I have a vague memory of meeting his gaze once in the banquet hall of the Sorsston castle, though I can’t quite recall the details of the encounter.
A horrid thought strikes me, and I can’t help but gasp.
What if General Dalgaard was the very danger I needed saving from while at the Sorsston castle? What if the kind, highborn fae who helped me was saving me from the general? Maybe the general was about to drag me to his quarters, only for the highborn fae who flew me to my parents’ house and gave me twenty silver coins to intervene?
My heart seizes at the possibility. It makes sense, though it’s beyond frustrating that I can’t piece the memories together, and it doesn’t help that my imagination is so vivid.
While I appreciate the highborn fae who saved me, whoever he might be, I wish he hadn’t felt the need to glamour me. I don’t like that he stole my memories.
Eventually, my fear-induced shaking ceases, and my fatigue expands to the point that my eyes grow heavy. I keep jerking awake each time I almost fall asleep, however, convinced thatevery little noise coming from outside the cave is General Dalgaard.
Please let me escape him.
The more I consider it, the more I worry he was involved in the dangerous situation at the Sorsston castle, the more I worry he’s the fiend who threatened my safety.
My restless mind runs through countless dark possibilities as I consider what might’ve happened in Sorsston that had resulted in my early dismissal from the castle.
Did General Dalgaard attempt to violate me? I shiver at the prospect. Did he try to kill me? Perhaps I spilled a drink or dropped a tray of food and incited his wrath. Or maybe he simply wanted to torment me just to hear me scream. I’d witnessed such occurrences in the castle, watched helplessly as fellow servants were pulled aside and tortured in ways that still give me nightmares.
Did General Dalgaard succeed in hurting me before my highborn savior intervened? If so, perhaps that’s another reason I was glamoured and had my memories stolen.
I’m on the verge of drifting off again when something crawls across my feet. I glance down and gasp at the sight of a furry, red-eyed creature with sharp, pointed teeth.
The animal isn’t very big. About the size of a large cat. But in addition to its sharp teeth, it possesses a long tail that’s tipped with a talon. It doesn’t appear friendly.
My mouth goes dry as I wonder if I could defeat this small but dangerous looking beast in a fight.
I stare at the fae animal, even though I’ve heard it’s never smart to make eye contact with a predator. Does the creature hail from the Summer Court? The Summer Court is the closest fae court to the Warrlish Mountains, though I suppose it doesn’t matter from which court the creature hails.
All that matters is that I manage to escape unscathed. The creature looks like it could do some serious damage with its teeth or its tail.
With careful movements, I start scooting away.
The little beast draws back its head and releases an ear-splitting screech. I gasp and scramble further away, but before I can flee the cave, it grabs hold of my leg. I scream as its teeth sink into my flesh.
After I slam my fist into the furry beast’s head, it releases my leg and howls. Despite the throbbing pain in my calf, I make it to my feet and rush out of the cave.
I move as fast as I can through the trees, desperate to put as much space as I can between myself and the sharp-toothed creature. It soon becomes difficult to put weight on my bitten leg, however, and I limp through the forest while praying the animal doesn’t chase me down.
Oh, gods. That was a small fae beast. What will happen if I run into a huge one, particularly one of those dire wolves I’ve heard about? Or a mangga swarm? I’ve overheard hunters talk about outrunning mangga swarms that are over a hundred strong. I can’t imagine facing down such a foe, especially in my current condition.
My pack! I left my pack behind in the cave. Not that it contained much. Just some clothes, medicinal herbs, and a few small personal items. Thankfully, the bag of silver is stashed deep in my pocket.
At least I still have the money.
If I can reach another town, I can afford lodging. The funds won’t stretch forever, so I’ll need to find a job, but with my experience working as a castle servant, that shouldn’t be too difficult. I hope.
I pause in a small clearing and pull up my pant leg. A dark green substance oozes from each tooth mark in my calf. Oh no. That can’t be good.
Dizziness grips me, but I lower my pant leg and keep going.
I don’t make it more than a dozen steps before a branch snaps behind me. My stomach flips, and I turn around slowly while praying it’s not the beast from the cave, or something worse.
A gasp catches in my throat.
It’s something worse.
General Dalgaard stands amidst the trees, his dark gaze riveted on me. “Hello, Amelia. I’ve been looking for you.”
