The Red Soul

Chapter Eight

“So, you are sure you want to see everything?" Fyrian circled around Myris as they walked through the sun-drenched garden. His cheerful mood enhanced the dazzling image of the trees and flowers around them. They walked beside the lake of which the clear water shone like thousands of small diamonds in the sunlight. Viera and Cearen stood a few steps behind them talking animatedly with each other, Cearen's gestures quickly and confidently, and Viera's voice calm yet cheerful.

“Very sure.”

“The good and the bad?”

“Everything.”

Fyrian looked at her with a grin. “Do you have any preference?”

A soft breeze slid past and Myris sniffed the wonderful aroma of lavender it brought with it. The upsetting events of that morning seemed to have completely flown away with the wind as if it had never happened.

No... it had happened and everyone was aware of it. They all knew very well how messed up the first encounters between them and Myris were and it would become a grim memory. But nothing more than that. It would end up as nothing more than a faint recollection since they had decided not to think about it anymore; had decided to make a new start and it was the least to say that Myris was grateful to her new friends for making the decision to forgive and forget.

Myris had no preference because she did not know what to expect in Olèrian. Somehow that still frightened her, but she had decided that if she would stay with them for a couple of days before going back- before trying to free Tyrag- she would at least have to see a bit more off the feared kingdom. She would give them a chance to show that Olèrian was not like the stories.

Just when Myris wanted to ask Fyrian what choices she had, a sudden thought came up. “Viera talked about a city called Evario.”

Fyrian frowned by the mention of the city. “Evario is the capital of Olèrian. That is where the most different beings come together. Both beautiful and horrible, nice and unreliable. It is seen as the ‘city of gathering’.” Then he laughed with clear excitement “That's a great idea.” He turned to the others, who stopped their conversation.

Viera nodded in agreement as if she had heard the whole conversation. “Then we will go to Evario.”

Walking alongside Viera, Myris and the others crossed the main bridge to the mountain circle, where a bare grey wall was still waiting for them. At every step, Myris heard the ringing of coins of which the others had a bag full with them.

Apparently, they were not only going to introducing her to the inhabitants and visitors of the city, but they were also going shopping. According to Viera, Cearen needed new herbs and Viera herself muttered something about buying new boots. Fyrian, on the other hand, proclaimed that he only wanted to get drunk at the bar where he often went to.

Myris looked at the clothing of the others, and then the new magenta shirt with bat sleeves which she wore herself since her previous clothing had become dirty due to her small outburst. She stroked with her hand over the silky and undoubtfully expensive fabric. “Are you part of the nobility of Olèrian?”

The others stopped their steps and looked at her in surprise.

“Why do you think that?” Viera asked, her cheeks turning red.

“Well, for one thing,” Myris gestured behind her. “You live in a castle.”

Fyrian shrugged his shoulders with a faint smile. “Something like that. It is a bit complicated. But if you want to know, it is Amaeron's castle. It is better if you ask him.”

Myris raised her eyebrows but did not respond. Partly because she knew he would not tell anything else, but also because they had arrived at the end of the bridge.

The mountain still gave no sign of passage. At least, not until Fyrian put the palm of his hands against the rough surface of the wall and closed his eyes. She saw him push against the stone and Myris took a step back when the wall slowly went inwards, breaking apart from the rest of the mountain.

Her mouth fell open when he slid the stone in a gap in the mountain, revealing a gigantic corridor lit by thousands of tiny crystals carved into the walls. The tunnel went through the entire mountain.

Fyrian proudly turned around and bowed arrogantly at her. “Your exit, my lady.”

“Jerk,” Myris mumbled frustrated, but as she walked into the mountain, she could not help herself from looking back a couple of times at the giant opening.  

It was quiet except for a slight murmur and their footsteps that echoed through the tunnel. The whistling of the birds and the clattering of the waterfall stopped as they went further into the tunnel.

 Fyrian started talking enthusiastically to Viera about the things they could do in the village, but Myris noticed that Viera did not seem too convinced. On the contrary, as the sound of the birds and the waterfall started to vanish, the female Fae too turned silent.

Yet, Myris was only half listening to them. She was too focussed on the tunnel since it was the first sign of magic, they had shown her after Cearen had healed her. The way that Fyrian pushed the stone like it weighted nothing was both impressive and terrifying to her. The fact that she probably would see a lot more of that- that they would show her everything, including all the magic... Myris would be lying if she said she was not scared.

A hand on her shoulder startled her out of her thoughts and she looked at Viera, who rolled her eyes with a smile. “I asked if there is anything you want to buy.”

