by Sela Croft
When I left the medical facility, I was a bit dazed. It had been more emotionally traumatic than I’d anticipated. I stumbled down the path, heading toward home, lost in my own world. I didn’t even see Nicolai walking toward me until I almost bumped into him.
“Calina? Did you just come from the doctor? Is something wrong?”
I took his arm and guided him to the garden, then sat on a bench. Nicolai sat beside me and held my hand. “Whatever it is, you must share it with me,” he said. “We will deal with it together.”
No doubt he could tell by the look on my face that the visit to the medical facility hadn’t been routine. He could have read my thoughts, but allowed me to tell him instead.
“I didn’t want to tell you,” I said, “but during our rescue, a whip stuck me…here.” I put my hand over my womb.
Nicolai’s eyes filled with sadness. “You should have told me sooner. I don’t like you suffering alone.”
“I didn’t want to worry you until I found out if damage had been done.”
Nicolai waited for me to tell him, surely knowing how difficult this was for me.
“The doctor did a thorough exam,” I said. “And the good news is that he didn’t find any injury that would definitely preclude me from bearing children.”
“What does that mean exactly?”
“The doctor saw no evidence of internal damage that made him conclude it was impossible,” I said. “But in conditions like this, he can’t know for sure. The exam was inconclusive. He said that I won’t know…until I get pregnant.”
“So, you can get pregnant?”
“Maybe,” I said. “That’s the thing. If I get pregnant, that will indicate that all is well. We can breathe a sigh of relief then. That’s the hurdle we face. But we won’t know until then.”
Nicolai held me in his arms, and I was relieved to have shared the burden. I prayed for this awful war to be over, so my life wouldn’t be on hold. I desperately wanted to start the family that I’d waited for. Yet I was unsettled. There was still a chance that I wouldn’t be able to get pregnant after all. For now, the only thing I could do was wait.
Chapter 5 – Selene
I faced Silvain, looking into his copper eyes. Usually, I was good at reading people, but I couldn’t anticipate his response. I thought better of pressing the issue by demanding an answer. He was aware that I needed him to help rescue Nemuri.
Silvain stood motionless, without even blinking. Then his jaw stiffened and the muscles in his broad chest visibly tightened. I braced myself for what was to come. “Let’s go, then,” he said. “Why are we standing around here?”
It took a moment for me to realize that he’d said yes. Silvain, in his unique style, had just agreed to aid with the rescue. I breathed a sigh of relief. If he’d refused, I’d have been forced to do it solo, but had been reluctant to do so. Stealing a prisoner from Alban’s palace was bound to be tricky.
Without another word, Silvain strode from the room, so I followed. He returned to the command center and spoke with his general. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be away. You can manage in my absence.”
I was impressed that the dark leader had agreed to support my desire to free my friend, especially during a high-stress period of the war. He wasn’t the sentimental type yet was aware of the immense value of an ancient seer. That had to be the reason, because he didn’t consider my wishes that important.
While Silvain fed in the dungeon, I waited upstairs. It was vital that he have the strength he needed, so I tried to be patient. I munched on an apple that I plucked from a ceramic bowl, then went to the kitchen for tea. I didn’t engage in conversation, as I didn’t wish to give anything away.
I lingered, appearing as normal as possible. It wouldn’t be good to alarm the staff. I’d been lucky enough to persuade Silvain to assist me; I didn’t want to ruin it all by being overanxious. In those free moments, I pondered ways that Nemuri could be freed.
I didn’t come up with any feasible way to get her out of that prison cell. My abilities could be useful, yet there were too many pitfalls. I hoped that Silvain had something in mind and didn’t intend to just bluster into the palace and demand her return.
Whatever method that we used to save Nemuri had to be discreet. It would be better if the king wasn’t aware of the event until it was over. Battle with his soldiers was undesirable. And I’d already fought him directly and barely escaped. I didn’t wish to do so again.
At last, Silvain returned. I’d had my fill of food and drink, having eaten two pastries after my apple. It was good to see the dark leader looking robust. I had a feeling we’d need whatever ability he could muster, and even then, the task would be monumental.
“Can we go now?” I said. “I thought you were going to drain half the humans dry down there before you’d had enough.”
Silvain ignored my comment. “We’ll take my horse. I realize that you can teleport, but I hardly think that you wish to arrive before I do.”
At the stables, the magic horse with its red-orange coat was saddled and made ready. I’d wondered what it would be like to ride the beast, and I was about to find out. The stallion was tall, so I levitated then sat behind Silvain.
“He can fly all the way to the palace?”
“I’m counting on it,” Silvain said. “Or else we’ll have quite a long walk.”
It occurred to me that I didn’t know the plan. The horse took off with us on its back. I had my arms around Silvain’s sturdy waist. “How will we get into the prison?” I said.
“You’re always bragging about your abilities,” he said. “I thought you’d cast a spell or something.”
“I don’t have those kinds of abilities.”
“I didn’t think so.” Silvain guided the horse in the direction of the royal palace. “I have some unique talents of my own that you might not be aware of.”
“Really? Such as?”
