The Blood in Our Veins

Chapter Thirty Two - A Good Night's Sleep

- SINDRI'S POV -

I could only hope that Tristan had let the others read my letter. I prayed that nobody would waste their single visit to me tonight. It was too soon. I looked up at the stars through the branches of my willow tree. Time to retrieve what was mine. I pulled myself to my feet and signaled for Kian to follow me. The shadows of the night enveloped me in their comforting darkness. Before long, the treeline was in sight. I carefully walked over to it, trying to avoid being seen.

I saw a wooden box just at the edge of my forest. Relief flooded me. Tristan had done as I asked. I lifted it from the grass. After brushing some dirt off the beautifully carved top, I opened the container. Inside sat my circlet, surrounded by several objects. A rose, my necklace, the assassin's cuffs, and a small, cream-colored envelope. I couldn't read it. There was no time. 

I looked up from my belongings and gasped. A few meters away from me stood my enemy. Lord Mason smirked and waved. I took a step back. He disappeared. Less than a second later, I felt hot breath on the back of my neck. I froze, unable to will my body into movement.

"See you soon." he whispered. I felt his presence leave. The moment I was sure he was gone, I lept onto Kian's back and she instantly bolted. I clung to the fur on the back of her neck and squeezed my eyes shut. I tried to avoid thinking about the distinct feeling of being watched.

'Who was he?' Kian asked. I shook my head. 'Was he the boy that fathered Lani?' This time I nodded against her flank. She growled loudly. 'Why didn't you say so?! I could have torn him apart!' This time I sat up.

"No. He may have done some unforgivable things, but he still deserves a second chance. Lord Mason has a part to play in this game, but I'm not quite sure what it is yet." I told her. They were just trying to scare me. Unfortunatley, it had worked. King Gallahein was planning something. With my amount of cunning, he would probably capture me in the end. I was just delaying it by hiding in the woods living out my little fantasy.

I stopped Kian. King Gallahein? Capture? Those weren't my thoughts. I don't think that. There was laughter inside my head.

'Very good, Princess. I was hoping you'd figure it out.' Uncle Gallahein praised. 'I just wanted to invite you to the palace for the royal wedding. Lord Mason has finally managed to secure a bride. It takes place in three day's time. See you there.' With those final words, his mental presence retreated to furthest reaches of my mind. I sat on my wolf, dumbstruck, mouth agape.

He had the power to insert thoughts in my brain? He could control my emotions, my decisions, my opinions... emotions. He could make me love Mason. Shit. Maybe I was as stupid as he had called me. I can't believe I didn't realize this earlier. I already knew that he had power over my tongue and body. Now even my thoughts were worthless. I can't even be sure if any of my decisions are my own.

I took a deep breath. The last thing I needed was to panic. If I panicked, I was bound to do something stupid. All I needed was a good night's sleep. Kian and I emerged in the pack clearing. Others had already settled down for the long slumber, save the single gray wolf that had watch until dawn. As I walked over to my willow, I yawned loudly. I placed my box next to the bundle of hides where Lani used to sleep. I should probably clean all those up, considering I was never allowed to see her again. Curling up between two thick roots that protruded from the ground, I fell asleep.

The dream I had was strange, and unlike anything I had ever experienced before. It seemed too real to be a dream. It was dark, almost impossible to see. The black was only interrupted by a torch mounted on the wall every few meters. There was the constant drip of water and the occasional scream. It didn't take long to figure out I was in the palace dungeon. In front of me stood a thick door, tall and imposing. A small window with iron bars sat in the middle of the door, just high enough to where I could see inside.