Wolf of Stone novel Chapter 73

Ellie hurriedly trailed behind mother as I stayed standing there like an idiot, my heart heavy.

Elysia and Elena glanced at each other before coming on either side of me and hooking our arms together.

Elena said worriedly, "c'mon... let's get you cleaned up before mother comes back from outside."

I remained silent and allowed them to tug me back into the castle doors, my heart heavier than it has ever been.

Unknown POV

Memories are a funny thing. Sometimes they make you happy, other times they make you angry and there are even ones that makes you cry. It's easy for some memories to get blurred to the point where they resemble dreams and it's easy for dreams to get blurred to the point where you can't tell whether it's a memory or something your brain conjured to trick you.

I sometimes longed for those rare dreamless nights where my mind would completely shut off on me and leave me drowning in pure darkness. It was peaceful that way.

The images of my family, friends and neighbors burning alive were imprinted into my mind since I got to earth that dreadful day. Nothing was going in my favor.

That very same night, I could remember vividly what had happened.

A cough racked my body as the fumes that circulated in the air got thicker, heat bouncing off the once serene scenery of towering crystal buildings. Screams were echoing loudly in the air as figures ran around frantically, some fleeing, some trying to put the fire out and others trying to save whoever was trapped beneath the collapsing structures.

My eyes watered from the smoke that entered my frail body and I placed a hand over my nose to try and filter the fumes. It was useless.

I stumbled my way through the panicked crowd of people, my weak voice calling out.

"Mom!"

"Sia!"

"Mira!"

"Somebody!"

Please... help me.

Something hard knocked into my tiny body and caused me to fall back on my butt with an oomph. I looked up with wide, fearful eyes at the person who ran into me.

This person was tall and strongly built, their body covered in a cloak that blocked out most of their features. Due to my position on the ground, I caught a glimpse of their face and gasped in surprise.

My voice sounded out weakly, "dad?"

I was so scared.

"Princess!"

I turned to look at the person who called out to me and brightened when I found my own personal guard, Ryul running towards me at full speed, a bag thrown over his shoulder.

"Ryul!" I cried out in relief.

I yelped in surprise as I was suddenly lifted and thrown over his shoulder. He continued to run in a certain direction.

"What are you doing!?" I cried out in a panic, beating my little fists against his broad back, "put me down!"

Ryul tightened his hold on me and kept up his pace, "I'm sorry princess. The queen's orders are to get you out of here."

We ran for what felt like forever as chaos continued to unravel from all around us. There were times where we were forcefully stopped by unknown people and Ryul had to mutter spells to deal with them before we could continue our journey.

Finally, we made it to the beginning of the serene life forest, where all the trees were entrapped within beautiful crystal shards.

Ryul finally placed me down and kneeled to meet me at eye level. He took the bag from his shoulder and placed it in my arms, looking at me with stern eyes.