Fated To The Cursed Lycan Prince
Chapter 1127 Palmer
Crystal’s POV:
It felt like my world had crumbled in an instant. I lost the strength in my legs, and if Rufus didn’t catch me in time, I would have fallen on my knees.
“Calm down. This isn’t the time to lose your wits. Pull yourself together.”
I willed myself to stay upright, but I was still trembling all over.
My precious Beryl was just a toddler, nothing more than a snack to the vicious python.
How could anyone be so cruel as to try and feed her to that monster? I pushed Rufus aside and took a deep, steadying breath.
“What should we do now?”
“Don’t worry,” Rufus said in a low voice, his face set in quiet determination.
“I have an idea.”
He signaled at his men to remain silent and retreat slowly.
The more people there were, the higher the chances of alerting the python to our presence.
In the end, only a handful of his trusted guards remained, stationed at intervals a few feet away from the tree. I held my breath and stood still. I was like a spring wound tightly, ready to bolt forward at any given second. I was familiar with the python.
They called it Palmer, and it was notorious for being aggressive and extremely venomous.
As far as I knew, the creature lived in the inner depths of the forbidden forest all year round.
It shouldn’t be here, unless it had been drawn out of its lair.
In the history of Palmer’s existence, no one had ever survived its attack.
Although, it was currently winter, so there was a high chance that the python was going through brumation.
Even so, a single noise could rouse it from its slumber, and my daughter would immediately be in danger.
Rufus was right in sending his men away.
He was gesturing at the remaining ones now, silently instructing them where to position themselves.
I figured I should make a move as well, so I braced myself and got ready to fight with the giant python.
Before I could do anything else, however, Rufus touched my arm, stopping me. He leaned close and whispered in my ear.
“Just stay here and leave it to me. Palmer’s eyes may be closed, but it’s probably just dozing off. The tiniest sound will alarm it, so we need to act fast. We both know I’m quicker and stealthier in climbing, so I should be the one to do this.”
I did know this, of course, but I didn’t feel rea*s*sured at all.
“Okay,” I sighed, choosing to put my faith in Rufus regardless of my apprehensions.
“Be careful.”
Rufus smiled and squeezed my shoulder.
“Don’t worry. I’ll bring Beryl back safe and sound.”
My heart ached, and before I knew it, tears had sprung in my eyes.
“Just be careful. Promise me you’ll be careful.”
He shot me a meaningful look before gathering me in his arms in a short hug.
Then, Rufus turned toward the tree. He flicked his hands, and his fingers turned to claws. He scaled the ma*s*sive trunk, silently weaving in and out of the shadows cast by the woods.
Palmer didn’t move a muscle.
One could have easily believed that it was indeed asleep, but we couldn’t afford to let our guard down.
The python’s head was hovering just a few inches above my daughter’s nape.
One wrong move, and the monster could open its eyes and sink its fangs into my poor, hapless baby and deal her a fatal blow.
Beryl herself was still fast asleep.
A coarse, hemp rope held her in place. It had been wound around the trunk several times and tied in a secure knot.
As if that wasn’t enough, an iron chain was also wrapped around my daughter twice.
Whoever her captor was, they were clearly afraid that my little girl would escape.
I began to put the pieces together.
This tree bore red, sour fruits, which were Palmer’s favorite.
No doubt, the python had been lured here, the fruits serving as bait while my daughter was the real target.
My heart broke at the thought.
It was a good thing that Beryl was asleep, or my little girl would be absolutely terrified. I made up my mind then and there to hunt down her kidnapper and subject them to the same treatment.
Rufus had stopped his ascent, and he was now perched on the branch closest to Beryl. I waited with bated breath, ready to lunge at the tree at his slightest indication.
Rufus was in a very dangerous position, barely a foot away from Palmer’s coiled body. I peered at the python, relieved that its eyes remained closed.
But then I noticed the tip of its tail swaying back and forth, hidden among the leaves.
The monster was not asleep at all! It had been awake all along, waiting to strike, waiting for its prey to come!