Читать книгу Raven's Soul. Volume 2 - Анна Морион - Страница 1

Chapter 1

A thick fog hovered over an unassuming cottage standing in the middle of a vast, wide field. It, in turn, was surrounded by the massive mountains that ringed it. The dark-haired beauty and her companion dismounted, and a beautiful picture appeared before their eyes: on the tops of the mighty mountains, these stone giants, there was snow white, like flour. However, despite the icy carpet covering the mountains, the field was full of blooming herbs like colorful lanterns, which were so tightly pressed together, as if trying to shelter themselves from the cold wind blowing from the mountain ring.

Sylvia was here for the first time and gazed with all her eyes at this marvelous beauty, wishing to keep it in her memory. Looking at her companion and her wide-open eyes, the court healer smiled softly: he had lived here for many years, and his heart was glad to return to this secluded place.

It was a cozy valley hidden from the eyes of others, with rich vegetation, bright green meadows, noisy azure-blue waterfalls, swift azure-blue waterfalls, swift clear rivers, an abundance of various springs, and exceptionally clean, always cool air, saturated with the tart smell of resin and pine needles. The valley was a splendid refuge for those who desired peace, and Evans Vallas was such a person – the only inhabitant of this place, but he had left it for a flattering position of court physician in the palace of King Kaldwind.

After admiring nature, the companions guided their horses to a small two-story house beside a babbling brook and surrounded by wild apple and pear trees. The juicy ripe fruit was so plentiful that the ground in front of the house was strewn with fallen and rotting fruit.

The house, built of dark stone, looked rather gloomy and unfriendly, but when Sylvia dismounted and went inside, a smile lit up her face: how many interesting things this house hid! How many different interesting magical devices and implements it contained! All this magical wealth reminded her of the happy times when, as a little girl, she had helped her father in his closed workshop, where he experimented with potions and stones.

Suddenly Sylvia felt some strange aura coming from one of the rooms, and the girl decided to be sure to ask Evans about it.

– Welcome to Emmerlend," the young healer said in a calm tone, a smile on his face as he entered the house. – I have the horses in a small stable behind the house.

– Thank you. It's good to hear that our faithful friends can rest a little from their journey, and that they won't have to sleep outdoors this time, and neither will we," Sylvia said, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. – It's very nice and cozy here…" She grinned and lowered her head, "It's funny, after I got married, I was supposed to live with my husband in the palace, but I ended up in another man's house.

The sad notes in her voice did not escape the attention of her companion.

– I'm sorry you have to go through all this, my queen. You deserve a better fate," Evans said quietly.

– Perhaps, but it seems that Fate has decided everything for me and left me no choice," Sylvia sighed. – No, no… No one forced me to go. It was my decision… And yet, no… It was Hund…" the girl grinned bitterly. – Hund and my love for my husband....

– My queen, would you like to go into the drawing room and have a cup of herbal tea? It has been a long journey and you should rest," Evans interrupted gently, seeing the pain on Sylvia's face.

He had seen that pain more than once: every memory of that mysterious Hund, which she had never told him anything about, made the queen's eyes fill with tears, but she never let them fall. A few sweeps of her long black lashes and the tears were gone, but Sylvia's determination and desire to find the right herbs and return to her husband as soon as possible returned.

– We traveled for a week, and our horses carried us side by side. With you, I was on the ship for the first time, and we have already been involved in interesting, albeit short stories, so you can call me by my name and "you", – announced the demoness, giving the healer a pleasant smile.

– Whatever you say, my queen," Evans said jokingly and gave her a slight bow.

– And please stop calling me 'my queen'. Just Sylvia," the girl said with some pressure in her voice. – Now let's go and try your herbal tea.

POV Sylvia

After our tea party, Evans did a quick magical job of putting things away, and I had time to take a bath, change into a clean dress, and take a seat by the blazing fireplace that my companion had carefully lit. Soon I was joined by the master of the house, and I saw with a little laugh that he had brought with him two iron plates on which were large slices of a beautifully browned cake.

– Help yourselves," Evans said, sitting down in the chair next to mine.

– When did you have time to make all this? – I asked, not having to ask myself twice: I was hungry, and the pie was so deliciously flavorful that my mouth watered.

