by L G Nauck
Was the creature trying to comfort her?
It was as if she knew what the creature was thinking as it stared at her with those bright eyes. It was as if they had a connection. Alena held out a hand and the fox came closer to nuzzle it. Alena felt the first smile in a while come to her lips. For some reason the creature was comforting. Had she summoned it? Alena lifted the hand away from the creature’s head to look at it, noticing for the first time that there were four teardrops in a circle in the palm of her hand.
Those had not been there before.
Was this the power that had been spoken of? The power of the Dayuki?
Alena looked from her hand back to the little fox that was sitting next to her hip looking at her curiously.
Was this something she had summoned? And why hadn’t she been able to summon it before? Had she manifested the creature? Or had it been sent to her as a gift? Something to help her through these trying times?
She couldn’t help but still feel angry. Angry that she was still here. Angry that her powers had not been there to save her from all the pain. Angry that her life still seemed to be controlled by things outside of her own will.
She didn’t talk but mentally willed the creature to come closer. To her surprise, the fox stood up and moved towards Alena’s chest, stopping near her breasts. Alena gazed at it blankly before reaching out to pick it up. Even though the body appeared to be nothing but a light, it was surprisingly solid. And without another thought, she brought the creature close to her body and hugged it.
Perhaps she did not fully understand what was happening, but she knew that hugging the creature brought her a comfort she sorely needed. Alena felt tears come to her eyes and she let them out, clutching the tiny creature to her chest as she cried for the loss of innocence, the loss of freedom, and the loss of herself.
A week later
Tane had remained distant from his mate, allowing her time to heal before he approached her. The Gods knew how hard it had been for him. Not only had his inner beast been demanding him to be close to her, but he also had various stressors that came along with being king.
A king of a country that was currently in war.
He had sent out armies to intercept a few attacks but not without a significant amount of losses. And he couldn’t join his men because he couldn’t leave his mate alone in this predicament.
He knew that she was awake and eating, but she still wasn’t talking. Some of the maids and doctors who visited her had reported a strange green creature that stayed close to her. Tane found the information perplexing and was excited to see it for himself. Had she summoned something to herself without any training? Did they mean she was inheriting some of her powers?
Tane remembered how she had shot him into the wall before her accident. The attack had been powerful. And if she had summoned… well it would be just in time for the upcoming chaos. Although there was no way he could allow her to be put into danger, she could stand a safe distance away and summon creatures to fight against the oncoming enemy. This was a precious resource, especially since he had heard a rumor that another nation was allying themselves with Kathal to take on Barthamos. The thought irritated Tane to no end.
That rhinoceros Metician was begging for a rude awakening.
Tane let out a growl of frustration, tapping his claws on his desk. His eyes drifted to the young wolf Metician who entered the room and bowed to him. He knew the tension in the room was palpable, stemming from his inner-irritation.
“Your majesty, I am sorry to bother you, but I wanted to inform you that your mate has finally left her room. She is being followed by two guards currently and seems to be improving.”
His fingers froze, excitement sparking as he leaned forward in his chair.
“Did you still see the green creature with her?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Where is she now?”
“The last time I saw her she was going outside.”
Without another word, Tane stood up and began to stride out of the room and toward the back doors. He hoped that she was still out there. It would be the first time he had seen her in weeks. His beast was practically purring at the thought of being near her.
His surroundings blurred as he became focused on being able to see her. He swiftly moved through the castle, his pace quickening as his gaze finally fell on the glass doors that led into the back courtyard.
Tane burst through the doors probably a bit more quickly than would be considered normal and frantically searched the expanse. His eyes drifted over the terrain, looking for the familiar figure he had grown so used to. When he did not immediately see her, he began moving through the back yard. His eyes fell on a distant figure and he adjusted his direction to approach it. When he noticed there were two other figures trailing behind the first one, he became confident it was his mate he was approaching.
As he drew closer he noticed the way she seemed ton flow along the bank of the lake. He had the brief worry that there were creatures in the lake but felt reassured when he saw the guards subtly place themselves in between Alena and the body of water. That was why they were the best.
He stopped once he was a safe enough distance away to be unnoticed, but close enough to examine his wandering mate. Her expression was blank, so he couldn’t tell what she was feeling.
Even the mate connection seemed to be blocked off since nothing was being sent through.
Was she angry? Was she feeling better?
Tane kept himself behind the tree-line, following behind her at a safe distance. His eyes drifted down to the small green creature that was skipping along beside her.
What was it?
Tane narrowed his eyes, wondering at the origin of the small creature. Did it have any powers? How was it summoned?
His gaze drifted back up to take in Alena’s form. While his beast urged him to approach her and re-establish their mating bond, he knew he couldn’t do anything unless she was in a better place mentally and physically. If he forced himself upon her again, then that would just cause her to withdraw even more. He needed her to be strong and mentally intact if he was going to enlist her participation in the upcoming battle.
