19. 17
17
Thorn
T he memory of his touch still burns on my skin as I step outside the cottage, bundled against the cold. Our joining should have completed the fated mate bond, yet I tore us apart in a fit of stubborn defiance before his bite could seal it. Even now, my traitorous body craves his fingers trailing fire across my flesh, our hearts beating as one. I ache at the severed connection, feeling his absence like a missing limb.
No, I cannot relinquish control, not even for my destined mate.
In the distance, a chorus of shouts shatters the perfect stillness. My breath catches in my throat as the raucous hunting party comes into view, moving swiftly through the trees. At their lead is he, his cruel visage unmistakable even at this distance .
The vampire king.
Fear lances through me, muscles locking in panic. No. It cannot be. Not here, not now.
I grab Luna close with trembling hands, stumbling back toward the cottage, but there is no time. Wildly, I look around, spying a dense copse of evergreens nearby, and I dive into their concealing branches, huddling down and willing my pounding heart to stillness.
I look back to my old home I just emerged from and groan as I realize I was already near a good hiding spot.
The baying grows louder as they draw near, the king’s melodious laughter drifting above it all. Bile rises in my throat. I squeeze my eyes shut against the memories that vision triggers, of fire and anguish and loss.
After an eternity, the sounds fade into the distance once more. Still, I remain frozen, struggling to rein in my careening emotions. You are safe, I tell myself. He did not see you. But the familiar cold dread in my veins belies those words. I cannot linger here.
Shakily, I take Luna’s paw. “Come,” I whisper. “We must go.”With Luna at my side, I focus my energy, and we vanish from the woods in a swirl of magic, reappearing in a remote snow-blanketed glen far from the vampire king’s hunting party. My heart is still racing, my mind flooded with traumatic memories I’ve tried so hard to suppress.
I kneel in the deep snow, struggling to slow my panicked breaths. Luna whines softly and presses her body against mine. Her warmth and unconditional love help anchor me, keeping my darkest memories at bay. I bury my face in her soft fur, clinging to this innocent creature who depends on me for protection.
Thorn, be still. Breathe the crisp, cold air in deeply. Center yourself in this moment. The past cannot harm you here , she says, her gentle voice soothing in my mind.
Once I’ve regained some control, I stand on shaky legs and take in our new surroundings. The glen is utterly still and quiet, the ancient pines muffled under heavy layers of snow. Icicles hang frozen in time on their bowed branches. It’s hauntingly beautiful.
In the distance, the icy surface of a half-frozen waterfall catches the pale sunlight. I make my way toward it, my boots breaking the perfect smoothness of the untouched snow. Kneeling at the waterfall’s edge, I wipe away the thin crust of ice and glimpse my reflection in the water beneath .
The scared young girl who once hid from the vampire king stares back at me, but now, her eyes blaze with an inner fire. I am not that helpless child anymore. The king did take my loved ones from me, but he did not manage to steal my spirit.
I splash the frigid water on my face, letting it wash away the last shaky remnants of fear. When I rise, droplets glitter like diamonds on my skin in the winter sun. I am renewed.
A thunderous crash echoes through the glen, and Luna growls low at my side. I turn to see an enormous frost giant barreling out of the tree line, its footsteps booming as it charges straight toward us.
My surprise turns swiftly to defiant anger. So this is how it will be? The very day I vow to reclaim my power, the world sends a monster to test my resolve.
“Stay back, Luna!” I shout.
Clenching my fists, I unleash a streaming torrent of flames from my palms. The giant bellows as the fiery onslaught engulfs its torso, blackening its icy armor. It swipes a meaty hand at me, but I leap aside and summon a barrage of glowing violet energy bolts, pummeling the giant’s skull relentlessly .
Staggering, the giant rips an entire pine tree from the snowdrifts and hurls it my way. I slice my hand through the air, magically shredding the massive projectile into mere splinters. With a guttural cry, I blast the giant back with a shockwave of pure force. The magical winds drive the creature to its knees.
Still, it rises, blood trickling from its ruined eye. Roaring, the giant slams its fists down. Jagged ice spikes erupt from the earth all around me. I cry out as a spike rakes my shoulder, staining the pure snow crimson. The pain only fuels my anger. How dare this beast harm me when I’ve already endured so much torment?
