Sonas slept peacefully on the soft makeshift mattress made of wolf skin blankets, a small distance from the fireplace. She was all warm and snug, and had no intention of waking up.

  She lied on her side, facing the wall.

  Matteo had a bit of a rough sleep on the couch, next to Sonas. He had never slept this uncomfortable before. He groaned and sat up, holding his head.

  “Rough sleep?” asked Nikolai, who was already awake, making a hot cup of coffee.

  Matteo turned to face Nikolai, who was in the kitchen.

  “Could’ve been worse.”

  “Yeah, that couch isn’t really the best. It’s made with tree bark and fiber.”

  “Did you make this?”

  “Yes. When you live alone, you have to provide for yourself. What better way to do that than creating your own furniture?”

  “I guess it buys some time, huh?”

  “Sure does.”

  “What about the house? Did you build this too?”

  “Oh no, I don’t have the talent to do that. Take way too long with this condition. This used to be my parents house.”

  “Right, so after they died you stayed here?”

  “Yes.”

  Nikolai poured the coffee into the mug, and turned around.

  “I’m guessing Sonas is still sleeping?” he asked.

  “Looks like it.”

  “Matteo, can I ask you something?”

  “Hm? Of course.”

  “What’s it like being a hunted species?”

  “As a Hybrid? Let’s just say my safe point was in Deersheild. I was lucky enough to get my ass to the city, until I was chased down and almost killed.”

  “Oh, right. The law that King Orilon made. I don’t understand why he wants all Hybrids to be slaughtered in front of him.”

  “He hunts us down because we were the species responsible for the murder of Queen Maida and the ‘daughter’.”

  “He should find the one responsible rather than killing every single one of them. That’s not fair. Also, does the king know about Sonas’ existence?”

  “No. He believes she died that same night.”

  “Still, I think the king lost his mind after Queen Maida died. Now he wants the head of every single Hybrid. It’s cruel if they’re innocent.”

  “I agree. We’re discriminated against, and now we’re on the king’s kill list. Even the church is against us.”

  “Manipulated, it seems. And to think Sonas wants to reunite with him, who just so happens to be her biological father.”

  “She’s unaware of how cruel he is towards people like me.”

  “What do you think it’ll be like when you two arrive there?”

  “That’s what I worry about most. I can’t just drop her off and let her walk the rest of the way to the city.”

  “You’re right. There will be rogues to worry about. They would kill to capture her.”

  “Indeed. We’ve already bumped into one of the Rogues yesterday. He said that their leader, Krex, is already aware of her identity.”

  “That’s going to be a problem.”

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

  “It already is.”

  Matteo and Nikolai stood in silence, looking at Sonas’ sleeping form.

  “She’s so quiet. I don’t know how a girl like her could sleep so soundly in the situation she’s in.” Nikolai observes, with a small smile.

  “She’s always like that. If there’s one thing she hates, it’s an uncomfortable sleep.”

  “It’s adorable.”

  Matteo looks at Nikolai with a hint of surprise. The fact that Nikolai called her adorable was cute, but also surprising. It seems Nikolai has already taken a liking to Sonas.

  ??

  A day after the snowstorm cleared, Nikolai offered to take a couple of his supplies. Successfully, they were also able to find Domino and Apollo, who were not too far from the cabin. As they finished packing, Sonas didn’t feel sure about leaving Nikolai.

  She stood in front of Nikolai, an almost desperate look in her eyes.

  “I don’t want to have to say goodbye, Nikolai. Come with us.”

  “Go with you? Are you sure?”

  “Yes! Please do!”

  “I don’t know…”

  “We’re gonna need an extra hand.” Matteo spoke.

  “Please, Nikolai? Please?”

  “Hmm….” Nikolai thought.

  “Ok, I’ll do it. For Sonas.”

  “Yay!” Sonas cheered.

  “That’s the spirit, Nikolai. Let’s get going.” Matteo nods.

  “But whose horse should I mount?”

  “I can walk. You borrow my horse since Sonas’ won't let anyone else ride him.”

  “Oh, ok. Thank you, Matteo.”

  “Eh, don’t mention it.”

  Nikolai jumps onto Apollo, and Sonas mounts Domino. Matteo turned back to look at Sonas and Nikolai.

  “You two ready?” He asked.

  “All ready!” Sonas put a thumbs up.

  Matteo nods, walking forward, while Sonas and Nikolai follow. The snow was light, but it was still freezing. Sonas was wrapped up in a warm coat, along with Nikolai and Matteo. They could all hear the sounds of the snow crunching underneath them.

  “I think we should cut through the village.” Matteo suggested.

  Sonas turned to look at Nikolai. He seemed unsure about walking through the town, but he looked at Sonas and nodded.