So, for now, he would have to be satisfied by watching her from afar. He would make sure she was protected as she worked through whatever issues she was having. And then he would reap the benefits.
He just needed to keep telling himself that.
Tane dug his claws into his palms, forcing his body to restrain itself as he continued to follow and watch from afar.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alena walked beside the lake, her focus inward. For the first time since she had been kidnapped, she was able to walk outside freely. Although she had a team of stern guards tracking her every move, she was pleased with having more freedom. Ever since she had left her room, no one had said anything against her. The guards had followed her quietly, opening doors and escorting her through doorways. She knew they were ever-watchful. If she even slightly tripped, she found at least one of them moving to catch her.
Th experience was strange. She had the freedom of mobility yet no privacy. Any minute, she expected someone to tell her to go back.
Perhaps people were simply excited that she had left her room.
She had spent a week or two, she had lost track of the days, learning about her new friend and praying to the Gods. The small spirit had been a comfort to her, keeping her company as well as giving her some confidence in her abilities. She obviously had some power if she could conjure a tangible living thing.
Alena looked at the small fox trotting beside her and smiled a bit. Although it was hard for her to feel happy, she appreciated the presence of the fox. Alena had also decided to pray with the hope that she would find out more answers.
The Gods had given her powers. That meant they would be instrumental in her gaining the kind of power that would be the key to her freedom.
Unfortunately, they had been mostly silent.
But the green figure next to her was proof they existed.
During her time in isolation, she had begun to read the book she had been given by the tiger Metician. She had learned that Dayuki had once been the dominant power, known not only for their healing power but also for their vengeance. Since they had intimate ties to the Gods, they would summon beasts to eliminate their enemies. Their deaths had been intentional. A strain of virus that had been developed to target their weaknesses. All that healing power was not enough to defend against a genetically-engineered virus.
So, where had she come from?
Who had genetically engineered the virus?
When Alena tried to think about her childhood, all she saw were blurred images.
Had her parents died from an attack or from the same disease as the others? And how had she survived?
She wasn’t sure if she would ever know her personal history but at least now she had a context. That was more than she had expected. She had also read more about the practice of summoning. It required a tremendous amount of tranquility, spirituality, and focus. All things that she felt disconnected from. Ever since the moment she had been taken, her mind felt fragmented. Whenever she would try to focus, her mind would drift.
How ironic that the king had also taken away the tools to gain her freedom.
She laughed ironically to herself, not caring what the guards thought. They already thought she was unstable. And she probably was.
At least the abomination that had been growing inside of her was gone. Although her body had mostly healed, she still had a small scar as a reminder. It gave her the courage to move forward. To keep working until she could get away.
She stopped and bent down next to the lake, looking intently at her reflection in the surface.
Dead eyes looked back at her.
Gods, give me the strength to get through this. I want to realize my purpose but right now I hurt. I need your help. Show me the way.
The green fox came closer and sat next to her, looking from her face back to the water. Alena dipped her fingers into the water, her skin tingling at the cool temperature. She raised it slightly, watching the drops cascade back down to their original source, causing ripples that distorted her image. The water glittered in a way that drew her attention.
It is about connection.
Alena slowly raised herself from the ground, still staring into the lake. She felt a mysterious pull, whispering for her to let go. To surround herself in water and let out the pressure that had been building in her chest. In the past, she might have been more cautious and reluctant. But now she pretty much followed every inclination that roused itself. She obeyed without much thought, letting her body fall into the water. She heard frenzied yelling that was blocked out by the pressure of the water. She continued to push herself forward, swimming deeper into the depths. The fact that her layers of clothes weighed her down just quickened her descent.
She ignored the burning in her lungs as she slowed, allowing herself to float in the midst of the water. Alena closed her eyes and focused her entire attention on the way her arms moved through the liquid. The feeling. The resistance. The mixed feeling of being heavy yet weightless at the same time.
It was then that she felt an energy surround her, warm and powerful. In her mind she could see a large serpent like creature staring at her, its’ large black eyes examining her.
Should she be afraid?
The creature looked as if it could swallow her whole.
And yet, she didn’t even feel nervous.
Join me.
She reached out towards the great beast and felt its’ acceptance of her. A smile formed across her face.
Suddenly, she was jerked away, the image disappearing. Her eyes and mouth opened at the same time, her brain forgetting she was in water. She took in a great gulp of the fresh water and felt panicked, realizing just how close to drowning she was.
There was a strong arm currently wrapped around her and dragging her recklessly towards the surface. She clutched at the form, squeezing her eyes shut as her body begged for oxygen.