Myris blinked a few times. There was not anything in particular that she wanted to buy. However, the only belongings she had was a blunt knife and torn clothes, all thrown away by Cearen. The clothes she wore now did not count since she borrowed them. It was obvious that she needed a lot of stuff. The point was, she did not have any money and she did not want to ask for it to one of the others. They had already provided her with food and a place to stay. So, Myris shook her head. “Not really.”

“All right then. We'll think about that when we arrive.” Viera continued the conversation she and Fyrian were holding, which gave Cearen the opportunity to walk beside Myris.

He showed her a shy smile, but of course, he said nothing. It made Myris wonder about his voice; curious about what it used to sound like. Something she probably would never know. Was there a time that he had his voice or was he born mute? Myris wanted to be able to communicate with him, and although that went well enough with the yes-and-no questions, she wished she could understand him as Fyrian and Viera did. She wanted to be able to understand him when he told stories with his slender hands, fully aware that he wanted to tell her many things but was not able to. The disappointment in his eyes when he was not able to... What if he could do that one day? What if she could understand him? Perhaps it would be worth it to learn at least a couple of gestures before she left.

Her lips parted to ask, but the question got stuck in her throat when they suddenly bathed in sunlight again. They were on the other side of the giant border of grey stone. A staircase went down, leading towards the foot of the mountain where two creatures were waiting for them. One, Myris had never seen, but the other was quite familiar now.

“Myris, do you remember Lumar?” Fyrian asked with a playful smile gracing his lips.

Of course, Myris still remembered the wolf-like creature that was waiting for them downstairs with another one. The beast was just as big and terrifying but also as fascinating as she remembered. The second one had brown fur with green lines decorating its body. His legs seemed to be hewn from stone and a sickening scar ran along his right eye. He was slightly taller than the white beast next to him.

Myris approached Lumar and stretched out her arm. This time as well, he let her approach and she stroked its soft fur.

“With me, he is never this kind." Fyrian frowned at the beast that ignored him and put his big head against Myris' body, a sign that she should continue.  “The devious lickspittle.”

Lumar growled softly at Fyrian, making the boy chuckle. “See, that is recognizable. Myris," Fyrian walked past the white creature and put his hand on the side of the other, who looked at her with his grey eyes. “This is Cando.”

Letting go of Lumar, Myris walked over to the other creature and started stroking it gently over its head. The beast sniffed, letting warm air glide over her arm and giving her goosebumps.

“They are guardians in the forest where I found you, together with the rest of their kind. Lumar is their leader. They help both people and other creatures within that forest by protecting them, bringing them to a safe please, or getting food as Lumar has done for you,” Fyrian explained.

Myris looked at him with wide eyes. “You knew about that?”

Putting his hands in the pockets of his brown pant, Fyrian leaned back so he could see the whole animal. “In your case, I actually knew it before Lumar, so I was the one who asked him to get you.”

Not believing what she just heard, Myris lips formed a narrow line. He had given orders to the beast. He had found her before. When did he find her in the forest and how long had he followed her? And when did he finally decide that she was not worthy of being watched by himself and sent Lumar towards her instead? What did he know about the day she had spent in the overgrown cabin? Did he perhaps even know that she was being followed? Thank you Lumar, I will take over now.

Myris sucked in her breath. He had known she was about to die but instead of going himself, he had frightened her by sending a giant beast. Why had he even bothered to take her to the castle later on? Feeling the anger rise inside of her, Myris gritted her teeth. “Why would Lumar do all that for you?”

Noticing the colder tone with which she spoke, Fyrian raised an eyebrow and rubbed his hands. “Because he is also my friend.”

Myris starred with wide eyes from Fyrian at the animal and back. “How are you even friends with such a creature?”

 It was not Fyrian who answered. Viera put her arms around her twin brother who, when they stood beside each other like that, was almost a head taller than her. She smiled, but her arms were tight around his waist, in a protective manner. “Lumar was a friend of our father. Because of him, we have a close bond with Lumar and his pack.”

“Father? I thought...” Myris fell silent. Instead of finishing her sentence, Myris stared at the beast again before her eyes focused on the white-haired male that stood beside it. They seemed both ready to go. Lumar because he and Cando became restless by standing still for so long. Fyrian, on the other hand, looked like he just wanted to get away fast. It made Myris frown as she looked at him. Why would he now make the effort to show her everything in Olèrian if he had not bothered to help her those days when she really needed someone?

Fyrian also looked straight at her, pale and with something in his eyes that looked like regret. “Myris –”

She did not let him finish as she shook her head and turned to Cearen. “No. Let's go to the city.”

