Her Rejection's Revenge

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT: DAMSEL IN DISTRESS

Oh shoot! I hadn’t seen that one coming. I remained with one knee to the ground, several feet away from the black dragon for the longest time. Strands from my braid escaped and were flowing around my face as the wind blew fiercely, and I just stood there sharing his deep anguish of unrequited love.

I am so sorry to hear that, I said after a while.

Zee? Zee, what’s going on up there? Are you okay? Please reply as I am freaking out here. Has the dragon said anything?

Miriam, I’m fine. I got this. Just give me a few minutes, okay? I told Miriam before shutting her off.

There are others? the dragon asked, taking a few steps back.

I nodded. We are a few. But we mean no harm. If you don’t want them around, I can send them back. It could just be you and me. I promise.

A puff of smoke escaped his nostrils and for one second, I froze in fear again. He was so unlike Rhianna, both terrified and fierce at the same time. Like a doe caught in headlight, sensitive to every movement, but also ready to strike at the merest temptation. I was thinking of asking the troupe to head back, but it would not be an easy battle.

Where is Lady Kensington? Is she alive?

You think I would hurt her? She’s my life. Ever since I saw her on her horse at the Kensington Castle, I fell head over heels in love with her. Despite knowing that a love story between a human and a dragon is impossible, I still hoped for something. She does not understand me. She does not speak the same language. Wait a second. Wait a damned second.

His entire body stilled while he perused me more carefully like I was a bug he was assessing under the microscope. How come you can understand what I say? How is it possible? Are you of dragon blood?

No, I’m not. I just speak to dragons. It’s my gift. But this is not about me. This is about you and Lady Kensington. Rachel. What’s your name?

Kai. My name’s Kai. Do you think you can convince her of my love for her? If you act as the mediator between us maybe there’s a chance for us after all?

My head raced with the opportunities. If I could see Rachel, that would give me an opportunity to see her condition. Maybe I could help her escape if I didn’t manage to convince Kai to let her go. I sighed in a beleaguered rush as I could not foresee this ending amicably. Matters of the heart were always so complicated.

I could try, I supplied courageously in the hope of seeing the defenseless girl at least once for myself to make sure she was alright.

There was a rustling sound which came from Kai as he turned towards the mountains. He took two steps forward, then stopped to turn his head sideways. Are you coming?

For one second, I faltered. I was no brave warrior – just a fluke who happened to understand dragons. What if things went wrong inside the mountains, and he decided to blow me off in one breath?

Miriam, I’m going inside the mountains for Lady Kensington. The dragon is fickle, and I am not certain whether he will cooperate with us. I need more time, Miriam.

Are you out of your freaking mind? You cannot go in there all alone. We’re coming up. There’s no way I’m letting you endanger your life like this.

No! If you come up, the mission will fail. I need this to work out, I almost begged her. I need to prove myself as a valuable asset. Please Miriam.

There was a moment of silence during which I could literally feel her displeasure and hesitancy. Finally, after what seemed like eternity, I felt her recapitulation without any need for words. With trepidation filled inside my heart, I followed the dragon inside what seemed like a tunnel.

It was so dark that my eyes could not see anything, and it was only because the passage was narrow that I managed to pass through. The dragon was flying above my head, I could feel him. When I reached an opening, I stopped.

Keep walking, the succinct instruction came inside my head. Until you will find two pathways. You move to the right.

I felt obliged to obey his commands, and the tunnel became so narrow that I could not go through. I looked up to see the dragon’s head, and I clung to it instinctively and was brought to an opening. I gasped when Rachel Kensington came into sight.

Even in her pitiful state, I could perceive unmeasurable beauty. But two years being kept in such conditions had demolished the finesse of her traits. Her hair was all over her face in complete disarray like she had tried to pull them from her head time and again. Her eyes were glazed with a bland look which made me hitch in a breath – they were as lifeless as those of a ghost.

“Hello Lady Rachel Kensington,” I greeted with a clumsy curtsy since I wasn’t used to the royal protocols. “I am Zelda Settlemire.”

She seemed to snap out of her daze, but her eyes remained desolate. “Are you alone? Are you here to save me?” she asked in a deadpan voice, and there wasn’t the slightest amount of hope in the way she asked the question.

I didn’t respond positively in case Kai saw my answer – he wouldn’t be pleased if I gave Rachel some assurance. It was like walking on eggshells and I had to be ultra-cautious.

“How are you?” I asked hesitantly, approaching her to examine her medically. There was no sign of a physical wound, but the emotional trauma was hard to miss. It was a futile question, and the lady shrunk back in desperation at my prevarication.

“Why are you here for?” she asked in a sagged posture which screamed of defeat.

“I am here as Kai’s advocate,” I replied feeling forced to play the dragon’s game. Out of the corner of my eyes, I could see the creature landing near the puddle inside the opening. He was so clever that he’d blocked any form of exit for Rachel but kept one for himself to be able to fly in and out.

“Who’s Kai?” Rachel was surprised by my response. I wished I could communicate to her that I was on her side. That everything would be alright. That I was only playing along until I find a way.

