The Samodiva And The Dragon

10. The Book

Author’s note:

I’m adding in parentheses music that, in my opinion, compliments if not even adds up to the reading experience.

(Salvatore Lo Presti - “Animals Phone Home”)

-Diva-

“Hello there!”

Those green eyes sparkled at me and a dashing smile formed on his face. It is the guy that aunt Yaga shooed away earlier. For some time, I keep staring at him, when he clears his throat and I awkwardly tear my gaze away and mumble a quiet “Thank you”. Embarrassed, I try to move away from him, but he is still holding me tight while I clutch the big thick book in between us. He tightens his arms even more around my waist and playfully says:

“Pleased to make your acquaintance, princess!”

My cheeks turn bright red with the understanding of what he means. I’m used to men staring at me, but they would never openly try to compliment me or insinuate how happy they are to hold me in their arms, just because no one ever before actually did it. Somehow, I find my voice and courage and say:

“Nice to make your acquaintance as well mmm… I’m sorry, I’m not sure that I got your name?”

“Oh, how impolite of me.”

He releases me, takes a step back and says:

“My name is Yassen from the Zmey kingdom. I’m here with Prince Trak’s delegation.” while making an overly exaggerated bow. I can’t stop myself and a giggle escapes my lips. He seems very delighted by that.

“Earlier today I was looking for you, because I’m entrusted with your introduction to the Zmey culture and your responsibilities as the Zmey princess and our future queen.”

My eyes widened. We barely got betrothed and I’m already supposed to get ready to dive deep into my new reality. Yassen notices my uneasiness and with a charming smile, says:

“Don’t worry, your highness, it is not all so complicated, you will do just fine. I had already scheduled our first session with the palace advisers as I was directed earlier.” And he winks at me.

I’m bright red again and don’t even know what exactly I’m blushing so hard about. I look at his beautiful eyes and say grimly:

“Thank you for the reassurance. I’m just concerned that it all happened so fast, but I guess sooner or later it doesn’t really matter.”

He tries to lighten up the mood and lightly knocks on the hardcover of aunt Yaga’s book and asks:

“What are you reading today, your highness?”

I try to come up with something, but my mind is blank. I look between him and the book and try really hard not to say out loud that it is a magical book, about a magical realm called ….. Oh wait, … “Zmeykovo“ as in the Zmey kingdom. Is that a coincidence?! I guess I’m taking too long to answer and as so he sees my discomfort, but I guess his curiosity takes over and pushes down the book, so the front of it will get visible. I momentarily stiffen, but then look at it and it says “Human Anatomy: The Man’s Body”. I feel mortified and all my previous internal debates have long been forgotten. He looks amused and with a smile, says:

“Interesting topic! If you need any visuals, let me know.” He winks again and continues: “Of course, only for learning purposes.”

He slowly retreats his hand away from the book and looks me in the eyes.

”See you tomorrow morning, your highness.” And with that he turns on his heels and leaves.

I’m left embarrassed and speechless. I walk-run to my room, hugging the thick book that now shows its original title once again.

As soon as I close the door behind me, I plop on the bed face down. After regaining my normal breathing, I sit and pull the book into my lap.

On the first page there is a handwritten dedication:

“You are my world and you make my life worth living!

Yours forever and after.

Yaga”.

What?! Why would she have a book that obviously was a gift from her to someone else?! And more importantly, who was this book for?! Maybe she gave it to my mom and kept it after her death. But could that dedication be towards her?! Yes, she considered her as a daughter, but this sounds more like a love vow than anything else. If I asked her, would she ever tell me?!

I turn the page and notice that there are at least ten sheets describing the contents. The list goes on and on. Pretty much every other page is assigned to a different creature. There are demons, dragons, fairies, mermaids, nymphs, werewolves, witches, vampires and so on. I open the book on “Nymphs”. There are no illustrations or anything of the sort, just plain text. The first paragraph reads:

“Nymphs or in the old tongue - Samodivas, are very beautiful women with long hair and affinity for dancing and singing. They are protectors of nature and are knowledgeable about herbs and plants, so they are associated with many plants with medicinal qualities. Nymphs have the power to take over men’s free will and make them voluntarily do their bidding. Free-spirited and mischievous.”