Myris held Cearen tightly as they raced down the path toward Evario. She had not hesitated to let Cearen help her get onto Cando, while Viera and Fyrian had hoisted themselves on Lumar. The twins were whispering softly to each other so that Myris could not hear what they were saying as the strong wind drowned their voices, but Myris did see how Viera wrapped her arms around Fyrian and nestled her head in his back.

Fyrian himself closed his eyes for a second as if he was relishing the touch.

Looking the other way, Myris saw how they were rushing through a valley again. The beasts ran with quick yet powerful strides. They jumped playfully over small streams and ran confidently along the steeper walls of the hills, before sprinting back to the middle of the wide valley. They seemed to enjoy themselves.

After half an hour Viera signed that they were getting close. The slopes of the valley became steeper as it turned into a gorge with towering vertical walls. Some parts were separated from the rest of the hills which caused the pass they were running through to split up. Trees had fallen across and half into the gorges, while Ivy and moss ran along them.

When the wolf-like creatures ran deeper into the gorge, zigzagging in a playful manner since the giant divided stone fragments allowed them to switch from side to side, Myris felt some eyes on her again. She shifted on Cando’s back to see Viera mouthing something to her while pointing above her. Looking over Cearen’s shoulders, her breath got stuck in her throat. They had arrived, but not at an ordinary city.

Were the castle had been hidden inside the circle of mountains, the city used the stone as its pillars. Bigger bridges ran across the two main walls, while smaller ones connected the sides of the hills with their separated part in the middle of the gorge. Buildings ran along the edge of the hills and even some hung over it, supported by wooden beams.

 As they ran under the first bridges, Cearen looked over his shoulder at Myris. When he got her attention, he pointed at Lumar.

At first, Myris did not understand what he meant as the beast just kept running, but then his speed suddenly enhanced as he aimed for a group of rocks. Bending his knees, Lumar pushed himself off the diagonal stone in the middle of the pile and jumped.

 Myris put her hands to her mouth as she watched Fyrian and Viera fly through the air on Lumar’s back before landing on one of the bridges above Myris.

Now understanding what Cearen wanted to say, Myris wrapped her arms as tightly around his small waist as she could. She would not be surprised if she was strangling him. 

As soon as Cando jumped as well, Myris closed her eyes and screamed. The wind cut past her and it felt like her stomach sank. She barely noticed Cearen’s thumb caressing her hand reassuringly.

 Only when Myris heard a small thud, she dared to glance through her eyelashes. Despite having landed, she did not let go of Cearen before she had taken a couple of deep breaths, feeling a little nauseous.

Cearen let her regain herself. Only when she tapped his back as a sign that she was alright again, he got off Cando’s back. After that, he offered Myris his hand, which she gladly took and glided off Cando as well.

When the fear subsided, a wave of warmth and noise took its place, welcoming her. Houses of all shapes and sizes rose above her. The brick roofs glistened in the sunlight.

Fyrian and Viera joined them. The wolf-like creatures, on the other hand, turned around and jumped off the bridge again, surprising Myris. “Where are they going?”

“Home. A city is not a place for creatures like them. They only brought us and will pick us up again,” Viera explained and took Myris by her arm. “Come! Lumar and Cando will enjoy themselves. We have to do that as well.” She pulled Myris with her up a staircase towards the first stores, leaving Fyrian and Cearen behind.

Shop windows full of dresses and other clothing filled the streets. A delicious smell of freshly baked cookies, penetrated Myris’ nose as they walked past a bakery where many pastries and other sweets stared at her through the display cases. The light brown streets themselves were full of chattering locals and guests looking at the merchandise, but they were not human, no matter how much some looked like it.

Myris began to walk a little bit closer behind Viera, while they paved their way through the crowd. Turning her head in all kinds of directions, she tried to take in all the new creatures she could see. Some still resembled humans but had different coloured skin and different coloured hair with pointed ears sticking out, just like Learia and her new friends. Fae, Myris recognized the Fae walking through the streets, and although they were clearly the majority of the population, there were also monsters among them who were different.

Myris jumped when something hit her. A creature with birch wood as skin and moss instead of hair that covered his sanded chest towered above her and touched her elbow as he hurried past her. He had hooves instead of feet and leaves dangled at large antlers that stuck out of his head. She looked frightened at the creature, but he only mumbled an apology before moving on with a bag full of apples.

Viera watched with a faint smile until she pointed to a clothing store and beckoned Myris to follow. It was less crowded in the store, which made it easier for them to move.

