Page 82 of The Shadow Prince's Ruin
I miss a step but regain my footing, saving us both from tumbling to the black moss under my paws. Memories ofchoking, oily water, of floating without purpose, and the growing sense of doom flood back, and I shake my head. But a part of me still wants to see the place where I could have ended up, so I approach the cliff and peek past the edge, at dark, dark waters rolling forward and pouring into the ocean to our right.
A shudder goes along my back, but I don’t avert my eyes, and try to recognize human-like shapes below.
[What happens to them once they reach the ocean?]
Sylvan hums. “We believe they are consumed by Heartbreak, the monster from the deep sea. But I doubt they are conscious at that point. Their darkened hearts fuel the beast, and every time it gains enough strength, it approaches the Nocturne Court. We do not know its true origin. Whether it is a hateful creature with a mind of its own, or an event comparable to a violent storm, remains a mystery. I’ve been studying alternative ways to fight it, trying to find out what else it could be vulnerable to.”
I look away from the river below and seek another way past the chasm. Once I spot a stone bridge with torn flags floating in the air on either side of the fjord, I trot along the cliff, eager to leave this cursed place behind me. [Is it really so difficult to pull out a soul?]
“Oh, they are all desperate to get out, but have you ever tried saving a drowning man? They are so overcome with the need to save themselves they will pull you in if you are not strong enough. Many have tried using rope and the like, but no alternative method proved effective. You need to catch the soul with your bare hands. And that’s why my sister died. She overestimated her capabilities and chose a soul that easily overpowered her. I’ve heard of elves getting lucky in their attempts, but oftentimes, other souls will hang on to the one you’re trying to free. Let’s just say, I never even considered attempting the feat myself. Yet all royals, even those without Companions, are expected to fight Heartbreak when itapproaches. And I… I fled. I brought shame upon myself while my brother died defending innocent lives.”
I sense his grief and shame so deeply it tears a howl from my throat. Poor Sylvan does not deserve to blame himself. [What’s the point of facing an enemy you can’t compete with? You would have died for nothing.]
“At least I would have not dishonored my family. My mother thinks honor is for fools, but she finds it important we maintain its facade in public. I failed. I think…” He squeezes my fur. “I think she’s angry I’m the one who came back instead of my brother.”
I whine. [That’s terrible! Your mom is even worse than my family, and you’ve met them!]
“I see it.” He sighs as we travel under the cover of trees. “Since I met you, all I could think of was that your presence at my side would force her to respect me in some fashion. Then, I obtained the Sunwolf Crown to further put myself into the annals of history. After years of being constantly laughed at and demeaned, I craved the taste of victory, but should spite really be the point of my existence? Your approval, my darling, is worth more than even the crown of the Nocturne Court.” He leans down and kisses me between the ears.
I’m overcome by a wave of joy and leap up as soon as he pulls his face away from my skull. I now understand why dogs enjoy being scratched there, because it’sthe best. [That’s their loss and my gain. You are so smart, you know all those alchemy things, and about animals and places. You can do anything you put your mind to,] I communicate to him as we reach the bridge. It doesn’t appear to be used or frequently maintained, but nothing happens when I cautiously take my first step over the chasm, so forward it is.
Fortunately, there are walls on both sides of me, which block out wind and at least some of the noise coming from the river.
Sylvan shifts and grips my fur harder. I kinda love that I get to feel his ass and thighs all the time when he rides me. It’s kind of pervy, so I won’t comment, but it is what it is. Soon enough though, we’re on the other side, and my prince speaks again.
“I’ve been thinking about something.” He strokes me again, and I wag my tail so hard it smacks a bush and several birds fly out of it with a screech. Sylvan just laughs. “Watch it! They might have eggs in there.”
I howl in apology, but I don’t think the birds take it the way I mean it. They're small, pale blue and, as Sylvan told me, people call them mourners, because they come in several pastel shades, which in this reality isn’t a color scheme every little girl wants in her bedroom, but shades people wear to funerals.
Sylvan has shown me so many interesting things since we started this journey. Somehow, he knows the names of all the flowers, herbs, and little critters we encounter, but also stories related to each and every one. I appreciate having him as my guide through the Nightmare Realm.
[Tell me,] I demand as we leave the bridge behind.
“I realized I was so focused on my goals and how you fit into them, that I forgot to ask whatyouwant, my love. We are at a metaphorical crossroads. My past hopes and dreams might be in ruins, but we get a fresh start, and I don’t want to make plans based on my own vision. I want a life to satisfy both of us.”
I twist my head as we follow a stone-paved road with numerous weeds growing between the cobbles. As dramatic as the views of the coast are, it’s a relief to step out of the cold wind and be once again surrounded by thick trees covered with vines shimmering like glitter.
I’m touched that he wants my input, that my needs are so important to him. He is the sweetest creature I’ve ever met.
[I... want us to be safe and comfortable. Where would be a good place for us to settle?]
Sylvan chuckles and points to a tall, partially crumbling tower above the tree crowns, not that far away from us. “I don’t think we can count on safe and comfortable tonight. See those ruins? Three centuries ago, a pack of werewolves used to live there, and my ancestor led the fight to get rid of them. You’d think that’s a good thing, since they were a nuisance to the elves in the area. But it turns out, they kept worse monsters at bay. The bassal kind. In their absence, the forest has become even more dangerous, and this castle has not been inhabited since. We will be safe once we reach a city.”
It’s like he’s waving a treat in front of me, and I turn because I justhaveto see those ruins. I speed up, mindful not to throw off my rider, but the closer we are to the tower, the faster my heart is beating. Soon enough, we dash along a crumbling wall and reach a gate that hasn’t been closed for decades. Only one of its wings is still present, partially buried in the damp ground and rusting, but what counts is that nothing’s stopping us from entering. I carry Sylvan down the rocky path leading to a garden overgrown with thorny bushes.
The place is like something out of a gothic fairytale, but I already have my prince.
“What is it?” Sylvan asks as I smell one of the many blood-red flowers dangling from a wide tree.
[I’m just curious. I wanted to come and see this place. Your whole world is so new to me, and everything is exciting. And werewolves? Makes me think. Am I a werewolf? Should we look for them? Would they accept me?]
Sylvan chuckles. “You arenota werewolf, Hawk. If you wish, we could track down a pack of werewolves, but I do not think it wise. It’s best no one knows about the return of the Sunwolf. We are hunted because of my crimes, but while the Lord of the Nocturne Court can ignore my existence, he cannot afford to do the same if he finds out about you.”
The garden is denser close to the tower, as if the forest around us has managed to leave its mark on every single structure. When the stone walls of the castle finally emerge from beyond the trees—two floors with rows of empty windows and foliage crawling up every surface, I’m struck by the wild beauty of this place.
It’s like finding the ruins of some lost civilization.
[If werewolves exist, does your world also have vampires?] I ask, remembering the themed room at The Burning Corpse. [Are they natural enemies?]
