CHAPTER 12 - Friend
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【?????????? ??????????????】
But I was still no less terrified.
The vylnir let out a low, rumbling growl. Its teeth shifted as if sprouting anew, each fang sharper than the last. Its black fur rippled in an unnatural way, and its bones moved beneath, twisting strangely.
"I ?α?? ?σ ??? ?συ ????," I murmured carefully, gesturing toward the dark vines that rose from the prison floor. Their cruel thorns buried deep in the creature's flesh. "T?? ραι? ι? σ??? ?σ? α ?σ????..."
I dragged the burlap sack closer, spilling the dried plums at the vylnir's massive feet. The creature's growl deepened, its shadowy fur bristling as it eyed the offering.
"I α? ???? ?σ ???ρ ?συ..." I continued, my voice trembling. "I α? ?σ??? ?σ? ?συ? ?υ????ι??..."
Its long, serpentine tongue flicked out, testing the air. Then it inched forward. My breath stilled as its twisted snout drew close. Its hot, foul breath washed over me, thick with the scent of decay.
"Dσ ?σ? ?υ?? ??," I whispered.
The creature hesitated, its reflective eyes gleaming as it blinked slowly, studying me.
Then, it looked down at the scattered plums, flicking its tongue toward them. I held my breath as it lowered its muzzle, snapping up a few pieces.
Is my plan... working?
It took me a good moment to realize I wasn't being eaten. Back in my senses, I snuck toward one of the vines ensnaring its hind leg, fingers trembling as I grasped Raincatcher.
The creature remained preoccupied — its attention lost in the feast of dried plums. I began to slice at the thick, gnarled vine. The dagger, though meant for the traditional dance of Drakfjord, was still as sharp as any blade.
My gaze never left the vylnir as it devoured its morsels. Each cut made my heart race. And when I finally severed the vine, my stomach turned at what was to come next.
"T?? ραι? ι? σ??? ?σ? α ?σ????," I whispered, my voice quaking.
Sucking in a shuddering breath, I yanked the massive thorn from the vylnir's leg.
A deafening screech wrenched from its throat, reverberating through the cave. The creature spun toward me, a whirlwind of muscle and fury. In an instant, I was swept off my feet, my body crashing against the cave wall.
"Ack—!" I gasped, pain lancing through my spine as I crumpled to the ground.
Tears pricked the corners of my eyes, and I instinctively clutched my shoulder, sensing something was terribly wrong.
My bone sat awkwardly in its socket. I'd had plenty of flying accidents to know it was dislodged. With a shuddering breath, I forced my shoulder back into place, a sickening pop echoing. I bit down on my tongue, stifling a cry as I struggled to steady my ragged breathing.
When I dared to open my eyes again, I froze in place.
The vylnir crouched before me, its jagged teeth gleaming, poised to shred me into pieces. The agonizing throb in my shoulder blurred my vision, tears spilling down my cheeks.
Would I truly die again? How many more times would I endure this torment?
"I α? ?σ??? ?σ? ?συ? ?υ????ι??," I stammered through my sobs. "I α? ??αρρ?? ι? ??ι? ρ?α?? ?υ?? ?ι?? ?συ."
By some miracle, the vylnir began to calm, its head dipping toward its wound where thick, black blood oozed from the gash left by the thorn. It licked the injury, and I watched in horrified fascination as its black flesh knitted itself back together.
Satisfied, the creature turned its uncanny gaze to me, fixing on my midsection.
That was when I felt it.
A chill as cold as death crept through my veins.
Slowly, I glanced down, my chest caving at the sight.
A deep slash had ripped through my bodice, revealing my mangled flesh beneath. Blood flowed freely from the wound, staining the cave floor crimson. It gleamed in the moonlight in an almost beautiful way.
Ha...
That's... a lot of blood.
"Rainey, you have to get help!" Ryn's voice broke through.
