Heart Over Sword-Chapter 328: The Green Flash

Evanna attempted to break free from Scarecrow’s grasp but found herself unsuccessful. Despite the monster’s current appearance as a seemingly unhealthy and weak woman, she was held firmly on the ground in the ditch. They wrestled, rolling in the mud that clung to their clothes and hair as they vied for the upper hand, yet Scarecrow proved to be the stronger of the two.

The princess’s swords were tossed to the side, and her head was banged into the ground multiple times until she began to see stars, and her strength faded. Scarecrow wasn’t finished, though; he released her head, allowing Evanna’s vision to return until his hands wrapped around her throat.

"This is the end, princess," he hissed, his body atop hers, hands tightening around her throat more. "If I could, I would have used your face... It’s so beautiful, skin so smooth, lashes so long, and healthy hair. But it wasn’t meant to be."

A small cackle followed his words. But Evanna wasn’t listening; she was scratching at his hands, bucking her hips, frustration pulsing through her as her lungs constricted, needing air. Evanna’s face was bright red, eyes tearing up, fearful for the first time that she was going to die.

That was until two swords pierced through Scarecrow’s chest from behind, the black blood splattering across Evanna. Scarecrow instantly released Evanna, and she sucked in a deep breath of air, coughing at the sudden rush of airflow and the tightness of her throat. Scarecrow still sat atop her, but she saw the white hair of her husband behind the creature.

Before Arawn could behead him, putting an end to the creature, Scarecrow bent the ends of the prince’s swords, stopping him from yanking them back out. Spinning around, the creature’s attention turned to Arawn whilst Evanna regained her strength. Staring at the sky, chest heaving, tears drying down the side of her face, the princess watched as the darkening sky flashed a brilliant green.

Evanna’s breath halted at the bizarre event, eyes flicking to Arawn and Scarecrow, concentrating on each other rather than the sky. Her husband started to shoot ice at the creature, but mid-stride, Scarecrow froze on the spot and tilted his head back to look at the sky. "No, no, no..." Scarecrow began rambling, taking a staggering step back until he completely crumpled on the ground. The green light dispersed into green sparkling dust and disintegrated before it touched the ground.

Evanna looked at the Faceless creature in the form of a woman, wondering if this was a trap or something. Scarecrow wouldn’t just collapse like that. But what was that green light, though? It felt like magic. Or someone’s magic dying.

Arawn was first to kick Scarecrow sprawling to the side, his hair flicking over his face. With a furrowed brow and a raised hand, icicles hovering at the ready, Arawn bent down to assess whether the creature was truly deceased. Once assured of Scarecrow’s demise, the ice dropped to the ground, and he rushed to Evanna’s side.

Jumping across the small ditch, Arawn kneeled beside Evanna, hands instantly going to her cheeks, scowling at her, eyes icy with chilling anger. "I thought you were..." His voice choked off, forehead touching hers as his eyes squeezed shut, inhaling deeply to calm down. "I thought I was going to lose you."

Arawn’s eyes snapped open, and his lips crushed Evanna’s once, twice, then he peppered her face in kisses until he calmed down, feeling his wife alive, warm-skinned, breathing, a little dirty from the mud but alive. His gaze lowered to her neck, darkening for a moment before he hugged her to him.

"I’m okay," Evanna managed to say, though her voice wasn’t that strong, and pain splintered through her throat. "I’m fine. What... do you think happened?"

Arawn looked behind him at the creature. "There must have been some reason the Faceless remained alive in the woods for so long. Few dared to venture into that part of Direwood, as the other creatures in the area typically dealt with intruders long before the Faceless did," he replied thoughtfully, then looked back at Evanna in concern. "Do not stress your voice."

Evanna smiled at him softly, clinging to him a moment more before rising to her feet. "The others..." She trailed off, aware Arawn knew what she wanted to do without saying anything more.

Arawn’s gloved hand slid into hers as they walked towards the field. For a few moments, they yearned to embrace this time together, stripped away, unburdened and bare, before their duties as prince and princess resumed once more. As soon as the battlefield of bodies came into view, their hands returned to their sides as they assessed the peculiarity of what was before them. The icy tower had melted, and the Faceless bodies were beside dead vines and plants. The disgusting creatures weren’t moving, piled on top of each other.

