Page 8 of Ruined Kingdom

The creature screamed and clawed at my hand before he, too, released me.

As soon as I was free, I scrambled farther away from them. I could barely stand, but I didn't let them see it. “Let my friend go,” I ordered, throwing my glowing hand out in front of me threateningly.

“She's coming back with us,” the one who got burned first snarled at me, his other hand cradling his injured arm.

“Release her or I’ll see to it that the only things returning to your master will be your seared corpses.” I prayed I was able to hold the light—and the bluff—in my hand just long enough for us to escape.

The guards looked at one another for a moment, weighing their options, but quickly decided they preferred to not get burned again. They tossed a half-awakened and still-weak Yenisey across the forest floor to me. She stumbled limply before falling to all fours, her hands and knees covered in dark mud.

“Never took you for the kind of person with the nerve to say something like that,” the guard with blisters already forming on the side of his face said, laughing as he looked me up and down patronizingly.

The other one joined in on his laughter. It was as though all this pain and bloodshed was just a game to them.

The light beneath my skin began to fade until it flickered out completely, all within three seconds, and I knew I was as good as dead.

No, please, just hold on a little while longer!

“Better luck next time, princess. Looks like you’re somewhat lacking in the endurance department,” the one said with a chuckle, drawing snickers from the other guard as both moved to approach me.

I helped Yenisey to her feet, holding her close to me as I searched for a way to get away from them. Running away seemed to be the only option, but the problem was: what direction would I be running in? I could very well end up in a more dangerous situation than I was already in.

Out of nowhere, the Golden Deer jumped right in front of us and stomped its dainty little hoof into the dirt, instantly kicking up a shield of light that made the guards cry out and jump away. The deer didn't waste any time leading us away from them.

We ran so fast that Yenisey could barely keep her feet under her in her groggy and fumbling state.

The deer was so far ahead that I worried I would lose it among all the trees. Until we reached the edge of the Shadow Territory.

The moment I stepped over onto the other side, I felt the warmth of the forest’s magic on my skin. That was the exact moment I knew I was safe. I dropped to the floor, and this time it was Yenisey who was trying to hold me up.

“Sophia, we need to keep going,” she whispered to me, urging me as much as herself to continue running.

The Golden Deer stopped and looked back at us. Then it turned and walked toward me as if to check if I was all right.

In the span of a few hours I have died, been brought back to life, kidnapped through a magic mirror, and had my lifeforce drained like a drink of wine by the most disgusting creature I’d ever had the displeasure of knowing—so, no, I’d say I was far beyond being all right!

“All this time … you’ve been working with that wretched … thing,” I spat out in disgust. I tried to hold back the disappointed and frustrated sobs that threatened to breach my chest. “Both of you were sent to betray me. I don’t even know who to trust anymore.”

“I don’t understand,” Yenisey said, folding her arms over her chest and shaking her head. “What are you talking about?”

“You’re the one who opened up the portal in the castle that allowed him to drag me here. He was using you all along to get to me. So help me Gods, Yenisey, tell me you didn't know about this.”

Her mouth flapped open, but no words came out. She searched around her as if genuinely confused. “I swear I don't know what you're talking about.”

I wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to remind myself that her eyes were glazed over when I saw her contacting the Fae King in her room, but right now, I just couldn't bring myself to forgive her.

I turned my focus to the Golden Deer who was still standing in front of me, watching me carefully. “And you. You only healed me so the Dark Fae King could have me for supper. You never cared about my well-being, did you?”

The deer's eyes became watery, but the expression was unchanged on her face.

That being said, the deer did protect us and lead us away from the guards. Everything is just so twisted. I don't know who to believe anymore.

I sat back on the soft grass, feeling something prick my side through my clothes. I reached in slowly, pulling out the small flower bud that Helene had given to me from her garden in the plane beyond this one.

It had altered itself somehow. It was sprouting thorns and starting to bloom. At the same time, the pale pink color of it was turning dull and ashy, as if it was dying.

I didn't fully understand the reason behind it, but I knew it was a warning … a ticking clock leading to something horrible.

“By the Goddess… Sophia, is that you?” The familiar voice of General Eugin announced as he approached us hastily on his horse.

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