Total pages in book: 129
Estimated words: 120029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 120029 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
I stiffen, instantly transported back to Gloombane’s tower where that malevolent elf also had an ‘interest in humans’ and was very keen to test his theories on me.
“I—I don’t know if I wish to see anyone right now,” I mumble, staring at Tristan’s form stretched over the bed.
“Understandable. I will let her know. Just the medics for now. They will take the best care of you, and you’ll be back to your old self in no time. Gloombane will be just a bad dream.”
I doubt that. I’m permanently broken by what he did to me, and what he made me become. There’s no escape from the darkness he implanted in my soul.
“You know nothing about the things he did to me,” I growl, flinching when the gravelly tone escapes my lips.
I don’t even sound like myself anymore, but why would I? I’m no longer the hopeful person who followed a magical knight into another realm just because it was romantic.
I was such an idiot…
Tristan stiffens, as if I’ve hit him, and I hate that it makes me recoil deeper into the armchair. Not only because I hate who I’ve become, that I’m lashing out at the person who saved me, but also because my whole body is afraid of retaliation.
He is an elf. A powerful shadow wielder. A prince.
He could probably do much worse than Gloombane and get away with it.
I bet this castle has a dungeon. And a real torture chamber.
He takes a deep breath as he lays out a black set of soft clothes on the bed. It’s nothing fancy, pants and a long shirt I can see myself sleeping in.
“My apologies, Nate. I… I know that—”
“Where is the patient?” someone exclaims in the other room, and soon, no fewer than seven elves in red uniforms and masks covering half their faces pour into the tiny space with a sense of urgency.
They cause so much chaos, I can’t comprehend what they’re all saying, but Tristan ends up being asked about his arm, and one of the elves leaves with him.
I want him to stay. Every single person in the room is a stranger now, and their questions feel like rocks forming a pile on my shoulders. I know they’re here to help, but I’m like a scared animal forced out of the transporter, only to be poked and prodded.
I want to scratch, bite, crawl under the bed and hide, but I’m too scared to move, and my mind floats up beyond the beams, to the very top of the sloping ceiling. My body remains below.
Silent. Expressionless. Dead.
Just like when my soul left it at that farm where I saved Lady, and I could see it clearly.
The body keeps calm when my clothing’s removed to reveal scars, bruises, and bones poking through skin. It’s a puppet when medics lift my arms, talking to each other about my injuries and what to do to remedy them. I let them rub different ointments on my skin, and drink whatever potions they tell me to. One of the elves strokes something over my scalp, and her eyes wrinkle with a smile as she tells me my hair will grow back fast.
My hair. It’s the least of my problems.
All I want is for them to leave me alone.
I have no idea how much time passes, but there’s a hint of silver light growing in the sky, which must be moonrise. In their world, that would be morning.
I’m so tired.
I nod as the most senior medic talks about what will happen in the coming weeks. “…you will eat that five times a day, but with additions of regular foods, to get you used to them. They will be prepared under our supervision, so you need not worry.”
“And you don’t need any of the potions or ointments, one of us will bring and apply them,” the friendly elven woman adds.
It doesn’t seem they expect any answer, because once they help me into the clothes, (and embarrassingly, I do need the help), they all leave. I’m sure the healing is already happening, but right now, my scalp itches, my shoulders and knees ache, my nose feels swollen, and I’m mildly nauseated.
If they hadn't dressed me in my new clothes, I’d have dozed off the way I was—naked. I’m falling into nothingness on top of the soft, cool bedding when a loud, growly bark makes my eyes open.
Across from me, in the open doorway is a dog the size of a large boar. It has a smooth coat, black with tan markings, and jaws full of needle-sharp teeth reminiscent of a shark’s. Its red eyes zero in on me, and I freeze, my heart tumbling inside my ribcage. Have I really survived until now to die ripped apart by this beast who hid among the books?
I gasp for air, crawling farther against the headboard when the hound from hell barks and comes closer to put its massive paws on the bed. I’m torn between desperate ideas on how to let this thing know I’m not tasty, and… just letting it happen.