Chapter 140: Dream of Fire

Chapter 140: Dream of Fire

Stryg mulled over Maeves question, who were his parents indeed?

I didnt know my parents. Sylvan goblins usually dont. My people tend to have very unrestricted sex lives. It can be difficult to be certain who is the father of a child.

He went on, Whenever a child is born they are given to the Mothers to be raised. The Mothers are the priestesses of Lunae and the matriarchs of our tribes. They also are forbidden to bear any children of their own to prevent any form of favoritism among the children. That way we all grow up as one unit, a unified tribe.

That sounds pretty weird, Maeve chuckled.

I guess it does to outsiders, he blinked repeatedly. His pupils began to dilate and contract in unstable patterns. The alcohol was getting to him.

Stryg took another drink, I used to think everyone else was weird for not having Mothers. But after reading about Lunis in these old books at the library, I learned that the Sylvan tribes might be different. My people are more similar to the Lunisian armies than I thought.

What do you mean?

I read that the Lunisian military valued equality in their soldiers, there was no favoritism. They valued teamwork immensely and didnt put much value in emotions since emotions hindered a soldiers ability to fight effectively.

And so do the Sylvan tribes, she guessed.

He nodded, All the Sylvan younglings are trained in combat. After talking with my friends at the magic academy, I learned that children in Hollow Shade are not raised that way. Well, excluding Clypeus, but his family isnt normal, or so I hear, Im really not sure what normal means anymore.

Dont worry, the Gales are indeed exceptional, no one denies that, Maeve nodded. So, what about your mom?

Hm?

You said you dont know your dad, surely you must at least know who your mom was.

Stryg drank another cup before speaking, She died when I was born. The Mothers normally dont say who a childs birth mother is, nor do the birth mothers themselves speak out. But, the Mothers made sure to tell me. They wanted me to know I was a bad omen since birth.

Bad omen?

A curse sent by Lunis or so some of the hunters said, he muttered.

Stryg, Im so sorry.

Stryg stared at his grey claws, ...You know, growing up, I resented my birth mother. I blamed her for my weak body and my inability to keep up with the rest of my peers. I thought that if she was weak like me, then it would explain why she died giving birth to me. That way, maybe I wasnt such a bad omen, that it wasnt my fault she died. I blamed her because it was easier than facing the truth.

Stryg laughed bitterly, Turns out Im a hybrid and the mothers of hybrids tend not to survive labor. I really was the reason she died I sometimes wonder if things would have been different had she lived.

Maeve slid down to the floor, ...My mother died when I was a little girl. The doctors said she could have lived several more years had she not pushed herself so hard. She pushed herself so she could spend time with me... She died for me. My siblings hate me for that... And truth be told, so do I.

Maeve sighed, I also wonder if my life would have been different had my mom lived.

Stryg sat on the floor next to her, Seems we have some things in common.

A Sylvan goblin mage and a vampire aristocrat? Hardly, Maeve said jokingly.

Youre right, Im a lot stronger than you.

Meh, debatable, have you seen these babies, Maeve pointed at her small biceps.

Stryg stared at her with intense focus, I have.

Maeve blushed and looked away. Im glad you at least had those Mothers to look after you growing up.

Look after me? More like beat me whenever I made a mistake. I have had my own share of bruises and broken bones, Stryg smiled wryly.

Maybe we arent so different after all, she bumped his shoulder.

Maeve looked at him, she hadnt noticed how close they were, she could hear his quiet breathing. His irises seemed to be sputtering out of control, shaking, dilating, and contracting all at once, it was fascinating. She could lose herself in that ocular marvel.

Maeve wasnt sure if it was the wine getting to her head or the fact that she had found a kindred spirit, but she suddenly found herself saying out loud the words that she only dared whisper in her mind.

Your eyes are beautiful.

Im not adorable, he grumbled drunkenly.

