Chapter 136: A wonderveiw.

The ball of fire came rushing toward Rosaline with terrifying speed, its flames rolling across the dark clearing as though they had been released from somewhere deep within the darkness itself. The heat that followed it struck her face, forcing her to take a frightened step backward, but her legs felt strangely weak beneath her, almost as though the ground had suddenly decided to hold her in place.

Rosaline stared at the blood covering her hands, her fingers trembling uncontrollably as she tried to understand what she was seeing. The crimson liquid had smeared across her palms and between her fingers, dripping slowly from her wrists while the warmth of the approaching flames continued to grow.

"Rosaline..."

The voice came again.

It was distant, yet somehow close enough for her to hear it clearly.

Rosaline’s head snapped toward the sound, her white hair falling over her shoulder as she searched the darkness with frightened eyes.

"Who is there?" she asked, her voice trembling despite her attempt to sound brave. She took another hesitant step backward, keeping her bloodied hands close to her chest as she waited for someone to emerge from the darkness.

No one answered.

Instead, the ball of fire continued rolling toward her.

Rosaline’s breathing became heavier as she glanced over her shoulder, desperately searching for somewhere to run. There was nowhere. The corridor seemed to stretch endlessly behind her, swallowed by shadows, while the fire continued approaching from the opposite direction.

"Rosaline..."

The voice called her name once more.

She turned toward it again, her brows drawing together in confusion and fear.

"Who are you?"

Still, there was no answer.

The fire suddenly grew.

What had once been a single ball of flames expanded violently, rising higher until it filled the corridor in front of her. The walls seemed to disappear behind the burning light, and the heat became unbearable against her skin.

Rosaline stumbled backward.

"No..."

She shook her head, her voice barely audible as she tried to force her feet to move.

Then something cold suddenly wrapped around her wrist.

Rosaline screamed.

She desperately tried to pull away, but whatever had caught her held her firmly. The flames surged forward at that exact moment, swallowing everything in their path.

"Rosaline!"

She gasped.

Her eyes flew open.

For several seconds, she could only stare ahead without understanding what she was seeing. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, and the sensation of heat still seemed to linger against her skin even though there were no flames anywhere around her.

There was no dark corridor.

There was no blood.

There was no terrifying fire rushing toward her.

Instead, Rosaline was still inside the carriage.

She slowly realized that she was lying against Xandros, exactly where she had fallen asleep earlier. At some point during her sleep, she had shifted until she was sitting across his lap, straddling him with her arms wrapped tightly around his shoulders. Her face had been pressed against his chest, and one of his arms remained securely around her waist while his other hand rested against her back.

The carriage was still moving.

The steady rocking beneath them was the only indication that several hours had passed.

"Rosaline."

Xandros’s voice reached her again, much gentler this time.

She lifted her head.

His grey eyes were already watching her.

There was concern in his expression, and although he tried to keep his face composed, Rosaline could see the slight tension in his features as he studied her frightened state.

"You’re awake," he murmured, his voice low and soothing as his hand moved slowly over her back.

Rosaline swallowed, but the words refused to come immediately. Her heart was still beating wildly from the nightmare, and she could feel the lingering terror settling heavily in her chest.

Xandros looked at her for another moment before asking quietly, "Was it a nightmare?"

Rosaline’s lips parted, but she could only manage a small nod.

"Yes."

Her voice came out weak.

Xandros’s expression softened immediately.

Without asking anything else, he drew her closer against him, allowing her to hide her face against his chest again. His hand continued moving slowly along her back in a reassuring rhythm.

"It was only a dream," he told her gently.

Rosaline closed her eyes.

"I saw blood," she whispered, her fingers tightening around the fabric of his shirt as the memory flashed through her mind again.

"I know."

"There was fire too."

Xandros lowered his head slightly, his lips almost brushing against her hair as he answered.

"You are here with me."

Rosaline remained quiet.

"You are safe."

She tightened her arms around him, and Xandros could feel the faint trembling that still passed through her body.

He held her more securely.

"No nightmare can come near you while I am here," he said with calm certainty. "Whatever you saw in that dream cannot reach you here. Nothing is going to hurt you."

Rosaline slowly drew in a breath.

The steadiness of his voice gradually began to pull her away from the nightmare, even though the images were still fresh in her mind.

Xandros waited patiently until her breathing became slightly calmer before placing two fingers beneath her chin and gently lifting her face.

"Look at me."

Rosaline obeyed.

Her eyes met his grey ones.

"You are awake now," he reminded her, speaking slowly as though he wanted every word to settle into her mind.

Rosaline nodded.

"I am awake."

"And I am here."

Her expression softened at those words.

"You’re here," she repeated quietly.

"I am."

Xandros brushed a loose strand of white hair away from her face, tucking it gently behind her ear before letting his fingers rest briefly against her cheek.

"So stop thinking about the nightmare."

Rosaline gave another small nod, although the slight tremble in her hands told him that she had not completely recovered.