I turned to my dagger lying limply beside me, a silent witness to my impending doom. Ryn's reflection crouched beside me on the cave floor, his eyes wide with the deepest of blues.
"You'll die!" he warned.
"I'm an expert at it," I quipped dryly, the metallic tang of copper lingering on my tongue.
"Leave now!" the elf insisted. "We need to find help!"
I shook my head, my gaze drawn to the remaining thorns still embedded in the vylnir's flanks.
"I'm not done..." I whispered, shrugging off my cloak.
"Rainy, stop this! Please... I beg you... Find help..."
With a grunt, I pushed myself off the ground, dragging my weary body toward the creature's other leg. It growled, its teeth bared like jagged daggers ready to strike.
Yet, as my strength waned, I met its gaze without fear.
"I α? ?σ??? ?σ? ?συ? ?υ????ι??," I whispered, my voice a ghost of its former strength. "I ?α?? ?σ ??? ?συ ????."
Gripping Raincatcher tightly, I sliced through the next vine.
Time slipped away like the blood seeping from my wound. With each thorn I pulled free, a violent blow from the creature threw me against the cave wall again and again. But I pressed on, determined.
Finally, I reached the last thorn, summoning every shred of strength I had left. As I tore it from the vylnir's flesh, the creature let out a painful screech, its jaws snapping inches from my face.
Without thinking, I slapped its twisted snout so hard, its head lurched.
The vylnir went still.
My breath came in broken gasps as I dropped Raincatcher. My hands instinctively clutched my stomach, the blood flowing from my fingers so much like it did during my first death....
I smiled at the creature with tears in my eyes.
"Yσυ ????," I coughed, blood spilling from my lips. "Gσ."
The vylnir's eyes widened and its teeth shrank ever so slightly as it regarded me with a newfound curiosity.
Then, the strangest sound rumbled from its chest.
A deep, vibrating noise that hovered somewhere between a growl and a whimper. It began to inspect itself, tongue flicking out to lick its wounds, the black flesh knitting together before my eyes.
After ensuring its injuries were healed, it turned its gaze back to me. Its teeth shrunk even more, until they were no larger than my hands.
With deliberate slowness, it approached, drool glistening from its maw. I shut my eyes, bracing for the inevitable...
Lick.
My eyes shot open at the rough sensation scraping my wound. I tried scrambling away, my heart pounding painfully as I realized the creature was tasting my blood.
"I'm not a plum!" I protested, shoving against its enormous snout. But it remained as immovable as stone, lapping at my flesh.
Fresh tears spilled down my cheeks, the unbearable pain making me see white as I fought the urge to black out. I pushed and squirmed, terrified that it was consuming me alive.
When it felt like something moved within me, I froze.
My eyes locked on the wound as the vylnir pulled back. Slowly, impossibly, my flesh began to stitch itself back together. It was the most excruciating sensation I had ever experienced, yet I couldn't look away.
The creature licked my wound one last time, and I gasped as it sealed with a perfect pink line. Then vanished as if it never existed in the first place.
"What?"
I couldn't comprehend the miracle that had just unfolded before me. Dazed, I stared up at the vylnir. Its uncanny eyes seemed to grow larger as it blinked at me.
It... healed me?
Stunned into silence, I searched for the words to express my gratitude. I still had not learned 'thank you' and instead spoke the word that felt the closest.
"F?ι???," I whispered, hoping it conveyed the depth of my emotions.
It was part of a phrase I had been meaning to learn but never got to.
"F?ι???," I repeated with a bloodied grin.
To my astonishment, the vylnir pulled its dozens of teeth back, forming what I could only describe as the closest thing to a smile it was capable of.
Relieved, I slumped against the cold stone wall.
The creature prowled around the cave, inspecting the cut vines that lay scattered across the floor. Once it was certain of its freedom, its body moved in a way that defied nature.
I watched, entranced, as its fur rippled like shadows, bones stretching and contracting in an unnatural dance. It folded in upon itself, shrinking smaller and smaller until it morphed into a size and shape that resembled a grotesque blend of wolf and fox.
