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Children screamed as clerics ushered them into the cathedral, and beasts of pure shadow prowled closer. Dolcinaea had never seen such vile creatures, but when the sun didn't rise and an unnatural violet haze fell over the area, they seemed to appear out of nowhere. Out of the corner of her eye, she also saw the Sacred Flame no longer burnt.
She chanted a spell, summoning fire at a misshaped falcon as it swooped toward her. The fire hit true and the creature shrieked and vanished into mist. She clenched her teeth, holding back the urge to vomit; even the ugliest monsters didn't fill her with such revolution as these unnatural creatures did. Beside her Veronica punched and kicked at any shadow creature that dared draw near.
"What loathsome creatures," Dolcinaea muttered, and she summoned another burst of fire magic. She was set to perform here tomorrow for the children of Flamechurch - how dare these creatures disturb such an important event! A wolf-like creature snarled at her, but it fell to her fire magic like all the others. No matter how long this night was, she would not rest until she saw the sun rise again. Since the Grand Gala, dancing once again brought her hope and joy, so she refused to lose the dawn itself.
There seemed no end to these shadowy monsters, but Dolcinaea and Veronica only had to hold them off long enough until the residents of this part of town were safely inside the cathedral, and some of the clerics assisted with their light magic. Sweat gathered on Dolcinaea's brow and her joints ached, but she could not falter now. She would never be able to face Agnea again otherwise.
"That's everyone!" a cleric cried. "Fall back, now!"
Dolcinaea swung her arm in an arc to create a line of fire between her and the shadow beasts, and she seized Veronica's hand to dash inside the cathedral. Two clerics then shut and bolted the large doors tightly, and although the strange monsters pounded on the doors, they held true.
"This entire building is warded to protect against arcane monsters," another cleric said, glancing toward the large stained glass window above the altar. "On my faith, I promise that all of you will be safe."
But how long would they have to remain inside, Dolcinaea wanted to ask, but she also knew no one here had an answer to that question. Instead she turned to Veronica and said, "Veronica, how are you…?"
Those words died in her throat as she watched Veronica slump to her knees, and red stained the side of her white shirt. With a pained grunt she clutched her side, but blood gushed between her fingers. Immediately two clerics gripped Veronica's arms to guide her to a private room, and Dolcinaea followed closely, her heart pounding painfully against her chest.
Carefully the clerics laid Veronica on a bed, and she didn't resist at all, too docile for Dolcinaea's comfort. She stood in the doorway, watching and knowing there was nothing she could do to help now. The clerics tore the clothing away from the wound, and Dolcinaea gasped at the ghastly sight. Slash marks marred Veronica's side and a strange violet festered around the red blood, a violet too much like this unnatural night.
"A curse…?" one of the clerics muttered, and quickly they began to chant a spell while the other cleric cleaned Veronica's wound. An apothecary pushed past Dolcinaea to enter the room, carrying a satchel of medical herbs, and he knelt beside the second cleric to help staunch the bleeding. A warm glow engulfed Veronica's body, but still her skin remained pale and her breathing swallow.
At some point Dolcinaea remembered a child bringing her a cup of water, and she was thankful for that brief refreshment, but her mind remained focused on Veronica lying wounded before her. The clerics and apothecary worked tirelessly to treat Veronica's injuries, and more than once Dolcinaea thought of saying something, anything at all, but instead held her tongue. She didn't want to say something she'd regret. She knew it would be best for her to rest in preparation for tomorrow's performance, but what reason was there to perform if her darling Veronica couldn't enjoy watch her too?
(She refused to consider the possibility that the dawn would never come again.)
After what felt like an eternity, Veronica's wound was cleaned and bandaged, and her breathing regular. Her eyes appeared more alert, and she smiled weakly at Dolcinaea. "Are you safe, my lady…?" she asked feebly.
Dolcinaea strode forward, her hands on her hips. "You should be more worried about yourself!" she cried.
"We're past the worst now," the second cleric said, wiping her hands. "Whatever those strange creatures are, it's nothing a little purification can't treat."
"Thank you all, truly," Dolcinaea said with a bow of her head.
"She'll need to rest the next few days," the apothecary added. "She should be out of danger now, but if her condition worsens, let one of us know immediately."
Dolcinaea nodded, and the others left the room, leaving her alone with Veronica. With a deep sigh she sat on the edge of the bed and laid her hand over Veronica's, and Veronica's fingers curled around hers. "You're trembling, my lady," Veronica said.
"Well, of course!" Dolcinaea said with a huff. "The sun didn't rise and all those monsters attacked, and you were hurt!"
"I will protect you and ensure that your performance tomorrow goes on as scheduled."
"You know that isn't the only thing that matters." Dolcinaea laid her other hand on Veronica's hair, stroking gently, and Veronica leaned more into her touch. Seeing Veronica so unusually vulnerable made her heart ache. "Veronica, I must repeat that you were hurt badly. I respect your strength and I understand it is your duty to protect me, but you must be careful as well."
Veronica smiled weakly. "You're quite powerful yourself. Your fire magic is always the most beautiful."
"Such is the power of the stars." Yet Dolcinaea felt her smile fade. "But now the stars are missing…"
Veronica was silent a moment longer, and Dolcinaea's gaze fell upon her bandaged side. "When that monster attacked me, it was like darkness filling every inch of my being, and that I'd never be happy again," Veronica said before the silence settled. "I thought, if no one will accept me for who I am, then what does it matter if the sun never rises again?" She closed her eyes, inhaling a deep breath. "But as the clerics were healing me, I thought of what you said to me, and how beautiful and radiant you are when you dance, and I felt like myself again."
"'To each, her own shine.'" Dolcinaea slid her hand from Veronica's hair to cup her cheek. "I need you too, Veronica. I want to greet the dawn with you over and over, until we're both old and gray."
"It's a promise. For the rest of my days, I pledge my strength to you, Lady Dolcinaea."
Even now, when Veronica looked at her like that, Dolcinaea's heart skipped a beat. What a fortunate woman she was, to have such a strong and devoted lover. She bent to press her lips to Veronica's, saving that welcomed warmth.
"Look, the Sacred Flame is lit again!"
A child's voice caught Dolcinaea's attention, and she peered out the doorway and saw groups of people gathered at the windows. Outside it was still dark, but there was none of that strange violet haze. "I wonder…" Dolcinaea muttered as she returned to Veronica's bedside.
"Wonder what, my lady?"
Dolcinaea tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Agnea Bristarni travels with seven others, and they share the professions of the eight gods, so perhaps… Or, it may simply be coincidence."
A slight frown crossed Veronica's lips. "You are certainly interested in that girl."
"Oh, is that jealousy I hear?" Dolcinaea chuckled as she patted Veronica's cheek. "But never you worry - while you recover, I shall endeavor to remain at your side."
Veronica's cheeks became a deep crimson, but still she smiled. "If you insist, I won't refuse."
"And then, when you're fully recovered, you'll watch my performance, won't you?"
"Of course, my lady. I wouldn't miss it for the world."
She truly was a fortunate woman, Dolcinaea thought to herself as she kissed Veronica again, and together they waited for the dawn.