Page 114 of Reign of Betrayal

I feel something wrap around my leg, and before I can comprehend what’s happening, it yanks me off my feet, slamming my back into the cold, muddy ground. Shock courses through me, and I scream in surprise as the root drags me toward the monstrous tree-like creature looming before us. Its solid black eyes glint with malice, and I can sense its hunger.

Lukene swings his sword, cutting through the root like a knife through soft flesh, severing it with fierce determination. I scramble to sit up, quickly pulling the thick root off my leg while Lukene bends down to help me. But as he stands, I see it—the root—piercing straight through his shoulder.

“Luke!” My heart drops, and fire ignites in my hands instinctively, ready to protect him. But he doesn’t look at me. Instead, his shadows burst forth, writhing and snapping at the wood that threatens him. With a grimace, he yanks the piece free, his face contorting in pain, and turns to unleash a cloud of darkness at the creature.

He looks off-balance, then drops to his knees in the mud. “Get up Luke, get up now!” I scream as the monster roars again, rattling the ground under our feet. Never have I ever felt such terror as I do now, watching the love of my life fall lifelessly to the ground. He can’t be dead. He can’t.

My heart pounds like a hammer on an anvil, igniting a primal fire within me. I explode, flames ignite everything around us. Magic flows from my core like a raging river, bursting forth with an intensity I’ve never summoned before. All the roots start flailing around, twisting and turning through the air while smacking into the ground with resounding thumps.

I see the Tremon recoil from the heat, and as I focus my energy, I unleash a wave of fire that engulfs the beast. The screech it emits rattles the air, but I push my magic harder, feeling the roots twist and snap under the sheer force of my will.

But in the chaos, one root strikes me squarely in the face, knocking me to the ground. I shake it off, gritting my teeth as I pour everything I have into the flames. The Tremon hisses in pain before finally collapsing into a pile of ash, leaving nothing but smoldering remnants in its wake.

Breathing heavily, I rush to Luke’s side. The world tilts, and I feel the weight of exhaustion crash over me like a tidal wave. I fall to my knees beside him, frantically checking for signs of life. He can’t be dead. I need him to wake up, so I can argue with him—so I can ask him how a branch could drop the almighty Dark Prince to his knees. I smirk just thinking of his face and response. I didn’t get a life with him, a life I so desperately yearn for, a life of happiness that we both deserve.

My heart races as I lay my head on his chest, straining to listen for a heartbeat. Thump… thump… thump... Relief washes over me as I release a long, shaky sigh. I have never been so relieved by such a sound. He’s alive. He’s bleeding from his shoulder, and panic spikes in my chest. Ripping my tunic, I try to bandage it quickly. Blood is dripping all over his wound as I do. Reaching up, I touch my brow and realize I’m bleeding. But I can’t focus on my injury. Lukene is more important.

“Don’t you die on me before we get a life together, Lukene Frostborne. If you do, I’ll find a way to bring you back, so I can stab you myself,” I say to his unconscious body. I rush off plucking leaves, roots, and any hardy fall flowers that have healing properties.

I make a poultice as fast as I can. Undoing his bandage, I slather it on him, then I realize I am still bleeding. There is blood all over Lukene and the healing paste. I’ll need to clean his wound when we get to the cabin.

I try to pull Luke, but he is too heavy. I have to get him to the cabin and out of this rain. Glancing around, I spot some large branches nearby. I tie them together with vines, creating a makeshift cot. Rolling him onto it is a challenge, but I’m determined. The journey to the cabin will be rough, and I’m already exhausted from expending so much magic.

With a deep breath, I prepare myself. My muscles ache as I stretch, feeling the weight of my task ahead. Taking hold of the wood, I begin to pull him, each movement a struggle against the mud and my own fatigue. The rain continues to fall, a somber reminder of the chaos we’ve just faced.

“Hold on, Lukene,” I whisper, willing him to stay with me as I haul our burden back toward the cabin, my heart heavy with fear and hope.

Jostled awake, I sit up abruptly, confusion swirling in my mind as I take in my surroundings. I’m being pulled along on a makeshift cot, crafted from branches and secured with vines. As I blink away the remnants of sleep, I spot Reign at the front, her expression strained and exhausted. A gash above her eyebrow trickles blood down her face, stark against her pale skin. My heart sinks at the sight as I realize we are right outside of the cabin.

“You dragged me all the way up the mountain?” I ask, my voice hoarse from sleep and concern.

“Barely, but I did it,” she pants, her breath coming in labored gasps. I go to rise but she places a firm hand on my shoulder, a mixture of urgency and tenderness in her touch. “Careful! Your shoulder is injured. We need to get you inside. I made a poultice and bandaged you up, but I kind of bled all over your wound when I was doing it. I need to clean it out.”

Standing, I stretch my arm tentatively, surprised to find no pain at all. I rotate my shoulder, testing it further—still nothing.

“What did you put in the poultice? I feel nothing. No pain at all, and the effects of that sap from the Tremon should still be lingering,” I say, glancing at her with a mixture of curiosity and awe.

“Just leaves and plants. Come inside. Let me see it,” she replies, determination flickering in her eyes. I follow her into the cabin, my heart swelling with gratitude.

Once inside, I sit on a sturdy chair while she unbandages my shoulder. I take off my shirt, revealing smooth, unmarred skin. The wound is completely healed, as if the magic of the land itself has woven its threads of life back into me.

“I don’t understand. There was a hole through your entire shoulder,” she gasps, her mouth agape in disbelief.

“It is said that this land is blessed by the gods and goddesses. The plants must have been imbued with their magic. That’s the only explanation,” I say, my voice steady. “Do you have any left? We need to clean your head wound.”

She shakes her head.

“Well, sit still and let me clean it up,” I insist gently. I rise to grab a large pot, filling it with water and bringing it to the fire to heat. Within minutes, the water is steaming, and I bring it over to the table, dipping a cloth in it before returning to her side.

As I carefully wipe her tired face, I notice the scab forming on her wound. “How did you manage to get us away from that monster? Did you kill it?” I ask, my tone laced with genuine admiration.

She nods, a shadow crossing her face. “Seeing you drop like that…” Her voice trails off, and she shakes her head, seemingly lost in thought. “I don’t know what happened. Fire just… exploded from me.”

“Aww, were you worried for me, Prisoner?” My lips curl up as I speak the words.

“No.” She shakes her head as she gives me a close-lipped smile. “I just don’t know my way back to the palace.”

“So, what you’re saying is youneedme?” I cock my head, grinning mischievously.

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