The wall that brought her into the dungeon couldn't get her out. Nevaeh found another way out with the man's help. True to his words, the chains binding him had fallen to pieces the moment her fingers brushed against it. She retreated to her room quickly before anyone noticed she was gone. Tomorrow, she will leave this place.
By morning, Nevaeh woke up in a good mood. She didn't even snap at Carol and she made sure to finish her meals, she was sure she would need the strength. She was informed Zealan had left earlier in the day, and she prayed he wouldn't return today.
But unlike the past two days that went by in a flash, today was particularly slow, as if taunting her. That man had asked her to meet him behind the stable tonight. Guards patrolled every inch of the mansion at night, but this was her one chance.
Nevaeh occupied the rest of her afternoon in a book and by nightfall, Carol had come to draw her bath and serve dinner. When she was done, she dismissed the maid, pretending to be worn out and prepared to sleep.
And then the time came. Nevaeh kicked off the covers and sprung to her feet, her nightgown flowing past her ankles. She wrapped a shawl over her head as she quietly left the room, making sure to avoid the guards this time. Before long, she stood behind a shed by the stable, hiding away from watchful eyes.
"You're late" the voice sounded behind her and she would've let out a shriek had his hands not quickly covered her mouth, "Quiet" he whispered, setting her free.
"You startled me!" She whisper-yelled. Up close, she noticed that most of his wounds were barely visible. He cleaned up nicely. Though she wondered how he could pull that off without getting seen.
He held out a dark cloak, "I trusted you wouldn't show up in black" he said inspecting the off-white nightgown she had on, with the shawl draped around her. She took the cloak from him without a word, pulling it over her head and she blended better into the darkness.
"What now?" She asked.
"I'll go over to that wall" he said pointing to it "It's the shortest one and our best bet, when I'm ready, I'll give the signal for you to come over". She nodded
"Don't fuck it up" he warned and she narrowed her eyes at him.
In the next beat, he was gone, skillfully sticking to the shadows and bypassing the guards until he got to the wall. Nevaeh watched carefully so she could follow in his footsteps. She watched him dig out a rope from a sack around his waist that she hadn't noticed earlier, and he tied a knot with it, tossing one end over the fence and securing its position.
His hands gripped the rope as he pulled himself up the wall and for a brief moment, Nevaeh's heart fell with the thought that he was leaving her behind. But then he came back down. He was only testing the rope.
He looked in her direction and signalled her over. She got to her feet and darted left into the shadows, just like he'd done. And soon she caught up to him
"Impressive" he praised.
"It's not my first time," she smiled back.
"I'll hoist you up" he said. "Try not to hurt yourself"
Neveah nodded, taking the rope from him. But just then, a chilly wind blew past, lifting her hood. She quickly held on to it, fixing it back in place.
"I'm read-" she was cut off by the young man who shushed her as his eyes searched the darkness ahead of them as if sensing an approaching presence.
"What happened?" She asked to get no reply, "It's rude to cut- ahh" Nevaeh yelped when the man suddenly yanked her to him and in a flash, the cool edge of a blade pressed against her neck, holding her hostage.
It took her a second to process what just happened. And then she saw him, the Gavarian Lord, stepping into the light. His hands hidden away in his pocket as the wind ruffled his hair. His eyes held slight annoyance.
"I'm not going to ask how this happened" Zealan spoke, his voice deceptively calm. "But I'll say this only once. Let her go"
The man pressed the blade further into her skin, leaving a small trail of blood and Nevaeh's efforts against it were futile. Just what had she gotten herself into??
"We both know if I do that, I'm not leaving this place alive" The man replied with equal calm.
"I think you're mistaken," Zealan said, stepping forward, "Your fate was already sealed when you invaded my territory". His amber eyes took on an ominous glow while Nevaeh's eyes widened in surprise as the blade fell from the man's hand. He crouched to the floor coughing up blood.
She seized the opportunity and ran behind Zealan. She didn't understand what was happening but she was not going to stand by a prisoner who just threatened her life!
Zealan towered over the young man.
"H-how" the man groaned in pain and he coughed up more blood. His human skin falling apart to reveal long claws and a grotesque face, while he writhed on the ground "You should be powerless. It's really her, isn't it?" his voice turned guttural.
Nevaeh stood agape, her mind failing to grasp what was happening in front of her.
"I hate people touching what belongs to me" Zealan said "How dare you taint her with your filth?" and in one swift move, the heel of his shoe met heavily with the creature's head, stomping it to the ground like a bug.
The sound of cracking bones as blood sputtered onto the dirt elicited a loud gasp from Nevaeh at the horrid sight in front of her. Missing her footing, she fell to the ground scampering away as Zealan's annoyed gaze met hers. "W-what's going on!"