It was such a delicate situation for me that a wrong move could spoil everything. In that moment of sheer panic and chaos, I acknowledge that I was able to handle the situation only because of my past. I’d learned how to deal with traitors and hypocrites, so dealing with a dragon was a piece of cake in comparison.

“Kai’s the dragon who’s keeping you here. He told me that he loves you and wants to know if there’s a possibility of you reciprocating his feelings?”

Rachel stared at me for the longest time like she couldn’t believe her ears, and honestly I didn’t blame her. If our places were switched, I would have probably freaked out already.

“W…what?” she asked, her pink tongue darting out to moisten her lips. “What are you saying?”

“I know it sounds weird,” I told her loudly, my eyes delivering a message for her to remain calm. “I can speak to dragons, that’s why I’m here. I came looking for you but that was before I knew about Kai’s feelings.” I tried desperately to pin her with a searing gaze, my eyebrows moving for her to collaborate with me. She gave me a subtle nod which indicated that she understood my unspoken warning.

“This is not love. Taking me against my will,” she said morosely, and I nodded before sending a fleeting glance towards Kai. The dragon was listening to us with focused eyes, and I was feeling edgy as wasn’t sure if he could understand everything.

“I can understand. It’s not a proper life for a human. Without proper food and basic necessities. What about if we transfer you to a more habitable place?” I was only trying not to arouse the dragon’s wrath, but I failed pathetically.

What are you saying? the dragon’s loud voice exploded inside my head. Why are you trying to separate her from me? I knew that it was a trick from the beginning. I should never have trusted you. You’re just like the other humans – manipulative and opportunist.

I am not. But you have to understand, Kai. This is not the life that a werewolf can lead. Just look at how haggard she looks. If you insist on keeping her here for a few more months, she will die of starvation. What have you been feeding her?

Well, I used to bring her raw meat, but she vomited each time. I understood that she’s not a fan of meat, so I started to bring in fruits. That seemed to work well.

Some werewolves were known to feed on raw flesh, but I doubted that royalty would gorge themselves in uncooked food. The only reason why Rachel had survived this long was because her werewolf’s endurance was strong and of high rank.

She’s starving. Look at how thin she is – she does not look healthy to me, I’m afraid. No human will be able to survive on that restricted regime. Her nails are suspiciously yellow, and I suspect a case of chronic bronchitis which is caused by the confined space she’s been living in. Kai, if you keep her here longer, she will die.

I don’t believe you, he riposted fiercely. I should have known not to trust the likes of you. You’re only here for him, aren’t you? You’re here to trick because you want to know where the others are keeping him?

I tried not to fall into his trap. Whoever he was referring to, I was sure if I jumped on the opportunity he’d just given to me, I would prove Kai right. So, with great difficulty, I stalled the question about who he was talking about.

No, of course I am not lying to you. Werewolves and dragons don’t have the same consistency – you are creatures of mountains while we adapt better in the forests and greenery. I know this is now what you want to hear but…

“Zelda? Zelda? What’s happening? Why are you silent all of a sudden? I want to get out of here. Please help me. Please,” Rachel was pleading to me, and I threw a desperate look at Kai.

She wants to be free. She does not want to live here anymore.

The dragon didn’t respond for a long time, but I could feel his capitulation as he bent its huge head in defeat. How does she feel about me? If I free her, will she fall in love with me?

I sighed. Kai, love is not an emotion which you can enforce or buy. I sat down on the wet ground, and Rachel mimicked my action. I asked Kai to approach with my hand, and only his head came closer, which I touched in an attempt to offer comfort. I was in love once with someone who didn’t have any feelings for me whatsoever. I know how painful it can be, trust me.

I paused, allowing him to understand that I was sympathizing with him. It was hard for me to understand the viewpoints of both of them without being partial.

“Zelda, is it going to be alright? You’re not going to leave me here, will you?” That question came from Rachel who was fidgeting on the ground, and I could decipher a faint light in her eyes. It was the smallest flicker of hope which made my heart flutter. What if I failed them both?

I grabbed Rachel’s hand to offer support. “I’m trying to convince him to let you go. That you need immediate medical attention. I was training to be nurse, so I should know that you are showing symptoms of serious sickness.”

Sometimes, loving someone means that you need to see above your needs to cater for her or his.

Is that what happened to you? Did you put his needs before yours?

I did, I nodded resignedly. But it was never enough, Kai. I lived in misery for so many years trying to fit it, to be worthy for him. And it didn’t work. He betrayed me with my best friend and rejected me and killed my wolf. I almost died too. But I guess I was meant for other greater things. Like helping others. Like you and Rachel.

I’m sorry for what happened to you, but it does not mean this will happen to us also. That Rachel will also betray me because she will learn to love me. She does not have a choice.

I sniffed ruefully. You’ve been trying for two years. What happened? Is she happy? Are YOU?

He stopped rustling, his head almost touching my lap in sheer desperation. No, neither of us are happy. If letting her go is the only way I can prove my love to her, then I am all in. I’ll free her, but please tell the truth. That I will always love her from the bottom of my heart. Will you do that for me?

I touched the spike at the back of its head lovingly. Thank you, Kai. Thank you very much for your courage. I know how hard this is for you.