Walking through the row of shelves, studying the pieces of clothing she was not able to afford, Myris slowly started to loosen up, but she did not lose sight of Viera. And Viera did not lose sight of her.

To Myris her disbelief, despite the abnormal placement of the city, it was almost exactly like all the other cities she had been to: an overcrowded and noisy place where economy and trade thrived. It could just as well have been a city from another country if there were not many odd creatures walking around. She eyed them one by one, while Viera, searching for a dress, explained what they were. That way, Myris, among other things, learned that the tree creature she had bumped into on the street was called a dénatro.

She felt very puny among the different beings, but they did not pay attention to her. On the contrary, a human among them did not seem to interest them. Instead, they all looked at Viera as she walked by. Some greeted her cheerfully, while others looked at her with awe before they walked on. That confused Myris. Viera looked just like the other Fae, perhaps more human, but that was it. What were all those gazes for?

With a red face, Viera showed them tight-lipped smiles and quick nods in acknowledgement, but she mainly tried to hide her face by holding up different pieces of clothing. This time a lavender-coloured dress was in her hands. “What do you think of this one?” she asked Myris.

Myris admired the dress. It had wide sleeves with a full skirt that became whiter at the bottom. “It is beautiful.”

Nodding, Viera slung the dress over her arm, over a pile of clothes that was already covering her arm. As if she had decided that the number of clothes were enough, for now, Viera went towards the counter and gave the cashier three golden coins with a couple of silver ones.  

When the clothes were put into multiple backs, Viera thanked the cashier and walked out with Myris following behind her. As soon as they were out of the shop, Viera handed Myris two of the backs. “Those are for you.”

With an open mouth, Myris starred at Viera for a second, biting her lip. “You did not have to do that.”

“Of course, I had too.” Viera saw that Myris did not lift her arm to take over the bags, so she just pushed them into her hands, leaving Myris with no other option than to accept them. “Now that you are staying with us, you need at least a couple pieces of clothing. I would share mine with you, but since you are quite taller than me, I do not believe that my clothes will fit you. And since you were not grabbing anything yourself, I decided to do it for you.”

She walked away, causing Myris to not be able to protest. The latter could only sigh as she went after Viera, a grateful smile spread across her lips as they entered a couple more shops, including a bakery.

Stuffing her second cherry pie into her mouth, Myris trailed behind Viera towards the main square. It was huge and filled with market stalls that contained the weirdest things. Myris saw different food stands, but also closed tents, stalls with herbs that Cearen probably needed and, ironically, booths with magical amulets for protection and other jewellery. In the centre stood a large fountain, around which children were playing.

Myris looked fascinated at a group of women dancing around the fountain with their short silk dresses, with the loud cheering and clapping of the crowd that had formed around them. The hairs of the women were made of flowers and plants that swung wildly back and forth to the rhythm of the music. On their bodies, flowers bloomed as well, as if the stems were connected to their veins.

“They are florems, flower carriers from the south. They sing and dance to entertain everyone, but you should not mess with them. Some of their flowers carry pollen useful for medicine, other ones are poisonous.”  Viera’s gaze lingered on the movements of the florems before she turned around and walked past the captivated crowd towards a small stall with a purple canopy.

Noticing the many types of jewellery displayed on it, Myris wanted to take a closer look until her attention fell on the owner of the both and she froze on her spot. A girl with grey skin covered with tiny black hairs was staring bored at the crowd, leaning her head on her two hands, while her other four arms were busy adjusting both the jewellery and her red hair that was tied up in a bun.

As if she sensed Viera and Myris approaching, she looked up, giving Myris sight to the set of eyes that were all staring at her, and two razor-sharp fangs that slightly protruded from under the girl’s red upper-lip.

A shiver slid down Myris' back. This person almost seemed the opposite of the flower carriers and was the first creature Myris had expected to encounter in Olèrian. She reminded Myris of a spider. A spider who was now looking at a new meal, grinning. “Please tell me that you have come to give me permission to munch up those pretentious twats.”

Viera chuckled, but when she saw how pale Myris had become, she quickly gave the latter a reassuring squeeze in her hand. “Myris, I want to introduce you to Midow.”

The spider girl held out her arm, which was overloaded with bracelets, and Myris slowly accepted the handshake. The feeling of small hairs tickled her hand. She tried to muster up a polite smile.

“A pleasure to meet you, Myris,” Midow began with a very curious undertone, a lisp present in her speech. She glanced over Myris again. “I haven't seen you here before, have I?”

Viera picked up a gold bracelet and shook her head. “She is new.”

“Oh? And where does the newcomer come from?”