The vylnir turned to me with the same set of dozens of teeth, its unnaturally long tail flicking with curious intent.
It blinked at me with its reflective eyes. Once. And slow.
The creature then snatched a few plums and squeezed through the bars of the prison, pausing at the cave's exit to look back. A series of complex growls rumbled from its throat, low and melodic.
I couldn't help but wave it goodbye.
"Yσυ ????," I called softly.
The creature dipped its head in a nod, then melted into the night like a shadow.
I released the breath that had caught in my throat, the last vestiges of my strength dissipating as I lay sprawled on the cave floor.
Every part of me ached, a dull throb that resonated with my fading consciousness. I angled Raincatcher toward myself, horrified to see my hands had paled to that of a corpse.
Though the vylnir had healed me, I still lost too much blood to muster any strength.
"It worked," I murmured at the blade.
Ryn sat crouched beside me in the reflection, his greyish skin paler than before.
"You silly mortal girl," he sighed. "You'll be the death of me."
"You're already dead," I teased, though my voice lacked any strength.
"Right."
The elf lowered his head onto my shoulder as though he was the one that bled out. Even his pointed ears drooped in weariness.
"Good job, Raine," he whispered, a rare note of pride in his tone. "You finally did it."
A flicker of warmth ignited in my chest at his words, but the weight of what lay ahead quickly snuffed it out. I closed my eyes, trying to savor the fleeting taste of victory despite the way my heart sank.
I still had to reach Lavender and intercept those letters. And though I had delayed it as much as I could, I needed to find a way to send messages to Drakfjord.
"This is only the beginning," I sighed.
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Clover Castle was in utter chaos the morning of departure. I stayed in bed for several minutes too long, my body aching from the night before. Only when Lady Virella stormed into my chamber, did I drag myself to my feet.
Thankfully, servants from Dornhold's main castle arrived, hauling trunks and parcels to the wagons outside the fortress walls.
The courtyard was a sea of carriages and restless horses, the dawn light glinting off polished armor. Hundreds of guards flanked the procession with some bearing the banners of Thornmont — a field of black and green split by a silver sword blooming thorns.
The caravan was ordered by rank. Higher-ranked concubines rode near the front.
And some ladies like those of Nightshade were granted private carriages.
As expected, the ladies of Clover, Daisy, and Peony were afforded no such luxuries.
Clover's carriage crammed ten of us shoulder to shoulder — a grim prelude to the two-week journey that awaited.
"It seems we'll be setting off now," Talia murmured, glancing at the assembled caravan.
Virella nodded sharply.
"Yes, everyone in. Now."
She ushered the rest of the ladies into the carriage like a herd. I lingered outside, savoring the last taste of the open air. Just as I was about to step in, the women inside gasped at something behind me.
A dark foreboding settled over me as I turned.
Of course.
"You look rather pale this morning, Princess," Sylvos remarked, seated atop his steed.
My scowl softened at the sight of the dark gray unicorn. The creature's steely armor glistened with intricate vine patterns etched across its plates. She was massive, larger than any regular horse, and her horn was as long and sharp as Raincatcher.
"She's beautiful," I murmured, reaching out to touch the unicorn's muzzle.
At first, she huffed in irritation, but as my hand remained steady, she leaned into my palm. I fished out a handful of dried plums from my dress pocket and offered them. The unicorn whickered in approval as she nibbled the morsels.
"She's fond of gouging out eyes," Sylvos mused. "But it seems you have a way with creatures, Princess."
"I've grown accustomed to the company of beasts," I said with a pointed look at the emperor.
His smirk curled over.
"Perhaps I should introduce you to my wyrm then," he teased.
"I'm sure its company would be better than most here at Dornhold."
He chuckled as he shook his head.
"That tongue of yours, Princess... I wonder if it will stay so sharp during... other activities."
