Snow and Silk: Sacrificed to the God’s

Don’t

{Andromedus’ POV}

“You’re not like the other humans I’ve met, most of them are cold, and angry when they come here. I always assumed it was because they knew they were going to die. That maybe they were just sad, but you, you don’t seem bothered by any of this..” Feryn’s voice was gentle, not gentle than I’m used to from her.

“Well.. they probably had something worth going back to..” the girl said softly. “I know the simplest truth..” she whispered.

“And what’s that?” Feryn asked, I could hear her fork hit the plate.

“That there are worse things than death.” The human answered, her voice full of honesty, and sadness.

I paused for a moment, holding my breath at those words. The girl was young, and small, fragile even.. but her words were sharp, like a knife. “Worse things than death..” the words kept repeating in my mind.

“Worse things than death? I don’t understand, death is the worst thing, right? It’s so finite..” Feryn said softly.

The girl sighed, I could feel her fear, her anger, her sadness. “Never mind.. you’re right..” she said, barely above a whisper. “I’m just being foolish..”

What things has she had to deal with, what has taught her that there are things worse than death? “Please.. tell me.. does it have something to do with your broken ribs?” Feryn asked.

Broken ribs.. no wonder everyone was talking about healing her.. they must’ve used their magic to heal her. “Feryn.. I’m fine.. I’m used to it..” she said softly. She’s used to getting her ribs broken.. who would do something like that?

“Please.. tell me who did it..” Feryn said. “I-I just want to help, really.”

I heard the girl sigh. “What good would it do to talk about the past? I never have to see him again, and he never gets to hurt me again..”

He? A man did that to her.. apparently more than once. That isn’t a man.. it’s a coward. “So, if it won’t do any good or harm then tell me, please!” Feryn asked once more.

I heard a soft whimper, and a sniffle. “M-My father..” she said, and my blood suddenly ran cold. A father is meant to protect and love their children, shelter them from all danger and evil.. and hers beat her. I turned on my heel stalking up to my tower and shutting the door. Why was I getting so worked up over a pathetic human.. they’re nothing compared to us. Just go to sleep Andromedus.. go to sleep and forget about her.

{Arabella’s POV}

“Your father?” Feryn shouted loudly, her eyes burning red. “How could your own father do this to you?” She cried out, pacing the bedroom floor.

“Feryn.. I’m okay.. I’m right here.. I’m okay.” I said, walking to her and holding her hands in mine. “I’m okay.” I smiled up at her. “Thanks to all of you, I’m okay.”

She pulled me into a hug, rubbing my back gently. It’s the first time I’ve been hugged since before my mother died. The feeling, it brought back happy memories. I couldn’t help but cry, and she pulled away she looked down at me with worry. “Why are you crying?” She asked.

“I’m just happy.. I’m happy that I got to have another hug before I die..” I whimpered, wiping my eyes. “It’s been so long since I’ve been hugged..”

She pulled me back into her arms and hugged me once again. “I’m so sorry Arabella..” she said, before pulling away. “Let’s get you in bed so I can get these dishes down to the kitchen, then I’ll be right back.” She said, turning and helping me into bed. Once I was tucked in she grabbed the dishes and turned on her heel. “I’ll be right back.” She said.

“Thank you Feryn.” I smiled, lying back and trying to fall asleep. I was exhausted, but something.. something kept me awake.

{Feryn’s POV}

I walked out of her room storming to the kitchen. I threw the dishes across the room, screaming as the plate shattered against the wall. I was so angry, why wasn’t she? She had been hurt, tormented by her own father, and yet she was so kind.. so sweet.. I walked to the cellar, grabbing a bottle of wine and coming back up into the kitchen to see Shitari and Theluun looking down at the broken plate.

“Oh, it’s you, why did you throw the plate?” Theluun asked. Looking down and seeing the bottle of wine. “And why do you have that?”

“After the night I’ve had.. and the life Arabella has had.. we need this.” I said, beginning to walk past them.

“What do you mean by that? The life that she’s had?” Shitari asked, as they followed me into the dining room.

“I finally got her to tell me who did that to her..” I sighed.

“Who was it?” Shitari asked, murder in his eyes.

I shook my head, thinking back to what she said. “There are things worse than death.. that’s what she said to me.. her father did that to her.. he beat her.. and it obviously wasn’t the first time..” I said, looking down to the floor. “How could anyone hurt her? She hasn’t said one unkind word since she’s been here! Yet, her father.. her own father..”

“I’ll kill him..” Theluun said, his voice leaking a deadly venom. “I’ll fu***** kill him!”

“Not if I get there first!” Shitari shot back as both of them began walking to the front door.

“Stop! Your highness’ please!” I heard Arabella’s voice as she ran down the stairs. She was in her nightgown, it was baby pink, a soft color, matching her soft demeanor. Her hair was down and flowing around her, and her bruises on her arm and face were on full display. “My father deserves to die.. but please don’t kill him!” She said, making her way to them. They towered over her short frame, and as she was speaking I could see Andromedus looking down from the top of the stairs, as NymKarna stepped out from his study. “Please.. please, don’t kill my father..” she whimpered, staring up at the two of them.