The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 200: The Elm Tree

Knots formed in Jessamyn’s stomach as she realized she was about to fall. Thankfully, her instincts kicked in and she grabbed onto a branch just in time.

"This is not the first time I’ve seen you hanging from somewhere," the wolf laughed, his voice filled with amusement.

Jessamyn gritted her teeth. "Help me! Or shut up!"

She tried to climb back up, but her skirt was slippery and got caught in her shoe, making it nearly impossible to find her footing. The wolf found the situation amusing and continued to laugh, further irritating her and causing her to slip even more. Despite her frustration, she had a gut feeling this wasn’t the grand duke.

"Jump," the wolf said, his voice echoing in her mind with a surprising gentleness.

Jessamyn, tired and frustrated from her failed attempts to climb up, knew she had to accept the wolf’s help. Pressing her lips together, she looked at the wolf. A memory flashed in her mind of the times Jerrick had caught her from a tree and a window.

"I am heavy. I am going to squish you. You don’t even have thumbs to catch me. Move away. I’ll jump," she said, not wanting to have anything to do with this wolf, desperate to leave as soon as possible.

"You’ll twist your ankle from that height. Listen to me and jump," the wolf insisted.

"Why are you talking so much today? You didn’t talk much the last time..." she remarked, exasperated.

The wolf stood near the tree, waiting patiently. "Are you waiting to see my human form?" the wolf questioned.

"No!" Jessamyn shouted. That would be the last thing she needed. She didn’t want to put a face to this wolf, not when she felt this strange connection to him. Even though she could send him away and find another way to manage, she couldn’t deny the uncontrollable urge that rose from the bottom of her heart, to welcome his presence.

"Then jump. If you don’t, I’ll come and get you."

"Please, do not do that..." Jessamyn muttered. She looked down; the height was intimidating. Summoning her courage, she let go of her grip on the branch.

She landed on the wolf and clung to his neck, trying to balance herself. Without realizing it, she climbed onto his back as he started moving.

"Let me down," Jessamyn said. "Thank you for your help, but please let me down. I have to go back home."

"Home? What’s at home?" The wolf asked, his voice laced with curiosity.

Jessamyn thought about it. "Nothing..." she said, unable to think of anything. Isadora was not there, and although she was married, her husband was not even hers. He was consumed with thoughts of his dead wife.

"Then, let’s go," the wolf said and increased his speed.

Jessamyn clung to his fur as he moved with the speed of the wind. Everything around her blurred, yet she found herself at peace as she embraced him.

The wolf stopped in an unfamiliar part of the forest, amidst tall trees that reached for the sky. Jessamyn’s neck hurt walking amidst the tall trees that had thick trunks covered with moss and creepers. They were old trees, she could gather.

She walked in awe of the place. Although it was nighttime, she could hear the happy chirps of sparrows and the sweet buzzing of bees. The entire place was filled with a sweet, fragrant smell.

The scent of elm trees!

Jessamyn looked closer. The little critters and the small harmless animals she saw on the way all stood aside in reverence to the wolf.

The wolf’s glow was brighter under the moonlight. She had allowed herself to be swopped by him once again, but regret hadn’t settled in her heart yet, as she was overwhelmed with the overpowering peace in that place.

"Where is this place?" she asked.

Just as she asked, she noticed a solitary elm tree before her. The area around the tree was clear with only shrubs and grass. It didn’t look like any human was maintaining the place but the elm tree was isolated.

The moon cast a silvery glow over the scene, illuminating the tree’s rugged bark and the intricate network of branches that spread out like a protective canopy. Nestled among the foliage, delicate white flowers bloomed, their petals gleaming like tiny stars against the night sky.

The flowers, kissed by the moon’s gentle light, seemed to glow with an ethereal luminescence, each one a perfect masterpiece of nature. They dotted the elm tree’s branches, creating a soft, shimmering contrast against the deep green leaves. 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

The petals, pure and pristine, appeared almost translucent under the moon’s gaze, adding an otherworldly charm to the tree’s already enchanting presence.

A gentle breeze whispered through the leaves, causing the white flowers to sway slightly, as if dancing to a melody only they could hear. The air was filled with a faint, sweet fragrance, the scent of the blossoms mingling with the cool, crisp night air.

Under the elm tree was a simple headstone. Jessamyn walked closer to the tree as if something urged her to. Her heartbeat slowed as a sense of reverence surrounded her. But she was not afraid. The feeling was similar to that of a mother’s embrace.

"Is this the tomb of The Queen Mother?" she asked the wolf walking closely with her.

The wolf nodded.

"Can we be here?" she asked, still not stopping.

The atmosphere of the place was so comforting and welcoming. The rustles of the leaves as the wind blew, created a beautiful symphony of sweet music she had never heard before.

The entire place felt magical.

She looked at the tombstone. Nothing much was written on it. What was written was in an ancient language that she couldn’t read.

The wolf stood closer to the tombstone, his glow illuminating the stone. Jessamyn had a feeling he could read the stone, but she turned her attention toward the tree instead.

"It is blooming white..." she muttered, remembering what Jerrick told her.

She walked toward the tree, drawn by its mystical presence. As she moved closer, Jessamyn noticed something unusual about the tree trunk. It wasn’t smooth; instead, it was covered in knots and twists, the bark curling and contorting in an almost deliberate manner.

Intrigued, she examined it more closely. The patterns in the bark formed shapes and lines that, upon careful observation, began to resemble the graceful curves of a woman as if she had been absorbed into the tree itself.

Her hands were placed one over the other on her abdomen. Her long hair cascaded on her shoulders covered her chest and reached her knees. Her eyes were closed and a graceful smile was etched on her dainty face.

Jessamyn reached out, her fingers brushing against the rough yet strangely comforting surface of the tree.