My face flared instantly. Unwelcome memories flooded my head without permission, and I turned away in an attempt to compose myself.
"Some things are better left to the imagination, Your Majesty."
"Yes, I've been imagining quite a lot these days."
By some miracle, my cheeks burned even hotter.
"Enjoy your journey, Your Majesty," I said hurriedly.
Without looking back, I clambered into the carriage and slammed the door shut. Outside, Sylvos' laughter rang out as he rode away.
I took a deep, steadying breath.
As I opened my eyes again, I froze upon seeing the other ladies in the carriage staring at me.
"The emperor truly seems to favor you," Virella noted .
"Perhaps," I replied. "But his favor is as fickle as the wind."
Talia raised her brows.
"If he's so taken with you, why did he rank you as a Clover?" she asked carefully. "Not only that, but you're a princess too. And, and you really are so beautiful."
My blush deepened.
"Thank you... though you should see my sisters," I brushed it off. "I asked for Clover so I could rise through my own efforts."
That last part was a lie. I couldn't exactly reveal my plot with the vylnir.
With a sharp crack of the whip, the carriage lurched forward, and the procession began its slow, winding journey.
"I must agree with the emperor, Raine," Virella added, her green eyes darkening. "You really do look pale this morning."
"You can rest on my shoulder if you're unwell," Talia offered kindly.
I nodded a thanks and leaned into her warmth, grateful for everyone's concern.
"I'm just a bit under the weather," I murmured.
In truth, my bones still throbbed from last night's ordeal. And my limbs weighed heavy from the blood I'd lost.
Outside the window, Dornhold City blurred by, bustling streets giving way to mist-laden forests.
My thoughts drifted back to the vylnir's escape, its dark shape swallowed by the night. I prayed it had fled far from Sylvos' reach. But I knew that, sooner or later, the emperor would discover the absence of his creature. And his wrath would be inevitable.
With that thought, I drifted into a restless sleep.
For the first three days, I tried to endure, but a fever crept over me, and a chill settled deep in my bones.
To make matters worse, my monthly cycle arrived, as though my body hadn't spilled enough blood already.
By the fourth day, my skin had taken on a sickly pallor, a sheen of sweat clinging to my brow.
"Can't we ask to stop? Just briefly?" Talia's voice trembled as she held my head in her lap, pressing a damp cloth to my face. "I need time to brew her some willow bark tea."
Virella shook her head, her dark blonde curls swaying with each jolt of the carriage.
"We're Clovers, Talia. We could beg the guards to tell His Majesty, but they're unlikely to care. I wish my brother had been on duty for this hunt..."
I stirred, just enough to whisper, "Don't tell the emperor."
The mere thought of his face made me want to succumb to my affliction.
A fresh wave of cramps tore through me, and I curled up tighter, whimpering.
"Lady Raine, please," Talia insisted. "You're really not well. Your fever is likely beyond the help of tea. And your body is at its weakest during this time."
"How absurd," I croaked. "I just need more rest."
Virella let out a sigh.
"That's enough," she said. "Excuse me while I cause a scene."
Too weak to protest, I only caught a glimpse of her pounding on the window before my mind slipped into the shadows of unconsciousness.
A terrible dream overtook me — a memory, thick with regret. Raincatcher gleamed as I plunged it forward, but Sylvos' hand intercepted, steel sinking into flesh.
Just as I had struck, so did he.
Between us, Briarvex's blade tore into my stomach.
"Raine... why?" Sylvos asked, his dark eyes threatening tears.
I softened.
Why, indeed?
Why could we never escape this fate?
I jolted awake.
My heart raced as I found myself cradled in unfamiliar arms. The cramped Clover carriage was gone. Instead, I lay in a plush, gilded space. The last trace of warmth drained from my body as I registered who was holding me.
Sylvos pressed a cloth to my fevered brow.
"You should've called for a doctor sooner," he whispered, his voice almost gentle.
Dear gods... Why?
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