The Training (2)

The Dragon Lord's cold voice resounded in my head and made me shiver. "Did I not say to remain undistracted by anything during the challenge? And stop causing trouble. I'd assumed you'd use your spiritual qi to leave the marks, not physically touch them."

My face flushed red. "Uh, ha, my bad," I muttered whilst scratching the back of my head. His words made me sound like some sort of sick pervert. If Fiona was here, she would surely scold me into the heavens.

The thought of her relieved my perturbed mood and I relaxed the more I thought of her. I glanced around the village and made a quick mental count of those nearby. With a finger to my mouth, a tiny wisp of fluttering blue qi emerged, and I disappeared like I was never there.

It wasn't difficult with my newfound speed plus my enhanced spirit sense to navigate around the village. I utilized the Shadow Steps to the best of my abilites and glanced around in a hurry. The Dragon Lord said that Fiona would resting on the very outskirts of the village, far far away from the elven springs but there was no way I would leave without seeing her for almost an entire week.

I gritted my teeth and dashed onto a tall tree nearby. A quick scan of my surroundings told me that no one was in the houses nearby so a dozen or so of blue wisps flew out of hand and bolted onto the nearby peoples all at once.

'Fiona, I hope you've slept soundly,' I muttered to myself. Even I was surprised by the gentleness and mellow of my voice. It only proved how much I longed to see her and pull her into an embrace again, where she belonged. She wouldn't' suffer under the hands of the elves, right? What if she's taken advantage of? Or suffered an nightmare and there was nobody around to comfort her?

Anxiety boiled up within me and did not stop when I reached the little cottage by the riverside. I landed on the grass as a breeze of wind rustled the tress behind me. While the luscious green against the blue sky and the bubbling of the river seemed like paradise, I remained focus on what was behind the wooden door in front of me.

Torn between the fact that I was probably wasting a lot of time for the challenge and that I didn't know how to face Fiona if she was awake, I stood in silence like an idiot in front of the door. Warmth swept through my heart as I imagined the cute dazed look on her face, the only she would always make while rubbing her eyes when she just awoke.

Then I remembered the previous conversation about the Snow Queen's heart in her body. And suddenly, the wind seemed a lot colder and the warmth only lingered around. I drew in a deep breath. I couldn't bear to see her icy frost-like countenance. Her bright and cheerful and innocent self was what I longed and I'd do whatever it takes to get her back, even if I needed to sacrifice this warmth in my heart.

Another gust of wind brushed past me and my arm travelled alongside it to the doorknob. It almost seemed as if it was prompting me to enter. I gave a wry chuckle, a nervous one as the door opened with a gentle clack.

Afraid of disturbing her, I stood outside and let the room breathe in a fresh bout of air before my steady footsteps rang about. It was a simple single room cottage with two windows on the side. Beside the bed in the corner was a nightstand with some herbs and a lit candle, and placed right under the bed was a pair of fluffy cat slippers.

Of course my attention was drawn by the sleeping beauty that snoozed away in the centre of it all. Because of the angle of the cottage against eh trees, only a few rays on sunlight passed thorough the windows. However they were all that was needed as they shone perfectly on Fiona's head. Even in the daytime her silver hair glistened, but they really needed a good combing.

The blankets were without crinkles even though her small fingers clutched onto it tightly. I carefully brushed it aside and sat on the very edge of the bed, my gaze not once leaving her.

Her little straight-edged nose wrinkled and her long lashes fluttered as I leaned closer, but other than that, she showed no signs of awakening.

"Fiona," I murmured softly like I was singing an lullaby. "You're so damn cute. How could I not spoil you?"

My fingers brushed past her cheeks and caressed a hair for a few moments. "I love you, Fiona. I'm strong enough and worthy enough to protect you now. We'll find out the mysteries of your father's death, settle the matters with your mother and then we'll live happily ever-after together, okay? My sweet little kitten."

"Mhmm," she answered with a mumble. I beamed but could only laugh as a thin line of drool trickled down her cheeks.

"Daddy's got to now. Sleep tight. Tomorrow and forwards... will only get difficult," I whispered to her as I smudged her drool onto the corners of my mouth.

There was no way she would know about the Snow Queen's heart and there was no way I would the Snow Queen's heart determine her fate.

Those very words repeated in my head over and over again as I saw the figure of an elf enter into the waterfall and disappear. The silver bow she wielded was strikingly familiar, and I knew at once that she was Lura and the shadow in her hands was the special elven medicine the Dragon Lord was talking about.

That also meant another thing.

The serene lake wafted a distinct scent before ripples splashed about that disturbed the peacefulness. I followed they way Lura had entered, spinning Heartbreak on my fingers. The waterfull rumbled, and I let myself take a shower as I entered the cave behind.

The water dripped and dropped quietly as Lura, whom was sitting on a rock with the medicine on her laps flashed a gentle smile, much uncanny of her.

"You're late."