The Archduke's Songbird-Chapter 69: Theodulf Bloodline

Jessamyn closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. The fear of the unknown must be the greatest fear of mankind, probably next to the fear of death. Even in such uncertainty, Jessamyn didn’t feel any fear.

She sensed a warmth on her neck and shoulder. She had a feeling that being was standing very close to her.

"Who are you?" she asked stretching her hand to have a feel. If she could hear that being and sense the warmth, she figured she could touch it.

She reached out, slowly, giving a leeway for that being to step back if it didn’t like to be touched. There was no other movement and every noise around, appeared to have gone hush.

In the quiet hush of the forest, her fingertips brushed against the silken fur of the majestic being, her touch tentative yet filled with a longing she couldn’t quite comprehend. Despite the nothingness that shrouded her vision, her other senses danced with vivid intensity, painting a portrait of the creature before her.

It’s a wolf!

As her hand traced the contours of the wolf’s fur, she felt a surge of emotion welling within her, a stirring of something nostalgic. Each strand of fur beneath her fingertips seemed to whisper secrets of the wilderness, carrying with it the strength of a power untold.

She could sense the strength and grace of the wolf, the power coiled beneath its sleek exterior like a dormant flame waiting to be ignited. And yet, there was a gentleness to its presence, a warmth that enveloped her in its embrace.

In the silence of the night, amidst the whispers of the wind and the rustle of leaves, she had a feeling she was acquainted with that being.

"You’re..." Her voice trailed as her fingers traced his face. With her eyes closed, she tried to paint an image of that concealed being in her mind.

She sensed a wetness on her nose as her hands trailed around the ears of the wolf. She opened her eyes out of shock. Judging by the distance... the wolf’s snout must be very close to her face. The human equivalent of the snout is...

Ah! What am I doing?

She regained her propriety and took a step back. "I’m glad you’re fine, Ye Great One. I didn’t know you could turn invisible," she said rubbing her hands on her skirt and grimacing. "I’ll see you in the Commendation Ceremony!"

Saying that, she ran away. Patting her pounding chest, she stopped near the castle to catch her breath.

Oh, Jessamyn! How can you forget that he is a man who could shift to a wolf and not a big dog? You touched him as you please! With your reputation, what is he going to think of you? Idiot!

But it was his fault to stand in front of me like that! I was only curious...

Still! He’s a man! His reputation is not going to get ruined. Yours will! And you lost a friend...

No!

Yes, you did.

With two sides arguing inside her head, Jessamyn walked to her bedroom. Like the previous night, she couldn’t fall asleep, this time because she was worried for herself.

I need to find out who that is, as soon as possible. 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Jessamyn tiptoed to the table and placed the flickering candle on it. She dipped the feather in the ink and composed an encrypted message.

She went to the window and slowly opened it. Peeking her head out, she made sure no one was around. She folded the message and tutted with a rhythm.

From the tree nearby, a raven flew in and sat by the windowsill. She tutted a few more times after safely tying the message to its leg. Without making a noise, the raven flew away.

She had learned the art of taming and training ravens from her father. Ravens are the most intelligent birds and could be trained for important tasks. She had trained them to use the darkness to their benefit and mostly used them as carriers.

Jessamyn let out a deep breath hoping that the raven would safely reach its destination. She hadn’t sought that person’s help in a very long time and she hoped she got a reply.

She looked closely to see the despicable mynah bird staring at her.

Should I put a hit on this one? My ravens can tear it down easily... Eh, no! I’ll let her live...She’s his pet.

Jessamyn closed the window and went back to bed. Maybe she was tired, she fell asleep.

Little did Jessamyn know that the window above her room was open and a dark figure was sitting by the windowsill, observing her movements.

-----

Castle Aurelia, Montrose.

The warmth of the sun’s embrace permeated every corner, dispelling the lingering shadows of the night and coaxing life into every crevice. Hues of amber and gold intermingle with the cool, pristine white of the marble, painting the room in a kaleidoscope of light and shadow.

An ethereal being lay on the bed covered with blue silk sheets, his platinum-blonde hair gleaming gold and his face pale as a sheet. Across his body, like ominous tattoos upon his skin, were the haunting marks of snake bites, vivid reminders of a harrowing encounter with nature’s fangs.

The venom had taken its toll, coursing through his veins like a malevolent force, spreading its toxic tendrils with each passing moment. His face once flushed with vitality, now bore the pallor of impending peril, a grim reflection of the venom’s deadly grip.

He furrowed his brows sensing the sharpness of the dagger piercing his wrist. "You’re draining me," he complained to the man collecting his blood in a silver bowl. "How long...?"

Jerrick let go of William’s hand. The slit mark of the dagger closed not even leaving a scar. Not answering William, he added some herbs from his "jar" and mumbling something, he placed his finger inside the bowl.

"What is this?" William asked.

Continuing his hushed whispers, Jerrick pulled out his blood-soaked finger and drew a sigil on William’s exposed chest and forehead.

"The Theodulf blood can heal itself but not against certain venom. I am purifying your blood," Jerrick said and pressed the bowl to his lips. "Drink this."

William turned his face unwilling to drink his blood.

"Stay in pain for a week then," Jerrick placed the bowl on the side table. Wiping his hand, he sat on the armchair, with his legs crossed.

William grunted. "A week?"

Jerrick shrugged.

William pinched his nose and finished the bowl. "Did she go look for me afterward?" William asked, wiping his mouth.

Jerrick glared at William.

"She did, huh?" William laughed. "I thought I angered her, but..." His voice trailed sensing the dark aura Jerrick was exuding.

"Don’t be mad at me. I saved her life putting my life on the line." William stretched out his hands with a grin.

"You’re not going to die of snake venom, William," Jerrick scoffed.

William chuckled. "For the past two days, I haven’t been in the company of a woman, and the sensation is akin to a fate worse than death."

Jerrick rolled his eyes.