Ravenblood

Chapter 6

Veronica

The cold wind whispered across my skin, generating goosebumps and infusing my soul with its icy feel.

I shivered, rattling the heavy chains that shackled me to b*****e as my body shook from the cold.

I have been here for weeks—about two weeks, bound by these cruel chains that bit into my skin and drew blood. Yet, I wasn't afraid, nor was I hurt or broken. Neither was I resilient either- goodness no- My soul crashed, and my heart shattered into pieces the day I saw my source of joy withered into nothing. Into thin air, filled with war, chaos, and unfinished business.

His head departed from his body into a wicker basket. And his body was tossed into the realm of forbidden shadows as one borne by treason would.

My brother- Falcon- was beheaded

I will never forget that day; I was held like a piece of meat as I watched my brother meet the cruel hands of death in the worst way possible just when he was about to be the Ruler of rulers.

A minuscule minute before that ravenblood was to be sacrificed, and victory was about to be ours when soldiers of the incompetent Alpha came and captured him and sent him to his death.

Before my very own eyes, he was killed and left as a dinner for the vultures.

Tears rolled- mixed with the remaining traces of my brother's blood down my face.

I was broken beyond spectral repair.

But remember, fear didn't align with my brokenness, for it is what doesn't kill me that makes me stronger. Sometimes in life, all one needs is a little spark, a little wisp of brittle pain and suffering to ignite the fire in them. Fire that burns bright and red, coursing through every part of your body

Mine was Falcon's execution, and now, all I thought, all I could think of was to break through the silver hands of sage and seek vengeance for his death.

One of the guards who kept watch of this dungeon had developed an admiration for me, mainly for my body, its curves, and endowments.

I had been disgusted and shriveled from his stare, but now, I was still disgusted but would recoil from his predatory stare. I would be a woman, play along, and match his stare with an equally primal lust and hunger. If that would get me out of here, then I would flirt back. After all, I was an attractive woman, and even with the trials I have faced here, it failed to tamper with my striking beauty.

If I didn't use it to be away from here, then I would be condemned to this place till I die.

Faint footsteps approached, along with the sound of heavy swords clinking against shields and keys jingled against swords. A guard was coming, and I hoped to the gods that it was the blue-eyed folk.

"You haven't eaten?”

Except I didn't feel any spark—only a pretense, so I acted.

"Kind of a hassle to eat without hands, don't you think?" I shook the chains, emphasizing my point.

"You can't be released," He said gruffly.

" Oh, but you can," I smirked.

"What?" Confusion edged his features.

"I have been noticing your stares, boy. And they are going nowhere, innocent," I giggled.

" I don't understand." He chuckled nervously.

" I have been watching you, and your lusty eyes wander over me. The hunger that lay within them, the tightness of your slacks and your rippling muscles. Do you have something to tell me, boy?" I whispered, letting my eyes waver around his body, nice and slow.

He swallowed hard as I spread my legs, giving him a view of my lady parts- bare abs and tamed.

"Do you...want me ?" I asked, drawing him into my seductive allure.

"Eat," He commanded.

"Eat what? Me?" I raised a brow and smiled seductively. "Well, you're very much welcome," I laughed softly.

In a swift move, he yawned the gates of my cage apart and held me tightly across my waist.

"I want you badly." He said, slamming his lips against mine.

In a seductive move of clashing tongues and clacking teeth, we kissed with passion- hot and untamed.

It wasn't bad. I almost got lost in the kiss before I ripped my lips off his.

"What is wrong?" He asked with a frown.

"As much as I desire pleasure, this,.." I shook the chains again, "..is not what I have in mind. I do not intend to bleed while f*****g so," I stared deep into his eyes, " If you want this, you must release me."

The chains fell off my body before I could complete my sentence. I was stunned, to say. I expected a tinge of reluctance , and uncertainty from the boy. But he just succumbed to my wishes.

It is very bizarre how lust could consume a man's sense of reasoning.

I groaned in relief as the chains fell from my aching muscles, and then I was grabbed by the s*x-hazed man and bent over the stone that lay there.

Oh no, you don't.

"Wait!" I whispered harshly. "We can't do it here. Perhaps a decent place."

Once again, he complied, sneaking me through the dungeon halls and past the other guards until I stood at his cottage. And then pressed into the bed with kisses running over my skin, my clothes taken off my body, followed by his, then falling into the last throes of passion...

**********************

"When will I see you again?" He asked, stroking my naked back.

Never..

"I'll send for you," I lied.

"You do realize I'm doing you a big favor, yes? You're wanted, not to be let out from prison walls, but I released you because I like you. " He kissed my shoulder.

Fighting the urge to coil in disgust, I turned to him and met his kisses. "And I appreciate every one of it. You risked your life to save mine, and one day, I shall repay you. Right now, I have to go," I smiled, putting on the final piece of clothing.

"When I need you, I shall send for you," I said before exiting his place.

**********************

The Canvora settlement in Edengar is where we all gathered. We called ourselves The Serpentines- meandering and subtle by heart and nature. Right now, that was to be put to test.

The look of sadness and disappointment on their faces refreshed that tragic memory.

Falcon's demise- a news that broke their hearts and any shards of hope.

"Sorrows should be the very last emotion we are to experience. We must be angry if we are to take a leap of faith. And fast," I said, looking at men who were teary-eyed.

Everin, Sean, Moon and Slibeth, the four remaining of The Serpentine, and me, of course, with a few of our guards remaining, must take the pace Falcon left behind and race it to victory.

"And how do we intend to do that? Falcon's dead," Slibeth sniffled.

"No, he isn't," I smirked.

"What nonsense do you speak? You said he was killed," Moon snapped.

"He was," I replied curtly.

"So, however, can he still be alive? Every line of life was cut off from him the moment he was beheaded." Everin was perplexed.

"You all should be ashamed for asking this question," I glared at them, " But if you must know, The family of The Serpentines is a breed combination of a witch and a werewolf—two ethereal beings forbidden to each other, one a terror to the other. Dating back to the time when the Luna created werewolves, a witch has always been a rival to their kind- a rotten fruit, a dark seed. Anyone caught living among werewolves would be burnt at the stake. Fortunately and unfortunately, we were conceived by the blood of these two- a werewolf and a witch." I studied them critically, "Lord Albertine and Gamora, the beginning of our existence. Luckily for us, our greatest of fathers, Albertine- due to his political influence and philanthropic impact on Edengar, Gamora was pardoned and betrothed to him, conceived their first child. However, a witch would always be a witch as Gamora made potions and spells and created relics that brought us to where we are, and she finally burnt on a stake. But that didn't mean the relics were found. Only the true blood of the Serpentine knew of its whereabouts. Among these relics is a crystal stone bound by life and death- an enchanting light coupled with the ability to reignite a heart, bringing a new form of vitality. A rebirth." I paused, then continued, "The stone of life had a gift of resurrection."

" You're saying that we bring Falcon back to life?" Sean asked.

I smiled widely. " You read my mind."