will live. I imagine she may suspect someone tried to poison her."
Nico looked at Amadeus and then to the old crone. "It will work. It has to work. What ingredients must we find?"
The old crone smiled slyly. "Find, my Princess? Why you don't need to find anything. Everything I need from you two is already here so to speak."
Nicolette looked innocent and confused, but Amadeus knew this old crone and her potions. "Just say it." he demanded.
"I will need your milk, Amadeus." the small old witch explained. He knew this meant his seed. He also knew this wouldn't be the worst thing she would ask for.
"What will you need from my princess?" Amadeus asked suspiciously.
"I will require milk of Nicolette's teat."
"But...I don't...I can't...there's no..." Nico sputtered.