Chapter 13

CHAPTER13

Rhys

Rage surgedhot as dragonfire through my veins as I stormed through Wellspring’s rainy streets, merchants darting out of my path. Word had reached me that Drazhan and his sniveling friend Cassius lurked nearby, doubtlessly scheming fresh torment for my beloved Seraphina. But not today. Today, that ended.

I found them swaggering outside a tavern, surrounded by their usual gawking crowd. “Drazhan!” My bellow rose over the hissing rain. The multitudes scrambled away as I strode forth, power crackling at my fingertips.

The bully turned, a sneer twisting his features even as wariness flickered in his eyes. “Come to defend your pet witch’s honor, gargoyle?” He flashed a sharp grin, playing to the crowd. But the lingering spectators hung back nervously. They’d heard what I could do when roused to wrath.

I embraced the writhing inferno blazing inside me, flames springing hungrily to life in my palms. “You will never touch her again,” I vowed, voice rumbling with volcanic fury. “This ends here and now, demon.”

With a sneering laugh, Drazhan hurled a bolt of dark energy, sputtering with malignant power. I dispelled it with a swat of white-hot fire, advancing relentlessly through the downpour. The fool persisted, shrieking curses that fizzled uselessly against my wards. Behind him, Cassius desperately tried reinforcing the feeble magic, but their efforts couldn’t pierce my righteous rage.

Drazhan’s arrogance visibly crumbled with each failed attack, naked fear taking its place as I stalked him against a grimy brick wall. He had nowhere left to run. My fiery tendrils strained towards his bruised face, hungry to melt the skin from his hateful skull.

Roaring recklessly, I grasped Drazhan’s soul, prepared to shred his corrupted essence. But as my metaphysical claws pierced his spirit, I hesitated. Destroying his being utterly would not erase his vile deeds, only add my own monstrous acts to the scales.

Sensing my conflict, Drazhan struggled desperately. “Mercy, I beg you! PLEASE! No more!”

I held his wild stare with ice-cold eyes, staying my hand. “Did you orchestrate the fallen gargoyle and the snarevine’s attack to harm her?” I demanded.

Drazhan’s arrogant mask burned away, leaving only a quivering, tear-streaked boy in its ashes. “No! I swear it, I took no part in those evils!” he wept piteously.

I searched his ravaged face for any hint of deception, but found only raw fear and regret swirling in his eyes. This pathetic coward posed no true threat to me or my beloved. Obliterating his twisted existence would serve no purpose beyond base vengeance. And it would wound Seraphina’s gentle heart deeply.

Satisfied he spoke truthfully, I retracted my devastating power. Drazhan collapsed in whimpering disbelief at his deliverance. I towered over his ruined form, volcanic fury banked but smoldering still. I had passed judgment and found him undeserving of annihilation. But neither would I permit him to escape unfazed.

“You live because she wills it so,” I rumbled. “Now go, and pray our paths do not cross again.”

Around us, the hushed crowd bore solemn witness. Today they’d glimpsed our true souls laid bare—the bully’s festering vileness versus my ferocious protective devotion. None could doubt which held the nobler spirit.

Drazhan clawed his way upright, ragged, and humbled. As he fled the judgment in every eye, head bowed in shame, I allowed the wrath to finally drain from my frame. No more proof was needed.

The fiend fled into the rainy night, his lackey Cassius dragging him by the arm. “Monster!” he screamed back impotently, hurling hollow insults to the bitter end. I watched them retreat dispassionately before turning away. Justice had been served. None would dare threaten my Seraphina again after witnessing Drazhan’s humiliation.

The icy rain could not cool the smoldering coals of fury still emitting from my skin. Adrenaline and magic still churned a volatile cocktail in my blood.

Let the rabble spread wild tales; it mattered not. All would soon comprehend the extent of my wrath should they move against the girl I cherished above life itself. For her sake, I would gladly tear the world asunder, no matter how they feared and reviled me after. She alone saw the heart of the beast.

I drew a deep breath, centering myself once more. Seraphina would not approve of such wanton violence, however justified my anger had been. But I hoped she’d understand—I would lay the whole world to waste if it meant keeping her from harm.

Smoke still coiling from my shoulders, I resumed the lonely road back through darkened woods and across the moors. The rain had ceased, a few intrepid stars winking between shredded clouds. Soon, the comforting bulk of Blackthorn Castle emerged against the night sky.

I slipped through the shadowed halls to Seraphina’s chamber unnoticed. There she slept, unruffled and serene, her dreams untroubled by the violent currents churning the world outside. I envied her peace. But to ensure it continued, I would gladly walk through fire or blood.

Gently brushing a stray hair from her face, I kept silent vigil as she slumbered—my soul’s innocent angel.