Favored By The Villain

ve known that Merril would be trying to get under Elizabeth’s skin, and would throw Levisia’s words back at her.
She slammed the book down and hopped out the carriage, not bothering to conceal her identity anymore.

Everyone knew she was there.
It was an open secret at this point.

Just beyond the carriages, another temporary camp was being set up.
She could smell the rich aroma of the stew she ate yesterday, the one with the venison and the vegetables, but her appetite had all but vanished.

Wanting to be as far away from Elizabeth and Merril as possible, she set off in the direction of Pel’s carriage.
All she wanted was to hide with people she could trust, even if it was for a few short minutes whilst lunch was being served.

To her dismay, there was no sign of Pel.
Or Sheila, for that matter.
Her anger levels rising, she spun on her heels and marched into the forest.
She stamped across the ground, spraying mud all over the hem of her dress.
There had been a heavy rainstorm the previous night, and the ground was still saturated with water.
Levisia would wash her dress later, as she had more important things to worry about.

Like repeatedly kicking a tree over and over, letting out a frustrated scream with every kick.
She let out one final yell and buried her head in her hands.

“My, my.
Seems like someone is having some issues.”

Levisia’s head shot up at the unknown voice.
She frantically looked around, trying to find the source.
A few feet away from her, leaning against a tree, was a man.
His black hair, which had been tied back in a ponytail, was lightly swaying in the breeze.
Levisia tried to not wince at the dark red eyes that seemed to be staring directly into her soul.

“Who are you?” She said, trying to sound authoritative.
Her voice merely came out as a squeak, to which the unknown man laughed.
His voice was deep, yet hypnotic, as he sank to the crow that was perched on his shoulders.

“Who I am is not important.” He said, his smile stretching from ear to ear.
“It’s who you are that’s important.”

With a single whistle, the crow spread its wings.
Levisia began to back away, running away just as a single whistle echoed throughout the air.

She glanced back behind her to see that the crow was rapidly gaining on her.