The Woods

Chapter Nineteen

It was the feeling of utter terror that woke me. Pure terror that twisted through my gut. The night air had changed, leaving a tension that seemed to put everything on edge. I trembled at the sudden coldness.

There was only one thing that could cause such a reaction: either the king or the prince. I didn't know what could have caused such a display of power, but I knew something bad must've happened.

I sat still in my bed, waiting and listening, trying to convince myself not to find the source. As I waited, the temperature kept dropping lower and lower, leaving me trembling with the cold. Not even the blankets could provide me warmth. It was enough. I needed to know what was happening.

Climbing out of bed, I slipped on a robe before making my way through the hallways. It didn't take long to find the source; it became colder and colder as I grew closer, and it wasn't long until I heard a horrible howling noise. The howls were full of agony and exhaustion, so much so that I almost turned back just to get away.

I eventually reached the dining room, and as I crept in and tried to absorb my surroundings, I found myself stumbling back, my hands clamping over my mouth. Whether to stop myself from screaming or vomiting, I couldn't tell.

On the table, held down by several men, was Casper, who writhed and howled in pain. It looked as if he was gutted, a gaping wound on his stomach oozing blood. Beside him was Merilyn, who was stroking his cheek in an attempt of consolation. Her hands were covered in his blood, leaving his face a bloody mess.

As I stared at the scene in horror, I found myself being shoved to the side as Lord Benroy barged into the room. His usual scowl dropped, his face paling, as he realised what was happening. In different circumstances, I would've found the expression amusing.

"Fida." Someone placed their hand on my shoulder and I turned to see Celaine standing beside me. "What happened?" I could only shake my head. Pursing her lips, she glanced at Casper. She looked miserable.

After what seemed like hours, someone who looked like a doctor arrived; a woman with grey skin, clad in a crisp white dress. I could only assume she was one of the Below. The Above were quick to get out of her way, showing politeness they likely would not give, had their prince not been in such a state.

She was quick to get to work, cleaning his wound and stitching it closed. At one point I needed to turn away, the blood being too much for me. It didn't help that no pain suppressant was used, so his howling only grew louder. I was glad when she finally wrapped the wound, hiding the evidence of the blood. To finish off, she pulled out a small bottle and forced him to swallow the liquid inside. After a few minutes, he slowly quietened, his ragged breathing finding rhythm.

"Thank you," Cain said. I almost jumped, having not realising his presence. The woman bowed to him before slipping out of the room, her head hung low. Despite the number of people, the room was silent. "Now, all of you get out. The prince needs his space." Although most grumbled at the command, everyone obeyed and began to trickle from the room. I hesitated, not wanting to go, but wasn't sure whether to be grateful or not when Cain beckoned to me.

"What happened?" I asked, wrapping my arms around myself. The warmth had finally returned to the air, helping to calm my nerves.

Cain glanced at the prince, checking he was asleep before replying. "Casper was attacked by the Woods." I paled. I knew there had been some faeries who had been attacked, and the time where the branch attacked us at dinner, but to single out a royal member should have been impossible. Cain nodded, being able to read my expression. "Exactly. We need to figure out what caused it."

"I think we both know," Merilyn cut in smoothly. She looked up, revealing her tear-stained cheeks. Her voice was colder than I had ever heard from her before; ice laced with quiet fury.

"I thought-"

"That's different," she snapped, cutting him off. "You know it's different. This resulted in my Casper getting hurt." Her voice broke and it seemed Cain had no response.

"Let's talk about this in the morning," he eventually said, giving me a pointed glance.

"Coward," she hissed.

He ignored her, turning to me once more. "Fida, I would suggest you go back to your room. Merilyn and I need to take Casper to their room." I nodded, quietly bidding them goodnight before quickly leaving the room. My thoughts were a muddled mess and I was utterly confused.

I did as he said and returned to my room, but the thought of sleeping seemed foreign to me. The whole experience had left me feeling more awake than ever.

I decided to curl up in an armchair and read one of the history books, needing to find something to distract myself. However, despite how much I tried, there was no calming my mind, and I was left staring at pages without really seeing. All I could think about was Casper's attack.

What could have caused it? Before the Dance several nights prior, everything seemed to be fine. But, as I thought back, there had seemed to be a sort of tension in the air following it. Had something happened? I could think of nothing.

It didn't take long for me to become restless, and with there being no hope of sleep for me, I decided to set down the book and go for a walk. It might have gone against Cain's wishes, but I had to do something to clear my mind. The hallways were empty as I drifted through them, but I was grateful; the cool silence of the night helped to calm my mind.

The library was lit only by a few burning hearths, casting eerie shadows that flickered against the books. I roamed aimlessly for a few minutes, eventually finding myself standing before the painting on the back wall; the one showing the family trees. I found myself looking through the Wolf House's paintings. The place where Drake's mother should've been was blackened; burned off. I frowned, remembering him mentioning her leaving. But surely that wouldn't cause her to lose the status she held.

"You don't understand," someone hissed. I jumped at the sudden noise, looking around but seeing no one.

"I do," another replied.

"Then why are you doing this?" After a moment, I realised it was Cain and Merilyn talking, and it occurred to me that they didn't know I was there. I found myself stiffening, shallowing my breaths in case they realised I was there.

Cain let out a heavy breath and I heard a shuffling noise, as if they were looking through books on the shelves. "You need to trust me, Mer. I never wanted Casper to get hurt. But . . . I need to know."

There was silence for a long while, and I wasn't sure whether they had left or not. I contemplated creeping away, but if they were still there, it was likely they would hear me.

"You know what needs to happen," Merilyn eventually said. Her voice was so soft that I almost didn't hear her. "She either dies or gets sent back. Even if the Woods chose her, he is clearly trying to send a message. I know how you feel. I really do, but we haven't a choice."

"We could talk to him."

"Or the attacks would continue," Merilyn snapped. "What happens when we are all gutted because you decided to keep the girl? Who will be to blame for our deaths?"

My chest began to burn, and I realised I was holding my breath. I didn't know what to feel. Relieved? Upset?

"Fine," he murmured. "In three days-"

"Tomorrow."

I heard them leave and I finally released the breath I had been holding. He hadn't replied. Did he simply nod his head, or was no conclusive answer met? But most of all . . . was I the one responsible for Casper's attack? I thought back to his injury and my stomach twisted. Surely my being there wouldn't have caused it. But I couldn't know for sure. Tomorrow, then. I would ask Cain tomorrow before he sent me away. I needed answers, and I knew he had them.

My eyes trailed on the lines of the painting once more. One last day before everything changed.