A scream imbued with the determination to break free but unable to do so. A scream filled with agitation and helplessness. Other than screaming and twisting her limbs out of the entrapment, Arella did not know what else to do.
So, she kept on screaming. One scream after the other. Each filled with more and more power. The power to set her free. She screamed till she felt her throat bleeding. She screamed till she could no more.
At the same time, she kept on trying to free her limbs from the numbing coldness. After a few attempts, she could feel the ice surrounding her melting slowly. The temperature around her started rising steeply.
The moment she could feel her legs once again, she started walking. Wobbly steps made it hard for her to have a firm footing, but regardless, she maintained her balance and kept walking. One step after another.
Her thoughts were filled with only one thing: she had to leave! And as soon as possible. Her feeble frame, drenched in water made a sorry sight, but her eyes were filled with purpose.
She kept on taking measured steps. But to her dismay, her weak body was not as firm as her mind. She could feel her legs trembling and faltering at every step. But she resolutely moved with the thought of finding the exit. She had to leave. Adrian was waiting for her. She must leave.
Her resolve allowed her to take a few more steps, and then, darkness devoured her consciousness. Weak, just like a rag doll, she fell on the floor, succumbing to exhaustion.
Unknown to her, as she lay unconscious on the floor, the temperature around her kept rising. The droplets that had made her drenched, evaporated without a trace.
Everything around her was dry and hot. The coldness around her had long disappeared, as it was never there in the first place.
The image of the pair of wings, on the back of her neck was radiating heat. Within a few moments, the wings became fiery red, like molten magma. A blinding white light broke out of the wings.
The white light soon covered Arella's entire body in a warm embrace. Blinding white light poured out of her body and soon started enveloping the surroundings.
A tussle began between the ever present darkness and the sprouting white light.
The white light glided and devoured the darkness without any struggle. Soon, the place, that was embedded in darkness, was consumed by the white light.
Arella, in a half conscious state, could feel the changes around her. Her body felt extremely comfortable. A rejuvenating essence filled her pores. The lost strength was coming back to her.
In a trance, she tried to open her eyes. As soon as she opened her eyes, the blinding eyes assaulted her vision. She closed her eyes instinctively. As she closed her eyes, a sight appeared in her mind.
A giant pair of wings! A pair of wings was hovering over her!
Startled, she opened her eyes to witness it, but once again, the blinding light interrupted her. Confused yet determined to see what was happening outside, she made up her mind and slowly opened her eyes.
She fought her instincts to close her eyes. Wide eyed, she kept searching for that pair of wings in her surroundings. Seconds after looking for it, she tilted her neck backward and looked straight in a particular direction above her.
White light forbade her to distinguish anything, but she could feel something pulsating with energy above her. As she stared, a silhouette became clear. First, an outline and then, a clear image appeared in front of her. An image of a giant pair of wings.
Wings! Her eyes widened at the sight. Her hand, as if having a mind of one's own, stretched outwards, toward the direction of the wings.
The wings, as if responding to a call, flapped in the air. A stroke of fresh air hit her face. She kept her eyes focused on the pair of wings. They swiftly flapped and then began their descent. They were coming straight at her!
Flabbergasted for a second, she wanted to run and hide! But the speed of the wings was faster than her thoughts. Within a second, it reached her proximity. Arella wanted to retract her outstretched hand, but the wings caught her unguarded. They dived straight into her!
As soon as the wings entered her body, Arella shook and then once again, lost consciousness.
Once the pair of wings disappeared, the blinding light lost its source. It dimmed, receding like a tide. A healthy glow of light remained. The darkness was nowhere in sight.
Outside, after making sure that Arella's body temperature was back to normal, Adrian checked her vitals. Everything appeared normal. A sigh of relief escaped his mouth.
He gently scooped her in his arms and took measured steps towards their bedroom. The thought of calling upon a healer crossed his mind, but he discarded it.
Arella's vitals were back to normal. A healer would not be able to tell otherwise. It was in their best interest to wait for Arella to wake up on her own.
If she woke up within the next twenty four hours, then good. Otherwise, he would take her to the healer center. He was concerned. But he also knew that something was going on within her.
Maybe it was time to tell her about the ruby and its evaluation.
He sighed a little and put her on the bed. He tucked her in and then went into the bathroom to wear something. He was still naked. Though he knew that none of the staff would dare to come up to the fourth and fifth floors, he still found it uncomfortable to roam naked in the villa.
He wore a bathrobe and lay down next to his sleeping beloved.
The idea of being surrounded by a multitude of people was nothing but a hindrance to him. He preferred their home better. There, nobody could disturb them.
But in a way, having a lot of people around was better, at least for Arella. This way, he would have to restrain his impulsive thoughts.
He scoffed at his nature and then lightly brought the cause of his temptation and restrain into his arms.
Breathing in her scent, he closed his eyes and fell asleep.