CHAPTER ELEVEN
Trever
We stopped when the horses became jumpy.
“There is no way they traveled this far into the Darkcrest woods on foot.”
It was Floki-Count Artur’s personal scout. His voice condescending and out of line for his position.
Though, I only just received the title Night of Warlington. Maybe it’s already getting to my head.
My horse kneeled into the pond and took a deep drink in. We have been riding for days and are just at the edge of Celik Estates.
Memories flooded my mind of chasing and being chased by chickens and Oxwell. Before the late Countess Celik died of course.
“We are chasing beasts who run faster than even the Duke’s champion horses. You better believe they have made it beyond the Celik Estate here.”
Floki scoffed and signaled for the rest of the men to dismount. I couldn’t care less what he or the rest of them thought. I always thought, had I received this Knighthood before-or maybe some land to call my own-I could be the one who offered Ophelia a hand in marriage. But it looks like I will just have to take her for my own.
Ophelia
Dr. Xochil cut slabs of onion up and bound them to Oxwell’s feet.
“Replace these every quarter mile or so. And ensure he drinks plenty of liquids.” Dr. Xochil ducked out from the tent as I held Oxwell’s face up slightly and put a cup of cool water to his lips. Doing my best to coax it down his mouth without causing him to choke. We have been on the road for three days now. The carriage Christopher was referring too was nothing more than a covered wagon with big wooden wheels. Something I have seen villagers use when funding for carriages is nonexistent. It was bumpy and smelt of cedar. Every move and rock the wagon went over, I could feel. I held tightly onto Oxwell. His fever was starting to break but his eyes still haven’t opened. I leaned to get a view from the curtain to see Draven as he held and guided the reigns of the horses.
His taupe skin and curly black hair. His strong features and broad shoulders. Even from the small glimpses I could see his body is extremely muscular. I could picture his face in my head, his angular eyes with dark irises. His full lips and broad nose. I took a deep breath in. He was certainly more handsome than Prince Hun. Maybe I should just get it over with and out of my system?
I can hear him chuckling and glance back over at me and I quickly diverted my eyes back onto Oxwell.
“Come and join me out here Ophelia. Oxwell will be okay for a moment.”
I carefully moved Oxwell from my lap and clumsily moved as the wagon continued to jolt over the nonexistent road. I sat on the hard wooden bench next to Draven. It was only the three of us. And the horse pulling the wagon slowly. The rest of Draven’s companions went ahead with much concern but once Draven told them an order they obeyed. The only one following us was Dr. Xochil but she often went off on horseback down different paths in search of herbs or fresh water.
“Told you, no one is better than Dr. Xochil. And when we reach my homestead, Oxwell will be better in no time. I am certain of it.”
“He better be. You promised.” I glared at him but it was hard to keep so serious. It was truly beautiful, the greenery passing us. Tall trees broke up the direct sunlight and offered cool shade. Brush filled the earth below making the wagon have to go through many turns and awkward slopes. But the air felt fresh and clear. The animals in the trees were alive with excitement and wonder.
“What are your plans once Oxwell is better?” Draven inquired, staring at me.
“I haven’t thought that far ahead yet. Maybe I will ask what Oxwell would like to do.” I glanced over my shoulder to Oxwell still sleeping. The cloth covering the wagon keeping the inside of the wagon cool and blocking the sun.
“I suggest you both stay with me,” Draven smiled a toothy smile, his fangs hanging out.
“Of course you do. You also want us to have children and make a life as if you didn’t break into the castle and basically kidnap me and my brother.” I felt bad for my words. He didn’t kidnap me. I don’t know how to explain it.
“I assumed you felt about me the way I feel about you.” Draven looked at his hands before moving his gaze back over to the horses. I tried to ignore his side eye glances in my direction.
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“I don’t know you.”
“What would you like to know?”
I thought for a moment. I felt wrong. What is wrong with me? I couldn’t really care who he was. There were no questions that would make me feel any better.
“Why were you in the castle?”
“I was looking for you, my dear Ophelia.”
“Why?”
“Because I knew you were there. I knew Duke Warlington would use you against me. And I knew that his men were not gentlemen in the slightest,” Draven scooted closer to me, his hips touching mine and sending waves of excitement and energy through me. I scooted away slightly. “Not saying that I am a gentleman or anything.”