No, youre not. Just beautiful. She kissed him.

~~~

Maeve was a small child once more. She had just come home after spending the day at the racing tracks with Nora Azol. There was mud on her shoes, but Maeve was too hungry to care. She ran through the halls and slipped into the kitchen, hoping to surprise her mother.

Alice Veres was not standing over one of the stone cooking fires. Nor was she standing near one of the chopping boards. Maeve looked around with the eagerness of a child, but to her disappointment, her mother was nowhere to be seen. In fact, there was no one in the kitchen besides her.

The fires were crackling and the pots were boiling, yet the kitchen was empty of life. Maeve walked around the large kitchen, dragging mud on the tile floor.

Mom? Anybody? Hello? She whispered.

As if in response the fires flared and rose in a burst of heat and light. She screamed as she was blasted back. The flames caught the walls and greedily ate up the wood. The fire quickly spread over the walls and ceiling, turning the kitchen into a scorching oven.

Her lungs burned from the sweltering heat. She pushed herself to her feet and ran towards the kitchen exit with wobbly steps. She pushed the door open and gasped. Everywhere she looked the flames had scorched. Her entire home was on fire. The flames curled around the halls forming tunnels of orange infernos.

I kissed you? Oh, gods I did, Maeves eyes widened.

The memories flooded back to her. She had drunk too much and her inhibitions had deserted her. She had said and done exactly what was on her mind, and she enjoyed it. She glanced at Stryg and blushed.

What had she been thinking? She was a young unmarried aristocrat, a woman in her position could not sleep with whoever caught her fancy. If anyone were to find out, her prospects of a respectable marriage would vanish into thin air. Her father would kill her.

Get a hold of yourself, Maeve shook her head and slapped her cheeks.

Are you okay? Stryg crouched down next to her and brushed her cheek.

Maeve shivered at the touch. She thought she would jerk away, but his cool fingers on her warm cheek were soothing. Maeve stared into his lilac eyes, she somehow felt calm looking into his eyes. There was something about his eyes that reminded her of her dream but she couldnt quite recall what.

Did I really call you beautiful? Maeve whispered.

And some other things. Although, youre the beautiful one among the two of us.

Maeve inhaled deeply, We cant tell anyone about this.

Sure.

Huh?

What?

I just thought you would be a lot less cooperative. Like youd want to brag to your friends or something. I know a lot of men who do.

If I bragged to anyone, wouldnt it be you? Since Im the one who won.

Won?

Yeah, during sex. I managed to make you submit first, I think? He admitted.

Submit? Maeve frowned.

Climax. Orgasm. Whatever word vampires call it.

Maeve squeezed her eyes tight, Can we not talk about that?

We can talk about it later, I guess, Stryg slipped his shirt on.

No, we wont, Maeve shook her head. She flinched in pain, Ow.

What is it? Stryg stepped near her and looked around for a threat.

My neck hurts. Maeve rubbed her throat, her fingertips came away with flakes of dried blood.

Oh Im sorry about that. The same thing happened the last time I was drunk and had sex, though it was with two girls and I bit their asses. I should probably stop having drunk sex, Stryg nodded to himself.

Maeves eyes widened. She could feel two little pinpricks on her neck. ...Did you bite me?

I think? Its all a little fuzzy, Stryg grabbed her dress and helped her put it on.

Maeve was too stunned to react.

Hm, looks pretty good, Stryg smiled.

She looked down at herself. Her torn dress barely covered her privates, I look like a slut.

Whats a slut?

I need to get out of here, she groaned.

~~~

Stryg followed Maeve through the castles tunnels and to the hidden door in the hallway.

Before she opened the door she glanced at Stryg, We cant be seen together like this, do you understand?

Because Im a goblin, he narrowed his eyes.

Because Im unmarried, Maeve rolled her eyes. And yes, because you are a goblin. My father would kill me, literally.

...Fair enough. Survival first and foremost, he sighed.

She pushed the door open slightly and peeked out into the hall, The coast is clear. The left hall should be empty, the servants should be busy serving the guests breakfast in the main dining room past the right hallway. You go to the right, Ill go to the left.

She pushed the hidden door open and stepped out into the hall, Stryg walked right behind her.

Stryg? Maeve!?

They both slowly turned to the right. A figure stood staring at them with a slack jaw.

Oh, hey, Cly, Stryg waved.