Chapter 46: Better Than Yuletide
Rafael doubted Soleia was truly in the woods as Elowyn and Orion claimed, but he had no way to prove it. However, their little ice shelter was deserted, and the crystals they buried together were still undisturbed.
As such, Rafael made his way into the woods, tracking Soleia’s whereabouts from her footsteps. Mentally, he reminded himself to use his powers to create something he could track Soleia with later on. He couldn’t risk having her safety in jeopardy, not when she was the answer to all of his problems.
Soon, he stumbled upon the clearing where the attack must have happened. Orion’s men had removed most of the corpses, but there was nothing that could have hidden the variety of blood splatters decorating the snow.
Rafael gritted his teeth, and there was a terrible pulse in his chest as he imagined the gory sight. Soleia’s body, ripped to shreds by hungry thornhounds who feasted on her flesh, leaving behind nothing more than bloodstained clothing, too little for a proper funeral.
He snarled and twitched his fingers, sending the blood-soaked snow flying.
"Ouch!"
Rafael paused. Wait a minute... That voice...
"Princess Soleia? Is that you?" Rafael called out cautiously. He whipped his head around to look for Soleia, and he guessed she must have taken shelter behind a particular tall piece of rock. " I have food and other supplies for you."
He wondered if she was upset with him. He wouldn’t blame her if he was.
There was a shuffling noise before Soleia’s blonde head emerged from the side. She shook her head free of the snow, and her eyes brightened when she caught sight of him. "Sir Ralph! You’ve returned!"
In her eyes, Rafael could not spot any resentment or anger. Princess Soleia was simply happy to see him, despite all the trouble he had caused her.