Page 28 of Dreams of Ash and Smoke

“What hurt the most, Hadeon, is while I carried you for over an hour on my back, both of us poisoned and bleeding out, I cared more about saving you than myself. I wanted to get you through that border in hopes of giving you a better life that was far from me, my emptiness or even my lack of title. I didn’t want to but I was willing to part from you to give you something more than I could ever have now. I was fully prepared to die in enemy territory as long as you’d live.”

With a sharp and sudden movement, I wrench my arm free from his grasp. My heart pounds in my chest and tears prickle at the corners of my eyes before falling free. I squeeze my eyelids shut and take a deep breath, willing myself to stay strong. Without looking back, I slip through the door, the cool air hitting my face— a welcomed relief after the heated exchange. “Fuck!” His voice yells out, audible through the doors. The sound of my footsteps echo loudly in the empty hallway as I make my escape. Ialmosthope he chases after me. That our friendship means more to him, regardless of what I said. But I know him well enough and I know he will respect my wishes even if it kills him.

Chapter 13: Little Bird

Verena

As I walk through the moonlit night, my only possessions are the tatters of clothing from Ruelle that clung to my body and the dagger I snuck out. The chill in the air was not unbearable, but it seeps into my bones nonetheless. As I made my way from the castle, the forest surrounding it seems to envelop me in its dark embrace. The moon casts eerie shadows through their branches.

I lost track of time, but I know it had been hours since the sun had set. The scent of pine and damp earth fills my senses as I trod on the soft grass, slick with evening dew. The usual cacophony of nature sounds was absent, leaving an eerie silence in its wake.

My cheeks are still sticky from the tears that had stained them earlier. But now, they were dry and stiff against my skin, a reminder of the pain and heartache that had led me to this lonely place under the stars.

I cannot believe Hadeon has been Khyrelian this entire time and lied to me about it. He could have helped me escape Dryston long ago but instead, he ignored it. Ignored me. Did he even have a plan to get out of the castle after he was beaten nearly to death? Was he going to leave me? Just that easily?

There are so many questions I needed answer to. The anger surges through me and I can’t hear another word— another lie come from hismouth.

He was the only one I have trusted since my mothers death. The only fae who cared about my well-being, not just as a future queen but as a person. Five years have gone by and I just now realize I know so little about him! How could I have allowed myself to get close to him? I should have known as future queen that the only person I can count on is myself. The more I think about it, the more I feel wretched and deplorable. There’s a self-destructive ember in me wanting to burst and just stop caring. How could I let myself get so desperate for another being to genuinely care about me?

I want to understand why but I also don’t. I’ll find another way to get my revenge on Dryston without Eryx and Hadeon’s help. I’ll-

My breath catches in my throat as I come to a sudden stop, gazing up in awe at the dazzling display of colored lights painting the night sky. Blues and purples swirl and dance across the black backdrop, making the stars seem like mere decorations in comparison. It’s like something out of my wildest dreams, but even more vibrant and real. Tears prick at my eyes, but this time it’s not from sadness or fear — it’s pure wonder and joy. This is something I never knew I was missing. The same unfamiliar energy that pulsed through me during my encounters in Zorya now hums within me again, but this time it’s soft and soothing instead of intense and overwhelming. I realize that this must be what Ruelle was trying to show me in the throne room — the magnificent Aurora Borealis in all its glory. Unlike back home where we could only catch glimpses of it, here it reveals itself every night without fail, unhindered by any buildings or structures. My jaw hangs open as I stand transfixed by the wondrous sight before me.

Not even the Aurora Australis is this beautiful, to me at least. It feels as if everything I have ever imagined clicks into place. I close my eyes, taking a deep breath in.

There is a reason I am here. Fate led me down this path. I can’t give up now, I have to make Dryston pay. I open my eyes again and wipe the tears away, not wanting to miss any more of this.

For reasons unknown I have been dreaming of these lights my entire life and the marked hand for at least ten years. This is where I am supposed tobe.

A noise breaks me from my watchful gaze, hearing sticks crunch. I was a bit further from the castle, I hadn’t thought anyone had followed on foot but it’s hard to hear anything over my sobs.

I look around; trying to see something, anything.

A mysterious figure appears before me, their silhouette shroud in darkness. Despite my best efforts, I can not make out any distinguishing features.

“You have quite the journey ahead of you, little bird,” a voice spoke from the figure. It was close yet distant, with a feminine tone and an air of wisdom and age. The accent carries a sense of history, something rarely heard nowadays. My eyebrows furrow in confusion.

Naturally, I ask the only question that came to mind. “Who are you?” A soft laugh echoes through the empty space around us, as if we are in an expansive amphitheater.

“The questions you should be asking are: Who am I? Why am I here? What is my journey?” The figure steps forward, revealing themselves to be a woman illuminated by the moon and scattered lights. With each step she takes, her presence seems to grow stronger, pulling me in like a moth to a flame.

Her skin is a dark brown but stark white paint decorates her face with runes and markings so old, they were not in books anymore. Her smile isn’t normal, its stretched across her face like something from nightmarish folklore. White runes decorate her arms, neck, chest, and one single one on her forehead in blood red. The nails on all four of her arms are longer than what is deemed normal. A snake wraps around one, looking to be as her pet with orange, black, and white scales. Where her eyes should be, are only black holes. And her hair is a dark silver, long enough to tangle around her bare feet while her gown is old, ragged, and creme colored from aging. She doesn’t look as old as her accent deemed her to be. She was… pretty.

“Thank you, child.” She says, hearing my thoughts and suddenly all the hairs rise on my skin and my blood runs cold.

“You- you can hear my thoughts?” I ask, my voice raw and shaky. Shestalks closer, another hand petting the snake as it eyes me.

“They are loud.” It was a state of fact. Her arm darts out as she grabs mine, holding my wounded forearm up as she peers down at it.

With a sudden burst of strength, I try to wrench my arm from her grasp, but she holds on with an iron grip. Her other hand tears away the bandage, exposing my raw and bleeding wound. Before I can even react, she presses her fingers into the open flesh, smearing my blood across her lips as she licks them hungrily. I wince in pain and struggle to break free, but her strength is unyielding. Desperately, I try to remain calm knowing that if she truly wants me dead, she would have killed me already.

A low hum escapes her lips as she places her now bloodied fingers back onto my wound, this time with a gentleness that sends shivers down my spine. In a voice full of ancient power, she mutters words in a language I’ve never heard before.

As she pulls back and releases me, I watch in awe as my wound miraculously disappears and my skin is left unblemished. “What is the purpose of my journey?” I demand, emboldened by the fact that she has just healed me. She smirks with a twisted smile that refuses to budge, still stained with my blood.

We’re a couple of feet apart now and she trails a set of fingers through my black locks. “The white is prettier.” She throws me off guard before continuing, “Your questions can be answered at a price.” My eyes widen at her remark. How did she know of the white?

“I have nothing to my name but I can grant you-”

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