Xandros noticed immediately.

"You are still shaking," he murmured.

Rosaline lowered her gaze.

"I cannot help it."

"I know."

His voice held no irritation. Instead, he pulled her back against his chest and wrapped both arms around her.

"Then let me help."

Rosaline remained there quietly, allowing herself to be held. She listened to the steady rhythm of his breathing and felt the warmth of his body beneath her cheek, and little by little, the fear that had seized her began to loosen its grip.

She did not know how long they remained like that before the carriage gradually began to slow.

Rosaline lifted her head.

"Are we there?"

Xandros glanced toward the carriage window before looking back at her.

"Almost."

A few minutes later, the carriage finally came to a stop.

Xandros stepped down first, and once his feet touched the ground, he immediately turned back toward Rosaline and extended his hand.

"Come."

Rosaline placed her hand in his, and he helped her down carefully. The moment her feet touched the ground, the cool evening air brushed against her face, causing her to take a slow breath.

They had stopped at a clearing surrounded by tall trees. Several tents had already been erected beneath the branches, while a small fire burned nearby, its warm glow illuminating the immediate surroundings.

Christophine and Seth had apparently arrived before them and had already arranged the temporary camp.

Christophine turned as soon as she heard their footsteps.

"Finally," she called, her voice carrying a light teasing note as she approached them.

Rosaline gave her a small smile.

"Sorry."

"You don’t have to apologize," Christophine replied immediately, her playful expression fading when she noticed the slight paleness in Rosaline’s face. She looked at her more carefully before asking, "Are you all right?"

Rosaline hesitated.

She was about to answer when Xandros spoke.

"She had a nightmare."

The concern in Christophine’s eyes deepened.

"Oh."

She glanced at Rosaline again but wisely decided not to question her about the details.

"Why don’t you sit down for a while?" she suggested gently.

Rosaline nodded.

The journey had left her feeling warm, and after the nightmare, she could feel sweat clinging lightly to her skin. Her clothes were beginning to feel uncomfortable, and she instinctively brushed a hand against her forehead.

Xandros noticed the gesture.

"Come with me."

Rosaline looked at him.

"Where are we going?"

"There is a river nearby. You can refresh yourself there."

Her eyes widened slightly.

"A river?"

Xandros nodded.

"Yes."

He glanced toward Christophine and Seth before adding, "I will take her."

Christophine nodded in agreement.

"All right. Go ahead."

Rosaline followed Xandros as he led her away from the campsite. The farther they walked, the quieter the surroundings became, until the voices from the clearing gradually disappeared behind the trees.

For a while, neither of them spoke.

Rosaline walked beside him, but her thoughts continued drifting back toward the nightmare despite everything he had said.

Xandros noticed the distant expression in her eyes.

After a few more steps, he stopped.

Rosaline took another step before realizing he was no longer beside her. She turned around and found him watching her.

"What is it?" she asked, her brows drawing together.

"You are thinking about it again."

Rosaline lowered her gaze.

"A little."

Xandros sighed quietly.

"I told you not to."

"I know," she admitted, rubbing her fingers together nervously. "But it was frightening."

His expression softened.

"I know."

He stepped closer to her.

"Then I suppose I will have to make you forget."

Rosaline looked up at him with curiosity.

"How?"

Instead of answering immediately, Xandros extended his arms toward her.

"Come here."

Rosaline stepped closer, still looking at him questioningly.

"Hold me."

She blinked.

"What?"

"I said, hold me properly."

There was a faint amusement in his voice now.

Rosaline hesitated before slowly wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Why?"

Xandros’s lips curved into a small smile.

"Because we are going to fly."

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

"Fly?"

"Something like that."

Before she could question him further, Xandros slipped one arm securely around her waist and placed the other beneath her legs, lifting her effortlessly from the ground.

Rosaline gasped in surprise.

"Xandros, what are you doing?"

"Hold tight."

She immediately tightened her arms around his neck.

"Xandros..."

But before she could finish, he moved.

The forest around them suddenly blurred.

Rosaline felt the wind rush against her face as Xandros shot forward with supernatural speed, carrying her effortlessly through the trees. His movements were so fast that she could barely follow them with her eyes. The trunks that had appeared so large and solid moments earlier became nothing more than fleeting shapes as he raced through the forest.

Rosaline instinctively closed her eyes and held him tighter.

For several seconds, she remained tense.

Then the cool breeze swept across her face again.

Her hair lifted behind her, the strands dancing wildly in the rushing air, while the warmth that had gathered on her body after the long journey gradually disappeared. Even the sweat clinging to her skin began to dry beneath the cool wind.

Slowly, Rosaline opened her eyes.

A laugh escaped her.

She could not stop it.

"Xandros!"

He glanced down at her while continuing to run.

"Yes?"

"You are actually running!"

"I told you we were flying."

Rosaline laughed again, her earlier fear beginning to disappear.

"This is not flying!"

Xandros’s lips curved upward.

"It feels close enough."

