Melody of Blood and Night

Eighteen

He waited for her to react, heart racing as she regarded him with shock, realization plastered on her face, lips parted, her eyebrows raised slightly. Then, her eyes grew wide, gleaming with horror.

His gaze travelled to her hand, slowly freeing a dagger from one of the many compartments in her baldric. Disappointment washed over Zaivian, eyes darkening as he beheld her horrified expression.

"Aedlyn-" He began, but her blade was already flying towards him. He ducked, heart pounding. Did she truly despise him that much?

An animalistic whimper caused him to whip his head around, eyes alert. He was greeted with the sight of a dying Nefasa, whining and withering in pain, Aedlyn's dagger sticking out of its body. He blinked. Once. Twice.

Something swelled within him as he turned to her. His heart seemed to expand with gratefulness. She walked up to him, looking him in the eye. Her turquoise gaze bore no judgement, just strength. Bending down, she freed her dagger from the dead creature's form before straightening, holding out the blade. He dipped his head, his violet stare holding hers.

His gaze travelled to the dagger she held in her hand. Waiting for him to accept it. He looked at her, confirming her intentions. Her eyes were steady, unwavering, an affirmation swirling in them. Without hesitation, he grabbed on to its hilt, hit with a peculiar realisation.

For the first time in a long while, Zaivian felt at ease.

-----

"Brother! We need to make a run for it. They are just going to keep coming!" Kaius yelled, his back turned to them as he grabbed onto whatever luggage lay within his arm's reach.

Aedlyn rushed to his aid, followed by the Prince, wincing lightly. The stinging in her abdomen had resumed sometime during the fight, though she was doing her best to ignore it.

"Let me." Caelan offered, startling her momentarily as he popped up beside her, collecting the leather packs from her hand. She scanned him for injuries, noticing none, other than the one her twin had given him. Anger boiled within her, grip tightening around the leather strap.

"Aedlyn this is no time to play 'let me, let me'. Just hand it over." Caelan urged firmly. Her forehead furrowed, ever so slightly, before she realised what he meant, letting go of the bag as if it were hot iron.

"Come on. We have to go." Zaivian interjected, stepping up to where they stood. She felt his hand coming to rest against the small of her back. Perceived the urgency of his touch, saw the concern in his eyes, fear in his creasing forehead. Reciprocated it even.

A long howl drew their attention to the vegetation lining the forest floor in front of them. Not long after, a snarling Nefasa emerged from the dark. Gleaming scarlet eyes fixated on them. They watched, horrified as more of them began to lope forward, crouching low, ready to pounce.

"Run." The boy-prince breathed. Aedlyn and the others, needing no motivation at this point, gladly obliged, breaking into a sprint.

"Follow me! Quick! This way." Kaius panted as they ran. She felt her heart struggling as it pounded in her chest, her breaths coming in shorter. Black edged her vision, legs threatening to give out.

A ravenous growl made her heart jump, adrenaline shooting through her. Suddenly, the pain became bearable, fatigue fading away. She willed herself to go faster as the low snarls and howl of the wolfish creatures on their heels, grew louder.