Chapter 46

Saras Skyclaw

I was kicked out of the tribe for freeing a dangerous prisoner or so they claim. There was a lot of debate in the tribe about what to do about me and what to do about Eva. Some thought Eva should be hunted down, but it was decided she has already probably contacted her family so if we do anything now we will have to deal with one of the races possibly starting a war. I was to be kicked out of the tribe, but my father told me that if I can bring back Eva myself I will probably be forgiven. I would never try to bring back Eva even if it means my own happiness with my family. I did get the idea to go to Eva’s kingdom from that though. When I had arrived I lied and said I was an ambassador here for peace. They obviously didn't believe me because it seemed the tribe had sent spies to look for Eva and to watch me.

I had tried my best to be a perfect guest and not cause any trouble until Eva came home. I am not surprised that she didn't come home yet after what happened to her. I know that when she does come home there will probably be some trouble for me, but I will accept anything that happens. The only problem I have is that sometimes I feel something ominous around me. It reminds me of when I first laid eyes on the white nail, but I don't see anyone different from usual.

The day finally arrived that Eva had returned. I was told by a maid that she had returned to help with the wars her kingdom was going through. I am sure with her strength she easily destroyed any opposing armies. All I could do then was wait for when she finally sees me. I did not expect that when we met I would be wholly consumed in my book and that I would be almost hit in the head with a bottle. I looked at Eva and first noticed she still had the clothes I gave her and that she was completely drunk. Her face was tinted red and her eyes seemed very cloudy and angry to see me. She kept trying to kill me but was stumbling all over the room. I know I shouldn't say this about someone that was trying to kill me in a drunken rampage, but she was kind of cute and funny.

The queen had stopped everything that happened by capturing both of us in bubbles of water. She knocked Eva out in a very unconventional way that made my head hurt just by watching. When the queen looked at me I felt my whole body go cold. Her stare was filled with killing intent and I felt the bubble around me slowly start to tighten. She had then told me.

“I want nothing more than to kill you right now. Someone who hurt my baby and made her suffer more than she already has should immediately be eliminated from this world. I want to kill you so badly, but I can't because of who you are. When the opportunity arises I will definitely eliminate you. Shadow guards take her to your dungeon.” Eva’s Mother

After that, I felt myself being chained with enchanted locks and then a smelly bag was put over my head. I was grabbed roughly and dragged around for a while before the bag was pulled off. I found myself locked up in a small dungeon with many enchantments covering the walls and chains. The cell could probably rival the dragon tribes. The people who brought me here were now looking at me with the same eyes as the queen. I guess Eva is truly loved by the people she lets come close to her. I look at my situation and realize this must be how Eva felt when she was locked up.

It took a full night until Eva appeared before me again. She didn't look too good because of her hangover, but she was still drinking out of a flask. I didn't think it was a very good habit but it wasn't my place to say so. Eventually, I felt that ominous feeling and Eva seemed to have felt it too. A man walked in who seemed very familiar with Eva, but she drew her weapon and then their fight started. I was blown away with my cell after their fight escalated. Because I had no defense I was knocked out but unharmed. I woke up with a maid standing over me. She was looking down at me coldly, but I didn't pay any attention to her as I was looking for Eva. Those white nails are more than just a tool to control others. They can be considered a phycological weapon as they can make loved ones fight each other. Eva must be fighting someone she's close to. All of a sudden the chains around me come undone and I look at the maid.

“You are the only other one that can reach their fight. You will help Eva and if you die in the process all the better. If you don't I hope you expect to be locked up again. Even if you run we will hunt you down for hurting her.” Maid

I don't think much before I nod and then transform into my true form. I fly up and begin to try and help Eva with her fight. I try my best to stay out of her way because she is far more experienced than me. Eventually, Eva actually asks me for help. Her face was extremely bitter, but I was still happy that she had asked me for something. I did as she asked and she continued her battle. Eventually, she created a massive ball of black flames that partially covered the sun. It was like an eclipse as Eva's attack practically devoured the light around it. I realized then just how powerful Eva has become. Her power doesn't seem to ever stop rising as she reaches for more strength. Eventually, her battle ends and I see a white explosion.

