Chapter 5
The rush of the water as it hit the spring water pool soothed me and gave me some form of peace. I hadn’t planned on walking this far when I managed to slip past the guards in the garden and cut through the rose bushes and into the tree line.
Maybe they did spot me but didn’t want to chase me. In my haste to leave, I didn’t grab a shawl and the temperature wasn’t as warm as it had been the last couple of afternoons. Laying back on the small beach near the lagoon, I dipped my feet in and out of the cool water.
I didn’t plan on staying here for too long, I knew if I did, the sun would start to set and after my dream, there was no way I was going to be out here in the darkness.
Anger still lingered at my father’s words.
I understood what he meant. I also understood it was part of my duty as the princess to do as I was told, but it made me hate this job more than anything in the world. I wanted freedom, I craved it.
Closing my eyes to relax my breathing, I listened to the rushing waters and felt my heartbeat slow, relaxing my entire body.
I fell asleep.
Iawoke to discover the forest was dark. The moonlight glimmered off the lagoon water, and it took me a few seconds to realise I wasn’t dreaming. This was really happening. I had fallen asleep, the sun had set, and I was now in the middle of the forest, lost and deeply afraid.
I wasn’t sure when I stood up or how fast I ran as I headed deep within the forest. Hoping I was heading in the right direction to home. I should know my way, these woods were almost a second home to me, but in the dark, they seemed like an entirely different place.
Noises of creatures hidden deep within the trees along with the sound of an owl hooting as it flew above my head, made my heartbeat faster. I was sure I could even hear bats, and as tears ran down my face, I felt something tug at my leg, and a scream erupted from my mouth.
Falling headfirst, I felt something crawl up my leg as I continued to scream. No, no, this wasn’t allowed to happen. This is all a dream, it had to be. I was still sitting at the lagoon, and it was still daylight. I had to be.
Suddenly, something touched my shoulders and lifted me up right. I couldn’t see what it was, and there was now a deafening silence throughout the woodland. My eyes were still not fully adjusting to the darkness.
“A lost fawn in need of help.”
A sinister voice carried on the wind as it wrapped around me, and the sense of terror brought the hairs on the back of my neck up. I was frozen to the spot.
“Come now, fawn—I will keep you warm and safe.”
“I-I.” I couldn’t get my words out.
“We promise it will not hurt.”
We? There were more than one of these weird things around me? I read many tales of creatures that sulked in the dark, hiding away. Our Goddess of Light could only get rid of so many until she was no longer with us. The creatures would always find a way to come back.
I wanted to get home. I wanted to be in my warm bed and would willingly take the scolding my father would give me once he found out I had run off. Oh, what I would do if only Marcus had followed me in, perhaps he would be able to save me, protect me, and do the job my father had set him up to do all my life.
“Come with us.” The voice still lingered, this time feeling as if it were closer, and I still couldn’t move.
“She will not be going with you, creature.”
The voice of my dreams. The man draped in shadows—he was here. But where? How? He wasn”t real.
“We found her first.”
“You dare defy me?!” he shouted.
A rumble rolled under my feet, as if the ground itself were shaking, and then there was silence. I felt a presence behind me and the feeling of fingers running down my arm. I didn’t turn around for fear of what I might come to face.
“You are safe now. They have retreated.”
I still didn’t say a word.
“Breathe, my sweet princess. I promise you, I will not harm you.”
His voice seemed softer than before and my heart slowed to it. A feeling of wanting began to cover my body. But when I turned around, my shadowed man was not there.
“I must return home.”
“Yes, you must. I shall guide you to the tree line.”
Suddenly, a trail of what looked like fireflies lit up the pathway in front of me, and continued in the distance. I finally felt myself able to move, even if my nerves were shot. I wanted to curl up in a ball and cry in bed. I was grateful he had come to my aid.
“Thank you for saving me,” I said, almost a whisper.
“I told you, I am here to save you. You only need to ask it of me.”
“Will I ever know your name?”
He didn’t answer for a minute, and I wondered if he had left me as I reached the tree line. Shouting of my name could be heard in the distance. The guards were out looking for me.
“I believe you already know it.”
Feeling that same tingling feeling running down my forearm as my hand was lifted up into the darkness, I felt warm lips touch my hand and then sudden coldness as the shadow disappeared.
Stepping out of the tree line, I headed back up towards the rose garden and was almost ambushed by the guards, Kathlyn, Talia and my mother and father. Talia took me into a tight hug and then looked me up and down, looking down at my dress with disgust.
I was covered in mud up to my waistline, my hands were grazed, and I was bleeding from somewhere.
“Ornella, where have you been?”
Mother’s stern voice came as Kathlyn stepped out of her way. Her arms crossed, and the face of anger washed over it. Although my mother was a soft woman, she hated when you disappointed her, and it was rare she’d accept an apology.
“I’m sorry. I went for a walk and got lost.”
She clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes at me. Turning around, she stormed off, and Father stayed back, not wanting to come near me as he shook his head and followed Mother inside.
“Come on, let’s get you inside. A nice warm bath, some food and fresh clothes will help.”
Kathlyn linked my arm on one side into hers, and Talia did the same on the opposite side. Walking away, I looked over my shoulder, sensing that those same red eyes were still on me, hoping I would catch sight of my mystery saviour. All I was met with was total darkness.
I already knew his name. Which meant I already knew who he was, and that perhaps we’d met before.