Odesse found herself wandering through a vast forest bathed in silver light. The moon hung full above the trees, illuminating every leaf and shadow. She turned in slow confusion, her voice soft but trembling.
"Where am I?" she whispered, glancing around. "How did I wander in here?"
A sudden cry tore through the quiet night. "Help!"
Odesse froze. Her heart skipped. "Someone's here..." she murmured, listening again.
Then it came once more... "Help!" the voice desperate, raw. Her eyes widened. "Wait... that sounds like Master Valex."
She cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted, "Master Valex! Is that you?"
From the distance, she heard it clearly this time. "Odesse! Odesse, help!"
Her pulse raced. "I'm coming!" she cried, sprinting through the forest, pushing past low branches and roots clawing at her feet. She followed the voice until she reached a narrow turn, and there he was.
Valex knelt in the center of a clearing, bound by heavy chains that glowed faintly under the moonlight. His body trembled as though every breath pained him. The light from above struck him directly, wrapping him in an eerie, pale glow.
Odesse gasped, stumbling forward. "Master Valex!" She dropped to her knees beside him, tears pooling in her eyes as she reached for his face. "Who did this to you? I'll help you, I promise."
He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came, his strength was fading, his energy draining into the cursed chains that held him down.
Odesse looked down, gritting her teeth. "Hold on, I'll get you out." She gripped the chains, pulling with all her strength. The cold metal cut into her palms, blood trickling down her fingers. "I'll save you, just hang on!"
The ground trembled. A deep, thunderous sound echoed through the forest, shaking the trees.
Odesse froze, her eyes darting around. "What's that?"
Valex stirred weakly, his voice hoarse. "Odesse... run. Go now."
She shook her head, tears spilling down her cheeks. "No, I won't leave you."
The sound drew closer... heavy, rhythmic thuds like footsteps of a monstrous being. Valex's chains rattled violently. "Go!" he shouted again, but Odesse only pulled harder, the blood on her hands smearing across the metal.
Then, as her fingers brushed his face once more, her body stiffened. Her head tilted back as if seized by an unseen force. Her eyes snapped open wide, glowing under the moonlight. Thick, black blood began to stream from them, running down her cheeks like tears.
The forest roared in her ears... and everything went white.
Odesse jerked awake with a sharp gasp, shouting, "Master Valex!" Her breathing was ragged. She sat up quickly, touching her eyes, no blood. Just her trembling hands and the faint echo of her scream.
"Odesse, are you alright?" came a deep, familiar voice beside her.
She turned slowly, her eyes widening as she saw Valex lying next to her. His gaze was soft, concerned. Before she could speak, he reached out, pulling her into his arms. His lips brushed her neck, then her forehead. "It's alright," he murmured. "Nothing happened. You're safe."
She tried to answer, but her voice caught in her throat. Valex drew back slightly, his expression shifting. "Odesse... your nose."
She blinked, confused, and touched it. Her fingers came away stained with thick black blood. Her eyes widened in horror, then the room darkened, the world tilting into nothingness.
When she opened her eyes again, she was sitting upright in bed, breathing hard. Morning light spilled through the window. She touched her nose and found a faint trace of black blood still there.
"Ugh... again," she muttered, rubbing her face. "This the fourth night this has happened." She sighed heavily, rising from the bed. "And those dreams... what are they supposed to mean? And this blood... ugh."
She straightened her nightclothes, forcing a tired smile. "I'd better get ready before Miss Faye finds out I overslept again."
She walked to the mirror, but for a moment, her reflection flickered... her eyes flashing black under the light. Then it vanished.
Odesse had already gotten dressed and was making her way into the palace. As she walked in, she saw Valex speaking with Miss Faye and Kael. She paused by the entrance, unsure if she should interrupt, but Valex's eyes found hers almost instantly.
She froze.
Miss Faye and Kael turned around to see her, and Valex said, "Odesse, come here."
Her feet felt heavy as she walked toward him and stood before the three.
"You'll be accompanying me to a party," Valex said.
Odesse's eyes widened. Before she could respond, he added calmly, "As my wife."
Her breath hitched. She nearly choked on her own spit. She opened her mouth to protest, but Valex stood up before she could speak.
"We leave tomorrow at noon," he said, and walked off with Kael close behind.
Odesse blinked rapidly, trying to process what just happened. Then she turned to Miss Faye, half-whispering, "What is this? I thought I was brought here as a servant, not his wife."
Miss Faye sighed. "Yes, you were. But you carry his mark, and word has already spread through the packs that Master Valex has taken a human wife. Leaving you behind would taint his name."
"But bringing me along would taint it too," Odesse argued softly.
Miss Faye smiled faintly. "You think he doesn't know that? But that's what one does for love."
Odesse gave a short, nervous laugh. "Miss Faye, you really know how to joke."
Miss Faye started walking outside. Odesse followed quickly. "Where are we going anyway?" she asked.
"To the Fang Pack," Miss Faye said. "King Orin... Master Valex's childhood friend... is hosting a celebration after conquering another pack."
Odesse hesitated. "Do you think King Malrik will be there?"
"I don't think so," Miss Faye replied. "Orin never liked him. And even if he is there, Master Valex will protect you. He won't let anything happen to you."
Odesse smiled at that, though her mind still spun. She thought of her strange dreams and the blood, and for a moment, she considered telling Miss Faye.
"Miss Faye..." she began.
"Yes, dear?"
Odesse hesitated, then shook her head. "Never mind. It's nothing."
Miss Faye smiled knowingly. "If you ever need to tell me something, just know that I'm here."
Odesse's lips lifted in a small, warm smile.
They stopped before a tall iron gate. Odesse blinked in surprise. "Whoa... what is this place?"
Miss Faye opened the gates, and a soft wind swept over them, carrying a sweet fragrance.
"The smell is amazing," Odesse said, stepping in.
"This is Master Valex's private garden," Miss Faye replied.
Odesse's eyes widened. "This whole compound?"
"Yes," Miss Faye said with a small laugh. "He loves flowers. He comes here to unwind."
Odesse looked around, mesmerized. "How come I've never been here before?"
"Because Master Valex rarely allows anyone in here," Miss Faye said. "Only the gardeners."
"Won't he be angry we're here?" Odesse asked, still glancing around in awe.
"Don't worry about that," Miss Faye said gently.
They walked deeper inside, and Odesse's eyes lit up. The garden was a sea of color-roses, lilies, wildflowers she didn't even know the names of. Butterflies danced between petals, their wings glowing faintly under the morning light.
Her face softened into a smile. "No way... are those butterflies?"
Miss Faye nodded. "They are."
"They're so rare in the Silverclaw Palace," Odesse said, almost in a whisper. She turned slowly, taking in every flower and color. "This place is beautiful."
Miss Faye stopped and smiled at her. "Alright, let's go now. Time for you to get ready for tomorrow."
Odesse's smile faded into a small frown as she sighed and followed Miss Faye out of the garden, the scent of flowers still clinging to her hair.