Viera now also looked at Myris with a slightly tilted head, full of expectation. Myris licked her lips, which were suddenly very dry. “Otharos.”

Midow's eyes widened. “Otharos! You come from one of the four kingdoms?”

The creatures around them had become silent and began to mumble and point to Myris, who wished she could become invisible.

Viera, who also cringed, gave Midow, who had her lips pressed together, a warning glare. Then Viera leaned against the pole of the booth, turning the bracelet around in her hands, while Midow picked up several bracelets and necklaces and enthusiastically held them in front of Myris as if trying to sell her something.

"Is there something wrong with that?" Myris asked as she rubbed her sudden sweaty hands over her shirt, and studied the different jewellery Midow was holding up.

Putting down her own bracelet again, Viera leaned forward to view a golden chain. “No, there's nothing wrong with that. But you know now that we are not so used to newcomers, right?”

Myris mouth formed a silent "oh" when she remembered. The majority in Olèrian did not know the stories that were told about them. How people of the other kingdoms thought about them. And looking at Midow’s face, Myris noticed she did not know either.

Midow enthusiastically gave Myris a silver bracelet, leaning towards her with clinking bracelets. “Another special reason that you are here, Myris?”

Avoiding her eyes, of which she did not even know which one to look at, Myris took the bracelet. It was thin and narrow, but very refined. It looked like a silver branch, where some parts were sticking out. Little stars were at those ends instead of leaves. For a moment she considered asking Viera if she wanted to buy it for her. “It is actually a coincidence that I am here.”

Midow scoffed. “I don't believe in coincidence. There is a reason for everything. I think you just have to figure out what that reason is. Don't you think so, Viera?”

Confused, Myris looked at the spider girl, but Midow’s attention was now focused on Viera as if she was ushering the white-haired woman to say something.

Viera, on the opposite side of the stand, puckered her lips and made a face, as if the price for the necklace was too expensive. “Who knows? But there is a reason I am here now.” She picked up a black ring and weighed it with her hand. “Have you heard anything from Akratis?”

A hissing sound left Midow's mouth, causing Myris’ hair to raise. “Still and dead like always, but don't let them hear that someone from the other kingdoms has come. Especially since it is a mortal. We don't want to bring them superfluous hope, do we?”

Mortal... this was the first time Myris was called that, but it did not sound rude when it came out of Midow’s mouth. On the contrary, she sounded amazed.

“Certainly not. And we will keep it that way if you also keep quiet, understood?” Viera responded sweetly, causing Midow to nod immediately. “Fantastic. Then we will leave again. Until next time, Midow.” Viera put down the ring, smiled at her and turned around.

Although Myris did not understand a single thing of the last part of their conversation, she did understand that it was time to go. She wanted to put the bracelet back down and follow Viera, but Midow stopped her. The spider-girl looked at the bracelet with a smile. “This has always been my favourite. Hold it, but remember me when you've found out the reason why you're here.”

Stunned, Myris looked from the bracelet to Midow and back and put the bracelet on. “Thank you, and I will.”

Midow waved goodbye to her and started staring at the flower girls again. A certain, hopeful light had suddenly appeared in the eyes of the creature.

As Myris waved back at the spider-like girl, Viera, on the other hand, was staring into seemingly nothing with a frown on her face. “Maybe it is better to look for the Fyrian and Cearen and get something to drink.”

Myris agreed when she felt how dry her throat had become. However, she preferred to avoid Fyrian. Looking at the back of her new friend, whose white hair glistened in the sunlight, Myris wondered if Viera knew what Fyrian had done?

She quickened her pace to walk next to Viera, who passed the crowd as if she knew exactly where she wanted to go. Myris tried to grab her arm, but they both stopped when suddenly a loud cheer welled up beside them.

Myris looked up at the fountain.        

One of the flower carriers, who looked like the leader stretched out her arm to Viera, who shook her head politely and took a step back. Myris saw Viera's eyes gaze in every direction, looking for a way out, but the crowd clapped enthusiastically, and a few creatures dragged Viera toward the florem with hair of forget-me-nots, whom now started to dance around the white-haired Fae.

Not liking the idea of being alone in a city full of unknown creatures, Myris tried to get closer to Viera, but more creatures gathered around the fountain and started to dance along with the Florems. As more creatures wanted to join while others wanted a better spot the view the dance, everyone tried to be as close to the fountain as possible, resulting in a crowd pushing each other around.

