Chapter 74 74
DAVINA ELM.
I didn't know I was set up, so when I reached the place I was given directions to find Ofelia. It was a valley with no sign of anyone. I called her out, I searched every corner of the woods, but saw no one.
By the time I decided to start going back to the palace, I was attacked suddenly as men in black hoods all showed up at the same time. They had ropes all over me, until they pulled me to my knees as I struggled for my life.
Their aim? To make sure I lost my breath, and I thought they were succeeding already, because I lost my soul and had nothing living in me, finally. They still stretched the ropes that held every part of my body, as though trying to milk me dry before letting me go.
My efforts to scream were all in vain. I tried so hard to rescue myself, but I couldn't, and in that moment, I wished the power within me would awaken again.
Once my mind began spinning, I also started losing my vision. Everywhere turned dark, and I thought I was being swallowed into the afterlife.
But at that moment, the ropes suddenly ripped off my body, and I fell to the floor. My breath was ragged, and I could hear the scream of a female and the sound of swords hitting against each other.
Someone raised my upper body and made me lie on their body, but I was already drifting out.
“Vina, open your eyes…” she whispered. “Davina, please open your eyes.”
At least, she was safe to come for me. I would love it dearly if she saw this as a reason she needed to leave. If she understands that she could be a weapon against me, then she doesn't need to stay back here again.
“Please open your eyes, I'm begging you.” Her voice became shaky, and I knew she was sobbing already. “Vina!!!” she screamed into my ear, but I was damn weak at that moment and just let go of my soul.
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How long did I sleep? I even thought I was dying at that time, but when I woke up, there were several needles in my skin.
The physician was watching me and was slowly getting off some of the needles, and he looked so amazed that I was awake.
“Vina, you're awake!” I heard Lia mention, and she crouched beside where I lay. She took my hand and caressed it. “I was so scared that you wouldn't. Thank you so much!”
After the physician took off all the acupuncture needles, she helped me sit up on the bed…But I didn't expect to see Dragon Sovereign lying lifeless behind my bed. I turned to Lia, who sat beside me already, “What's wrong with him?”
She made a pitiful face, "I'm really sorry for being the reason you two got hurt. I had already told Perrin that I would be returning to the human land once you two recuperate.”
“That's not the answer to my question. I want to know what happened to Sovereign…” I said, and she shifted closer. The tears she'd been storing streamed down her face.
She sniffed and lowered her head, “Perrin said you two must be soulmates for him to get hurt because you were in danger. She said, If you don't wake up, he won't…so I think he will wake up soon.”
My lips dropped open. Was this how deep the soulbond was? One would get hurt if the other were in danger?
“I was abducted because they wanted you to show up. If there were a way for me to write to you not to show up, I would have done that. I'm scared they will start hurting you again because of this, since the whole lords now know about it.”
Goddess mother!
“They all know?” I asked, my eyes widened. ‘Then I'm doomed. It was a secret for my safety, and now he's not strong enough to take my side.’
Ofelia took my hand again, “Please forgive me, Vina. I promise to return and not cause you pain again.”
I took my hand away and climbed down from the bed, then reached where Sovereign lay. He doesn't look like he would be waking up anytime soon, and I was scared of what my fate would look like because of this.
How could a soulbond be this strong to bring down a whole ruler of this realm? I didn't know it could ever be this way.
I stared at him, trying not to break into tears…But I couldn't hold on for too long.
“What did the physician say about him?” I asked Lia who was watching me.
She shook her head, “He said that nothing can be done, and only your survival will awaken him.”
Oh goddess! But I was already awake.
I thought of what to do and decided to have him taste my blood. So I cut my finger with my teeth and dropped it into his mouth.
“Did you already know that you two are soulmates?" Lia asked, and I nodded. “But I'm scared it's dangerous. I read that faes and dragons can't mate because of the enmity, so I fear it could cost your life as his subordinates aren't taking it lightly.”
She stood up and walked towards me, then took me away from him. “What about you leave? They are searching for you.”
“What?” My heart sank deeply into my belly. “Do they want to kill me?”
Ofelia did not answer me, but began slowly leading me out of the room.
I glanced again at Sovereign, who was still lying there and not moving, then I burst into tears.
“If they find you now that he isn't awake, they could end the bond with spells and have you killed before he acts. So you have to leave, just run away, and I will pay the price.” Ofelia whispered to me, still leading me out.
I shook my head, the pain so excruciating.
How did everything turn out this way? He knew the consequences were this much and didn't want to end the bond, and now my life was at risk. I was, at the same time, scared of his life.
Could the goddess mother grant me this one wish? I just needed him to survive, even if everything would end between us.
Ofelia led me out of the infirmary, “Run far away from this place. That way, they will not find you if they come here. I will tell Perrin to come after you and take you to the human land first.”
I wasn't sure her plan made sense; I just needed to leave for my safety.
These creatures are all brutal, and just like Lia said, they would make use of this privilege so that their Sovereign wouldn't take my side. They would take away my life and that of my brother, and when Sovereign wakes, he will have no choice but to watch my corpse.
I ran as far as my legs could carry me, feeling so weak, but I didn't use that as an excuse to stop.
When I finally decided to rest behind a hut in the woods, I saw Irian walking towards me, as though she'd been following me all the way here. She wore that smirk like she had finally seen her prey and wouldn't let her leave, but I seriously had no strength left even to stand up.
She squatted some feet away from me and laughed devilishly, “Sovereign's soulmate? What a taboo!”
I bit my lower lip, my fingers trembling on my dress.
“You should have died a long time ago. Maybe that would have been better than dying in my hands,” she stated and stood up. “Now the whole lords are in riot because of this, and once they find you, they won't let you continue living.”
My heart was throbbing in my chest. I feared what she was up to.
“So choose who to take your life. Should I do it or….
“No, just take me out of the realm,” I said to her, and she burst into laughter again. “I'm serious, please. I've been wanting to leave, but Dragon Sovereign wouldn't let me. Now I found out I was his soulmate, and I can't do it. Just take me out of the realm, and I won't return.”
She began walking closer to me, “What about your brother and friend? You think they will be safe?”
I looked her in the face and licked my lips, "That's why I want you to save us. You know my brother was punished for attempting to escape, right? We want to leave, but can't.”
The side of her lips stretched, and I knew she was damn satisfied.
“Yet, I don't trust your type because you all are tricky.” She scoffed and raised her palm towards her chest, and burning on her fingers were flames of fire. “Better to strike you to death already, so you don't return here or be found by Sovereign when he wakes up.”
I didn't expect her to do this, so I forced myself to my knees…one thing I didn't want to ever do before her. I knew she hated me so much, but…