Music recommendation: Beving: Ala by Joep Beving on Spotify.
A knock was heard from the door as it opened. Two maids and a healer stepped in. Lyra was nervous by the approach but softened as their smiles were subtle.
"Good afternoon, miss. We're here to assist you with your needs," one of the maids spoke; she was short and plump. She gave a comforting smile as her wrinkles reached her eyes.
"Alpha Viktor summoned one of our best healers, and we can prepare a nice warm bath," the other maid said, gesturing to the old healer. The other maid seemed closer to her age and looked towards the old healer draped in a white robe. Lyra was apprehensive of the services she received, knowing she was just a commoner. Why the special treatment? Viktor has been utterly generous, and she blushed at the thought.
Taking the blessing in good faith, she was brought to the bathing chamber with the same elegance as the bedroom next door. The maids did their work and drew the bath filled with warm water and scented oils of lavender and mint. As they began to undress her, the ladies tried to mask their concerned faces. The older maid was appalled by the scarred wounds that riddled her back, and Lyra quickly covered herself, hunching over in disgrace. The maids weren't sure how she received but quickly schooled themselves and assisted her in the water.
The stinging sensation that prickled her skin wasn't as bad as Lyra expected. The warm, milky water soothed her into relaxation. The maids expertly washed her body and massaged her scalp as she began to drift in pure bliss. It was heavenly. All the dirt and grime washed away and her sheen midnight with a tint of blue hair unfurled around her slender shoulders. Despite her wounds and scars, she was quite the beauty.
When they dried her body clean, they dressed her in a pale blue nightgown with white laces trailing in front of the bodice. Bringing her back to the room to see the healer, who sat on the chair next to the bed. He looked old by the white hairs of his long beard and receding hairline but held a sharp gaze filled with wisdom.
"Lie down, dear child," he spoke in an old, tender tone; he positioned his glasses at the bridge of his nose. The maids assured her nothing to fear, and she reluctantly followed them to the bed.
Lyra laid on her stomach her hair cascaded to the side away from her face as she looked at the old man. The healer gestured for her to close her eyes and she reluctantly did. Mumbled incoherent words echoed in the room as the healers voice chanted. A faint glow emanated from his palm, gliding over her without her knowledge. The warm, gentle sensation enveloped Lyra's body, and the fatigue had finally caught up to her, drifting off to sleep. The healer continued his treatment as the glow pulsed a faint green luminescent. The existing wounds and bruises were closing and fading, revealing her flawless skin with no scar left behind.
The old man's expression turned serious as he narrowed his weary gaze to the sleeping beauty. The older maid seemed more than pleased by his remarkable effort.
"Your reputation precedes you, Healer Oscar," the older maid praised; her Alpha should pay this old man handsomely for his work.
"That's strange," the old healer commented, confusing the maids. He continued,
"My abilities don't heal to this extent."
The maids darted to look at one another before facing Lyra. None of them were sure what to make of her. She smelt like a human, ordinary as they come. The old healer cleared his throat as he rose from his seat and looked sternly at the ladies.
"Let the young lady rest and take our leave," he motioned them to leave.
He glanced at the sleeping woman before closing the door behind him. The healer would need to speak to his Alpha regarding this shocking news. It was concerning, to say the least, as he started to make his way down the corridor, heading toward the Alpha's study.
***
Viktor sat lazily on the blush sofa, sipping a glass of honey-colored liquid. The faint aromas of honey and blueberries wafted through his nose, indulging in the elegant alcoholic beverage.
Mahogany-paneled walls, adorned with rich tapestries depicting Evrax, embraced shelves filled with leather-bound books and trinkets from his travels. Positioned opposite the room, a large desk was piled with parchments scattered around its surface. Understandably, Viktor was holding off on his duties and was overwhelmed with conflict and strife. The flickering glow of a grand fireplace and its marble mantle cast a warm ambiance over the room. Two plush sofas faced each other, where Viktor and Leo both sat opposite of one another, giving their undivided attention.
"What did you want to see me for, Leo? It's not like you to come knocking on my door," Viktor probed, pouring Leo a glass of mead for his friend.
"We can't stay here long and need to travel to the main capital as soon as possible," Leo responded, not beating around the bush.
"Well, that's harsh. You just got here." Viktor retorted. It was strange for Leo to rush when he was considered calm and collected. "Why can't you just fly over? It's not like you need the horse unless the woman is heavy."
"It's not that I can't…it's," Leo spoke cryptically, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
"It's getting worse," Leo sighed, his voice low as he took the drink and downed it in one go. The amber-like liquid glided down his throat, quenching his nerves. Viktor's brows furrowed in concern.
"The corruption," Viktor stated as his expression hardened.
"I thought you had more time," Viktor reached for the canter, refilling the contents for his friend. Leo clenched the glass, deep in thought of his haunted past.
"The extent of my abilities is dwindling the more I use them," Leo murmured, casting his head to the side. The scar on his cheek ached. His white-silvery hair fanned over his shoulders, but a faint tint of black was visible on the fringes of his hair. It was a phenomenon that no one knew since there were no records of 'The Fallen' since the first. The High Council purged such records since the first Great War. He clenched his jaw at recalling that fateful day but schooled his expression back to his signature blank look.
Viktor grew concerned for his friend, pity marring his face. If there were such a time he could see his friend's old majestic self once more, he would gladly take it. However, was it worth jeopardizing an innocent woman? Viktor was a ladies' man and wasn't sure how to approach the matter. He took a swig from his drink before he spoke.
"Regardless, I am loyal to you," Viktor said, his voice etched in reverence. He lifted his glass to Leo before downing the contents, releasing a breath. Despite being a prideful Alpha, he will forever be indebted to the angel who saved his life that day. His silver eyes stared at Leo's indifference before he heard a knock at the door.
Healer Oscar stepped in and bowed to his alpha. The old man seemed disturbed, and Viktor seemed puzzled by his entrance.
"Speak."
"Alpha Viktor, I'm here concerning the w-woman…" The old man trailed when he saw the piercing gaze emanating from Leo. He quivered at the ominous presence.
"Leo, knock it off," Viktor warned him, he didn't take too kindly for another presence overtaking his authority as Alpha even if it was his old friend. Not having to look at his friend, who made the room feel like a snowstorm had blown in. He urged the healer to continue with a nod.
"O-on your orders, I went to her chamber to h-heal the young miss," the healer nervously spoke.
"What about Lyra?" Viktor probed. His face hardened. He was nervous about her but was more concerned by his friend's tension that seemed to darken by the second. Has something happened?
"Her wounds have healed, and not a single scar was left," the healer responded in worry. The revelation was anticlimactic than they perceived. However, the next word the old man spoke made them puzzled.
"Are you certain she's human, Alpha?" the old man couldn't help but ask that question.
"That's none of your concern," Leo shot the old man an icy glare, shutting him up from probing further.
Viktor dismissed the old healer, who gladly took his leave. He leaned forward, his elbows resting on his lower thighs with his chin resting above his interlocking fingers. His silver eyes glowed from the rising concern that he heard.
"Seems there's more extent of her abilities," Viktor declared, confirming his suspicions. Leo would refute his words immediately, but the recount of her previous actions only solidified that she was no longer human. Something ominous and dark laid deep in Lyra and he needed the high council to intervene before it was too late.