CHAPTER 2 - YOUR MAJESTY?

--REINE--

Pain was the only thing I felt.

Unimaginable.

The kind that should have killed me.

Maybe for a moment, it had.

My face burned like it had exploded, as did my neck and chest.

But somehow, I was still breathing, even with half my wounded face pressing against hot, muddy ground.

I glanced around with just my eyes, blinking over and over to clear my vision, because I couldn't believe what was in front of me.

Wild blue irises carpeted the riverbank, dancing in the morning breeze.

Memories flooded my mind. Laughter. Giggles. Playful screams.

Chasing Cain, and Emerald, and... Eren.

My heart tightened in my chest.

These flowers only bloomed along the rivers of Nymore.

The rivers that meant home.

The heat of tears filled my eyes, throat burning with quiet sobs.

How had I managed to wash up here? Nymore was on higher ground than Warhill. How could a river carry me here?

Maybe this wasn't Nymore.

Maybe it was heaven.

But when I touched my cheek, agony ripped through me, harsh enough to make me pull away instantly.

My skin--once smooth and flawless--was rough and covered in gashes.

Heaven wouldn't hurt like this.

The figure had saved my life.

But it hadn't healed me completely.

The voice echoed in my ears again.

"You must pay the price..."

I would.

If I survived long enough.

But first, I had to get home.

Taking a deep breath, I tried to lift my face off the ground.

But the way it stung made me wheeze and plant it right back.

I sniffed, squeezing my eyes shut as fresh tears filled them.

For a while, I lay there unmoving, taking deep breaths to calm myself. The scent of irises filled my nose, offering me some comfort.

For a fleeting moment, the thought of dying crossed my mind.

Here, it felt easier than it did in the river and back in Warhill.

At least I'd be found by people who loved me. Buried with honour and dignity. Remembered.

But who would recognise me?

Would Cain? Would Mother? Maybe Eren?

No, they wouldn't.

Not with my face torn apart.

I had to live.

I had to make it home.

I took another deep breath, trying to gather all my strength. Every inch of my body screamed in pain, so getting up was out of question. But I could make sounds.

Maybe I could scream.

I knew I wanted to.

I opened my mouth, and a broken sound left my lips.

It was soft, and not loud enough to reach anyone else.

But at least my voice worked.

At least Karlos had failed to take that away from me.

I opened my mouth again, my fingers curling in the grass.

"Help," I called, louder than before, but not enough.

Sobs ached in my throat, but I swallowed them down and took in a gulp of air.

Not now.

Now was not the time to cry.

I closed my eyes.

Karlos's cruel face floated in front of me. The image of his claws stained with my blood. Then Emerald's smile.

My chest heaved as I channelled every bit of strength I had to my throat.

And then let out the loudest, most blood-curdling scream I could muster.

- - - -

--EREN--

"You are nothing, Eren Blackthorne. Just a lowly human. A little, black thorn that can be ripped right out," he laughed.

My jaw clenched tight, fists balling at my sides.

"Aw, look at him. He is so angry," he chuckled, his eyes gleaming a deep crimson. He placed a claw under my chin, tipping my face up. "Look me in the eye, Eren. How pathetic does it feel?"

I yanked my face away from his claws. "Untie me if you dare, and I'll show you," I said through gritted teeth. I was on my knees, with my wrists tied down on either side of me to poles buried in the ground. My legs were free, but what could I do?

I was no lycan.

I couldn't snap the ropes with just my strength.

"Why, what's wrong?" he mocked again. "Poor little human. You need me to free you first?"

He yanked my head back by the hair, making me glance up.

Somehow, she stood beside him now.

Staring down at me with contempt in her blue eyes.

Her arm was wrapped around his neck like it belonged there.

An odd ache broke out in my chest. My face heated.

"What is that?" he asked, clicking his tongue with amusement. "Are you jealous to see her beside me?"

"No," I snapped, my jaw tight. 

"I think he is," she spoke now, her tone snarky. 

