chapter 17 - You're not my family.
I felt paralyzed and scared, not knowing what awaits behind me. I slowly turned and tried to scream at what I saw but I couldn't find my voice. "Grrr….!" Standing behind me were three wild wolves. I felt my knees tremble and tried to run but my legs wouldn't move. I had never felt so frightened in my life. "I see you have met my pets…" I looked back at that voice and saw Cera. "Y-Your pets…?" She walked over to me, her neck was bruised purple and blood stained her chin. "Kyaaah!?" I screamed as she grabbed one of my braids and pulled it painfully. "Look what your father did to my beautiful skin, you little bitch!" I winced in pain as my scalp throbbed and it felt as though she was trying to rip out a chunk of my hair. It seemed she had finally shown her true colors. "If mother didn't need you, I would have allowed them to tear you apart and leave nothing but your blooded bones for your father to find." She Looked terrifying with a big grin across her face as she spoke. I didn't understand, if they hated me then why fight for my custody? "W-why hurt me…if I-I'm y-your family…?" I asked with tears in my eyes at the horrible pain in my scalp. She grabbed my chin roughly causing my jaw to hurt. "You're not my family." I didn't understand her words. "You see your insufferable mother was my fathers illegitimate child, so you're nothing to me." She threw me back as she spat out those words.
"Now, don't be afraid, my dear niece." She adorned her fake attitude once more as she spoke with an angelic voice. "My darlings here won't kill you, but we have to make sure that your father can't win your custody so he will only bite a nice big chunk out of your leg so he is seen as unfit to protect you."
I felt terrified at her words and hated myself for ever doubting my father or running away. I only had myself to blame for all this! Cera walked off as the wolves surrounded me in a circle to keep me from running. Once she was out of sight the first wolf lunged at me and I screamed, shielding myself with my arms.
Arthur sat in the court impatiently. "We can't keep waiting, exactly where is Lord Orion and the child." The judge questioned once again and Arthur was at loss and didn't know what to answer. Cera Wayward entered and stood over next to Erida and whispered in her ears. Arthur eyes them suspiciously and he doesn't miss Eridas' little smile. (Exactly what were they planning? Brother please protect Iridesa...) Just then the door blast opened and everyone was stunned at the sight they saw.
As the wolf lunged towards me baring his bloody teeth, I screamed at the top of my lungs embracing myself for impact and as I did a bright light emitted from my body striking the wolf back against a tree leaving him motionless. I sat still with bated breath, not sure what happened. "W-was that m-magic…?" The other two wolves seemed more pissed at their fellow members injured state and growled at me, their teeth bare and saliva dripping. "No! S-stay a-away!" I tried my best to do what I did earlier but nothing. The wolves both lunged at me and I closed my eyes shut screaming the first word that came to mind. "FATHER! HELP!"
At that moment I felt a huge gush of warm liquid hit me across the face and I opened my eyes in shock to see the two wolves sliced before me. "Iridesa!" I looked up to see father panting heavily and sweating. He must have rushed over and searched for me frantically, judging by his state. I felt tears well in my eyes and I clutched his cloak. "F-father…" He stilled at my words. He found me. I am safe now. "FATHER!" I screamed again as I t threw myself into his arms and embraced him. He immediately picked me up and held me tight. "I'm s-sorry Father!" He wiped my tears as he shook his head. "You have nothing to apologize for! I'm sorry for not controlling my anger. I would never hurt you!" He hugged me tightly as he bared his feelings to me. I relaxed in his embrace feeling safe. "Argh!" Father groaned in pain and my eyes shot wide open. The wolf that I hit earlier had regained consciousness, and was now latched onto fathers leg with his jaw. If I remembered correctly their bites were laced with venom, this made my blood run cold and feeling anger at seeing my fathers face twist in pain I screamed. "LET MY FATHER GO!" At that very moment the same white light from earlier emitted from my body and threw back the wolf even stronger than before, killing him. Father looked at me in shock. "You did magic?" I replied in a small voice. "I-I don't know…m-maybe…" Father laughed at my confused expression and kissed my eyelid. "You're so adorable, my precious daughter." I felt happy at his words, but then I panicked remembering the court case. I explained to my father about what Cera had told me about how she planned to have me attacked and taken away from him. His expression went dark but I didn't fear him, not anymore. "I'm not gonna spare that…." Father stopped not wanting to curse in front of me, I shook my head. "F-father please don't do a-anything." He looked at me hesitantly and I explained. "T-they will only h-have an ad-advantage. I know e-exactly what to d-do." He smiled at my words and removed his cloak wrapping me with it. "I'll listen to whatever you want and I trust your choice. After all, my daughter is so strong and smart." I smiled at his words and we headed back to the courtroom and this time I was really prepared.
As we reached the door Father swung it open. Everyone looked at us in horror as we were covered in blood from head to toe but I didn't falter. I especially looked at Cera who stood at the back of the room straight in the eyes with the same serious expression across my face that my father wore, telling her I won't let her win so easily. She bit her nail, her eyes going bloodshot with anger. I smirked at her and she fumed with anger. Father smiled at my confidence and looked proud. Uncle and Brother were both stunned and Uncle muttered under his breath. "She may have her mother's beauty but she definitely resembles her father so much right now…" Brother agreed and they both smiled at the Waywards knowing that this shattered their defenses. As we joined uncle and brother father explained everything that happened and their expressions went dark.
The judge spoke annoyed, "Would you please care to explain why you are late and what is with your horrifying appearance!?" Father smirked confidently at the judge. "Forgive me your honor, we had a little accident now if you don't mind, my daughter would like the chance to say something." Upon hearing that Erida's armor had finally cracked and I smiled.