𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐑𝐀𝐆𝐄 | 𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐍 | (𝟏)

𝒙𝒊 | 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒂 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈

𝐒𝐎𝐍𝐆: 𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐛𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭𝐭, 𝐅𝐥𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐞

...✵...

🐉 | 𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐀 | 🐉

𝐀 light breeze brushed my hair out of my face as I sat against a sturdy oak tree, the cool shade a welcome respite from the sun's harsh rays. I closed my eyes, letting the sounds of the forest wash over me—the birds chirping, the leaves rustling, and the distant roar of a dragon overhead. I needed these few moments of peace after Mileva's 'lessons.' I winced at the pain radiating my back from Mileva's slamming me into a wall. 

I opened my eyes and smiled at Umra, my blue dragon with brilliant violet eyes. She lowered her head, resting it in my lap as I gently stroked her scales. Having Umra by my side gave me a piece of my mother I thought I had lost forever.

Umra's sudden growl snapped me out of my thoughts. Her head lifted, eyes trained on the rustling bushes nearby. I rose to my feet, smoothing down my pale purple dress as I walked beside her, bracing myself for whatever emerged.

A gasp escaped my lips as a unicorn stepped into view. 

It was as white as the clouds, its horn gleaming in the sunlight. I placed a hand on Umra, calming her as I approached the unicorn, my heart racing with awe. My mother had told me stories of unicorns, but seeing one in person was breathtaking.

Slowly, I extended my hand. The unicorn lowered its head, allowing me to rest my hand on its snout. "What are you doing out here?" I whispered, running my fingers through its silky mane.

"Carena?" A familiar voice called out behind me.

I whipped around. "Merlin?"

"You need to go," Merlin urged, hurrying towards me. "Arthur and his hunting party are here." His eyes darted to the unicorn. "He's going to kill it."

I shook my head, panic rising. "No, he can't."

An arrow whistled through the air, and I turned, watching as it struck the unicorn. It released a pained neigh and collapsed to the ground. Tears pricked my eyes as I dropped to my knees beside the majestic creature, stroking its mane in a futile attempt to soothe it.

"I'm sorry," Merlin muttered, crouching beside me. "I'm so sorry."

I didn't look up as Arthur approached, pride in his voice. "A unicorn."

"What have you done?" Merlin's voice trembled with anger.

I lifted my tear-filled eyes to Arthur's, seeing the regret in his blue eyes. 

But it was too late.

"You killed it," I whispered, my voice breaking.

Arthur stood still, guilt etched into his features. He opened his mouth to speak, but I turned away, unable to face him. I stood up, not meeting his gaze, as I walked out of the woods with Umra.