Page 17 of Reign

She struggled in my grasp, but I fought harder to restrain her against the melting snow. Her gaze locked onto my tear-streaked face, and I hoped she’d see the anguish in my eyes—that she’d realize I wasn’t a beast, and that magic wasn’t the reason wickedness resided among men.

Avice opened her mouth as though to speak, but instead, she spat phlegm. I flinched, but I knew her saliva couldn’t harm me.

“Help!” Avice screeched, over and over again.

Dog sat beside her head, watching as we both fought for our lives. I knew that if I didn’t stop her, she’d have me and my family hanging from the hawthorn trees before dawn.

Dog barked, drawing my attention. Her eyes burned brighter than the heart of a flame. Tilting her head back and forth, she watched our tussle with unsettling intrigue, as though she understood in a way I didn’t know animals could.

“Helfan.” Help, I pleaded, knowing Dog was my only chance of escaping persecution.

The moment the Yfelle left my lips, Avice wailed louder.

Dog bared her yellow fangs, her irises blazing orange. She let out a deep, guttural growl.

Avice halted her blows. I crawled away as she staggered to her feet. She bolted, but Dog only needed two powerful bounds to catch up, leaping into her. Falling to the ground, Avice let out an agonizing cry. I buried my head between my knees, trying to block out the screeching and snarling.

Then there was silence.

I looked up at the stars that freckled the sky, each pinprick of light flickering. Glancing down, I noticed Dog loomed over something. I staggered to my feet, edging closer. Around her hind legs, the snow had been stained crimson, as though strawberries had been crushed into it.

I peered over her mound of black fur to see what she was gnawing at. There wasn’t much left of her face, but I knew it was Avice from the auburn braid resting on her shoulder. Without a doubt, she was dead.

Dog ground her teeth against Avice’s bones, tearing away the still-warm flesh to feast on. Before I could double over, bile spewed from my mouth. I collapsed among the bloodstained snow, retching violently.

In a moment where I tried to catch my breath, my gaze fell on Avice again. The lavender ribbon Finn had gifted her was woven into her plaits.

“No,” I cried, mourning the future Finn almost had.

A noise distracted me from sinking into a state of desolation—chatter, growing louder.

I stood, raising my trembling palms in front of my face. They were no longer pale but dark, stained with blood. I wiped them down the front of my kirtle, smearing my chalk-white chemise the color of a poppy petal.

“Dog, come,” I called, my voice shaking.

She ignored my command, continuing to gorge on Avice’s flesh.

“Come,” I said again, sterner this time.

Reluctantly, Dog followed me. Together, we walked toward the glowing lamps marking the outskirts of the village. I was dazed, moving on instinct alone, like a moth drawn to a bright flame by the promise of warmth. The only sound on this quiet evening was the crunch of Dog’s paws kicking up stones.

The smell of bonfire hung heavy in the air, cutting through the taste of bile lingering in my mouth.

I stopped at the well, pulling the rope until the pail swung before me. I cupped handfuls of water into my mouth, gulping until the taste of vomit was gone. Then I pulled off my cloak and poured the remaining water over my chest, hoping to wash away the blood from the linen.

Footsteps beat the stone path behind me. I turned to see Adder approaching the well.

“Why are you out on your own so late?” he asked.

“I spilled ale down myself,” I stuttered, trying to sound casual as my heart pounded painfully fast. “I need to rinse it before the stain sets.”

“Let me see,” Adder said, shoving his hands between the lacing on the front of my kirtle.

The stitches of my chemise popped as he forced his way into my undergarments. For a moment, shock froze me still like I was made of stone, and I let him grope my breasts.

His pipe-smoke breath assaulted my cheek as he pressed his loins against me. “Do you still think you have as much power as me?” he groaned, his hands groping greedily.

The cold handle of the pail chilled my palms as I tried to summon the strength to use it as a weapon.