Myris could only catch a glimpse of Viera's face frantically searching for her too before her back came in contact with a wall of a shop as she was roughly shoved backwards. A cursed and rubbed her shoulder that had suffered the most impact with the stone, but kept searching for Viera. But it was not much use. The crowd had unconsciously formed a wall between her and the other woman, blocking her sight.

One more time, Myris tried to get closer by shoving herself through the barrier of bodies, but when a creature with sharp claws snarled at her, she immediately halted her attempt and retracted her own pushing hands, which started to tremble.

Her breathing also started to become heavier, but she forced herself to think of a solution. Maybe she could go back to Midow and ask her for help… but as scouted the edge of the plaza for the purple canopy, the spider girl seemed to have vanished.

Myris started to panic. She needed Viera if she wanted to get out of here. The city was like a maze. A maze full of creatures she did not even know existed- monster she did not know existed.

When there was an opening in the crowd, Myris still saw no sign of Viera. The woman was probably also looking for her.

What began with timidly walking circles around the market place, soon turned into running as Myris kept searching for Viera. She started to use her whole body to push people aside and called her name multiple times. But when Viera seemed to have disappeared as well, her eyes filled with tears.

Drops of sweat dripped down her forehead as she started to go in new directions. She was not aware anymore of where she was going as she continued calling out Viera’s name, getting more desperate.

She walked through more and more streets, but the further she went, the more she noticed that the streets became smaller, filthier. Distraught, Myris looked around.

The air grew mustier with a terrible smell coming from openings in the street leading to the sewage system. Decayed warehouses and other buildings were boarded up with planks. Creatures looked at her from a distance from the shadows.

Unfortunately, this section of the city was even more familiar to Myris than the cheerful and attractive part.

Wanting nothing more than to leave, Myris turned into another street, hoping it would bring her back to the shops, but it revealed a dead end. Cursing, she wanted to turn around, but a voice behind her kept her from moving. “Can we help you with something, sweetheart?”

Myris swallowed and turned around slowly. Three Fae men blocked the opening of the street and looked at her, grinning. They wore dark, torn clothes and Myris could see them licking their lips. She tried to lay her hand on her side as casually as possible and looked at them with a raised eyebrow. “You can help me by leaving.” She tried not to make her voice tremble.

The men chuckled and moved closer. With every step the men took, Myris took one back, until her back was against the wall.

The tall man's black eyes slid over her as he licked his lips. “Are you lost beauty?”

Myris did not answer.

The left man took another step forward. His dark blue body was muscular, shielding the opening behind him like a wall. He slid his hand over her cheek and leaned forward, causing his long black hair to fall down her neck. “We can help you though,” he said lowly and hoarse.

Scared, Myris grabbed his wrist and pushed him away. “Leave me alone, you dirty bastard.”

“Oh? What a language for a mortal, especially a woman. Maybe we should teach you some manners.” The right Fae, with his red hair and sandy skin, also came closer and grabbed her wrists, which he pinned on the wall above her.

Myris squeezed her right hand anxiously. Now she had nowhere to go. She struggled wildly and tried to kick them, but the men just laughed. The largest now grabbed her by the hips, sliding his left hand over the bare part of her hip that got exposed as her shirt had riled up because of her raised arms. After that, he placed his head on her neck, causing Myris to feel sharp teeth slide over her skin.

“So wild. I want to feel such energy when we-” To Myris' surprise, he stopped halfway through his sentence, releasing her with a loud curse. His eyes stared at his hand and Myris could clearly see why: it was covered with blisters. She herself immediately hid her hands behind her back.

“Impossible.” He stepped further away from her, and the other two looked at her now too.

The blue Fae eyes widened as well as he pointed at her with a trembling finger. “Look at her eyes!  But that is impossible! You shouldn't be here at all!”

For a second, Myris stared at the Fae confused, but then started to run. She had to get away now that there was room to move again and those monsters had been distracted… even though she did not know exactly why. Yet, her plan failed when she was grabbed roughly and thrown to the ground. Her vision went black for a moment when her head hit the stones with a loud thump, and she could feel that right arm and shoulder got scraped.

She tried to get up and crawl away, gasping for breath, but there was nowhere she could go. She was locked in.

The largest Fae growled low and clenched his good hand into a fist. He approached her threateningly. “It doesn't matter if it's her. All that matters is that you are going to pay for this, b***h!” He ran up to her with bare teeth, his arm raised.

Myris closed her eyes and crossed her arms protectively over her face, but although she waited, the blow never came.

Carefully she opened her eyes, which immediately widened more. Fyrian stood between her and the Fae, grasping the man's fist in his hand. With a crooked smile, he looked at the men who had turned pale.