“How do you know me?”
“We have a Core Link. I knew you the moment you cut your hand on the rock outside your estate. The smell of your blood got caught with the wind and made it’s way over to me. I knew in that moment, we were destined for one another.” His voice so calm and collected.
I tired to think back to what he was talking about. I glanced at my palm and noticed the small scar going from my thumb to my wrist. It was from falling over when I was chasing Trever and Oxwell. I tripped on my skirt and landed wrong on this…
“What are you?”
“Now that is an interesting question. There are a lot of words to describe my kind, beast, shapeshifter,-”
“Did you eat my Father?”
“Na. I know who did if that makes any difference.”
“How could you be so calm with this!” I couldn’t hide the look of horror on my face. He spoke as if we were just talking about the weather or something. So calm. So nonchalant with every answer.
Draven glanced at me and sighed. He hung his head making his hair fall over in his face. “Ophelia, my kind will never hurt you. They were trying to collect you, get to you before the Duke tried to harm you. I brokered a deal with him for your safe passage but it turns out, well Duke and Counts view people as property. I obliged with no intent to actually follow through.”
Draven
I watched as she shook her head with disbelief.
“I am sure it’s a lot to take in and I am sorry you are hearing about this in..this way? I guess I am not good at sharing information gently.”
“It’s fine I guess.” her voice was small. All I wanted to do was pull her into my arms and hold her. Tell her it’s okay.
I hoped my calm feelings have mingled with her, helping her realize she is safe with me and my kind. No one will ever hurt her again. But after the last time I tried to merge our emotions, and she yelled at me in the forest, I am doing my best to keep my distance.
“You are what then? King of the Monsters?” Her attention was on Oxwell on the inside of the wagon.
I couldn’t hide my laughter or enjoyment of the title. “Is that what they are calling me? I kind of like that. Sounds… I don’t know? Sinister?”
She glared at me and I smiled.
“Do I look sinister to you?” I asked, trying to make my face serious.
“Very.” She glared at me and glanced back over at the road ahead of us.
“What else would you like to know about your King of the Monsters?” I smiled as I rushed the horses a bit faster.
She pondered for a moment.
“Tell me about your biggest regret.” Her tone was unforgiving. Like she was testing me or something.
I sighed.
“My biggest regret is not being strong enough to save my little sister. She was born a runt and as such was abused by our Clan. It’s a natural thing to do. You are only as strong as your weakest link. But if only I had been stronger. Ready to fight then… Maybe she wouldn’t have killed herself.”
“That’s horrible.”
“Not as horrible as being sold by your Father.”
She laughed. It was hollow sounding and hurt my heart. “That is not the worst thing Father ever did.” She paused, staring at me as if trying to memorize every bit of me. “You aren’t lying about your sister are you?”
“I have no reason to lie to you my love. We are connected. You should know everything about me–if you wished.”
“I couldn’t imagine losing my brother. That would be the end of me. I am so sorry you had to go through that.” Ophelia reached out for my hand and pulled it to her lap. I felt waves of electricity run through our physical connection. I could feel her worry and concern seeping through her fingers into mine. I did what I could to fight the emotions off with positivity and imagining what I wanted her to do with my fingers and…
She immediately let go of my hand and it left a dull throb where her hands once graced mine. I watched her blush, her fists falling to her lap. I could feel the build up within her and it took everything in me to not continue-causing her to boil over.
“Why do you even want me?” Her words were littered with a longing and lust that was not of her own.
“Because of our Core Link.”
“What is that?” Her face was flushed. But I was excited. To get confirmation she was feeling what I was feeling too? Ecstasy.
“It’s something my kind-”
“The shapeshifting thing?”
“Sure. The Elders call us HellHounds. But as HellHounds, we are loyal. So loyal, in fact, that the Gods that blessed us with these amazing abilities split us into two. When we find our pair, we become our ultimate selves. We unlock god like skills combining the Yin and Yang of our identities,” I can’t hide the smile or the crazed look in my eyes as I unravel the truth behind the Core Links. The hair on the back of my neck rises as I feel Ophelia’s stair on me.
“I am not a HellHound though. So how can…,” she continues to stare at me. Her insecurity and uneasiness rising faster than her concern for Oxwell.
“You don’t have to be. Only one of the Core Links needs to be. Could you imagine the cross breeding possibilities?