ZADOK


    “It’s a dream. It will be over soon.” Ithra said, tapping her face.


    My eyes narrowed at her, and she didn’t seem surprised. She didn’t seem like this was strange to her. It seemed like it was business to her.


    I walked to her and held her by the arm, “Have you been here before?”


    She struggled out of my hold and continued pacing, “It’s all a dream, Ithra. Focus.”


    Irritated at her constant pacing and refusal to speak, I walked to her and pinched her cheeks, and she let out a screech.


    “Do you still think it’s a dream?” I deadpanned.


    I watched as her eyes grewrge, and she took in the environment again.


    “W-what? H-How?” She stuttered, looking around like she was only finding out where she was.


    “I should be asking you that,” I said, holding her again. “Have you been here before?”


    “Leave me alone,” she pulled her hands and put some space between us.


    I didn’t like the sound of that. But I persisted nheless.


    “We need to figure out a way out,” I said, and my desperation leaked from my tone. “I can’t do that if you don’t talk to me.”


    “I-I don’t get it. I was in the farnd a few moments ago. How did we get here?” She asked, and I felt anger brew within me.


    “Enough with the games already.” My tone was taut, “Do not take me for a fool, Ithra. I need you to talk and fast.”


    She let out a breath, and her eyes fixed on me. “I have been having dreams of this ce.”


    I moved closer to her and asked softly. “What have you been seeing?”


    “Visions. Dreams that urge me toe to the dark forest.”


    My breath seized at her answer. We were in the dark forest. We finally crossed over. And she knew.


    “To do what? Come to the dark forest to do what?” I pushed back, wondering how much she knew about my predicament.


    “To protect my people.” Her eyes shone as she spoke. “I need toe here and repair the wall. To preserve the life of my people.”


    My eyes widened at her reply. Did she not know about my situation?


    “Your people are not in danger. I made sure of that.” I said in a definite tone.


    “Oh really? Because thest time I checked, that was not the case.”


    Her words portrayed her underlying anger, including her tone.


    “How do you mean?” I asked the forbidden question, and she blew up.


    “You think I don’t know your n to get rid of my n behind my back? You think I don’t know you n to discard me after using me to do God knows what?”


    At this point, she was screaming at me. My mind returned to that day at the farm. Athaliah’s strategy to drive her to anger was biting back at me.


    “There is no such n, Ithra,” I said with a low tone. “I do not appreciate your constant doubt in me. I gave you my word, and I do not n to go back on it, and for as long as I am alive.”


    I left my gaze on her, and she remained quiet. At that moment, I realised that she knew it. She trusted me enough not to believe the scrawny words of Athaliah.


    If she didn’t, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be alive. She saved my life.


    “I guess you already knew that,” I said, and she confirmed it with a shrug.


    “I needed to be sure I didn’t make a wrong call.”


    I rolled my eyes at her dramatic antics, then watched her walk away from me. Not so fast, I thought and walked after her.     “About those dreams,” I said and got into step with her, “Did it say anything about how we got in here or perhaps how we can get out?”


    My desperation leaked from my words. It was getting dark, and thest thing I wanted was to remain here without an idea of how we could make things work.


    In all my years of nning, I never imagineding to this dreaded forest alone with the chosen one. Alone with Ithra.


    “Nothing.” Her reply was quick, and I knew she was lying – or leaving something out.


    “Where are you going?” I asked when she increased her pace, “You know nothing about the dark forest. You could get lost.”  I warned.


    “I need some space to think. I suggest we split ways. I’ll be fine.”


    That got me angry, “Don’t be stupid. This forest is crawling with demons, beasts and deadly creeping things you cannot imagine. We should stick together.”


    “Yet you are the one whining.” She sauntered far from me, “I’ll be alright. I just need to get something before I leave. You can find your way out, but I’m not leaving.”Content is ? 2024 N?velDrama.Org.


    “You can’t survive without me out here.” I gritted, “Get off your high horse and let’s figure out a way out. We can always returnter. Staying here without a n or map around is madness.”


    “And yet I saved your life.” She fired back. “Again, don’t make me regret making that call.”


    “I am your Alpha, Ithra. You cannot turn your back on me. It is not a negotiation. It’s an order. We will return to the packnds. Then discuss whatever you need from this forest and return fully prepared.” I barked, causing her to halt in her steps.


    “I think you are forgetting something, Alpha.” She turned around, and I saw her hair gain a brighter colour. She was furious. “We are not in the packnds. It’s the dark forest. You have nothing on me here. If you want to go, then find your way back yourself.”


    The wind blew, and I watched her hair re, giving her a regal look. At that moment, Ithra seemed different. Powerful, confident, and my personal favourite – wildly beautiful.


    To my greatest surprise, I didn’t feel angry. Neither did I feel upset at the utter disrespect. Instead, I felt Kir puff at her words, like he was proud to have her defy him.


    And for the first time in a long while, I agreed.