I leap into the air on a gust of wind, flying swiftly around the lumbering giant. Gathering my power in clenched fists glowing violet, I unleash my magic mercilessly. Bolts of lightning slice into its body. Shards of razor-sharp ice shred its limbs. My onslaught drives the giant to the very edge of the frozen waterfall as I batter it from all sides.
The frost giant’s dying cries echo through the glen as it plunges into the icy depths below. I hover above the waterfall, chest heaving, the last tremors of adrenaline course through my veins. The gash on my shoulder from the giant’s icy spike throbs hotly, but I embrace the pain. It is a badge of my hard-won victory, proof that I can and will defend myself against any who wish me harm.
I descend back to the bloodstained snow, where Luna awaits me with worried eyes. Despite my injury, joy and pride well up within me. Not only did I defeat a formidable foe, but also I conquered the paralyzing fear that once gripped me at the vampire king’s approach. The frightened girl who cowered helpless in the woods is no more. In her place stands a powerful witch, unafraid and unbroken.
“I’m all right, Luna,” I assure my familiar, stroking her soft fur. The warmth of her body soothes my frayed nerves.
Gazing out at the once more now peaceful glen, I sit with Luna nestled close and inspect my wounded shoulder. Pushing back the tattered sleeve, I wince at the ugly gash marring my pale skin. Dark blood oozes from the jagged cut.
I take a deep breath and call on my healing powers, hands glowing violet as I hold them over the injury. Soothing warmth spreads through my shoulder, flesh knitting back together beneath my palms. The bleeding stops, and the raw pain dulls to an ache. It is the best I can do for now.
Once I’ve regained some strength, I stand and approach the waterfall’s icy edge. The frigid water carries traces of the giant’s murky blood as it pours relentlessly from the heights.
Kneeling, I wash the stains from my hands and arms, cleansing myself of the battle’s residue. The bracing cold helps center my thoughts, the endless water reminding me that life flows ever onward, no matter what storms we weather along the way.
Luna laps at the waterfall basin nearby, her pink tongue darting out to catch the droplets. I smile watching her, this curious creature who has brought such joy and light into my life.
After a time, Luna lifts her head and turns to me. I must excuse myself for a moment to relieve myself after all that excitement. I will just be in the woods if you need me.
I nod in understanding. “Go ahead. I will be here.”
Luna bounds off into the trees, seeking a private spot to do her business.
Alone now, I settle beneath a towering pine at the edge of the glen. The ache in my shoulder has dulled to a faint throb as my healing magic continues to knit the wound back together. I close my eyes, focusing my energy inward. A deep sense of calm washes over me, the chaos and fear from the battle fading away.
My thoughts turn to Draven, and I remember how it felt being held by him. Our union unlocked something within me, bringing greater balance to my magic. Before, my abilities were unpredictable, emotion-fueled outbursts of elemental energy, but now, I feel this newfound harmony between magic and emotion, power and restraint. I don’t want this connection, especially not with him, but I have to admit that if he wasn’t part of the family who destroyed everything good for me, I would be open to our mate bond.
A smile touches my lips as I bask in the memory of his tender kiss. Perhaps in time, we could be something more than reluctant allies, something deeper…
My introspection is interrupted by a sudden worrisome thought—Luna has been gone for quite a while.
I open my eyes, scanning the silent snowy woods around me. Unease creeps into my heart, and I rise swiftly to my feet. She should have returned by now.
“Luna?” I call out, my voice echoing unanswered through the glen. “Luna, where are you?”My heart hammers in my chest as I stand and look around. I wander towards the entrance to a nearby cave. “Luna!” I call out again, straining to hear any response over the roaring blood in my ears. Only my own voice echoes back.
Clenching my fists, I summon an orb of violet light to illuminate the darkened cave before me. With no sign of where she has gone, I need to double check she isn’t inside.
Holding the glowing orb aloft, I step cautiously into the cave. The soft light reveals a cramped, claustrophobic space with a low ceiling that forces me to stoop as I move deeper inside. The rocky floor slopes downward, slick with moisture. I have to proceed slowly, bracing myself against the walls to keep my footing.