– I'm a mage, nothing is impossible for me," my friend reminded me, and then sent a piece of pie into my mouth.

– The poor cooks in the royal palace, they have to spend all their time in the kitchen to feed all the loafers who live there… But you can prepare food in minutes," I said, and took a bite of pie.

– You're right, my-" The healer met my gaze. – You're right, Sylvia. Magic is a great help, even in things like cooking. But I don't use it much in the home. I prefer to work with my hands.

– You must just get tired of magic… What's in that room? There's a strange energy about it that makes me a little uncomfortable. – My gaze fell on the oak door near the fireplace and us.

– It's just a room where I keep artifacts, but if you're uncomfortable with its energy, I can seal it," Evans said, following my gaze.

– No need. What are these artifacts? Will you let me look at them?

– Absolutely. If you like any of them, I'd be happy to share them. – A broad smile appeared on the healer's face, and I thought the man was very honorable and tactful, not like Derek.

– Thank you. I appreciate your kindness. – I smiled back at him.

After having some pie for breakfast, we decided to go into town to get some needed items and groceries. As long as my eyes remained blue, I had nothing to fear from the judgment and hatred of others, the main thing was to avoid those who might recognize me as "King Kaldwind's trophy". I went into the small bedroom assigned to me, located on the second floor, and began to get ready for my journey. Suddenly, a muffled female voice reached my ears, causing me to raise my eyebrows in surprise and glance at the door.

– Evans, dear friend, you've finally come home! – The girl's voice sounded quite pleasant and melodic to me.

– It's good to see you, Astrid," Evans replied in a subdued tone.

My curiosity got the better of me, and I decided to take a closer look at the stranger. When I came down to the living room, I was met by Evans's bewildered gaze. The girl gave me a rude glance from head to toe and smiled oddly.

– Good morning. I don't think we've met before," I said in a calm tone, pretending not to notice her insolent stare.

– It's good of you to come down, Sylvia. Let me introduce you to my old friend Astrid. I sent her a letter asking for her help, but I didn't get a reply, so I wasn't sure if she would come. Astrid's mother is a demon and her father is a mage, so she is someone quite unusual. She's very good at magic and could be useful to us on our journey," Evans explained, placing his palms on his friend's shoulders.

– That's right. I'm a half-demon half-magician… Evans says I have more demon blood in me because sometimes I like to make him angry. And you must be the Sylvia Rossi? Flammehav's ill-fated Scarlet Flower, Derek Merkswerd's war trophy? The demoness who became queen of Kaldwind? You are much talked about, and I must admit, I'm terribly happy to meet you! – Astrid spoke quickly and knocked the ground out from under me with her questions.

– You might say so," I agreed quietly.

Why object to the truth? I could have refused Derek and been killed, along with my family and my people, but I was wise to agree. I'd heard worse things: some people believed Derek had made me his mistress in Røvann, some people believed I had bewitched him into marrying me.

– What was, is gone. Thankfully, we've put our mutual hatred behind us and our hearts belong together," I said softly.

– Oh, you're so sure of that? – Astrid asked with doubt in her voice. It was a question I was afraid to ask myself. – Maybe that drunkard is just pretending. He wants an heir from you, and he must be swearing his love for you, but then you belong in the royal palace, not out here in the middle of nowhere, alone with Evans.

I never thought of that. And now, at the thought that it might have been the awful truth, my heart skipped a beat.

Derek could have locked me in the palace and sent me off to find someone else, could have gone himself, could have sacrificed himself to keep me alive, but instead he'd accepted my decision almost without argument. And how many times had he said he wanted a son… So if a daughter was born, he wouldn't need her. My mind was filled with restless thoughts, swirling in my head like a swarm of poisonous wasps in a hornet's nest. Everything I tried not to think about or ignore was playing against us. We'd never existed, either: the last few days I'd spent in the castle and in my husband's bed now seemed crazy, wrong and unbelievable.

– Enough. – As if through a fog, I heard Evans's firm voice. His intervention pleased me, because I didn't know what to say. – Relationships aren't easy, and sometimes love comes even when there seems to be nothing but impenetrable darkness. The King and Queen of Kaldwind will sort it out for themselves, and neither I nor Astrid will ever bring it up again.

