Chapter 106: The Golden Spider Rose

Reika sat across the large oaken table from Viktor. She had both hands in a firm grip on the table, trying to avoid thinking about what was happening between them. "You are sure?" her voice trembled faintly as she spoke. Viktor nodded, "I have seen it work before," he whispered slowly. "The gold spider rose is the only cure for Ileus." Reika's brows furrowed, "I read something about the golden spider rose, it's good with healing, but none have ever returned to tell where it is found. And found where it is." She tailed off, her voice barely above a whisper. "It is in the Abyssal Valley," Viktor finished his tone grim. The very name sent a shiver down her spine. Well, the Abyssal Valley was a place to be dreaded, devoid of even the slightest speck of sunshine, infested with creatures that loved nothing but the fears and deaths of the living. Naturally, none of the people who had dared to venture into such a place returned. "It can't be," Reika said, shaking her head. "It is impossible to survive through the Abyssal Valley. There are creatures there." "I know," Viktor cut in softly. "But if we do nothing, Ileus dies." Reika's heart contracted at his words. Alpha Ileus, her mate, her partner, was growing weaker by the day. The healers had done all they could, and yet he remained unconscious, slipping closer to the edge with each sunrise. "I cannot ask anyone to go there," Reika said, her voice catching. "It's a death sentence." "You're not asking," Viktor said. His voice was firm. "I'm volunteering." Reika's gaze snapped up to his. "Noo, Viktor. I cannot let you risk your life on this. You have only just returned. I will not lose you, too." Viktor bent forward, "It is not about me, Reika; it's about Ileus and saving this kingdom. If there's even the tiniest of hopes this golden spider rose would resurrect him, then let it be done." Reika turned away, her mind racing in an agony of fear and desperation. She knew he was right, but to her, it was beyond bearing that Viktor would go into such danger. 'You're not going alone," she said finally, 'I wouldn't dream of it," Viktor replied. 'Alfonso will come with me." She found him in the armory, sharpening his blade. He turned to her as she approached, and the paleness and hollowness of her features tugged a frown between his brows. "Luna," he said, picking up the blade and laying it down again. "What is wrong?" She stumbled over how to say it. Finally, she forced herself to say it: "Viktor thinks he has found a cure for Ileus. But it's. dangerous." Alfonso straightened, an eyebrow furrowing. "What kind of danger?" "The cure is a flower called the golden spider rose," Viktor's voice said from behind her as he entered. "It grows in the Abyssal Valley." Alfonso's eyes enlarged. "The Abyssal Valley? You can't be serious. That place is a nightmare." "I know," Viktor said calmly. "But it is our only hope." Alfonso looked at Reika, his eyes asking in question. "And you let him go? Reika's throat went tight. "I don't want him to go. But what choice do we have? Ileus is running out of time." "I'll go," Alfonso said, instant and resolute. Reika's eyes had widened. "Alfonso, no. I don't want to lose you too." "If I may say so, Luna, this is none of your concern," Alfonso said in a very low, steady, firm voice. "I pledged to serve the defense of this kingdom, which, in other words, means that anything goes to save our Alpha." "Besides," Viktor threw in with a slight smirk, "I'm good, but I am not invincible, which in turn means that I don't want to deal with the Abyssal Valley all by myself. They three came together in the council room, the faint glow on a map illuminating the table they sat at. Viktor reached and pointed to a dark spot on it near the edge, its area marked by jagged lines and ominous warnings. 'This is where the flower grows," he said. 'The valley itself is surrounded by treacherous terrain—sharp cliffs, raging rivers, and dense forests. Once inside, the creatures will be the real challenge. They're drawn to fear, so we'll need to keep our wits about us." Reika felt a pang of dread as she listened to him describe the dangers. 'How long will it take?" she asked. "Two days, if everything goes right," Viktor said. "And if it doesn't?" she insisted. "Then we don't return," he had said briefly. Reika caught her breath; she flexed her hands at the sides. "There's simply another option, I don't believe." "There is nothing, actually," said Viktor calmly. "I know that you're scared, Reika. This-this could just be our chance. Believe me." Her eyes searched his face, finding nothing but determination. Finally, she nodded, though her heart felt as if it were breaking. 'Promise me," she said, her voice trembling. 'Promise me you'll come back." Viktor stepped closer, placing a hand on her shoulder. 'I promise." Later that night, Reika stood on the balcony of her chambers and out onto the horizon that was fast getting dark. She hadn't heard Viktor until he reached a position beside her. "You should be resting," he said. "I can't," she said. "Every time I close my eyes, I see you and Alfonso… and I see you not coming back." Viktor sighed and leaned against the railing of the balcony. "Reika, I have faced worse than the Abyssal Valley. I'll be fine." "You can't know that," she said, her voice catching. "Ne," he replied. "But I can promise you this: I'll do everything in my power to come back. For you. For Ileus. For this kingdom." Reika turned to him then, her eyes all aglow with unshed tears. "Why are you doing this, Viktor? Why risk your life for us?" He faltered then said, "Because it is the right thing to do. And because… I care for you. More than you know." Her breath caught, but before words tumbled from her lips, he was stepping back with a thin smile. "Rest, Reika," he told her. "We leave with the first light." It was this that clung in the air as he drew away from her, while within her heart so much hope and fear hung heavy. The next morning, Reika watched from the gate sides as Viktor and Alfonso got ready to take their leave. A glint of weapons, horses with their supplies. "Be careful," she whispered out. He had cast a grin over his shoulder at her as they had ready to set off, "We shall bring it back-that flower-and Ileus will be whole again." With that said, they rode off into the distance, Reika watched them until they were out of sight, but one thought plagued her mind. What if they never returned?