Somewhere, it surprised Myris. The three Fae looked like they could handle Fyrian together. However, when she looked at Fyrian and saw a certain glow in his eyes, she knew they did not stand a chance.

Although there had to be a lot of strength in the punch of the largest Fae, Fyrian held him back effortlessly. He did not budge. Instead, the Fae's eyes filled with pain as Fyrian tightened his grip.

Suddenly, Myris heard a sickening cracking sound, followed by cries of pain from the Fae who reached for his own arm the moment Fyrian let it go. It dangled sickly beside his side.

Myris tried not to retch.

She turned away so she would not have to see the arm and instead looked at Fyrian's back, that was still shielding her. Although Myris knew he was still smiling politely, Fyrian’s voice sounded like a chilly wasteland. “I have warned you before, Serok. If you and your friends would do something like this again, I would personally pulverize you to dust.”

As if death was approaching them, the three Fae ran away and judging by Fyrian's posture and face, that did not seem to be far from the truth. His eyes were closed and his hands clenched into fists. He was breathing heavily as his knuckles turned white.

When he opened his eyes again, he stared straight into Myris’ eyes, examining them. Before Myris could get up from the ground, he hugged her and pressed her tightly to his chest, wiping away the tears she did not even know were rolling down her cheeks. “I am so sorry, Myris. Are you alright?” Then he saw her upper arm that was slightly bleeding due to the scratches and cursed. He grabbed her arm carefully with one hand to examine the damage. “Does it hurt much?”

Despite her still raging breathing and rapidly beating heart, Myris shook her head. “I am fine,” she managed to say. “How did you find me?”

Letting go of her arm, Fyrian leaned a bit back so that there was a bit more space between them. With a grin, he tucked a stray tuft of her hair behind her ear. “You have a distinctive scent.”

“Are you saying that I smell?” Myris asked, her tone raising a bit, offended. She was not even sure why he would mention her scent in the first place. It was not like he could pick it up between the sewer stench and allies filled with garbage.  

Retreating his hand, Fyrian frowned. “I said that your scent is different than others, which makes it easier for me to track you. You are the one that turns my words into an insult, just like you seem to interpret my actions the way you find suiting. Is it because you are still not trusting Fae and the other creatures, or do you just dislike me?”

“Maybe I wouldn’t if you had not left me alone in the forest, while is was dying!” She spat back.

Fyrian’s face fell. “Yes, I left you, and I apologize, but I had no other choice at that moment!”

“Why not?”

“Because if I had brought you to safety first, other people would have died!” Seeing Myris’ shocked expression, he took a deep breath and ran his hand through his hair. “While I found you in the forest, I was on my way to a village that was being attacked. If I had gone to you, they could have died before I arrived. Believe me when I say that I found it hard to leave you, but I had to. Lumar was supposed to help me, but I told him to take care of you while I could not. Again, I am sorry, but the village had to have my priority.”

Myris did not know what to say. Completely stunned, she lowered her head as regret filled every cell of her body. He had saved her, saved her from those terrible men, and this was how she thanked him, by accusing him without giving him a chance to explain

Fully regretting her outburst that was filled with resentment, Myris carefully glanced at Fyrian’s face. His eyes showed sadness, and all the colour seemed to have disappeared from his face. His cocky behaviour had faltered. For the first time since Myris had met him, he did not seem to know what to say or what to do with himself.

Before she could say anything; before she could apologize, Fyrian had turned around. She watched him walk away with his hands in his pockets, not sure if she should follow- if she was allowed to follow him. When he seemed to notice her still standing in the same place, he turned towards her but did not look in her direction. “Come. I am bringing you to Viera and Cearen.”

Biting her lip, Myris nodded and walked after him.

Fyrian glared around with a murdering look, causing all those present to retreat into their homes or move into another street.

Fully aware of his sour mood and the additional intimidating aura, Myris herself felt guilt rise inside of her even more, knowing very well that is was not the three Fae that made him this upset. She tried to at least keep a meter between her and Fyrian to give him a bit of space, but as she noticed people glaring not only at Fyrian but her as well, Myris could not help but close the distance a bit.

And as the silence between them only became tenser, Myris knew she had to break it. “Fyrian?”

Even though his eyes never stopped watching their surroundings and he kept his back towards her, a snort came from Fyrian’s side, which was enough for Myris to know that he was listening.

“I am so sorry. I did not know.”

It made Fyrian halt in his pace. He let out a deep sigh and turned around again. This time he did look at her, but his eyes were still voided of light “I know. You do not know a lot about what is happening in Olèrian, so I do not blame you.”