“As much as I hate to admit it, I have Alban’s blood in my veins,” he said. “I am Strigoi, the line of immortals with powers that others don’t possess. Although the king didn’t take the trouble to educate me to my inborn nature, I’ve figured some things out on my own.”
“You are the clever one.”
“After much practice, I’ve mastered the cloaking ability.”
“For you, or for others?” I had visions of me standing out in the open, with Silvain remaining unseen. The horror of it unsettled my stomach, and I wished I hadn’t eaten those pastries.
“As long as you are touching me, you’ll be cloaked with me.”
“That’s a relief,” I said. “For a minute, I thought you intended for me to serve as a decoy.”
Silvain laughed. “Not a bad idea, witch.”
Horseback proved to be an effective mode of transportation. It wasn’t terribly long before the horse landed at the base of the craggy mountain range, so I dismounted. Silvain spoke into the horse’s ear as though he was a person. I assumed that he was giving him instructions, which I hoped included waiting for us.
I looked at Silvain, as he gazed at the formidable fortress atop the highest mountain. The sky grew darker the closer it was to the king’s palace. Thick ice covered the rocky ridges, and there was no sign of plants or animals. I had a fondness for nature and admired their good sense to avoid proximity to the king’s residence.
It was below freezing, making me shiver underneath my cloak. Yet I was hesitant to proceed, not knowing what was going to happen. “Are you sure about this?”
Silvain smiled. “Are you afraid, witch?”
“Yes, and you should be too.”
“Seeing this stinking palace makes me all the more committed to unseat Alban for good. It will be a pleasure to pull a fast one on him, to show him he isn’t omnipotent like he would like us to believe.”
“And now I see the reason you agreed to come with me,” I said. “It’s a chance for you to throw Alban’s vulnerabilities in his face.”
“What? I can’t com
e along out of the goodness of my heart?”
I rolled my eyes.
“Maybe I’m here because of my respect for Nemuri?”
I looked at him. “Or maybe you’re here because of your hatred for Alban.”
“Whatever.” He squared his shoulders. “Are we going to stand out here until we freeze as solid as this dark mountain, or are we going to do this thing?”
I had to admit that I wasn’t pleased to be on royal ground again. My displeasure must have been obvious.
“What is it, witch? Is there something you haven’t told me?”
“Oh, let’s just say that I’m not on good terms with the king,” I said. “He’d like the chance to rip my throat out.”
Silvain chuckled. “You are a nuisance. I’d have to agree with the king on that.”
I waved my hand. “Let’s get this over with. Nemuri is waiting.”
I levitated to the top, beside Silvain. He had the usual vampire skills, plus some. Before we stepped onto the estate grounds, the dark leader took my hand. Then he stood very still and, just like that, cloaked us. I was aware of him beside me, but I wasn’t visible—and nor was he.
The prison was in the dungeon, so we stepped quietly along the hallway to the stairs. Guards were stationed at several locations but didn’t seem aware of our presence. It appeared that no trouble was expected, as each one we passed looked a bit bored.
That was good for us; the enemy wouldn’t see us coming. The hall was nearly as cold as the outside, and darker than I expected. One would think Alban was economizing on the use of light. In the distance, there were muted noises, likely the daily activities in the royal court.
Thankfully, there was no sign of Alban. He wasn’t close, or I’d have smelled him. Likely, the king was attending to business, or whatever he did at the top of this godforsaken mountain every day. It was fine with me that he was occupied, since I had no inclination to engage with him.
I certainly hoped that Nemuri appreciated this sacrifice. There wasn’t much that could pull me back to the king’s palace, but her welfare was a valid reason. Yet it was unknown whether she was still alive, and if she could be released.
I had to stay positive. I wasn’t going through all of this just to suffer disappointment. My sharp senses told me that my friend still breathed, and that she wasn’t far. The stairs were long and windy, with parts crumbling. It was too bad the entire palace hadn’t crumbled to ground.
At the bottom of the stairs was another hallway leading to the prison. I doubted that Alban would keep Nemuri with the others, as he’d run too great a risk that she’d solicit aid. She was an intelligent, capable woman who would figure out how to escape, given a chance.
I motioned to Silvain, then pointed to a wooden door adjacent to the main prison. He nodded then guided me in that direction. Before we made it there, a guard walked up behind us. It startled me, then I remembered that he couldn’t see us.
Silvain rubbed his fingers together, indicating that he would get the key. Holding hands, we stepped behind the guard. With the best sleight of hand I had witnessed, Silvain dipped into the guard’s pocket and retrieved a ring of keys. He managed to do it without jingling the metal.
I’d have to commend him later and tell him he’d make good thief—if he ever tired of leading an army. There was only that single guard visible, which attested to Alban’s ego. He didn’t dream that anyone would have the nerve to take one of his prisoners.
Deftly, Silvain unlocked the door, and we entered. At the back of the narrow room was a metal cage, with Nemuri inside. When Silvain released my hand, I became visible, so I stepped over to the cell. My friend looked up, so I put my fingers to my lips.
“We’re going to take you out of here,” I whispered.
Nemuri’s long silver hair looked dirty and tangled, but otherwise she appeared unharmed. I supposed the king had been busy, so hadn’t gotten around to torturing her yet. Hope flickered in her lovely eyes, and she crept closer to the door.
