The Unicorn Must Die

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Having Vaite tag along at Isla-Dove's heel wasn't so bad. His company was appreciated. Sneaking him past Miss Capen was a hassle, but Vaite stayed quiet upstairs. Either he didn't feel like speaking, or he understood Isla-Dove's plead. To make up for his silence, though, he was intrusive as she worked on the queen's dress that night. She nudged him away from her lap, but he returned, sniffing her project and trying to climb onto the fabric.

"Vaite," Isla-Dove hissed, shoving him a little harder. "Stop it. I can't have you tearing or dirtying anything."

The food basket sat empty beneath the window. Marina had returned yet again with a meal. It was the same as last time, but she didn't complain. She wasn't even bothered. She would eat the same meal every night if it meant some form of food in her stomach.

Like the previous night with Vaite, once Isla-Dove settled down for sleep, he curled up next to her on the bed with his body pressed against hers. She smiled as she looked up at the cracked ceiling and whispered, "Goodnight."

🗡🦄🗡

Isla-Dove's chores the next day went by quicker than normal. Maybe having more company put extra speed and strength into her step. Maybe her body was starting to feel the positive effects of the food. Maybe it was a combination of both.

Regardless, she headed for the forest once she'd finished her deliveries and had dusted and swept the shop. The sun was just beginning to show signs of setting. Her cloak was fastened at her neck, a dagger stowed away in a pocket beneath the folds. Vaite was a unicorn hunter. With him by her side, her chances of finding her were higher.

At first, Vaite stayed at her heel when she made her way into the forest. She'd hidden the basket near the bridge again, making sure it more concealed than last time. It didn't take long before Vaite was exploring their surroundings, sniffing foliage and stalking birds. He never attacked them.

Growing up, Isla-Dove only entered the forest with a companion. Although she had yet to run across a dangerous creature, they were out there. The forest wasn't as alive as it used to be. As the energy dimmed, so did the presence of living things. They were either hiding or deeper toward the center where the energy was strongest.

It would be amusing if she came across Lessy and Giles again. It would also reinforce her suspicion that they were up to something. They didn't meddle too deeply in mischief, so she wasn't concerned that they had a plot to wreak havoc in the kingdom. She just had a feeling that, because they were being secretive, they had something they didn't want others to know about. And this made Isla-Dove curious.

She wasn't going to hunt the forest for their secret. The intrigue wasn't that strong.

Her intrigue was strong enough to redirect her route when she spotted smoke spiraling above the trees to her left though. She made her way toward it, a rush of worry making her heart beat faster. If the forest was on fire, she would have to alert the king immediately.

Vaite growled as they got closer, prompting Isla-Dove to slow her pace. The crackle of fire filled her ears. She crouched behind brush, peering over the top and into a small clearing ahead. The first thing she spotted were the orange flames climbing up a particularly large tree across the field. It seemed the fire had just started, but it would surely spread if it wasn't contained.

She quickly got to her feet. She couldn't handle it alone. The nearest source of water could be miles away. She was about to turn and run back to the city when her eyes fell on something near the fire. She let out a loud gasp and dropped back down to her knees, a hand immediately fumbling for the dagger in her cloak.

The unicorn.

She hadn't ventured far into the forest, yet there she stood, facing the fire. The last unicorn. She was a majestic beast; large eyes, shimmering white coat, and rippling hair filled with pale colors. She was larger than a normal horse, standing with elegance.