Wolf-Shifter

Dancing among the Stars 40

After another few minutes, Rose sighed and got up from her position on the bed. Nyesh stared at her, his violet eyes curious as Rose looked at herself in the mirror. "My mother will be expecting me." She murmured.

"Well you've changed your mind." Nyesh said, going to stand beside her. Their reflections stared back at them and Rose sighed, almost tiredly, "I already promised." Rose turned away from the mirror, gazing down at her unshod feet. "Impure. Because of him I am soiled."

Nyesh touched her arm lightly; "Just because he raped you, doesn't make you impure—" But Rose cut him off: "It does, Nyesh. When a woman loses her virginity unwillingly…she is unclean. For when you're married, the woman must first be a virgin."

Nyesh shook his head, "He raped you! You had no choice but to follow his control or else you would have died."

"I would have died anyway. He beat me and, from that, I know I wouldn't have lived…" Rose replied, her voice flat, "Yet sometimes, Nyesh…" she paused, suddenly meeting his gaze with an empty stare. "I wish I hadn't lived."

Nyesh couldn't believe what had happened to Rose. She seemed so different from the one he knew, colder and changed. Something that night, had taught her to learn that life wasn't all fun and games. It was heartless, even. Something that night, told her duty fell before your heart.

"Rose…" his voice was quiet and, for a moment, Nyesh thought she hadn't heard him. "I know I can't imagine what happened to you, but…I know I can at least do something, but suicide won't change a thing."

Rose faced him, her face as blank as an unwritten book. "I'm scared and I'm confused. There, now that I've explained to you in full," She took his sleeve and dragged him to the door. "Could you please just leave me in peace?" the princess lightly pushed him out the open door and she closed it, leaning against it, hand covering her face, sucking in slow, deep breaths.

Wetness on her cheeks caused her to straighten herself and turn from the door. Wiping it away with a hand, she walked over to the balcony that overlooked the courtyard and sat down, ignoring the cold breeze that picked up. She noticed the white marble statue of the wyvern and growled: It reminded her too much of Chu'si and of her betrayal. Turning away, she shivered and turned her head to the stars. It was a cloudless night and the stars shone bright against the black sky. "I'm not sure what I should do…" She bowed her head and closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again and hurrying out, and down the halls, to the forest outside.

Although it was a cold night, Rose found the chill to be comforting. Walking around the great trees, Rose shifted into her silver wolf Demi-form and ran, chasing shadow and light as if it were prey. Barking and yipping, she skidded to a stop in the snow when she saw a strange placement of prints in the snow: Prints turning from handprints to those of a wolf.

Sniffing them, her sensitive nose picked up the spicy scent of pine, and of deerskin. Somewhere, hidden deep in her mind, she knew the scent; it filled her mind with peace and the thought of freedom. One name came to her mind: "Ylva?"

A white wolf came from the shadows and Rose noticed familiar blue-gray eyes. Swathed in the moon's light the wolf studied Rose with curious eyes and nodded. The she-wolf's body rippled, like a pond's disturbed surface, and soon the Lupine goddess of the hunt and the first Alphess, appeared before her. "I know your feelings, but it was not a wise thing you did, turning Nyesh away."

"I was confused…I didn't want to hurt him more then he already was." Rose whispered, suddenly feeling guilty.

Ylva nodded, regally, "I understand." "You should understand, my cub, you cannot live in shame forever. Someday you're going to have to step up and claim what is rightfully yours. If Chu'si refuses the throne, then you must be crowned."

Rose nodded, "But what of the Lupine's heir?"

"Rakab shall serve as one possibility for now…" Ylva replied, taking Rose's hand and turning it, palm side up. Rose felt a cool object in her hand and gazed at it: A blue stone, etched with the words: "Be strong."

"It is to give you strength of mind when physical might is not enough." Ylva explained, closing Rose's fingers over the stone.

"Thank you." Rose murmured, her voice soft. "When will I heal, Ylva?"

The goddess blinked, "Your trauma will forever be with you, yet you will heal, it is for time to decide when. Hold your Nyesh close to you, for Ralon's next ambush is close in coming and, I fear he has planned something far worse then kidnapping, rape or insult…"

Rose's eyes widened, "What is it?"

Ylva turned away, her lips pursed together, "You truly wish to know the gruesome detail, child?"

Rose considered this and stuck out her chin proudly, "If you will tell me."

"It may hurt to know." Ylva told her. When Rose didn't flinch she went on. "Consider yourself warned then…"

Rose paled as the goddess of the hunt sighed wearily and replied in barely a whisper, "Murder, child. Pure, bloody murder…"