Blood Bride (Aarabassa World) by Catherine L Vickers Read Free Book Online Page A

worry yourself over this. It is the evil one I will be seeking, and I shall not allow him to harm you. You are quite safe now. Come, let’s get you to your bed. We both have long journeys ahead and could do with rest.’
    Heather tenderly held Rikka by the shoulders and led her to a corner where a brown wool blanket spread out over a canvass mattress, stuffed with large evergreen leaves. 
    ‘I want you to lay in your bed.’
    Heather assisted the old woman down onto the mattress and covered Rikks’s frail looking body with a course dark blanket. For a short while earlier Rikka had seemed almost regal but now she was once again an old woman. Heather wondered at the mysteries of this strange new aunt.
    ‘You will be an honoured guest at my home,’ she smiled at Rikka proudly, speaking softly.  ‘You tried to cure Prince Raphael. Then you tried to save him. And, now, we discover our bloodlines combine. Comfort yourself in this Rikka. I know you grieve over your son but we will help you to find some happiness. You must put your trust in me’
    Rikka closed her eyes revealing crinkly eyelids. Heather smiled at the tired old woman, sensing that she would easily manage to slip into rest, for a short while. She walked over to her own mattress and collapsed down under her own blanket, determined that she too would find the darkness of sleep. With a wave of her hand, she put out the burning torch, leaving the small cooking fire still brightening the chamber with a dim glow. 
    The old woman opened her eyes, delighted to have fooled her niece. Her Master would soon deal with such a naive girl.

 
 
 
 
8                   Mystery Dragon
     
    Wakening noises stirred from every cavern.   Everyone was readying themselves for whichever journey they were to travel. Even Rikka appeared refreshed and packed with a few items for the road.
    ‘I must say goodbye for now Rikka.’ Heather said, on her way out of the chamber.
    ‘Do not go just yet child, I have something I must share with ye.’ Rikka was waving her arm for Heather to come closer. ‘I dreamt that the evil one told me to tell ye something.’
    ‘It was probably just a nightmare Rikka, because you fear him.’
    ‘No, ye must listen to me. I am to tell ye this.’ 
    Rikka felt her old-self surfacing again.  Her Master had come to her in her sleep and told her to tell the Changeling where to meet him on the Dark Side. She had to make the silly girl listen.
    ‘It is about yer meeting, I know where ye will find the evil one because he has told me so.’
    The old woman stood over her packing of a warm blanket and some dried herbs. Noise echoed in the tunnels, soldiers dashed up and down with various tasks. Rikka wore a shrewd intense glare that Heather could not ignore.
    ‘Very well Rikka. What was your dream?’ Heather was unsure if the old woman had just had a bad dream or a real vision.
    ‘Ye must go to the part of the Wall where the yellow sulfurs swirl. Most of the Wall will be a dull grey on the other side, but there is one part that will be, as I say it is. Ye will not miss this. The yellow gasses choke the air. Here he will await yer arrival.’
    The old woman had grabbed a firm hold of Heather’s arm, her fingers white with a tight clutching grasp, leaving red welts upon the Changelings light pink skin. Rikka’s eyes glazed in a wild stare and her crooked smile spoke with an unfriendly wicked twist.
    ‘Rikka! Let go of my arm. You have the strength of a bull when you choose.’
    Heather wrenched her arm away from the woman, who’s cackling laughter unnerved the Changeling. 
    ‘How could you know the colours of the Wall in the Darklands?’
    Rikka turned away and busied herself by gathering her few belongings, appearing to be unaware that she had spoken with the Changeling.
    ‘What was that my dear?’ she asked Heather.
    ‘Nothing, Rikka,’ Heather stammered with confusion. ‘I must go now.’
    Heather did not linger for an