“Luna, please…” My desperate plea goes unanswered. The steady drip of water and the scurrying of unseen creatures break the oppressive silence.
Reaching the back of the narrow cave, I find nothing. No sign of Luna, no clues as to where she might have gone. My magical light reveals no hidden tunnels or passages—just cold, implacable stone on all sides .
Fighting back a rising sense of panic, I stumble back out of the cave into the muted winter daylight. “Luna!” I shriek, spinning around as if she might magically appear, but there is nothing. No tracks, no trail to follow. My beloved companion has simply vanished.
Hot tears spill down my cheeks, quickly turning icy in the cold. She has to be here somewhere. I cannot lose her too.
“Please…” I whisper hoarsely, but only the wind answers, keening through the stark branches.
Panic and dread churn within me at the thought of my familiar lost and afraid. I failed to protect her.
No. I force back the dark thoughts and wipe harshly at my tears. Breaking down will not help Luna now. I must keep a clear head if I am to find her.
Closing my eyes, I focus inward and tap into the well of power within me. I feel its energy thrumming through every fiber of my being, vastly stronger than ever before. With this magic now at my command, I can cover more ground and seek help to locate my missing familiar.
I know where I must go, though the thought fills me with both hope and trepidation. Still, it is my best chance of picking up Luna’s trail again quickly. He had been hunting her when he found me.
I activate the teleportation spell as I take in a deep breath, wrapping its power around myself. The winds rise in response, plucking me from the desolate woods. When they die down, I stand at the edge of a sprawling encampment that serves as the center of the vampire king’s domain.
It is early evening, the sun’s last rays painting the snow crimson as it dips below the horizon. Fires blaze around the perimeter, dotting the camp with circles of flickering light. The smoky smell of roasted meat drifts on the icy air.
In the distance, I spot Draven’s unmistakable tall, broad-shouldered frame. He stands with a group of hunters, inspecting the day’s kills. Just the sight of him makes my heart constrict with a confusing mix of emotions—anger, longing, fear. I school my features into a mask of calm determination and stride swiftly toward him.
As I approach, Draven glances up. Surprise flashes across his handsome face. “Thorn?” He takes a step toward me but hesitates when I do not slow my pace .
I ignore the others around us and grab Draven’s arm as soon as I’m close enough. My fingers dig into his cold flesh. He winces.
“Where is she?” I demand harshly.
Draven’s brow furrows in confusion. “She?”
Anger boils up inside me. How dare he play dumb when Luna could be suffering right now?
“My fox. Where did you take her?”
Understanding dawns on his face, followed swiftly by indignation. “That fox is yours? The one I was chasing? You magicked me here against my will entirely naked, and you think I went back out just to hunt your fox?” He yanks his arm from my grip. “I don’t know where the creature is.”
“But you were hunting her before,” I shoot back. “She was there when you found me. Now explain what you’ve done with her!”
Around us, the other vampires have gone silent, watching our confrontation unfold with interest. I pay them no mind, focused solely on Draven. If he does not give me answers soon, my simmering rage may unleash itself whether I wish it or not.
Draven holds up his hands placatingly. “Thorn, you’re not thinking clearly. Yes, I crossed paths with a fox while on the hunt some time ago, but I had no idea it was your companion. I never even got close to the beast before it slipped away. I have not seen it since.”
I stare hard into his azure eyes, searching for any hint of deception, but all I find there is earnest confusion and dawning concern. Could it be true? Could he really have nothing to do with Luna’s disappearance? Reluctantly, I feel my anger begin to cool.
Draven reaches for me again, more gently this time.
I open my mouth to respond to Draven when a commotion erupts at the edge of the camp. One of the hunting parties has returned, dragging their catches triumphantly.
I catch a glimpse of white fur, and my heart leaps into my throat.
“Luna!” I cry out, shoving past Draven and sprinting toward the hunters. There is my beloved familiar, bound and hanging limply amidst their prizes.
She lifts her head weakly but makes no other movement.
Red-hot rage explodes within me at the sight. With a guttural scream, I unleash a shockwave that knocks the hunters to the ground and propels Luna’s body safely away. I rush to her side, hands sparking dangerously with power.