Rea and the Blood of the Nectar by Payal Doshi

Author:Payal Doshi [Doshi, Payal]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Mango & Marigold Press
Published: 2021-06-14T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

The Most Ordinary of Doors

“Kick your feet,” shouted Rea, as the serpent-lilies circled them, their slimy, scaly skin glistening in the moonlight. The little remaining blood from her wound bled into the water, keeping the lilies away.

“Help!” cried Leela, splashing to stay afloat and gulping in mouthfuls of water. She didn’t know how to swim. Rea dove underwater and grabbed her by the waist, trying to pull her toward the surface.

Water stung Rea’s eyes.

Kick!

She moved upward.

Kick again!

The water entered Rea’s nose and ears. She used every ounce of strength to swim back to the surface and coughed out cold, mossy liquid as she searched for the castle. She had to save Leela no matter what. Kicking with whatever energy she had left, Rea pulled Leela through the choppy waters. If she could get her to the shore, she didn’t care what happened to herself. Rea kicked again, her arms and legs aching with exhaustion.

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning splintered across the sky, blinding her. Seconds later, thunder roared.

Then the night shook.

Rea looked up.

A beast, black as a bat, with fire-golden eyes, flew through the clouds, flapping its massive, gold-feather-tipped wings. With a mountainous splash, it nosedived into the lake and rose up through the water with Rea and Leela on its mammoth back. Leela clung to Rea and Rea clung onto the creature’s horns, holding on for dear life. As they soared above the deadly waters, Rea saw Flula flying into the woods and disappearing into the trees. Rea was glad that she had escaped to safety.

With a quick and smooth descent, the Ceffyldwer landed onto the sandy shores of the Queen’s castle and Rea and Leela slid off his back. Rea looked up at the giant stone structure, dark and foreboding, and at the equally terrifying creature who had saved them. She didn’t know where to begin. Both took her breath away to the extent that not a single coherent word formed in her head or mouth.

The Ceffyldwer was a blend of horse, bird, and antelope. Unfurling his wings, he shook off the water in a downpour of rain. His feathery tips glittered like drops of honey catching the moonlight.

“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?” Leela ran her fingers over his long, slender neck.

Two spots of blood oozed from her left calf.

“Are you feeling okay?” Rea asked, searching for signs of coagulating blood.

Leela gazed at the Ceffyldwer as he nuzzled her leg.

“Thank you for saving us,” she said.

His spiral horns extended high above his head and his striped wall-like flank rippled in gold whenever he moved or flexed. Rea nervously approached the winged beast. His muscles relaxed under her touch and for some reason—perhaps that he had saved their lives—she forgot her fears and wrapped her arms around him.

The Ceffyldwer turned to Rea’s bloodied arm and Rea felt her heartbeats evening out. The warm breath of the animal and the care with which he looked at her comforted her. Dipping his head, he ripped off the edge of Rea’s petal-tunic and placed the fabric on her bleeding wound.

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