I awoke with a jolt of fear before I felt Venom's sleek scales. My body was still aching, my mouth was bone dry, and my head was pounding, but he was here, so I was safe. I opened my eyes and sat up. I looked down at the robe that covered my body. I laid beneath at least five blankets.
Once I smelled fruit I looked to the side and all caution was thrown from me. I grabbed the silver platter and speared the salad repeatedly. I ate too quickly to taste it but the juice from the cantaloupe, strawberries, watermelon, and the chunks of feta cheese let me feel close to heaven. Once I ate the salad I finished the orange juice in three long gulps. I then took the tea and set the platter back on the nightstand.
Cupping the warm mug in my palms I looked down to Venom. My eyes then drifted to where the man from last night slept. Then back to Venom. I sipped my tea as I thought; what was the purpose of sparing Venom? Not many would welcome a deadly cobra into their home. Did he attempt to use Venom as a bartering chip?
I didn't feel as though I had been taken. Still, the man had undressed me. I couldn't give him any benefit of the doubt. At the absolute least he would want a prize for my rescue.
I remembered then the monster. I looked down at my arm. Holding it up I flexed my fingers. They weren't entirely mobile. Considering the damage to my arteries I was lucky to be alive at all. Still, it was disheartening.
I knew about werewolves and vampires. I knew a werewolf was what had attacked me, and a vampire had saved me. I knew I was infected. I didn't have time to process the implications of that; vampires and werewolves were enemies. I didn't know why but I knew enough to know that I wasn't safe.
Watching the man I slowly brought myself to me feet. I held out my hand for Venom and he shot up my arm to wrap around my neck. On the tips of my toes I made my way for the door. With my left hand I turned the knob and looked down both sides of the hall. They were free. Before me, past a wide staircase was a set of double doors that stood twenty feet tall.
I scurried down the stairs on the tips of my toes. My back against the wall to the right I looked around the archway. It was free. I ran to the door and swung it open. Silently shutting it behind me I raced toward the stables. Before venturing inside I looked behind me. The castle was a smoky gray. It stood tall on the top of the mountain that overlooked the ocean. It was truly beautiful in a macabre, foreboding sense.
I crept into the stable and freed the nearest horse. It was a white mare with speckles of gray across her face. I climbed onto her back and Venom hid his face in my hair. Even in my haste my fingers stroked his spine to comfort him. I took off. The clattering of her hooves against the gravel felt louder than ever. As she ran the icy wind slashed at my face. My heart was pounding as we galloped down the old dirt road. I could see the city far below through the sparse fog. It was alight with the golden glow of the sun. I couldn't stop looking behind me.
The ice was hazardous. Coupled with the seep mountain I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.
I passed a hamlet. My teeth clenched when I locked eyes with a woman who held a clear chalice of blood. She smiled at me. Instinctively I smiled back. Her kind eyes sent shivers up my spine.
I kept fleeing, hoping I wouldn't pass any more homes but I knew better. I could feel eyes on me suddenly. When I looked behind me and seen two winged figures above my heart sunk. They were far enough away that they could have been any other inhuman creature but I knew.
"Come on!" I growled, shaking the reigns, and the mare picked up her speed.
I felt Venom's head press against my cheek.
"We'll be home soon, my baby."
The mare reared up on her hind legs when a woman landed before me.
She was incredibly tall and muscular. Her thick black hair fell to her hips. Her serpentine face was pale. Her oval, knowing green eyes were soft yet threatening. She wore a thick green gown lined with fur and a heavy black cloak of bear fur that was pushed away by her wings. The golden and emerald crown atop her head sparkled.
A blur of darkness appeared beside me and I jumped. I turned to the man. He had those same eyes. His lashes were long and his beautiful eyes deep. He had full lips and a square face with a strong chin. His thick black eyebrows paired with his stubble made him look harsh and rugged.
I jumped off the horse and backed away with my hands up.
"Let me leave."
"You're in no danger, dear," The woman soothed with a voice like a rusty harp, "I'll leave you two to talk,"
I watched as she took her horse and rode off. I then looked at the man. The scent of sandalwood, sugar, and metal took me back.
I remembered my nineteenth birthday. The night before I had gone out with my friends. They wanted to keep the party going but I excused myself to go home.
Somehow I'd wound up lost in the woods. The crunching of the snow beneath Silver's hooves kept me grounded but the effect was waning.
Suddenly I was in a cabin. I opened my eyes. My head was throbbing. I sat up. The roaring fire before me warmed my bare feet. My thick white gown was finally dry.
"Good morning."
I turned to see a masked figure standing beside the couch with a mug of coffee. Steam poured from the mug like it was a chimney.
He wore a silver mask and a black cloak with its hood down. Beneath the cloak he wore black pants and a puffy white dress shirt.
"What happened?"
"You got lost. I found you and brought you here."
"Where is my horse?"
"The stable outside."
He handed me the mug and sat beside me. I brought the rich coffee to my lips and drank greedily. When I put the mug down and looked into his eyes I saw that he was smiling.
"Why are you wearing a mask?"
"I would have thought you'd thank me."
"Thank you. If you take me home we will reward you."
"I don't want a reward."
My brows met and my head tilted to the side. He was an odd man to say the least.
"What do you want?"
"What makes you think I want something?"
"Why else would you save me?"
His fingers reached out to stroke my cheek and my heart stopped.
"I know you," He murmured, his tone grave, "I love you. Deeply."
"Who are you?"
"You don't know me."
"I would like to."
"As would I."
I stared into his eyes. They reminded me of a time before. A time of warmth. A time of innocence. It was then that I ceased caring who he was, My heart yearned for him and what he represented.
We talked until the sun set. I left because I knew my family had to have been worried sick but I made him promise that I'd see him again.
"I know you," I accused him, "From the woods."
He took a few steps toward me and I took several steps back. His shoulders falling caused my treacherous heart to quiver.
"You're safe with me, Misty."
"Why can I see your face now? Why did you bring me here?"
"Come with me and we'll talk."
"Answer my questions first."
He took a deep breath, his chest expanding and pushing out his broad shoulders. He was beautiful. He had dark eyes and thick eyebrows. His wide nose reminded me of ancient statues. He was tall and clearly built. His messy black hair fell to his jaw and strong chin.
"You can see my face because you're one of us now."
"I'll never be one of you."
"It's too late for that, my dove. You have to stay here until the first moon for your safety."
I swallowed. There were truth to his words. Vampires, werewolves, and humans had an understanding before my father came into power. Vampires lived in what became the buried city after the divide and werewolves had lived in the forest. After the war had died down any rumor of vampirism or lycanthropy would cause a panic. Acknowledging that, I trusted my father. He knew I wasn't like them.
"I'm safe in my castle."
"You know that isn't true."
"I'm safer there than here."
I felt Venom slither down my body and quickly move across the ice below. I clenched my teeth. I watched him wrap himself around the vampire's leg and lock eyes with me. My body deflated. I looked to the monster. I didn't trust him but I trusted Venom.