Myris gave him a stiff nod, still not feeling assured. “Who attacked the village?”

She saw Fyrian biting the inside of his cheek as a reaction, his eyes switching to every direction. She let out a disappointed sigh herself. “If you do not want to tell-”

Before she could finish her sentence, he pulled her with him to another empty street, behind a stack of crates filled with old vis and vegetables. They both scrounged their noses at the smell.

“I do not mind telling you, I promise,” Fyrian reassured her, yet she could still hear a bit of reluctance in his voice. “But it is not a good idea to talk about it here.”

“Why not?”

“Because the things that attacked are dangerous creatures, Myris. Soulless beings, trying to consume others in order to gain their soul. And we assume that Akratis had something to do with it.”

Her blood ran cold at the words. She had heard bad descriptions of creatures through the stories, gruesome and frightening, but never had she heard of monsters like that. She shivered.

Yet, her ears also perked as she heard the name Viera had also mentioned. She had wanted to ask about it earlier to Viera if the florem had not interrupted and the crowd had not separated her and the other female. Yet, perhaps it was for the better if she had not asked at all because Fyrian’s body seemed to be on high alert. “Who is Akratis?”

Still looking around, Fyrian scanned the area with pointed ears, making Myris wondered what he perceived with his ears and eyes. “It is not who. It is a place. A place where you have to stay far away if you are not with me or the others.”

“I see.” She did not mind that; had no desire to come even close to that please if it had creatures like that. But if he had fought those things to protect a whole village… “Sorry, again. I shouldn't have said anything like I just did. I am glad you decided to leave me be and to help that village,” she muttered.

Fyrian breathed out and shook his head. “I would have helped you immediately if it were for other circumstances. I even considered to take you with me, but then I would only bring you in more danger.”

“You made the right choice. Besides, you sent Lumar to me so that I would not entirely be alone. You did the most you could.”

A small smile appeared on Fyrian’s face again. Putting his hand in the air, he tilted his head. “I guess so. Should we say we are both forgiven?”

Returning both the smile and the hand, Myris shook it. “Agreed.”

As they shook hands, Myris could feel her shoulder getting lighter. Studying Fyrian, the male seemed to have the same expression of content as her. However, to Myris’ surprise, his gaze changed as he turned her hand in confusion.

Myris felt her blood turn to ice. She tried to pull away, but Fyrian's grip had suddenly turned to steel. Gently, he ran his fingers over her palm. With wide eyes, he slid his thumb over red lines- lines in the shape of a four-pointed star. A star Myris had not seen for years, but now seem to appear everywhere.

How did you get this?”

Not immediately answering, Myris withdrew her arm and hid it behind her back. Fyrian was still staring at the spot where her burn mark had been visible as if it were still there. “I… I…” Myris looked anxiously at the male in front of her. Fyrian was one of the last persons she wanted to see her scar. Nobody was supposed to see it. It was bad enough that she would have to see it for the rest of her life. But it had been her fault, and this was her punishment, her memory of it. The images reappeared, but she chased them away, or, at least, she tried to make them disappear… over and over again, always with little success.

A hand on her shoulder pulled her out of her thoughts. With two fingers put under her chin, Fyrian made her look up at him. He lowered himself a bit, even though there was not a lot of height difference between them. “Do not worry, you don’t have to tell me.  Its is only fair if we both do not know everything. However,” He reached behind her back. Myris flinched when she saw that Fyrian wanted to grab her hand again, but for some reason she allowed it. With a tilted head, he drew small circles on her palm, causing a tingling feeling to appear in her arm- in her whole body. “Even though you do not have to tell me anything, I want to tell everything I know; show you everything I know.”

Myris’ breath got stuck in her throat when he caressed her burn with his lips, the corners of his mouth pulling upwards into a smile. “If you want that, that is. And in return, you will not assume anything without explanation, alright?”

Watching the Fae in front of her- someone she had called multiple times a monster, Myris body felt warm again. It felt lighter. The way he still held her hand, and the smile he showed her… it soothed her. She was aware that she was for a big part oblivious, but he wanted to pull her out of the dark that still surrounded her. And instead of being scared of it, she did not hesitate this time to accept the opportunity to change that.

“Alright,” she answered.

“Well, then it is settled.” Fyrian let her go and then raised his head to the sky with a thoughtful look on his face before turning back to her. “And yet I have to ask you to be patient. I'll tell you everything... but not here. And not alone. You understand that, don't you?”

“Of course.”

For one last time, Myris felt Fyrian grab her hand and now placing a real kiss on the wound. “I can’t wait to show you the beauty of our land.”