  “It’s okay, we can do that.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. It’s not like I want to show my face back here anyway. Maybe if I become your bodyguard after this I’ll stop being looked at as a freak.” Nikolai jokes.

  “Ok, whatever you say.” Sonas giggles.

  The skies were still grey, and the snow was light. Sonas took the time to embrace the scenery around her. Pine trees covered in snow and little. She tried catching snowflakes with her tongue. She managed to catch a few.

  “You act as if you’re just a little kid.” Nikolai states with a small smile.

  “It’s fun. I love feeling like a child again. Have you ever tried it before?”

  “I can’t really say that I have, no.”

  “It’s simple. Just lift your head up and stick out your tongue.”

  Nikolai faced the grey sky, sticking his tongue out to catch the snowflakes. He felt a cold speck touch his taste buds.

  “I caught one.”

  “See? Fun, isn’t it.”

  Matteo suddenly came to a stop. Sonas and Nikolai stopped the horses.

  “Hold on. I sense something. Wait here.” He ordered, stepping into the bushes.

  Sonas and Nikolai were cautious, waiting for Matteo to return.

  They suddenly heard him yelp in surprise, like he saw another mouse.

  Sonas panicked and rushed over to the bushes. She was suddenly hit with a snowball and fell over.

  Matteo jumped out from the bushes and smirked.

  “Gotcha!”

  “You scared me.” Sonas pouted.

  “Haha! You should’ve seen your-”

  Matteo was cut off by a snowball getting thrown at his face by Sonas.

  “Not so funny when it happens to you, huh?” Sonas giggled.

  “You little-” Matteo makes another snowball and throws it at Sonas.

  Nikolai chuckled. He could hear the joy between the two having a snowball fight. Matteo and Sonas were laughing, throwing snowballs and pushing each other into the snow.

  Nikolai dismounted Apollo, kneeling down and grasping the freezing white flakes in his hand, molding it into a ball shape.

  He listened to where Sonas and Matteo were, throwing the snowball, and it collided with Sonas’ face.

  She stopped and turned to Nikolai, her cheeky smile widened.

  “It’s on now, Nikolai.” She grinned, throwing a snowball at him.

  Nikolai felt the impact of the snowball against his coat. Matteo ran up behind Sonas and prepared to strike her with a snowball, until she turned around and shoved the snow into his jacket.

  “Ah! It’s freezing!” Matteo let out a surprise yelp from the chill feeling of the snow against his skin.

  Sonas laughed so hard as Matteo wriggled around because of the snow. Sonas fell into the snow, holding her stomach. Nikolai laughed along with her.

  “It’s not funny! It’s so cold!”

  “That’s what you get!” Sonas laughed.

  Matteo grumbled. He grabbed a massive handful of snow and dropped it onto her face.

  “Mmf!” Sonas muffled underneath the pile of snow. She sat up, feeling the snow slide off her face and grumbling in annoyance.

  Matteo and Nikolai laughed.

  ??

  Steinfoss, the trade village in the snow. Filled with what others seemed, prosperity and hope. They were a discriminatory community, and very passionate about their beliefs and influence from the church. People with disabilities were usually disowned by their families and excluded from people they called ‘friends’.

  Two words that perfectly described the attitude of what was thought to be a thriving community; “Money Hungry”.

  The town got heaps of money from doing trades with livestock and other resources. In their minds, the amount of money they were given each trade was never enough. All of them were as greedy as a hog. A bottomless pit. They may seem welcoming and wonderful on the outside, but all they want is your riches on the inside.

  The town had a beautiful and ancient church. The coloured stained windows stood out against the limestone architecture. It stood 60-70ft high, and a belltower attached to the left. Stairs would provide access to the foundation and interior. It was rather stunning.

  The town priest was inside the nave of the church, sitting on one of the seats facing the altar. He would pray to his god in silence. His eyes lightly shut.

  His silent prayers were interrupted by one of the Deacons, who had rushed into the nave with urgent news.

  “Father, we’ve spotted newcomers heading into the town. They’re with the freak.”

  “I see. Again, with that word, my child. It is a strong and offensive word. I would prefer the word ‘abnormal’.” said the priest in a calm and soft voice.

  “What should we do? They don’t look like they’re intending to trade.”

  “Relax. They’re most likely just passing through. Still though, Nikolai was forbidden from setting foot in the town.”

  “What should I tell the people, father?”

  “They already know what to do, so there’s no need to tell them. If they’re with Nikolai, then we will make it clear that they’re not welcome.”

  “Understood.” The Deacon walked quietly out of the nave, leaving the priest alone.

  “Why must you dare show your face here again, child? You are fully aware of the consequences.”