I approach the crater that Eva and the man were lying in. They were both in bad condition but Eva was mostly exhausted. I tried asking her how she is, but she doesn't respond except swatting my hand away when I tried to touch her. She shortly passes out. I check her for serious injuries before I walk over to the man and make sure he's still alive. I don't know who he is but Eva seemed almost desperate to help him. I take off the outer robe I had and bundle it into a pillow before putting it under Eva’s head. I heard horses approaching us so I pull Eva’s arm and hide it in her clothes. I don't think many were able to keep up with the fight earlier so I am sure she still has her secret.

A small squad of black-clothed guards and the king and prince arrive at the crater. The all rush in and the king begins shouting out orders to bring a carriage and for medics to help both people. The king also instructs for the unconscious man to be chained up until he can be questioned. I am sure Eva got rid of the nail so if its like mine he should be fine now. The king then looks at me.

“I will thank you for helping my daughter, but debts are not paid back that easily. Guards lock her up in another cell.” Eva’s Father

Some guards come and begin to warp me in enchanted chains. I do not resist at all. Eventually, a carriage arrives and Eva and the man are loaded in as I am too. I watch Eva throughout the ride hoping she is fine. I know she physically heals fast, but she is still scarred physically and emotionally. There is no way for me to help her since I am only viewed as an enemy. I can only hope one day she will heal and maybe even forgive me one day.

Eventually, we reach the castle again and Eva is carried off somewhere else while the man and I are led to a dungeon. I was locked up in a cell that's also heavily enchanted, but not nearly as much as the last cell. I could probably break out if I work hard, but I don't really have a reason too. This is probably the only place I can be now. The man is locked up in a separate cell with much less security and no chains. I can only bitterly smile at the difference of treatment.

I sit in my cell for a while until I eventually get some visitors. The queen, little princess, and the familiar maid come in. They first check on the man before sitting on the bench across from my cell. The maid and queen look at me coldly while the little princess is looking all around with curiosity. I wonder if this is how Eva sees me. A naive little princess who doesn't seem to know much about the world and the people in it. After a while of being stared at, the queen speaks.

“You did well in helping Eva. You really don't know how to fight as anything but a beast though. It was enough to help Eva, but I cant understand how you would be able to fight Eva before. You may have helped this time but at most you've given yourself more time to live. It was also smart of you not to run otherwise everyone would have been given free rein to hunt you down.” Eva’s Mother

“I didn't do it hoping to be freed. I did it to help Eva. I know no one really views me in a good light because I hurt Eva and then because of my naivety she was locked up by my own people. I just want to make up for it to her and to be honest if my life will make her happy I would give it to her. But only she could take my life. If it wasn't her I would never let myself be killed because I still need to make it up to her.”

The queen stares at me for a while, but I do not avert my eyes from her. After a while, she sighs and then gets up and approaches the bars of my cell. She looks down at me and her eyes suddenly soften a little bit.

“Eva has always had trouble with others. Sometimes the only way someone can get close to her is if they forcefully intervene in her life. Eva now needs someone strong enough to follow her. They must also be willing to throw down their life for her. If you want to make up what you have done to Eva then follow her and help her whether she wants it or not. We will give you a collar to prevent you from transforming while you follow Eva. To be honest I still want to kill you right now. I feel very conflicted because I hate you for hurting my daughter but I know it's mostly not your fault. Since I cant fully trust you no matter what we will give you the collar as a safeguard. You will simply be Eva’s aid. Only Julie here has ever followed Eva for long and even she was left behind by Eva. She will hate you and she will probably hurt you both emotionally and physically. Are you willing to be a slave to Eva for the rest of your life?” Eva’s Mother

I am completely surprised by this offer. The queen is basically asking me if I am willing to go from a prisoner to a slave. To have my true form sealed and possibly suffer from someone that hates me. A normal person might not have agreed, but this will work out for me. I can help Eva whether she really wants me to or not. If what the queen says is true then Eva needs someone to help her. I have always been trying to get Eva to let me make up for what I have done, but now it seems that the best thing I can do is forcefully help Eva. I look towards the queen and slightly bow my head down towards her head.

“Please let me help Eva.”