Chapter 13
Soft clouds drifted across the azure sky. Their wafts almost as though they were painted with a haphazard brush. A few bugs buzzed and whizzed across the grass fronds nearby. Everything seemed alive except for the breeze, which barely whispered across her stunned body.
Griselda laid on her back, her knees lifted and hands plopped on her waist. She was unsure if she just got rejected or used and left. Her stomach was in knots and surged unease through every inch.
She had done everything right. Right?
Unless her touching further down near his hips was a sacred spot. She was certain its where his loins hid with how he was grinding into her. It’s not like he could be much different than a human male.
Still, he straight up left her after making her come almost twice. And now he used her to get himself off! The least he could have done was allow her to help instead of making her feel like nothing more than a quick release.
That damned snake-brained idiot.
Anger tinged along her mind and started to boil. He just rubbed himself against her then left to go get himself off! How could she not feel offended over that?
You rubbed yourself against him too, though.
Exasperated, she sighed and ripped some of the grass beside her.
For some reason it was rather soothing. Sitting up, she tried to glance around and see where he could have gone, but realized she couldn’t see over the tall grass unless she fully stood.
Odd for him to have been so right about had she been walking earlier.
Standing to actually see, she tried again to spot the dark naga. He should stick out like a sore thumb amongst all this bright grass. At least, she thought he would.
Frustration kicked through her as she remembered he had her bag. He had her bag and abandoned her instead of letting her help relieve him the same way he’d done for her.
Brushing dirt off the rear of her dress, she called for him. “Thrasik? Thrasik, please come back!”
Silence met her in return. Great. Truly fantastic.
Now she was stuck alone in the plains that he had spouted were so tremendously dangerous for her.
Snapping twigs sounded off to her side. Thinking it to be Thrasik, she prepared a glare as she turned to face the noise and instead met glowing red eyes.
That’s not my snake man.
They were set too far apart. Too far off the ground. Another pair appeared next to them, slightly lower but of the same size. Both larger than Thrasik.
Griselda froze.
Tingles pricked the back of her neck and shoulders.
Something about this situation felt wrong. Wildlife had a different sense to them when hunting.
The creatures split and began to circle her.
Their faces were angled and had grotesquely droopy snouts.
The sight almost made her think of a bird’s beak.
A disgusting slapping noise echoed as both creatures snapped at each other each time they met back up.
The ground churned as their hooked claws dragged through it.
Griselda held her breath. Her ears turned down as a cringe shot through her at the horrific screech one of them let out.
Eyes darting, she took note that their back halves were covered in fur whereas the front seemed to be matted feathers.
Nothing about them seemed natural. Their shambling gait and gurgling growls sent a fear through her body like she’d never experienced.
They met back up with each other again and she noticed their back legs ended as paws.
Definitely not healthy ones as muscle bled through the length of each leg.
Her mind became a whirlwind, trying to recall what creatures these could be.
While she never really left the outskirts of the village, she was always fascinated with the creatures of the world and devoured any novels brought back from Silyre.
Whipping her head around, she desperately tried to keep track of which one ended up in her blind spot.
The only creature she could compare them to were the gryphons.
But, she’d read that the king prior to the High Priest has wiped them to extinction.
With how they were looking, it didn’t seem like any that wandered off to survive had been doing so successfully.
Even if it had been decades since the old king was wearing the crown.
Griselda turned as both of the beasts began to circle her as a pair.
The way to slumped together made it seem as though they were dependent.
Maybe even mates. She noticed neither of them had wings like the gryphons from the stories.
Their red beady eyes stared into her as she frantically took in her situation.
There had to be a way out of this without Thrasik. Surely she wasn’t going to meet her demise from wandering outside Mistveil’s outskirts. There was no way their beliefs would hold true to an omnipotent being ordering punishment for disobeying and misdoings. Her heart clenched in panic.
Or is there? Is this my punishment?
A deafening screech jolted and scrambled her mind. In a split moment, her palms slammed up to her ears as one of the beasts lunged. She tried to dodge. Tried to lean. Tried to make any movement to get out of harms way.
And failed.
One moment her mind was spinning in a shrill pain, the next she was whizzing through the air like one of the bugs bouncing in the grass. Right before she landed, a rough clawed hand swatted her back up.
Griselda’s ribs screamed. She tried to turn the correct way, disoriented from up and down as her braids flew in her vision.
Just as she managed to get a flick of bearings, the mouth of one of the beasts wrapped around her waist and dug in.
Blind terror surged through her blood. She was certain she was about to be ripped in half.
Not now. Not NOW! I’m not ready!
Anger mixed with the terror. Chills jolted up her arms as the beast clamped down on her further. Thankfully, it didn’t have teeth and just felt more like a vice grip. Such a grip that made her wince each time it tried to tighten its horribly gummy beak.
They’re going to take you away from here.
The thought dazed her, panic racing through her mind in desperation of how to escape.
The other beast raised its head. Griselda braced her hands against the beak of the gryphon that had her.
Disgust caused her lip to curl as a wet slime gave way to the pressure.
She glanced at the other one, watching as it turned its head in an unnatural manner and seemed to be listening for something.
This was her only chance, while they were distracted.
Griselda pried her hands between the beak and her body as she gasped a deep breath before screaming at the top of her lungs.
“Thrasik!” His lone name drawled out for as much air as she could push out in her panic.
Slumping against the beak to catch her breath, she just hoped it would be enough.
Her legs began to throb. Pain sparked from her waist as the gryphon’s beady eye stared into her soul. Being this close she could tell its pupil was glazed over.
Something was definitely wrong.
A light throb began to ooze its way into her skull.
She truly hoped Thrasik heard her, because staying awake was suddenly becoming very difficult. Her heart clenched. He had to show up. He had to save her.
Pangs weeped through her chest. She wasn’t ready to deal with this fate. She wanted so much more than to be so back and forth on her emotions.
You have to find out why you feel so drawn to him. It can’t end here!
Hazy stars filled her vision. Panic seared her lungs. She didn’t want to pass out, but might not be able to control it.
A sudden thunk slammed into the beast holding her just as her head dropped back from exhaustion.