The Lost Child

chapter 14

I held her hand tight and walked back to where I left Phillip. When he showed up in a distance, I called his name. He turned quickly thinking I was in danger but saw Elizabeth by my side. He blushed but looked at me ,his eyes still worried about me. I nodded to assure him I was okay. His green eyes lit up ,engraving through my soul. He looked more handsome like that. Elizabeth was pretty, I saw Christiana in her face. Green eyes, acorn hair. For I moment I closed my eyes and imagined she was Chrisy. She looked almost ten years old. Phillip approached, smiling as he noticed the resemblance between her and Chrisy.

"Umm hi..." He started as he knelt to reach her height, she wasn't short ,though. "What's your name?" His voice was so gentle that could erase all fear.

"Elizabeth.." She started, still I heard the quiver on her voice. She was too young for this. She looked at me with her cute sparkling eyes. " what's your name? And you?" She glanced at Phillip.

"I'm Cornelia.. He's Phillip" I tried to sound friendly. I really tried. I just sounded serious. Phillip chuckled at my tone. I elbowed him in the stomach. When he groaned, Elizabeth rang in laughter. A genuine laugh. Her eyes even filled with tears.

"Sorry" she said between her laughs "but that was hilarious" she still laughed so hard and chuckled making us both join in.

"Okay okay" he started as he tried to stop laughing, his voice was still ecstatic ,though, and his eyes were sparkling. "We need to join the others, come on" he beckoned for me and Elizabeth , we followed his lead. She kept staring at me and then at Phillip, then me again. It was awkward.

"You look familiar... Both of you.."she murmured as she peered at us. "Your names as well" she frowned, trying to remember our faces. I didn't want her to know I'm the princess or that Phillip is my fiancé or that we're looking for the king. She might fear us then. I tried to nice our identity but our faces showed them already. What should I tell her?

"Yeah we used to wander here a lot" I heard Phillip say. Ten years ago I wanted to complete his sentence but that would mean before she was born ...so.. I had to agree.

"Yea ...we used to wander a lot " I tried as I shot a glare at Phillip. He shrugged with a grin. Simon and Draco showed in sight. Phillip explained to them while I studied Elizabeth. Her dress was torn at her sleeve showing a deep gash. She flinched when I touched it. It was a fresh wound. I peered deeper through the gash. A hard yellowish grey thing was stuck in her flesh. Pointy and filthy. I glanced at Draco and beckoned for him quietly not to draw the others' attention. He sneaked to me while Phillip was still talking to Simon.

"Yea?" He whispered as he approached. I held her arm closer to him. He paled a bit. Is that thing what I think it is? It scares Draco to death.

"Draco..is that-" I started.

"Yes" he breathed. "Yes it's a claw" he came closer to my ear so only I can hear " a wolf's claw" I reddened.

"She's not bitten, she won't turn into a werewolf ,right?" I tried as I whispered. I didn't want her to hear such thing.

"I don't know" he blustered "I don't know" he said it a bit softer.

"Draco, you still have a quarter of my powers ,right? Just heal this wound and if the wolf's blood is running in her veins, you can take it out. It won't harm you, you're a quarter werewolf." I tried. I didn't want her to suffer like we did. He frowned a bit. Fear was visible in his eyes. Please Draco I pleaded with my eyes. He stared at me with his hesitant teary eyes. I tried to look away. What if that harms him? What if he turns into a real werewolf? That thought burned my blood. He turned to the girl and held the wound ,she flinched. No no no! I pulled his hand away ,gripping it in my own "no don't do it" I breathed. "I can't risk it"

"What do you mean?" He murmured. Confusion was clear on his face. I read it in his eyes ..are you insane? Maybe I was. But I wouldn't lose him again. I wouldn't risk putting him in danger for a girl I barely knew. Yes she was young and innocent but I wouldn't bear it.

"I'll do it.." I was doomed anyway. He gripped my hands tight, squeezing it. They ached. I looked through his eyes. Why are you scared? I'm stronger I wanted to yell. His hands quivered around mine, freezing too. He wouldn't let go. It was risky but not for me. It couldn't be worse, right? "Draco, it's okay" he kept shaking his head ,pleading with his eyes. His breathing quickened and I could hear his heartbeats thumping in my ears. His blood pumping through our grip. I tried to pull out my hand ,gently he let go.

"Lia, please don't ..you wouldn't stand a wolf's blood. It's agonizing. It's torture " a tear escaped his eye and slid down his red cheek. "Just wait, maybe she'd be okay. Maybe it's not even a wolf" he pleaded. It was a wolf's claw, we didn't know what really happened but we dreaded to ask. I couldn't wait, it might be hazardous.

"You know it's a wolf ,Draco ,you know " I tried "I wouldn't risk all your lives for mine" I exhaled deeply, trying to calm down. Maybe the fear would go out with my breath. "I can handle it. I can handle the pain." Pain was covering his face. He leaned in and hugged me. I hope Phillip isn't watching this. We parted from each other and I slowly knelt beside Elizabeth. Hesitant I was ,but we had to stay safe. It was the only way. I held her arm tight and I called for my powers. Green strings wrapped the claw and gently pulled it out. She started to weep from the pain ,her tears fallen in the gash. I lay my fingers on the gash, asking my powers to know if she's a Pure blood or not. A whisper rang in my ears. Not a pure blood. My heart almost stopped ,though I was expecting it. I closed my eyes, squeezing them. I exhaled deeply, gathering all my powers. I squeezed her arm and she groaned. I heard Phillip's voice from behind but I couldn't hear the words. My world shrank to what I was doing. Simon's hand brushed mine but I didn't flinch. I saw the wolf's blood light in her veins, it was uniting with her blood. I strongly pulled the wolf's blood out, it flowed from her arm to mine. I felt it burn my blood. I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs. He was right. It was torture. The wolf's blood ran through me till it hit my heart. I felt daggers graving through it. The pain spread with the blood all over my body. It was agonizing. Cutting through my flesh, burning every inch of my body. I let go of her arm and collapsed on the ground. The pain was unbearable. I balled on the ground, digging my head between my arms as the  filthy blood reached my brain. I saw spots running in my vision, covering my eyes like a blanket. My breathing was blocked. I tried to suck some air in but it wasn't going in. I heard voices. Echoing I'm my brain. Was that my name I heard? Phillip's voice was close. Calling my name, trying to get back my consciousness. I could only feel his grip. My veins darkened and swelled. I felt my skin flogged, my flesh graved. Someone's arm was wrapped around me. I felt the muscles beneath me. However, the pain was more severe. Everything darkened. Complete silence, complete darkness... Everything faded away...