Getting into the room hadn’t been too difficult, but I feared that opening her cage might not be as easy. Silvain opened his hand, and we stared at the fistful of keys. Which one would open the door?
Nemuri shook her head, then patted her left pocket. I groaned inside; we’d have to get back to that guard. The key we needed was in his other pocket.
“You stay,” Silvain mouthed.
I had no argument, so he cloaked before leaving to get the right key.
“Are you okay?” I whispered.
“Poorly fed and horribly cold,” Nemuri said. “But otherwise, I’m fine.”
It was only moments before Silvain returned and gingerly put the tiny gold key in the lock. It clicked once, then the door opened. Nemuri stepped out, and I wrapped my arms around her. “I was so afraid for you.”
Silvain was a couple of steps away when the door opened then the guard entered from the hallway. In a split second, he took in the scene and spun around to get reinforcements. I couldn’t let that happen. Telekinesis had served me well before.
I lifted a small metal table, and it flew into the air then whacked into the guard’s head. It stopped him, and he looked stunned—but it hadn’t put him out of commission. It was time for one of my advanced magic tricks.
I created a crossing point, which was a portal that opened up in the stone wall. Only it didn’t lead to the palace interior; it was a pathway out of the region. I shoved Nemuri into the opening, and Silvain followed. I glanced at the guard as he lurched for us.
But I closed the crossing point before he could enter.
The three of us appeared at the edge of the mountain region, breathing hard but unharmed. “That was close,” I said.
Nemuri expelled a deep breath. “I was terrified in there,” she said. “Alban intended to kill me.”
“Yes, I know,” I said. “I couldn’t let that happen.”
Silvain whistled into the wind that whipped past us. In the sky, I saw his horse flying our way.
“You risked a lot to come and get me,” Nemuri said, then looked at Silvain. “And you too.”
“Before you think too highly of me, the witch was responsible for this rescue,” Silvain said. “I came along for the thrill of it.”
I sighed. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“I suggest we get out of here,” Silvain said. “Alban will be in an intolerable mood when he discovers that he’s been foiled.”
“Before we go, I really must thank you,” Nemuri said. “Even if my sorceress friend did have to twist your arm.” She took a breath. “And I had plenty of time in there to consider the future.”
Silvain raised his brows. “Anything interesting?”
“I’m sure you are aware of what you face,” Nemuri said. “Both of your enemies have gained strength, and there is no guarantee that you can overcome them.”
“If you’re trying to encourage me, that’s not going to do it,” Silvain said. “I know the odds, but I also know that I’m motivated to see this war through to the end.” He paused a beat. “Besides, I didn’t need for you to be locked up in that cell to see that much of my future.”
“There’s more,” Nemuri said, then she frowned. “I have seen enough to tell you…that all is not as you believe it to be.”
“In what way?”
Nemuri looked into his eyes. “You will discover that, soon enough.”
“Ah, you leave me with a riddle.” Silvain mounted his horse. “Can I drop you ladies somewhere?”
“I’ll take Nemuri to my cottage for a while,” I said. “It will give her a chance to recover and stay out of harm’s way.”
Silvain nodded. “I’ll return to my duties, then.”
I watched him fly away on the stallion, marveling at his complexity. There was much more to Silvain than met the eye; I might make it my business to find out more about him.
I linked my arm with Nemuri’s, then teleported back to my secluded forest. It was one place that Alban wouldn’
t look for her, since he didn’t know where my home was. One minute, we were shivering at the base of the mountains, and the next, we were standing in my pleasantly warm forest.
All appeared to be as I’d left it, and a quick check with the nature that surrounded us assured me that my animal friends were undisturbed. “Come in,” I said, motioning toward my cottage. “I’ll make some hot tea.”
Nemuri walked around the living room, looking at things. I went to the kitchen to make the tea. I came out to find her snuggled into an armchair with her legs drawn up underneath her. “You look comfortable.”
Nemuri accepted the tea and took a sip. “More than I have been since that unplanned stay at the king’s palace.”
“Believe me, I know what a bad host Alban is.” I sat across from Nemuri, holding my cup in both hands. “I couldn’t live in that region. It’s too darn cold.”
For a few minutes, we sipped tea and let the warmth of the cottage seep into our bones. Then something occurred to me. “Did you know that I would come and rescue you?”
“I can foretell the future, but selectively,” Nemuri said. “It’s not like I know everything that’s going to happen.” She smiled. “But I didn’t have to be a seer to guess that you wouldn’t turn away and let me die in that horrible place.”
“I couldn’t,” I said. “But I really think you should stay here for a while. I can’t risk letting you get into the king’s grasp again.”
“I have to agree. Alban will be livid when he finds my cell empty.”
“Not only that,” I said, “he will guess who helped you. I’ve already racked up points against me. The king wants to kill me, probably worse than he wants to kill you.”
Nemuri smiled. “You must have been quite the tease, then.”
“Not intentionally,” I said. “But it’s difficult to be around the king without pissing him off. He’s ill-tempered to start with. And his manners are horrific. It’s not hard to get on his bad side.”