Horn

Chapter 4. Horns

"Your horns for his life, child. Simple as that. I suggest you make up your mind quickly because I don't think poor Elis here could wait."

I stared at the disheveled figure of the young elf prince, the only one who had ever treated me with genuine kindness and threw my sword at Cia's feet. "Go ahead. Have it your way."

"No, no, you misunderstood me, child."

I frowned in confusion. Cia looked up at the ceiling and let out a hearty laugh.

"I would not be the one who does that."

"The who?...Oh..."

Cia shook her head and waved her index in my face. She started to chant. It was the ancient language I had never bothered to learn.

The room vibrated as her bony fingers traced the edge of my sword. Her words got louder and louder. Then with the spell's abrupt end, my sword lit up like a bolt of lightning.

"Try it now," Cia handed the sword to me and stepped back.

It was not heavier or lighter, just different. I angled it at my horns and swallowed.

In the past, I had used my horns as weapons on several occasions. Not smart, but they were strong, nearly invincible. When you faced life-and-death situations, all rules were out the window.

There was this one time, however, my horns had chipped badly after I'd used them against a dwarf—who had either possessed a blessed ax or one made of pure Ularan steel. The headache I had suffered after was indescribable. I had seriously considered cutting my head off.

The sword went into my horns like a hot knife through butter, but at the same time, I thought someone had poured freshly melted iron over my head. I threw away my sword and dropped to the floor, screaming.

Cia jumped over to catch the precious horns and put them in the goblet while I was rolling with my hands on my stumps. I smelled burned flesh and herbs—A musky combination that made my nose itch. The gurgling sound got louder.

"You don't know what you have brought Mother...You are such a good child." Cia smiled lovingly at the brown goo inside the goblet, then at me.

I used to do anything just for her to smile at me like that.

I dropped my head and whimpered. My vision went black.

"Elis..." I whispered. I had forgotten to check if he was still alive. Novice mistake.

Cia was chanting something again, not paying attention to us. I crawled toward Elis. Every inch was a battle. My head felt as if it was on fire. I inched toward Elis. He didn't answer my calls, but I remembered where he was.

The chamber still shook violently. The floor was cold and rough under my palms, but soon, I touched soft materials. Silk. I wanted to scream and punched Elis' chest until he woke up, but I had no strength left.

"Mother, help me... Help him. You have promised," I pleaded.

Through all of the commotions, I could feel Cia. Her soul was changing, not a lot, but definitely.

"Why? Why would I help this pathetic thing?" Her voice echoed. "See, child, soon, all the land will belong to me... I will fulfill the prophecy... Only one bloodline could sit on the throne of Elunore."

"The elves already have a king..."

Cia cackled like a woman who had lost the last thread of her sanity. "Who? That boy Adelmo, the one who barely qualifies as an elf? Or this brother of his? The house of Salazar is a bunch of useless fools who pay too much attention to their emblems and songs! They should have been wiped out a long time ago!"

"Why do you hate them so much? What do the elves have to do with you? You have your own land and powers. Others fear you! What else do you want?" I struggled to lift my head and acted as if I could see Cia.

"What do I want?"

The enchantress jumped in front of me and turned her face to the side. She pulled my face closer. When her copper-colored hair was pulled back, I could see a large hole where her ear was supposed to be.

"I want all of them to suffer. To pay for what they did. I want all of them to see what monster they have created by betraying their queen."