Chapter 10

Chapter 10

Later that night, after I'd taken a quiet dinner with Eirik, I returned to the maid's chamber and began plotting my escape. Aslaug had yet to return from her night duties, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

I stood near the window, drinking from the horn of water while the fire place cast little light around. It would be cold tonight and there wasn't enough woods in the cupboard to keep it burning.

A whole new feeling washed over me as I stepped out into the hallway to find it empty. My heart thrummed against my ribcage as the thought of escaping crossed my mind.

I tried to brush it off. Eirik had warned me against leaving. Guards was stationed around the estate. What if I was caught?

But there was a small voice whispering behind me.

"You know you could bring everyone in this house down with your powers?"

No. I quickly shook my head. I would harm no one. Even if I tried using my powers, I know what could happen. The memory of Rollo driving his blade through my back surfaced.

I hurried down the corridor, passing the hall where the guards sang drunkenly. Their voices only echoed now as I walked farther away.

I moved quickly, like a shadow. My fingers brushed the iron latch, and it felt very cold. I lifted it slowly, careful not to draw attention to myself.

The door slowly opened with a low creak. Stepping into the night air, I felt a harsh breeze pass across my face. I looked up, seeing the stars shining and covering the sky.

Crossing the courtyard, I saw no guards around. The guards were still inside drowning themselves with ale. And with Erik gone after dinner, they had free reign.

The grass made a small sound under my foot as I strolled forward. I had no idea where I was going from here. All I knew was that I couldn't spend another night in this house as a slave.

I didn't realize how far I had gone past the gate until I found myself just a mere inches from a tree. A tree was bleeding. I froze.

Why would a tree be bleeding as though it was wounded? Eirik had warned me about escaping but he never said anything about the strange things outside the gates.

I looked over my shoulder, seeing no sign of anyone. I had taken the back route of the estate to avoid the two guards stationed at the front.

Hesitantly, I reached forward, my trembling hands brushing the blood. The moment my fingers touched the bark, I felt something rush through me.

Goosebumps lined my skin, and something invisible pushed me, causing me to stumble. I barely managed to catch myself before I could fall.

A chilling shriek pulled me from the tree, and I turned to see a cat lying on the ground. It was a large wild cat. It's fur drenched with blood.

I noticed the deep gash wound on the cat's throat, with blood tricking down to the earth.

The sight dragged me into a memory in the past

Memories of when I was in Kattegat, ten years ago. I had fought Ingrid after she accidentally hurt my father's raven— the one he always used to send messages.

She has threatened to lie against me, to tell father I had killed it. And he would believe her. He always did.

When Ingrid left, I had crouched beside bird. I remembered placing my hand on the raven and wishing it would fly again. And it did. The raven had flown around me, and moments later, my sister and father came, looking angry.

Ingrid's eyes were wide in shock, and she called me a witch.

Warmth pulsed in my chest, pulling me from my thoughts. I turned my head back to the dying cat. I looked down at my hands and saw a faint light flickering softly around my fingers. It was just like when I touched the raven.

Could I heal the cat? Had it been the gods who saved the raven last time?

The warmth continued to hum inside my chest, pulling me forward. Before I knew what was happening, I found myself kneeling beside the cat. Its eyes rolled toward me, and then it stilled.

I slowly brought my hand forward and placed it upon the cat, feeling the warmth transfer from my chest into its body. The light around my hand glowed brightly. The cat whined, turning its head toward me.

I sucked in a sharp breath as I felt the cat's heart beating rapidly. Had I done something wrong? Was the cat about to die?

In fear, I drew my hand away. The cat stood, looking at me, and it blinked. I froze, my breath caught in my throat.

But the cat merely blinked at me, then laid its head upon its paws. I ensured I made no sudden movement as it rested there for some time. The cat meowed softly, then took off deep into the woods.

My touch... it healed the cat? For years, I had thought the gods answered my cries that night with the raven.

But it seemed my powers could heal animals.

My wide eyes fell to my hands, and the warmth in my chest eased the tension I was feeling.

I inhaled deeply, recognizing the scent of wildflowers in the woods.

All of a sudden, the wind grew stronger around me, and I began to hear the sound of whispers. I looked around to see another tree starting to drip with blood.

My stomach twisted with fear. The blood on the tree thickened, pooling at the root like an open wound.

A deep growl sounded from behind me. I turned quickly, my breath hitching at the sight before me. A large brown hound stood a few feet away. Its yellow eyes glowed in the darkness.

My heart drummed erratically as the hound took a step closer. The beast's chest expanded with every breath it took. I stood up and tried to run, but my legs gave out. I fell onto my back, and pain shot through my bones.

The hound closed in.

It bared its fangs, but before it could lunge, its paws lifted from the ground. I exhaled sharply.

The beast hovered, suspended in the air. Then, with a loud thud, its body tore apart. A gasp left my lips as blood splattered onto the dirt and my clothes.

The lifeless remains of the hound fell in pieces. I saw torn flesh, scattered bones, and blood. I slowly raised my head, and standing where the beast once stood was Knut.

His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. His hands were drenched with the creature's blood, and behind him, the moon glowed.

He took a step closer. "You shouldn't have come here, Freydis."