Page 54 of The Dragon King's Curse
I stared in shock at Noxx’s limp form. It took a few moments for me to spring into action. I wasn’t sure what to do. We were too far from any town to go for help. If anyone would even help us.
Panic had me trembling. I furiously wiped the tears from my eyes, telling myself that I needed to get myself together if I was to keep Noxx alive. I wasn’t sure how close to death the fae had brought him.
Crouching down to the ground, I pressed my palm to the earth beneath me and concentrated. A wave of dizziness swept me. Drawing on my magic without being at full strength demanded more than I had to give. Still, I wouldn’t give up. Not now that we had a chance.
I was starting to give up hope when a large male deer emerged from between the trees. We spoke without words. He knelt down next to Noxx, allowing me to drag the fallen king onto his back. I didn’t know where I was going, only that I needed to get away from here.
I asked the trees to lead me to a place where we would be safe. I needed to make Noxx comfortable so I could tend to his wounds. The trees swayed and rustled, leading me deeper within them. I soon found myself crouching beneath the bows of a massive willow. The hanging branches provided the perfectshelter with plenty of space underneath for me to roll out the sheet and lay Noxx down.
After I managed to pull his heavy frame off the deer and onto the sheet, I offered the beautiful creature some of the berries from my bag. “Thank you. If he survives, it will be because of your help.”
I stroked a hand along the deer’s nose before he pulled away and disappeared into the forest. Dropping down next to Noxx, I looked over his naked body. Most shifters had the ability to magickally clothe themselves when they returned to a human-like form. Noxx’s shift had been so sudden and explosive. In his weak state, he’d been unable to do so.
His nudity allowed me a good look at his many injuries. I was absolutely horrified by what I saw. Using some of the water in one of our canisters, I tore strips off the sheet and carefully cleaned his wounds. It wasn’t enough.
I still had some of the herbs and salve the healer had given me for the bites on my neck. Although they had yet to completely heal, they were nothing compared to what Noxx had suffered.
I stuffed some of the herbs into a water canister, letting them soak while I carefully applied salve to the worst of his wounds. My heart broke all over again. He’d endured so much. One particularly ugly gash on his side made me wish I could watch him slaughter those fae all over again.
When I’d done my best to dress his wounds, I wrapped him in the sheet to keep him warm and sat next to him on the ground. Lifting his head into my lap, I carefully wet his lips with the herbal tea.
Noxx was deep in unconsciousness. His eyes never so much as fluttered. I could do little more than wet his mouth with the tea. I couldn’t very well force it down his throat until he was awake.
I sat there watching over him for the rest of the night. Making sure his chest continued to rise and fall with breath. We couldn’t stay out here indefinitely. I needed to get him somewhere safer to recover. Somewhere more comfortable. I feared that I would have to leave him and go in search of help. Someone able to bring us to the next town.
The next day passed. The hours crawled by one after the other. Still Noxx remained unconscious. I wasn’t sure how long it would take Atlas to figure out that his men were not returning. Hopefully not for a while yet.
When the following night turned again into morning, I knew that I had to do something. Pressing my hand to the ground, I called the deer back to me. Even though my strength was returning, Noxx’s heavy muscular form was too much for me to carry. We needed to get closer to the road. I had no choice but to take a risk and try to find help.
Relief brought a heavy sigh from me when the deer returned. I arranged Noxx so he was slung over the deer’s back. Together the deer and I trudged along through the forest toward the road. It took us most of the day.
When we reached the road, I left Noxx with the deer near the tree line and ventured forward on my own. I waited impatiently for someone to come along. People on horses. A carriage. Anything.
Shortly before dark, a carriage came along, pulled by four strong horses. With a quick prayer to the gods that these people were of no danger to me, I ran out in front of the carriage, waving my arms.
As the carriage drew to a halt, the driver shouted at me, demanding to know what the hell I thought I was doing. Unperturbed by his anger, I felt only relief that he was human.
“My name is Feryn Raegel,” I said. “Princess of the Earth Realm. Heiress to the elven throne. I need your help.”
The carriage door opened and a man exited. He was well dressed in a fine suit, his brown hair slicked perfectly into place.
“What’s going on here?” he asked the driver.
“She claims to be the elven princess, sir. She’s requesting our assistance.”
The man took a closer look at me, his eyes widening in recognition. “It is you, isn’t it? I’ve only ever seen a portrait of your family, but I would recognize you anywhere. What are you doing out here all alone in the middle of The Seam?”
Given the opportunity, I launched into a brief explanation, telling him that my companion had been severely wounded, and we needed assistance reaching the next town.
“I promise you any favor from my realm in return for your help,” I vowed. “Your kindness will never be forgotten.”
Holding my breath, I waited for his reply. He seemed momentarily uncertain. Finally, he said, “I would be honored to help you, princess. Where is your companion?”
He watched with wide eyes as I called the deer forward. As the animal emerged from the trees carrying Noxx, the man did a double take.
“Is that the Dragon King? It can’t really be, can it?”
“It is,” I confirmed. “And he may very well die if we don’t reach the next town swiftly.”
