The Exiled Princess

Monster

Raiden studied the woman in front of him, wary of her sharp grey eyes. "Why were you willing to help me, despite my..." He hesitated, trying to find a word to describe being a werewolf.

The woman sighed, turning to make some herbal tea for them. "My son was hunted by a werewolf," she said, motioning to the young man who'd just walked through the door, drenched from his time in the rain. He'd just finished stabling the horses.

The young man snorted, but turned and moved down the small hallway to his room. The woman watched him go, a look of weariness on her face. "He was very young at the time," she said. "My husband and I were terrified, trying to leave traps for the creature. The Shadow Guard were very busy at the time, so we weren't able to get their help." She hesitated, pushing the cup of tea towards him. "None of it worked. It wasn't until I woke in the woods one morning, covered in nothing but leaves, that I realized I was the wolf."

She sat across the table from him and regarded him so somberly. "What I'm trying to say, young Shadow Guard, is that there are more of us than you may realize. Some of us learn to live with it, to bury it and move forward. Others are consumed by it. Regardless, we are monsters...and we can never be known as anything more, unless we lock that part of ourselves away."

Raiden leaned forward, engrossed in her words. The wolf inside seemed to have stilled, as if that part of him was listening to her words just as intently. "How do you do that?"

"I chose to commit myself to a Temple of Shiara," the woman answered. "I barely feel the wolf anymore. Instead, I was able to study healing, to be myself instead of a werewolf."

"What's your name?" Raiden asked, suddenly realizing how rude he must have seemed.

"Clara," the woman replied, sipping her tea. She motioned for him to do so as well. "Drink. You've been out in the rain too long. You and the girl may rest here for the night, and stay as long as you need since we're leaving in the morning."

"That's very kind, thank you."

"Raiden?" a small voice called from the hallway. His head whipped toward the sound, and he was on his feet before he realized he was moving. Clara followed him into the room.

Astrid had managed to prop herself up against the back of the bed, staring at her arm, at the silver markings etched into her skin, but looked up as they entered. "What happened?" she asked, voice hoarse.

Clara sat on the edge of the bed while Raiden stayed in the doorway. "You were poisoned by the Fiends," the old healer said. "I bound your life force to Raiden's."

Astrid's forested gaze moved to Raiden, but she stayed quiet as Clara continued.

"This is only a temporary solution," Clara said, looking at them both in turn. "I'm not experienced with Fiendish magic, so I can't offer anything more. However, if you make it to the Shadow Guard leadership, they might have more knowledge on the subject." She gave Raiden a small smile. "It is their livelihood after all."

"Astrid," Raiden said quietly. "How are you feeling?"

"Odd," Astrid admitted. "But...I'm okay, I think." She glanced at Clara, looking a bit nervous. "Can I have a moment alone with Raiden, please?"

Clara nodded. "Of course, dear. I'll make you some tea." She stood and placed a hand on Raiden's shoulder. "There are many perks to letting the wolf loose," she said softly enough that only he could hear. "While the mating bond may seem like a wonderful thing, remember that it is only another trap woven for us." With that, she exited the room and left Raiden standing in the doorway, a heavy weight on his heart.

"What was that about?" Astrid asked.

"Nothing important," Raiden muttered, trying not to dwell on Clara's words. He moved to stand beside the bed, unsure if he should sit or kneel to be at her level. He was saved by Astrid, who patted the bed next to her.

"Sit," she said. "There's something I want to ask you about."

He obeyed, caught off-guard by her quiet confidence. "What's on your mind?"

"Why did you choose to bind your life to mine?" she asked bluntly. "We don't know each other that well. You could've taken the Seal yourself, taken it to the Shadow Guard and found a way to perform the Binding Ceremony with another family line."

Raiden hesitated. "I needed you to be a witness to Caleb's treachery," he said at last. It sounded fake in his head, but Astrid accepted the answer with a nod. "I'm sorry it's not a permanent solution," he added, this time sincerely. "I don't know of any way to stop the poison altogether."

Astrid shook her head, then closed her eyes, swaying slightly. Raiden put a concerned hand on her shoulder, steadying her, and she smiled weakly. "Just dizzy," she mumbled, opening her eyes. "Thank you for helping me get justice for my family."

Raiden nodded once. "It's my duty."

"Mmmhm," Astrid said. Her eyes were starting to close, as if talking was beginning to take a lot of energy.

Raiden gently helped her lay back down. "I'll tell Clara you don't need that tea," he said. "Get some rest."

She nodded sleepily, nestling into the blankets like a child. "Goodnight," she managed to say.

Raiden hesitated, then brushed a strand of hair from her face. "Sleep well, Astrid," he whispered.

"You're awfully sweet for a monster," she mumbled, opening one eye to look at him.

He sighed. "I take it you were listening."

Astrid shrugged half-heartedly. "It's not a big place," she said. "It wasn't difficult." She opened both eyes now to look at him. "Is it alright if I offer some input?"

He nodded. Truth be told, it was something that he didn't want to deal with alone, though he would never admit to such a thing. "Please do."

She placed a gentle hand over his and met his eyes. "You may be a monster," she said softly. "I don't know how to gauge such a thing. But werewolves are creatures of shadows and moonlight, not corruptions like the Fiends. People view them as the same thing, because you both come from the Night Realm."

"This isn't helping," Raiden said wryly.

"Be patient, I'm sleepy," she retorted. "What I'm trying to say is that just because we don't understand something, doesn't make it evil." Her green eyes regarded him with a depth he'd never seen before. "You aren't evil." Her voice began to trail away as sleep reached its tendrils around her once more.

"Thank you, Astrid," Raiden said softly, smiling as he watched her eyes close once more.

She smiled sleepily. "Will you be here when I wake up?"

"Yes," he promised. "I'll be here."