Once Upon A Royal Christmas (Chaennie)

Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The wind howled around her, slinging sludges of snow off tree branches above and mixing with the already falling flakes, further distorting Rosie's already weak vision in the darkening night. However, that didn't mean she couldn't see the wolves circling and closing in around her or hear their snarls and snaps. Her throat cracked from shouting and her hands stung from clapping. She was losing her edge. Even the adrenaline jolt from the nip at her boot and following kick wasn't enough to give her hope. There wasn't anything she could do. Rosie was going to die alone.

But then, through the trees, a bright light shone upon her. Squinting against it and raising her hand to shield her face, she heard the wolves' growling momentarily cease. Could this be? An angel here to save her?

A shot fired in the air. Rosie's hands immediately clapped over her ears as she ducked down; the wolves around her now whimpering. With the bright light, she could now see just how many there were - easily half a dozen. The large dark gray one in front of her now faced away from her with his tail now tucked behind his tail as he faced the source of this bright light. Rosie could barely make the saving angel's outline. Someone on a horse? A palace guard sent out to find her perhaps.

Another shot rang out. The wolves scattered as the figure road up on a horse, still holding the gun high in the air. As they approached, the light dropped lower from Rosie's line of sight and she could now see a woman extending an arm to her, but the light had left spots dotting Rosie's vision. Did the palace have women guards? How progressive.

"Get on!" the woman on the horse shouted.

Rosie didn't need to be told twice. Gripping the arm tightly, Rosie leapt onto the back of the horse, slotting in neatly behind the woman who she immediately latched on to. Not a moment after Rosie was on, the horse let out a long whine, rearing as it turned sharply under it's rider's commanding reins and shout. Fearing falling back into the wolves' clutches again, Rosie wrapped her arms tightly around the waist of the woman and curled her body around hers. Despite the layers of clothing, the body was soft but strong, and Rosie immediately felt safe. Even her hair and clothing smelled nice. Like lavender.

A somewhat inappropriate thought after the recent events, Rosie shook her head, but continued to hold fast as the horse galloped deeper into the woods. The forest blurred in the darkness as Rosie laid her cheek against the back of the mystery woman, letting the sense of calm wash over her even as the snow began to fall harder. Everything was okay. She was safe with this woman.

 Her hero.

Rosie hadn't quite realized her eyes had fallen closed until the rhythm of the horse below her slowed and the woman whom her face was pressed against leaned back. With a quick look around, Rosie realized they weren't back at the palace but instead a cabin in the woods. While the one story cabin wasn't necessarily small, it was still smaller than the barn adjoining it. A strong gust of wind blew the fast falling snow at Rosie's face and she ducked her head, resisting the urge to bury her face into the woman's back again.

"We'll stay here until the storm passes," the woman shouted over the now howling wind. "Go inside. It should be unlocked!"

Rosie nodded and dismounted the horse, pulling her scarf up to protect her face against the piercing cold wind. The other woman led the horse to the stable as Rosie pushed open the cabin door and then shut it quickly behind her. With a shiver, Rosie stomped the snow off her boots at the entrance and rubbed her arms, surprised to find the inside of the cabin not much warmer than outside. At least there wasn't any wind here, but she couldn't see anything. Her hands slid along the wall, searching for a switch, but found none. Frowning, Rosie patted her pocket once again for her forgotten phone, of course not finding it. A heavy stone of dread formed in her stomach. Perhaps the woman hadn't been her heroine after all.