ASTRAY

Chapter 3

ROYANNA

By nightfall we set out, sneaking past the maids and guards. My parents were busy preparing to host the merchants, they didn't really pay attention to us, especially after Orphelia told them she would love to spend time with me.

The distance from our manor to the forest took an hour, but we got there in the dead of night. Under the gaze of the moon, the forest loomed. It was dark, tangled, and misty. The kind of place the elders warned us about growing up as children. We didn't belong here, and most definitely not at this time.

And yet, here we were, our little trunks in one hand and the other intertwined. My heart was thundering in my chest at each step we took, deep into the woods.

We had never left the safety of our Manor and village. And now we were running away from the only comfort we knew, but it was for the right course.

“Where do you think we are heading, Royanna?” Ophelia whispered, her voice was low, but it held that tinge of excitement. The smile on her beautiful face was the only thing keeping me at ease.

“Perhaps, Peace Vale or the Haven crest.” I tickled her neck, “Or the creepy lands beyond the mountains.” I said in a low growl, meant to frighten her, but she just chuckled.

I let out a sigh, "Unfortunately Orphelia, I know not our destination.” I confessed. “But we have to keep going. Whatever lies ahead is better than Stone Peak.”

She nodded in agreement, “Yes Ro. I trust and believe in your footsteps. We will never go astray.” We smiled at each other.

I wanted to believe her, but doubt gnawed at me. We did not know the way, nor what awaited us beyond the border of Stone Peak. Only a feeling of striving compelled me to move forward.

We moved deeper into the woods, walking for long hours. I was starting to get tired, and Orphelia wasn't left out, her steps were becoming more sluggish.

“Let's get some rest before we continue?” I suggested, and she nodded immediately, a sigh of relief escaping her lips.

We settled by a tree, and I took out my blanket from my trunk, setting it across the ground to protect our skin from the rough surface of the earth. As we settled, I pulled Orphelia into my arms, protectively securing her on my chest.

“Ro.” She called softly, yawning as she looked up.

“Yeah?” I answered.

“You are the best.” She confessed, and I chuckled, tightening my grip on her. “And you are the word that's greater than best,” I replied, caressing her smooth long hair.

Basking in the chill of the night, I suddenly tensed up when my ears caught a low growl.

“Orphelia, did you hear that?” I asked, darting my gaze from left to right.

Orphelia pulled away from my grip, shaking her head, “What is it?” She asked, rubbing her eyes.

“Nothing…” I paused, another growl resounding, louder than the first.

Orphelia gripped my hand, her eyes widening, she heard it too.

“Royanna…” she called.

“Get up, we have to get out of here now,” I said, scurrying up. I aided her and we hurriedly fixed the blanket back into the trunk.

Another growl came, louder and closer, and suddenly they emerged, making my heart sink.

Glowing amber eyes were staring back at Ophelia and me, their teeth bared as they snapped at us, causing Ophelia to scream and hug me tight.

Rogue wolves.

My breath caught, but I couldn't let my guard down. I thrust Ophelia behind me, drawing a small dagger from my thigh’s sheath, which I had stolen from my father’s chest.

I waved it at the beasts with a racing heart. It was a pitiful sight compared to the three mighty beasts staring back at us.

“Run, Orphelia, get out of here. I will stall them.” I said, giving her a small push in the opposite direction. She hurried away before the wolves lunged at me. I struck wildly, my blade grazing a fur, but claws raked across my arm, tearing my flesh.

Pain flared through my arm, and a scream tore out of my lips, as I fell to the ground. “Royanna!” I heard Orphelia scream, she was still here.

No! No, no. No!

“Get out of here Orphelia, please!”

I couldn't see her, the wolves surrounded me, snarling at me. The blade I had earlier was gone, and I had no fighting skills or weapons. Yet the thought of Orphelia being in danger made me rise to my feet, ready to take another strike if it meant she could leave. I lunged at one of the beasts, grabbing its fur and pulling it, but that attempt didn't last as the beast's fangs sank into my shoulder.

“Ahh!”I screamed, the pain made my entire system twist. I was dragged by another and I fell back to the ground.

“Royanna!”

Ophelia cried out, and I caught sight of her stumbling forward to help me.

“No” the words came out in a whisper. My strength was waning, and the ache in my arm and shoulder grew worse.

Orphelia ran towards me, despite the wolves snarling in her direction.

“Run!” I groaned out, but she ignored me.

And my worst fear happened right in front of my eyes: a wolf pounced on her, its claws slashing across her side.

“ORPHELIA!” I screamed, blinded by rage and pain. The forest spun, the stench of blood thick in the air.

I shut my eyes, tears streaming down my face. “No!” I yelled, my throat hoarse. “Get away from her!” I screamed at the wolf approaching her, but it ignored me, and my blood boiled, coupled with the rage rising in my chest.

Something swelled and battered inside me, pressing against my ribs like it would tear me apart if I didn’t release it.

I couldn’t hold it anymore. I screamed.

The sound erupted from the depths of my being, and as it tore out of me, so did something else.

A light.

It burst from my body in an instant, so blinding that it forced my eyes closed. Yet the brilliance burned against my lids. I could feel the air trembling, and the ground shook beneath me. And then the sound of Wolves shrieking filled my ears, wrenching cries that ended as quickly as they began.

Pure silence followed, I opened my eyes, and everything was unrecognizable.

Shredded bodies of rogue wolves littered the forest, fur, bone, and flesh scattered like broken leaves after a storm. The stench of blood was so thick, I puked. My hands shook terribly, my heart slamming in disbelief.

And there, in the middle of it all, was Orphelia.

Her small frame was crumpled where the wolf had struck, her skin pale, her lips faintly parted. She wasn't moving.

“Orphelia…” My voice cracked, and I stretched out my hands to meet her, but I couldn't. I couldn't move, my whole body was riddled with pain, and I felt myself losing consciousness with the attempts I made.

Dizziness hit me hard and my hands slumped.

Tears filled my gaze and I blinked them shut, unable to keep my eyes open any longer. I welcomed darkness.