She never sounded like that before.

She was kind.

Always kind.

"I think Eren didn't want us to get married," she added, moving closer to him.

No. That wasn't the case.

But get away from him.

"And?" he asked, turning completely to her. He pulled her closer by the shoulders, letting his sharp black claws dig into her skin.

She winced, frowning at him. "You... you're hurting me."

I pulled at the ropes, my heart starting to thump against my ribs.

"Let her go," I snapped, struggling against the binds.

He didn't care.

He didn't release her.

Instead, he only tightened his grip until she started to bleed.

"Look how he's fighting to get to you," he chuckled.

"Let go of her!" I yelled again, as my chest started to hurt.

The ropes refused to budge.

He only hurt her further.

She glanced at me then, her blue eyes now full of tears.

"Eren," she begged, struggling against him. "Help me."

And then it happened.

The sky darkened.

Red fog slithered in the air, circling around me with precision.

The two of them glanced at me, their eyes widening in shock.

"Let. Her. Go." I ordered.

My voice didn't sound like my own. It was mixed with that of a beast. A sound I hadn't even heard a lycan make before.

But I was human.

I couldn't sound like that.

And yet, I did.

"Eren," she sobbed, just as her blood dripped onto the ground.

 A loud growl left my lips, shaking the entire world, and this time, the ropes snapped like weak twigs.

I shoved him away with one hand, sending him flying with impossible force.

"Eren!" she whispered in awe, staring at me with wide eyes.

My body burned with a fire I'd never felt before.

My eyes caught my reflection in the lake nearby.

My skin was black.

My eyes glowed orange.

And flames blazed around me.

A loud, agonised scream pulled me from my sleep, shattering my dream.

I sat up at once.

No fire danced around me.

No heat.

But definitely a scream.

"Hello?" I called out, standing up. "Is anyone here?"

Only silence answered.

I rubbed my eyes and glanced down at my hands. My skin was still pale. But somehow, the tips of my fingers prickled like they'd really commanded fire just a few moments ago.

Then there was another scream. More agonised, more broken.

The sound made my stomach twist.

Whoever this was--she was gravely hurt.

My hand flew to the dagger on my waist and I ran towards the sound. It seemed to be coming from the river, so I fully expected someone to be drowning.

"Hello, my lady?" I shouted, glancing around as I came to the river. The water was too calm. "Are you there?" I asked.

A broken cry sounded towards my left, and everything within me stilled the moment I turned my head.

On the bank of the river a small distance away lay a girl, her blue gown drenched in blood, black hair covering almost her entire face.

For an awful, frightening second, she reminded me too much of her.

Black hair.

Same build.

Blue dress--no.

I quickly dismissed the thought.

She was safe with her husband, the Lycan King of Warhill.

I rushed to the girl and fell to my knees beside her, gently turning her body so she'd be lying on her back.

Her hair was sticking to her face with blood, and I carefully moved it away, trying not to hurt her.

But what I revealed was something much more horrifying.

Angry red gashes covered her entire face, travelling all the way down her neck and collar. They'd barely missed her eyes, but the rest of her face was completely torn apart.

My heart ached for her, and for a moment, all I could do was stare in horror.

Whoever this was, it was a miracle she was still alive.

Who could hurt a woman like that?

Her eyes were squeezed shut, and her body shuddered with cold or pain or both.

"I--I'm here, my lady," I whispered, my own heart pounding in my chest. "Don't be afraid," I said gently, trying to offer her the tiniest bit of comfort.

But the girl froze, and then slowly opened her eyes, directly meeting my gaze.

The world stilled.

My heart sank to the pit of my stomach as I stared into her blue eyes, blinking, praying to the Goddess that I was mistaken.

That I was imagining this.

But the longer I looked, the more certain I was.

I swallowed the lump in my throat and opened my mouth again, leaning closer.

"Re...?" I cleared my throat, catching myself. "Your... Your Majesty?"

- - - - - -