Light aspen leaves whispered drowsily overhead, and through them a piercing autumn sky could be seen. Light cirrus clouds froze in height. It was quiet, no birds were heard. The air was filled with the spicy smell of leaves, moss, earth and blood.The girl turned back. Everywhere broken, spattered with scarlet and brown spots of the body. Light chain mail, shining in the sun. Deadly white faces. Eyes wide in horror, completely blind. Everyone has frighteningly white hair. An overturned wagon a little further. Several female bodies nearby. The girl staggered, turned away sharply, which made everything dark and swam before her eyes for a moment.Step, one more.Farther and farther away from that glade saturated with the smell of death. Sharp pain. The girl took a deep breath, pressing her hands to her stomach. Scarlet spots were slowly spreading across the light blue dress. Step, one more. A stubborn breath."Not today. I won't die today."Pain. Step, one more. Bloody path on the leaves
It does not hurt anymore. It was the girl's first thought. Only then came the slow realization that she seemed to be alive. Then fragmentary pictures of recent events flashed in my memories: bloody bodies, an attack by the undead, a wound... Markats!She opened her eyes abruptly and almost jumped. At that very moment, my stomach was deeply cut with pain, my breath caught, and the bright light blinded me. There were tears in my eyes. Almost immediately, someone's persistent and strong hands pressed on his shoulders, forcing him to lie back down.The girl tried to catch her breath, not making any more attempts to move. A voice next to him cursed in displeasure. The picture before her eyes gradually gained clarity, and the girl saw a small room, a wide gap in the fireplace opposite, the soft light from which at first seemed so bright. Then she froze, barely breathing - a tall, broad-shouldered man was standing very close, thick reddish-brown hair was gathered in a ponytail at the back of
Aznar came the day the rain stopped. Early in the morning in the cold twilight.Deya woke up from the fact that the warm cover was thrown back, and the male hot palm lay on her naked stomach, which no longer had bandages on. There were only four pale pink long welts, each about the width of a finger. The girl flinched at the touch, but was afraid to even move. Aznar was in no hurry to remove his hand. He did not look at the princess. A few minutes seemed like an eternity for her, then finally the man moved away.- You're all right, - Markat delivered a verdict, and Deya went cold. - The time has come.Aznar looked straight into her eyes. Deja really hoped he saw determination there, not fear. She was still lying in front of him, completely naked, but she couldn't move a finger. The werewolf thoughtfully studied her face, but did not even look at the body. Are scars really that bad? What a ridiculous thought.“There will be a sacred ceremony at sunset tonight, Deamara,” Aznar said soft
Toward evening, Arleta came to the princess. The girl's hair was carefully braided and gathered into a tight bun. In the hands - a voluminous basket, covered with a white cloth. Deja sat up in bed, trying to control her emotions. Her heart pounding like crazy, she swallowed, sat up straighter in the bed. She asked almost in a whisper:-The time has come?Arleta nodded. She went up to the princess, put down the basket and pulled out a long light shirt from it. Deamara slowly lowered her bare feet to the stone floor. They were immediately scorched by the cold. Deja suddenly realized that she was so worried that she was not sure if she was able to stand up on her own. Arleta looked at her carefully, seeming to understand everything:-Do not be afraid. You have about two more hours to prepare. Now we'll just go down to the baths.- In the baths? –princess felt as a bit lets go tension. She stood up, feeling her stomach clench in fear. She took the shirt, Arleta helped put it on. The thin
The princess was carried into a spacious room. There was no light here, only moonlight. Deamara only had time to notice a huge window hidden by light curtains, and behind it, it seems, an exit to a balcony, from where a fresh, but not at all warm autumn wind blew. A wide, roomy bed under a canopy, covered with skins, was freely located against the wall - several people could easily fit on it.The girl was let go. Salty tears were still running down her face, her body was trembling with excitement and fear. Aznar slowly touched her neck with his lips. Deja twitched at the burning touch.“Deya, my dear, don’t be afraid,” Markat whispered behind his back. And very quiet: - I'm sorry that so ...Beria also came up and began carefully and slowly unbuttoning the chains on her dress. Deamara trembled under his arms and couldn't control herself. Aznar hugged her from behind, and Deya immediately felt hot from his body, the werewolf kissed her neck and shoulders, no longer stopping. The princ
Deya grimaced in displeasure, for some reason her nose and forehead were itching. The girl opened her eyes and found two red shadows above her, felt her head with her hand, stumbled upon someone's ... skull ?! With a yelp, she jumped out of bed very quickly, managing by some miracle to wrap herself in one of the soft skins. Some beads, feathers and leaves fell down. The werewolves on the bed froze with long faces, and the girl tried to feel herself and understand what was happening in general. Bery grinned impudently, holding a clay bowl with paint and a brush in his hands. Deamara looked at Aznar, but she did not find sympathy there either - the man could hardly restrain himself from laughing:"Deya, honey... just don't panic," he said softly, raising his hands in a reassuring gesture.-What's happening? the girl exhaled nervously, wrapping herself more tightly in the skin and noticing some strange red and blue stripes on her arms. - What's that?The princess turned around in search
- I have to leave.Deamara hid under a warm skin, pretending to be sleeping peacefully. It was warm under the skin, and from the balcony, from where the quiet voices of the brothers could be heard, it was noticeably cold.-Now? Beria's somewhat surprised voice was heard.-Yes. You can't put things off for so long. I need to go to Emberg to announce the wedding. The councilors will be unhappy anyway when they find out about Dey. Well, I should have imagined it...-Oh, come on! Beria snorted. - Who cares. She is our Lanaren. Any of them would have done the same.“I know,” Asnar chuckled. – But traditions oblige, you understand. I leave it to you, do you hear? Take care of her while I'm gone.-Where am I going."I'm serious," the man added sternly.-I understand. How long?-Four days.Dea froze. Four days? Alone with Beria. She didn't like the idea at all. As long as Aznar is around, he inspires some calmness. The princess did not want to be alone with her quick-tempered younger brother.
Early in the morning, still at dusk, Aznar gently stroked the girl on the cheek. Deja did not immediately realize that this was not a dream. "I'll miss you," the man whispered and kissed her on the ear. Then Deya dozed off again and did not hear him leave.Then I woke up when it was light. Because it's cold. Beria slept next to him, on his back, arms outstretched. His chest heaved steadily.The girl froze, afraid to wake him up, although the dream was strong. She took a moment to look at the man closely, without blushing or taking her eyes off his jokes.Her red hair fell loosely over the white pillow. The werewolf had very beautiful features, especially now, while relaxed. A straight nose, strong-willed chin, long curled eyelashes that also shine with copper. Deya even found a couple of freckles on her cheeks. Clear cheekbones, sensual lips. Tattoos on the chest and shoulders, slightly convex, similar to the ligature of ancient runes.Deamara propped herself up on her elbows, loomin