– That man will bring you many more tears, you'll see…" Astrid said quietly, but then she rolled her eyes and waved her hand in a mannerly manner, "All right, all right! I'll shut up!

There was a heavy silence, and, returning to reality, I decided to look at the portrait and the nature of this cheeky girl.

Bold. I like that kind of girl. Better the bitter truth than the sweet lie. Her dark hair fell in waves over her shoulders and then down to her waist. Half-naked, full breasts were showing through the tight ribbons of a very unusual short corset. A rather large hole in the girl's dress, as if on purpose, revealed a small stone adorning her navel, an exquisite "fiery topaz". As far as I understood, the purpose of this stone was to emphasize Astrid's expressive, flirtatious, almost burgundy eyes with a glint of gold. The leather skirt, made of the same material as the corset, barely covered the girl's firm buttocks. Somehow I was sure that men often looked at those thighs, licking their lips and drooling. Astrid was a little taller than me, but that was because of the leather boots with the high, thick heels. A small earring decorated with small "fire" topazes glistened on her lip. Astrid's somewhat upturned nose also contained a topaz ring, but this stone was larger than the others and shone brightly even without sunlight. Moonstones had been implanted in her arms from wrist to elbow, her exposed neck bore the marks of deep wounds, and her left eye was crossed by a scar that, oddly enough, made her look quite pretty. I stared at her so long and unceremoniously that Astrid couldn't bear to look at her.

– What's the matter? – She squinted her eyes.

– I'm sorry… You have a very unusual appearance. I didn't know you could have stones implanted in your skin before… And your outfit… Aren't you afraid that someone will attack your honor? – I said involuntarily.

Once again my curiosity played against me: Astrid gloomed and shifted her eyebrows to the bridge of her nose; I must have hit a sore spot. But as Astrid herself had been looking at me with all her eyes until a few minutes ago, I didn't feel sorry for her.

– As you've heard, I'm a half-breed. My father is a mage from an ancient magical family that draws its powers from gemstones. The more gems implanted in our bodies, the greater the power. Members of our kind prefer to stay in the shadows, afraid that one day they will be killed for profit. I usually hide my hands under my cloak. My father refused to admit I was his daughter, and my mother died in childbirth. No one wants people like me. I have to make a living, so I have to sell my body. I hope I've answered all your questions.

– I'm sorry. I didn't know you had such a sad fate," I hurried to justify myself, but the girl remained silent and only gave me a contemptuous look.

– Ladies, don't fight, please! – Evans raised his voice. – Help each other in such a tough time, and maybe this will be your chance to find a happy future!

– Astrid, if we survive, I'll help you be a little happier," I said quietly, taking the girl's palm gently in mine. – You and I are alike. Both abandoned, both unloved. I can give you anything you want! Money, power, recognition, an advantageous position. If you want, I'll be your friend and walk you down the aisle to the man of your heart! You don't have to come with us on this journey, I can't ask you to risk your life for a man you despise, but I won't refuse to help you if you change your mind.

– I don't like being in debt. I'll go with you, but I hope that when the time comes, you won't forget what you said today," Astrid said with an incredulous smile, but she squeezed my palm tightly in return.

Soon we were saddling up the horses and heading into town. As it turned out, Evans's friend was the owner of an elderly but sturdy gray horse, which was good for our journey. When we reached the winding pass in the mountains that was the only way into the city, I turned back, driven by a strange feeling. The fog that still hung over the ground made it hard to see anything, so I just shrugged and continued on my way. The passage was narrow enough that we had to dismount and lead the horses. The path was strewn with many large stones, so our four-legged friends were stubborn. My feet were also slipping and were beginning to ache.

We had been walking for about two hours. The fog suddenly cleared and the sun came out, which shone directly in our faces and so brightly that we had to cover our eyes with the palm of our hands. After passing through the gorge, we walked down the loose sand and decided to rest for a while. Settling down on the sand, I enjoyed stretching out my tired legs. My body was wracked with weakness after the arduous journey, and I hoped that some black bread and a piece of cheese would give me back my strength. I was so hot that I impatiently threw off my fur cloak, but I didn't feel any better. My head and eyelids suddenly felt heavy, and in a moment I was swallowed up by darkness.