"They’re all dead..." Arawn’s gaze narrowed upon seeing a bundle of the Faceless bodies starting to move. He put his body between them and Evanna, palm up with snow swirling in a mini storm. Evanna braced herself, gripping her swords in one hand, though she was physically and mentally drained. No elven gift sparked to life, and her limbs ached, not to mention the back of her head pounded with a headache. She was surprised her skull hadn’t cracked or the skin pierced.

The bodies burst outwards, flying to the sky and dropping to the sides as Conrad jumped up and rolled to the side, heaving for breath on top of one of the creatures unbothered. Arawn’s hand dropped, and his elven magic dispersed. Evanna watched the Demon King, impressed he forced himself out of what must have been a claustrophobic experience.

The battle between them and the Faceless was finished. Evanna sighed in relief, though it was still too soon to feel such relief. She had yet to see the others were safe; until then, she would stay on her guard. "Stay by my side. I do not trust Conrad," Arawn murmured, eyes locked on the King, who was already rising to his feet, watching them.

Evanna did not question Arawn about the Demon King, but she raced to them the moment she saw Axel, Ronan, and Ger bloodied yet smiling and climbing over some of the Faceless bodies.

"Evanna!" Arawn hissed after her, exasperated.

A smile lit up her features at discovering her friends’ usual banter and boisterous attitude play fighting. She ached, her head hurt, and her throat was tender, but it didn’t stop her from running to her dear friends. Axel had Ronan in a headlock and forced him to walk beside Axel and Ger. The grin on Ger’s features pleased her the most.

"There ya are lass. I was beginning to think something happened to ya," Axel greeted her, releasing Ronan from his arm. Evanna leapt into the group, arms encircling them, landing into Axel. The giant laughed, lifting all three in a group hug.

"You’re all okay?" Evanna’s raspy voice was barely above a whisper, and she signed some of it with her hands.

The guys took note of her lack of voice, and Axel released them all, their eyes dropping to her throat. Immediately, they tensed, grabbing their weapons, eyes scanning the field, alert.

"What bastard did that to you?!" Ger hissed, eye glowing as Axel twirled his throwing axe, ready.

"Dead," Evanna whispered, her finger slicing across her throat, indicating Scarecrow’s death.

"Good," Ronan grunted, though none of the guys relaxed.

Arawn approached, ignoring Conrad’s glare and scanned their surroundings. "Where’s Garrett?" He pondered, frowning that his right-hand man was nowhere to be seen. It was unlike Garrett. Did the Faceless get to him?

While the small group began searching for Garrett, Conrad watched from afar. From this distance, he could see the damage done to Evanna’s throat and envied how she looked at Arawn. That look, the looks shared between them, though, made him pause. He’d witnessed them together before, and it didn’t stop his pursuit of Evanna; she was intelligent and skilful, which was one of a few reasons he’d always wanted her.

Yet, Conrad remembered how Arawn dropped everything for Evanna. One look at the destruction of her dying plants, and he raced to her side. He fought through the Faceless like a sword slicing through butter, quick and easy. Pure panic and worry had transformed his features- the icy prince many feared.

Even now, Conrad watched the couple, who appeared like something magical connected them. They glanced at each other, mostly discreetly, but they were clearly making sure the other was safe. It infuriated Conrad, but it enraged him more that he lost his chance with Evanna and hurt her to the point she hardly considered him a friend. Not only that, she might have held affection for him once, but she never looked at him the way she looked at Arawn now.

’Take her.’

’Shut it.’ Conrad stomped on the voice inside of his head. He knew it wouldn’t listen, and so he used logic to quieten it. ’Look who surrounds her. A dragon, the next Flori King, her protectors, three armies and her own powers. Not to mention anyone else she has befriended on her little adventure.’

The voice slithered away.

"She deserves better," Conrad muttered before marching towards the next Flori Queen. Evanna was startled by his sudden approach, and Arawn was immediately on guard, as were her guards.

"I owe you a great deal," he began, looking between Evanna and Arawn. "You need not worry about Hatherland."

Evanna narrowed her eyes at him while Arawn spoke for them, allowing Evanna’s voice to rest. "Does that mean you will return to your newly built empire and leave the rest alone? Including Dunhurst?"

Conrad smirked but bowed his head. "Now, why would I do that to dear old King Osian?" He jested and looked behind him, wondering about his men and armies.

"We have your word-"

"Yes, yes," Conrad waved it off. He wanted Evanna, but his mind was clear enough to see how miserable their future would be together if he killed Arawn. He had an empire to run and wouldn’t put his personal feelings first. Turning away from the couple, the Demon King started searching for his men.

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