40 Shes Our Princess (2/2)

'You need to go back!'

'You're no longer that person.'

'You have people waiting for you.'

'You have people who care.'

'You have people who loves you.'

'You have people who will accept the darkness in you.'

'They won't leave.'

'Go back, Chalice!'

The voice kept repeating the words. Over and over. Like a broken record. It annoyed her but they were also sparking a flicker of warmth in her frozen heart, cajoling her to listen to it and obey.

She soon started questioning herself. Wet, hot tears threatened to flow freely in her eyes as the smiling faces of the people she held dearly in this world flashed in her mind's sight. Was she really not the same anymore? Does she really have a chance? What if the voice was wrong? What if it's just giving her false hope? She cannot take another disappointment anymore. She just can't.

Her head was aching at the discord running rampant in it. When suddenly, a rustle startled Chalice. Onyx neighed warily at a direction. The huge bushes leading to the stream moved violently before revealing a herculean, golden lion with a strange marking in its forehead.

Aslan!

Chalice stood up, momentarily forgetting her folly. It was her Aslan. She was about to run to the lion when Onyx dashed up to her front protectively. Her eyes widened in surprise before a small smile appeared in her lifeless face.

”It's okay Onyx. He's Aslan. He's my beast, the same as you. He won't hurt me.”

She uttered softly in her hoarse voice, reassuring the black stallion. The horse neighed lowly before giving way to her. Although, it still stood on guard behind her back.

Chalice choked on her sobs as she ran up to her big kitty. She embraced the golden fur that her hand could reach. Her painful cries broke free from her control. The lion seemed to sense her frail and vulnerable condition. So he slumped on the ground and onto his stomach, letting her bury her face in his huge neck. His fur muffled her cries and hid her weak form from the world.

The Thunder horse sat on its four legs, there by the lion and the girl's side, sandwiching her in between. The two beast formed a protective cocoon, painting a contrastingly doleful yet peaceful picture.