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Jasper warned me repeatedly, but I was a silly child to believe we stood a fighting chance, that the wolves would not survive our might. We were one of the most powerful nations of the Shade Continent for a reason. But I had not considered the reason was because my father had hunted the wolves nearly to extinction.
Thick muscles surged under the heavy coat of blonde fur, matted with blood as my guards continued their attack. My guards sunk their spears hard into his body as the blond wolf roared, swiping at them, taking down two more guards with his heavy claws. But it was no use.
“Hold steady!” a guard shouted as they forced their spears down, pinning the wolf to the ground. But the guard’s cry cut short as another beast, dark russet, exploded from the trees behind him. More screams echoed out into the heartless night around us.
There was too much carnage to track what was happening around us. All I could do was watch in fascination as the russet wolf tore them apart. Unlike the other three wolves, he caught my attention.
His scent was the one from before. One of the pair that had stalked us on my right.
Against my better judgement, I drew in a deep breath, gathering his scent of old pine into my lungs. Heat shuddered through my veins, low, primal - so intoxicating that I could not hide my moan.
His bright gaze snapped to mine; his fury pounding in time with my blood, demanding I stay with him. I hissed as I raised my sword, baring my long fangs. But my lips parted for another reason.
Pure power radiated from the russet wolf. The mist from his breath in the cold endless night, the flash of his jaws that preceded the screams of the guards as he batted them aside in his effort to reach me. And the beauty of his form as he prowled among us, striking down guard after guard with no fear. Unlike the blond wolf, he did not seem to take pleasure in the killing, which only made him more terrifying.
Jasper returned to my side. Blood stained his leathers and the dark hair of his horse. Panic etched in his deep brown eyes, his thick jaw clenched; my protection was now his highest priority.
“We must ride.” Jasper spoke with quiet determination. Terror pounded through me as the russet wolf padded towards the remaining guards - towards us.
Cries still bounced around the mist, but the killing was so brutal, the beasts so ferocious, that I held no hope they survived.
Jasper grabbed my hand, pulling me up on his horse, clicking his heels as we took off. One hand steered the reins, the other gripped my stomach, keeping me close. Dressed in the blood red regalia of the Cardinal Kingdom, we were no different from the other guards who ran in fear. All I could tell was that the blond wolf knew I was the princess. The question was if the other two remaining wolves knew as well.
We raced into the night, fleeing from the party, focusing solely on our goal: the magical border that lined the Black Forest. Conjured by an old witch over a century ago, it kept the demons of the Obsidian Realm at bay.
Crows erupted from dark branches in a flurry of wings and cries as our horse pounded along the road. If we reached the border, there was hope.
I had been fighting to take this journey for years, and despite our situation, I did not believe myself a fool for trying. I had to achieve my goal. I owed it to the men and women whose blood had yet to dry from the battle. If I entered the Crimson Palace, my future would be secured.
We were silent as the horse ran, all of our focus on the dark road ahead.
But no matter how desperate I was to reach the palace and fulfil my destiny, fate had other plans.
Jasper’s horse stumbled, a gasp tearing from me as I flew through the air. I only had a moment to react before I landed, soft dirt breaking my fall. I rolled, stopping on my stomach. A sharp crack from my left leg vibrated throughout my body, along with my howl of pain.
I bit into my arm, trying to silence myself, trying not to alert the wolves of our escape.
“Princess!” Jasper hissed. He was by my side before I could move, dropping to one knee before me.
I turned, dragging my leg with me. I fed this morning to ensure I would heal should we be attacked, but it would be slow. My leg had to be set, at least.
The horse lay beyond Jasper, struggling on its side. It carried a broken leg as well, and there was no chance to save it, or give it an honourable death.
I pulled myself up on my elbows, as I reached out a hand to grab Jasper’s shoulder, my eyes squeezed in pain. “You must go,” I gasped, my breaths quick, panic consuming me. I may really die here tonight.
“I cannot leave you.” He clutched my arm, trying to lift me. We planned this. Jasper knew what he had to do, but I suspected he would falter when I first proposed it before we had even left the palace.
“Jasper.” I looked up to him, chest heaving as the hot pain ate into me. “This is not a request. Ride to the Crimson Palace, tell the Grandmothers what has happened here. I will be safe. My mother is with me.” I clasped the blood opal on my chest, encased in silver, a gift from her before she vanished. Though hollow, it contained magics within that could only be unleashed at my will.
Another cry pierced the night. Jasper’s face hardened at the melody of death behind us. He leant over me, still trying to help.
If he did not listen, I would have to compel him, and I promised never to force him in that way.
“Jasper!” I pulled him down to me, my hand on his neck, his body close, forehead pressed to mine. Our last goodbye.
“Tell them it was my father. Please, tell them he is to blame.” Our eyes met, his sadness etched with determination. I knew how deeply it burned for him to leave, but it had to be done. I would follow him the moment my leg healed. But just in case, I needed him to go ahead.
I prayed the Grandmothers would avenge my death by bringing the full fury of the ancient Cardinal line down upon the man who subjected my people to years of hardship. My father would pay for this.