In what seemed like an eternity, she and her savior broke the surface. Alena immediately began coughing, her lungs trying to expel the stored water. She sucked in as much oxygen as she could in between coughing fits. She felt her body being dragged along the surface as the person swam towards the shore. She weakly tried to help paddle but found herself useless to contribute. Instead, she focused on filling her lungs with fresh air and providing as least resistance as possible.
She felt herself being lifted out of the water as soon as it got shallow, her body being cradled against a masculine chest. Alena opened her eyes slightly to see the dark features of Tane who was currently looking forward with a stern expression.
Alena groaned, feeling her skin crawl with the close proximity. She would have much rather preferred her life support to be one of the guards than the very man she had been avoiding. And the fact that he had jumped in to “save” her made the reality incrementally worse. He was saving his property because he needed her. He wouldn’t allow her to die.
“You just can’t stop creating a hassle for people, can you?”
She didn’t answer, choosing to close her eyes instead.
“She is not allowed near anything she could kill herself with!”
Alena couldn’t help but smile. She started to laugh which eventually became a hysterical mess. It was a mix of denial and hatred that spurred her on until she began to cough again.
When she was stabilized, she opened her eyes and stared at him blankly.
“I could kill myself with paper if I wanted to. You can’t do anything.”
He gave her a swift look that had her laughing once again. What else could he do to her? He had done it all.
Tane stopped as the guards rushed to meet him.
“You will be thoroughly punished for this. You are to watch her at all times.”
She saw one of the guards flinch and felt a pinch of sympathy. But then again, they had stood idly by and observed as she was repeatedly abused. She couldn’t care less if they got hurt. However, this would mean that her freedom would once again be repressed. And that was something she couldn’t live with.
Alena looked up into the face she had grown to hate so immensely.
“It is not their fault. I decided to go for a swim. Are you going to once again make me go back to being in a room? I won’t do it. I can’t.”
He looked down at her and even though she could see his barely contained rage, he seemed to be considering her words.
“Why were you going for a swim? You were in there until you were choking on water. And it did not seem like you were moving.”
“I needed some peace and quiet. I was completely safe and in control. With me being followed constantly, I can barely think. All these eyes on me constantly. It disturbs me.”
He let out a sigh of frustration.
“I will think about what you said. As for now, you are going back to your room to get a bath and change before you get sick. I will not let you hurt yourself like you have done in the past.”
Like you could stop me.
But she remained silent as the king carried her into the castle and up to her room. She complied as the female servants rushed into the room, spurred on by the king’s angry yelling, all desperate to have her prepped for a bath. When the king was angry, everyone was in danger. Alena did not voice a complaint as she was escorted into the steaming bath. She did not say anything as she was “assisted” with bathing. She only spoke when she noticed the worried looks the human and Metician females gave each other.
“Thank you for all of your help, I am going to stay and relax for some time if you don’t mind. I don’t need any additional help.”
She was met with a mix of relief and concern on multiple faces. Many seemed hesitant to leave, probably worried the king would reprimand them.
“Do not worry about the king. I am ordering you to leave. If he has a p
roblem with that then he can talk to me.”
She saw a flurry of nods and skirts as each hurried outside. She figured there were benefits to being a queen that she had not used before. Even though her power was severely restricted, she still had a small ability to order people around. She didn’t like her position. But she had been able to gain some quiet moments from it.
But of course, that was only because every item that could be used as a weapon had been taken out. There was not a mirror within fifty feet of her chambers. A small, amused smile graced her face. Perhaps she was turning insane.
Alena moved her hands through the bath water, watching how they sliced through the liquid and created ripples. She thought back to the large serpent-like creature that had greeted her. It had been long and a mix of blue and grey. Its’ head had been pointed, accentuating the piercing black eyes that had analyzed her.
Had the creature been a spirit?
She remembered the way her chest had felt as she immersed herself in the lake. She had felt as if her own spirit was leaving her body, opening her up to something else. But how to draw it forth? If she had been in the water another minute, could she have summoned the water serpent? Would her lungs have been able to handle that? What were other ways she could tap into her summoning powers?
Alena looked at the book that was lying on the floor near the window. She had recently grown accustomed to reading on the floor. It, in a way, made her feel safe. Whenever she would have memories accost her, she would find a spot on the floor where she could make herself small. She would then rock herself as she tried to force the horrible images from her mind.
She was progressing. She now had hope that she could make changes in her life. That she could regain her power. Alena looked at the green spirit that observed her with wide, innocent eyes.
“I’ll call you Sasha.”
Sasha stood up from where she was sitting and jumped onto the edge of the bathtub. Alena smiled, feeling genuine warmth towards the little fox. It had been a source of comfort for her ever since it had appeared. It had given her hope. And it had stayed by her side loyally for the past week.