Ashes of Revenge

Chapter 33: Pieces of the Past - Part 2

Richard walked down the street of the Farian Castle village. He was yet again on another mission to find Raven. The good news was he knew where she was.

Opening the door to the pub, he immediately spotted Raven. She was sitting on a stool at the counter with a half-empty pint being grasped in her gloved hands. A black cloak was thrown over her head, but her species was known.

A man was leaning down to her level and saying something to her. Though Richard couldn't hear what was being said, he knew it was most likely a vulgar insult.

Raven's grip on the pint increased.

Richard walked up to them, grabbed the man's hair, and slammed his head against the counter. He threw the man back and sent him tumbling into chairs and tables.

Quickly, he grabbed the back of her collar and dragged her off the stool, nearly sending Raven and her drink toppling to the ground. Before the thought of a pub fight could ensue, the two were outside, and Richard shoved Raven forward.

She spun around and smacked his hand away, stumbling more. "Can't I have a bloody night out in peace!"

"Not when you sneak out and leave my King and me looking for you everywhere."

"Why can't I go out and have a drink if I want? I'm the Queen anyway!"

"Then act like it!" Richard looked down at her small frame, and they both tensed. His face softened, not wanting her to think he would hit her. "You shouldn't be getting wasted–"

"Look at me!" Raven yelled as she pulled her hood off.

Now, Richard was staring at her half-burned face. The skin had become a light crimson tint that Richard had seen too many times as if blood had stained her skin and refused to come off. Her hair had just begun to grow in healthy.

Richard looked down.

"Look at me!" Raven repeated. He looked up again. "Drinking is the only thing I can do to make me feel better! It's the only way I can forget about my face being burned off! Or the fact my father tried to kill me! Or about the fact I'm a Mundus that looks like a Monstro and is constantly harassed! I can't get a bloody drink without drinking someone else's spit or go out without being called vulgar names!" There was a second of silence as she waited for him to recant. "If I want to get drunk, then I'm bloody going to get drunk, so stop babysitting me." She threw her hood back over her head and covered her face.

"Give me your hand," Richard finally said.

"What? Why?"

"Just give me your hand."

Raven stood there for a second or so as she looked at him. She didn't know what he was getting at, but the last thing she wanted to do was place her burned hand in his.

Richard outstretched his hand to her, and she stared at it.

"It's ok."

Raven didn't know why, but she slowly extended her hand to his. He gently pulled the glove off. Slowly he began to bring her hand up.

Raven tried to pull away, seeing what he was trying to do, but he held her hand tighter.

"Stop," Raven said as her voice cracked.

Richard placed a soft kiss on it. He brought their hands down, and Raven didn't try to move. His free hand reached out to her and slowly pulled back the hood.

Raven turned her face away from him, but his hand gently fell on her burned flesh. She slowly brought herself to look at Richard, and there were tears in her eyes.