The aroma of freshly chopped yarrow invades my senses and I look around my room to try to find the source. But all the windows are closed, doors as well. There is nothing new that could have been left by the maids. I look back at the book and the scent actually comes from it. I blink a couple of times to try to comprehend it. I do get it, the book is magical, but it is still such a unique and wild experience. I continue reading:

“The first nymphs were created by the goddess Bendis (Thracian goddess of the moon and hunt). That is why they are compelled to dance with the different phases of the moon. The name ‘samodiva’ means ‘wild alone’. The first part of the creature’s name signifies its avoidance of human beings, whereas the second indicates her wild or divine nature.” I wonder if that’s why my parents named me “Diva”.

“Samodivas usually do their dance rituals in groups of three or five in the most secluded forest parts. They enjoy riding on deer and use twisted snakes as reins. They are extremely protective of their mounts and would cast a spell on anyone who killed their deer, even if it was by accident. The spell would result in the person’s death. If an unfortunate human stumbles on the nymphs whilst dancing, he would be enticed to join them and follow them blindly. Typically, they lead him to his own death.“ Different scenes from what I just read invade my mind. It feels like my own memories surfacing, but at the same time, I know I have never seen those things. I see a group of five very beautiful women with long hair and slender bodies. They are all wearing loose white dresses, almost transparent. They are laughing and singing and dancing as if they were kids playing. All of a sudden, one of them stops and screams with horror. She looks to one of the sides of the clearing. There lies a deer covered all in blood with wide open lifeless eyes. A young hunter stumbles out of the forest in a search for it. He locks eyes with the girl that screamed seconds ago and his eyes get clouded and glazed, he looks like he is in a trance-like condition. He pulls his knife out of its sheath and pushes it into his own chest. At this moment, his eyes get clear and he realizes what he just did. I feel my breathing labored and blink a couple of times to get my bearings. For several minutes I just stay in front of the book, not ready to continue. Not sure if I want to continue that experience. I get why aunt Yaga gave it to me. I do believe in magic and supernatural creatures now. After several deep breaths, I continue:

“It is said that a heartbroken nymph with a corrupted soul, can change her appearance and turn into a monstrous three-headed serpent-like creature, capable of throwing fire at her enemies. It is believed that such a creature will become the most powerful one in Zmeykovo.” Where I’m holding the book it feels very hot. A blinding blaze springs out of it and startles me. I try to close the book, but it burns my skin. I hear growling and a dog-like head attached to a long snake looking like a neck appears in front of me with saliva dripping out of its mouth. The monstrous thing opens its mouth and it has two rows of long and sharp teeth. It snaps its teeth at me. Out of the blue, another two heads appear and they all together growl and snap at me. I keep reminding myself it is only an illusion and they can’t hurt me. Even though I did get burned from the book. One of the heads looks like it is going to choke on a fur ball, but instead smoke starts getting out of it and I brace for a fireball to be thrown at me. As it started suddenly, it all disappeared and the book looks normal once again.

I’m done with this book. I don’t need to learn anything! I can’t do that, it is too intense. But, of course, the book has other intentions. Even though I just closed it, it opens itself on the page it was and highlights the last paragraph for me to read.

“The nymphs” magical abilities lie in their hair, so if it is chopped at the base, that renders them powerless and drains their life as well. Whoever cuts the hair can absorb its force, but it is temporary. It eventually depletes completely. This does not apply to lamias.”

I can see my mother’s back and long beautiful golden hair swinging as she walks. It could be my own memory, but I don't recall it as such. She turns and reassuringly smiles at me, as if she is telling me that all is going to be just fine. I see her enter the throne hall and in the next second, pictures of feminine hands in gloves cutting her hair flash in my mind. A scream is caught in my throat. I feel like falling and at the same time the skin on my body tightens as if all the blood under it is sucked out. I know that this feeling is not my own. Tears roll down my cheeks with the understanding that it was her experience in those last minutes of her life. I close the book and throw it across the room with all my strength. Loud sobs escape me. That day I saw her. Nobody knows, but I sneaked around the guards and saw her lying on the floor with her hair cut. She looked like a porcelain doll - with very pale skin and lips still pink. Peacefully resting on the floor. I remember thinking she was asleep and if I gently pushed her, she would wake up…