I do think its similar to Lord of the Rings, bellechat, now that you mention it, but I didn't think of that while I was writing it, I swear. Also, you'll find more out about the dark creatures later in the trilogy. :)
The next morning, Sofia awoke with a headache and bandages wrapped around her middle. She was dressed in a purple nightgown, which she figured meant Cedric had used magic to clothe her. She sat up, cringing at her tender side, and saw that the sorcerer was fast asleep, his face troubled even while dreaming. She shifted toward him, and his eyes flew open.
"Oh! You're awake!" he said, rubbing the sleep away and hurrying over. "Are you alright? Are you hurting? Tell me, please!"
"My side hurts, and my head hurts," Sofia replied. "I don't like those things."
"They are cruel and evil," Cedric muttered, scooping up some warm water. "Hold still. No, you don't need to undress. Magic will help us to avoid that."
The bite was suddenly visible, only the bandages and dress above it were gone. Sofia was grateful, and she held very still while the man bathed her wound, a refreshing scent rising from the water. She inhaled deeply, a smile curling her lips.
"Mm, what's in that?"
"Some very potent Unicorn's Blessing," Cedric replied. "It is very, very rare in our world, but there's plenty here. I have quite the large store of it."
"How? You just said it was rare," Sofia said in bemusement.
"I searched for it for many, many years," he answered as her dress and the bandages beneath reappeared. "I know the power of those creatures, and it was through sheer luck that I remembered reading about the herb. I got bitten rather badly, and I was afraid to go crazy. The world seemed darker, and I remember seeing things. Horrible things." The man shivered. "It was awful."
"How did you have time to find the herb? I started doing that right after I got bit."
Cedric frowned. "It seems you are quite susceptible to their toxins. Yours was an extreme reaction, despite the amount of poison I managed to get out. I am fortunate to have a lesser reaction. I am not completely immune to them, but it took much longer for my mind to start failing."
Sofia looked thoughtful. "Can I build up tolerance?"
"Perhaps," the sorcerer replied. "But right now you need to recover."
She lay down again, relaxing. "You know, Cedric, I want to go home. I don't like those…things. I miss Mom and Dad and Amber and James and Clover."
Cedric frowned. "I'll see if I can find a way to get us back. It could be unpleasant."
"I don't care. I want to see my family again."
He nodded and let her rest, considering how to get home. Cedric had just gone home the last time he was there, with no warning, and before that, with Ambretta, was different. They had simply desired to go home and home they went. He didn't think that would work, and he tapped his fingers nervously. Their magic could probably do it, but they would need to work together, and Sofia was too weak to do anything at the moment. He would let her heal for a few days, then he would share his idea.
Three days later, they were standing under the Applet tree. They touched hands, and Cedric stirred his magic first. Sofia followed suit, and the magic tangled together, recognizing itself. They focused together, breathing quickening, then there was a burst of light as Sofia asked to go home.