"You call this flying?"

"Would you prefer that I run on the clouds?"

She looked at him incredulously before laughing again.

"I don’t know whether I should be impressed or frightened."

"You seem to be enjoying yourself."

Rosaline could not deny it.

The breeze continued rushing over her skin, and for the first time since waking from the nightmare, her mind was no longer filled with images of blood and fire. She was too occupied with the strange thrill of being carried through the forest at a speed no ordinary human could achieve.

Then Xandros suddenly changed direction.

Rosaline tightened her arms around his neck.

"Where are we going?"

"You will see."

He did not slow down.

Instead, he approached one of the tallest trees surrounding the clearing.

Rosaline looked upward, but the top of the tree seemed to disappear into the darkening sky.

"Xandros?"

He still did not answer.

He simply adjusted his hold around her before bending his knees slightly.

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

"Wait..."

Before she could say anything else, Xandros jumped.

Her stomach dropped instantly.

Rosaline squeezed her eyes shut and buried her face against his shoulder, holding onto him as tightly as she could while he propelled them upward with supernatural strength.

They continued rising.

The wind rushed violently around them, but Xandros remained completely steady as he carried her higher and higher until he finally landed upon a thick branch near the top of the enormous tree.

His feet touched the branch with effortless precision.

Rosaline, however, remained frozen against him.

A quiet chuckle escaped Xandros.

"You can open your eyes now."

Rosaline kept them closed for another moment.

"Are you sure?"

"I am."

She slowly lifted her head.

Then, with obvious hesitation, she opened her eyes.

Her breath caught.

The sight before her was completely different from anything she had expected.

From their position high above the ground, the clearing stretched beneath them like a peaceful painting. The tents were visible between the trees, appearing much smaller from their elevated position, while the surrounding forest extended far into the distance.

The fading evening light rested gently over the landscape, and the first stars had begun appearing in the darkening sky.

Rosaline stared in complete wonder.

"Wow."

The word escaped her softly as she looked from one side to the other.

Xandros watched her rather than the scenery.

"You like it?"

Rosaline nodded immediately, a bright smile spreading across her face.

"I love it."

She turned slightly to take in more of the view.

"I have never seen the forest like this before."

"Good."

Xandros adjusted his hold around her, making sure she remained secure on the branch.

"I wanted you to see something beautiful."

Rosaline turned her head toward him.

"Because of the nightmare?"

"Because of the nightmare."

The teasing expression disappeared from his face, replaced by a quiet sincerity that made Rosaline’s smile soften.

"Thank you," she said.

Xandros simply nodded.

They remained there for several minutes, neither of them feeling the need to rush. Rosaline continued admiring the view while the last light of evening gradually disappeared from the horizon.

Eventually, Xandros spoke.

"We should go."

Rosaline looked downward.

"Already?"

"Unless you intend to spend the night sitting in a tree."

She laughed softly.

"No."

"Then hold me."

Rosaline wrapped her arms around his neck once more.

Xandros looked at her.

"Close your eyes."

She frowned suspiciously.

"Why?"

"Because I am going down."

Rosaline’s eyes widened.

"Xandros—"

"Trust me."

She stared at him for a moment, and despite the nervousness that returned at the thought of jumping from such a height, she eventually nodded.

"I trust you."

The words made something soften in Xandros’s expression.

"Good."

He secured his arms firmly around her.

Then he jumped.

Rosaline’s stomach lurched as they descended, and she instinctively tightened her hold around his neck. She kept her eyes closed as they dropped, but Xandros remained completely composed, his supernatural strength allowing him to control the descent with ease.

A moment later, his feet touched the ground.

He landed effortlessly.

Rosaline remained in his arms for another second before cautiously opening her eyes.

The river was nearby.

They walked through the remaining trees until the sound of flowing water became clearer. When they finally stepped into the small clearing surrounding the river, Rosaline slowed down.

The water flowed gently through the forest, reflecting the fading evening sky as the last traces of daylight disappeared above the trees. The quiet sound of the current moving over the rocks created a peaceful atmosphere that felt completely different from the nightmare she had experienced earlier.

Xandros carried her a few more steps before carefully setting her down.

Rosaline looked toward the river.

Then she looked back at him.

"You really brought me here."

Xandros gave her a faint smile.

"I told you I would."

She smiled in response, and for a moment, the nightmare felt impossibly far away.

Xandros turned his attention toward the river.

"Go take a bath."

Rosaline’s expression changed immediately.

She looked at the river again before slowly turning her head back toward him.

"Take a bath?"

"Yes."

Her eyes narrowed slightly.

Then she looked around the secluded area before returning her gaze to him.

"You are staying here?"

Xandros’s lips curved into a faint, knowing smile.

"Why?"

Rosaline stared at him, suddenly uncertain about the answer he was about to give.

The gentle sound of the river continued behind her, while the last traces of evening light disappeared between the trees.

Neither of them moved.

Rosaline simply waited for his answer.