FATED BY BLOOD AND FIRE

– Ca

the torch as it threatens my throat while Lucien stands with his pallid face between us. His voice full of guilt and anger carries the whisp

act with my arm and spreads red flesh, yet I continue without pause. With a burst of speed, I race through the hallway while my cloak dances around my legs be

lice through each breath while the world blurs around me. I open the old mare's stall door while she greets me with a gentle whicker.

e earth forcefully while she carries me across the night-shrouded forest. The galloping movement frees me from my fear, while the pain in my ar

g warmth from my arm onto my sleeve, I manage to stay composed while pressing a cloth against the wound. My breath quivers as I lean

rustles the pines, I awaken to silence, and Lucien's voice fills my mind first. A bitter taste occupies my tongue as it ble

a distant hill with smoke rising from its chimney. The urge to go back and apologise battles with the haunting memory of a blade agains

rtbeat reverberating in my hand, I hold the reins, they remind me of how deeply betrayal can wound. When I arrive at the gates, I get off my horse

cien's door, which I once fled from. As I raise my hand to knock softly, my heart pounds rapidly. Through the

y from my face to the ragged bandage on my arm, then return to my face. His voice carries both worr

hold his stare even though my mind replays the moment the knife flashed between us. He drops to his kne

ntle movements. The soothing, cool poultice eases my pain while he applies fresh bandages to my arm. My

gret for a brief moment. My breath stops as hope and fear fight inside my belly. I begin to speak, b

silence ends with the sound of wood splintering against the window. Lucien stiffens, dropping my han

ith an ache in my chest that resonates throughout my entire body. I feel my pulse race as I understand our

cabin and roam the courtyard. Moonlight covers the walls with silver while I pick up Lucien's soft, tentative voice among

ht had died. A forbidden hope emerges in my chest with dangerous brightness. Tears blur my sight as I stagger backwards,

d moonlight disappeared above me. The darkness swallows my scream, and t