Chapter 111: You think you can free her?
Mixed POVs
The palace walls stood high, the wall glistening with snowing. Even as the sun shined above softly melting the snow, the King's horse and his entourage rode in high speed.
As Raphael dismounted, his soldiers fell in line, their eyes alert, awaiting orders. He ignored them, his mind turning to the conversation he’d had with Drogon on the journey back.
The moment they stepped into the great hall, Drogon spoke. “The maid,” he said without pleasantries .“The one Ava tried to save... Callie. Is she still alive?”
Raphael’s brow raised. “Yes,” he answered. “She and her brother are in the Lycanthrope camp. I ordered them to be protected.”
Drogon nodded once. “Bring them to me.”
Raphael snapped his fingers at a nearby soldier. “Fetch them. Now.”
The man bowed and rushed out.
Minutes later, Callie entered, her steps hesitant, her hand gripping a small boy’s. Her younger brother.
His wide, frightened eyes swept around the room, taking in the presence of the king, who was looking scary, a tall muscular man that was gazing at him and the strangers who bore no kindness in their expressions.
Callie instinctively pulled her brother behind her. She swallowed the lump of fear in her throat. “Y-Your Majesty,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Drogon stepped forward, his large frame dwarfing over her small one. “Do not be afraid,” he said, his voice softer than anyone had expected. “I need your help.”
She clutched her brother tighter. “H-How?”
Drogon extended his hand. “Your blood.”
Her entire body stiffened.
Raphael stepped forward, his patience too little as it is. “Do as he says,” he ordered, his voice leaving no room for argument.
He still couldn't forget Callie was the reason, Ava was in the mess she was. And it took all the goodwill in him not snap her into like Grey wanted him to.
With trembling fingers, Callie extended her wrist.
Drogon unsheathed a small blade and made a quick, clean cut along her palm. A single drop of blood welled up before he mixed it with his own. His dragon blood was thick and dark, unlike any mortal’s.
A vibration of energies swirled round between them for a bit. Draining color from Callie's face as she thought, she had finally met her end.
She closed her eyes awaiting the final blow to land. But it never came. All she had was weird distorted words of Drogon
Drogon he began the summoning, he was trying his best to drag the spirit of Ava to him before retrieving her body. As Callie was the last contact with the spell that took her spirit, it was the reason, her blood was needed for the ritual.
A gust of unseen wind howled through the premises of the field, they were in. The flames in the torches flickered, shadows lengthening along the stone walls. The temperature dropped. It was neither hot or cold.
The room held its breath. And then, she appeared. Ava, it wasn't exactly her body.
At first, only Drogon saw her. Her spirit swayed like a dying ember, her eyes hollow, her form weightless and transparent. She stood with her hands at her sides, her lips slightly parted as if she had been trapped in an eternal whisper.
Sadness clung to her eyes that was looking almost lifeless. It was almost as though she didn't have the will or need to live anymore.
Drogon’s chest ached.
“I am sorry,” he murmured, bowing his head slightly. “I took too long.”
Ava turned her empty gaze to him, her expression filled with sadness. For a moment, one would think, she will start crying.
Behind her, another figure moved in the shadows, unseen by all but Drogon. It was no other than Alasia.
She stood behind Ava, laughing, soft at first, then louder, her voice like a rusted blade dragging across the stone getting ready to strike.
Her twisted joy was unbearable.
Ava flinched at the sound, but she did not resist as Alasia reached forward and placed both hands on her shoulders. With a forceful shove, she pushed Ava forward.
Ava gasped. Her form blinking, solidifying for a heartbeat. Raphael inhaled sharply. He saw her. The entire room did.
Gasps of disbelief filled the air as Ava’s spirit became visible to all. Callie’s eyes widened, tears spilling freely.
“My lady?” she choked.
Anastasia took a step forward, her lips trembling. “Ava, can you hear us?”
Ava did not answer. She looked down at her own hands, confusion flashing across her face as if she, too, could not believe what had just happened.
Raphael clenched his fists, his jaw tight. As he tried hold in his emotions. He didn't want to break down before his people.
“Ava,” he choked out She lifted her head when she heard his voice. Her eyes met his and the tears she had been holding finally fell.
His breath caught. He was still in disbelief.
Guilt had been eating him alive. The thought that he had not protected her enough. That he might be reason why he lost her. And that Alasia might be the holding her as a prisoner killed him.
However, what finally broke Raphael was seeing her, trapped, untouchable, it made everything too much for him and a tear slipped down his face. Then another.
“I tried,” he whispered. “I tried to bring you back.”
Ava’s lips parted, but no sound came out.
Drogon turned to the others, his gaze filled with sorrow. “She says she is not angry.”
Raphael’s throat tightened.
Callie let out a sob, falling to her knees. “I should have fought harder,” she wept. “I should have never had agreed... It's all my fault..."
Ava stepped forward, her translucent hand reaching out as if to comfort the girl, but it passed through her.
Then the air shifted as a chill crawled through the field thick as a fog. Instilling fear in the heart of the people around except for Drogon and Raphael.
A shadow formed behind Ava. And this time, everyone felt it even though, they couldn't see. The hair on Raphael’s arms rose.
Ava stiffened. She turned slowly, her eyes widening in fear. Drogon was the only one who could see what she saw.
Alasia had not stopped laughing. But now, she was closer. Her form darkened, her grin stretching too wide, her eyes glinting with something wicked.
Drogon’s body tensed. He knew this was no ordinary spirit.
“Do you think you can free her?” Alasia taunted, her voice curling around him like smoke. “Do you think the gods will allow it?”
Drogon clenched his jaw. Raphael could not see her, but he could feel the malice in her environment.
Ava tried to step back, but Alasia was quicker. She reached for Ava’s wrist...And Ava screamed.
It was the first sound she had made since she appeared, and it was filled with raw, unfiltered agony. The palace trembled.
Raphael snarled, stepping forward. “What’s happening?”
Drogon did not hesitate. He lunged forward, reaching for Ava’s fading form... But Alasia was already pulling her back into the darkness.
The last thing they heard was her laughter.
Then Ava was gone.
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