IGNATIUS WATCHED THE OTHERS MOVE away, then turned and stared at the glowing door.'Here!' Rashid handed him a shirt. 'Use this.'Ignatius nodded and wrapped the garment around his hand then moved close to the door, flinching at the heat. In a quick motion, he threw the door open and charged in. He stopped short, and for the first time in decades felt the icy spread of fear.Catherine writhed, naked on the bed, her face contorted in agony. Her normally porcelain skin unrecognizable. When she lifted her head to scream again, Ignatius dived behind the dresser.The pain from both the sound and heat felt nearly unbearable, but the sight of the Princess in her true Elemental form rendered him silent. The figure on the bed terrified him. Flames rippled beneath her skin, and her hair was a mass of molten strings. Everything around her burned.Panting in fear, Ignatius tensed his muscles, waiting for the moment she drew a breath. When she did, he lunged forward with Rashid's shirt stoppin
Book Three: Feel the BurnA TANGY, SALTY TASTE ON my lips broke through the darkness. I blinked awake, trying to swallow but my tongue felt thick and awkward. An absolute lack of saliva made me painfully aware of an aching thirst and parched throat. Blinking again, I tried to make sense of where I lay, my limbs heavy and aching on a dense soft surface. I groaned, then broke into a hacking cough. Red flashed behind my eyelids. Each cough felt like a file scraped the back of my throat and I rolled onto my stomach, trying to contain the coughs while tears squeezed out. Then a different scent; musky, spicy and undeniably male registered in my brain like a bolt of lightning. I gasped, his name searing through my mind.Alek.The physical pains and desiresthroat, body, thirstvanished when sheer agony tore its way into my soul, mind seizing the memories of those barely human screams and the body contorted in anguish that I'd seen through our link. Then blackness. A sense of complete absence
THE ROOM ROCKED AND I jolted in surprise, gulping a sob. Kassie squeezed me gently.'Shhh. It's okay. We're on one of the ships.'Those words stunned me and the tears stopped. I lay there, the darkness adding to the numb sensation that spread throughout, fogging my mind.'Breathe, Cat.' Kassie gave my shoulder a light shake and I nodded dumbly, not realizing till then that my lungs burned for air.Are we really sailing South? It didn't seem fathomable. How could we leave without Alek? How could he be dead? I could still see his navy eyes, creased in amusement when I teased him before he left. His scent from the pillow beside me only increased the strange detachment. With my eyes closed, I could see his hands on my skin, feel his lips on mine.My heart beat a strange, hollow drum within the cage of my chest while the realization began to hit, each thud jarring my body as the horror set in.Jenviet had ripped him from me, torn my soul in two while she gleefully tortured him. I whim
WITH A SOFT TOUCH IGNATIUS eased the door to the Princess' room open, not wishing to disturb her if she still slept. He stopped short in surprise. Catherine sat at the table, head turned his way, and he inwardly flinched at the sight of those red, raw looking eyes, green irises in sharp contrast. From the bed the quiet steady sound of Kassandra's breathing broke the silence.Stepping into the room and closing the door, he bowed to Catherine then took a seat at the table.'Your Highness,' he hesitatingly spoke. 'I am deeply sorry for your loss.'She nodded and visibly swallowed, setting the glass she held back on the table before nodding again, turning her head away from him. He watched while her shoulders and back shook, a tiny tragic sound escaping and she pulled her knees up onto the seat, wrapping both arms around her legs. The obvious pain emanating from her made him feel clumsy and he fumbled for something to say. Instead he reached out and tentatively placed a hand on her back
I TURNED TO SEE KASSIE at the edge of the bed, her hair a tangled mess of curls and hazel eyes regarding me with concern. Ignatius squeezed my foot and I turned to him.'I'll have some food brought in?''Yes,' I slid a hand down from my knee and gave his hand a light touch. 'And thank you.'His eyes looked warm, sympathetic and he gave a minute nod then stood. 'It was my pleasure, Your Highness.'Kassie half fell off the bed in her haste to get down and I heard the door close behind Ignatius before my friend's arms closed tight around my shoulders.'Okay, I'm telling this 'cause I love you,' Kassie said in a teasing tone. 'Wash, now! There's a bucket and cloth in the corner. Go on, I'll look out the window and catch you up on what you've missed.'Rolling my eyes at her I stood with a groan, the feeling of pins and needles running through my stiff legs and numb backside. A chair screeched when Kassie shifted it to look out of the window. I stripped off the shirt and pants, wonderi
IGNATIUS WAS ON HIS FEET in an instant, a hand on Catherine's chair when her facewhiter than a ghostwent vacant and she drew her hands to her mouth, her eyes looking tragic again.'What? Your Highness, what's happened?' His heart pounded, body tense as he stared at her, willing her to answer.Catherine's eyes met his and the vacant expression vanished. 'Loushka!'The mention of Alek's griffon surprised Ignatius; he had assumed the link between the red-maned griffon and Catherine would have dissolved with the others. Catherine shoved her chair back, the wood screeching, and made for the door.Ignatius lunged after her with a curse. 'Princess, wait!'He hadn't wanted the soldiers or allies to see her yet, not until she looked calmer and more like their sovereign, but she didn't slow, racing down the corridor. He hit the stairs a moment after her and took them two at a time, just managing to catch her arm before she reached the top and stepped onto the deck. In a swift and not unexpe
I DID GET SOME COMFORT in the familiar faces of those joining us from the General Guard and the Centaur Cavalry and the allies provided a fantastic distraction. Not knowing what to expect, it fascinated me to be able to put names to faces. Ignatius introduced me to the Draoths, who were the sailors on this ship. I caught a fleeting expression of surprise from the Lieutenant when I greeted the men pleasantly, and wondered why, but let the thought go and greeted the next Draoth in line. Their skin was smooth and hairless, dark green on the backs of their arms, legs and head, while their underside and faces were a lighter tan. It looked similar to the skin a dolphin hadthick and hardy. Their dark, nearly black eyes were somewhat disconcerting and so too was the flash of pointy teeth when I greeted another. Then I realized what surprised Ignatius.Were we speaking another language?It only registered when I turned to speak to Kassie then back to the line, a subtle hum in my ears before I
'AGAIN.'The dark fury in Sabyn's voice caused the goblin he'd snapped the command at, to frown. The air felt tense when Sabyn repeated the word with a snarl.'AGAIN!''No.'The goblin stepped back and pointed his sword at Sabyn. 'I don't know what you're playing at, friend, but this isn't the solution. Training is one thing, this is another.'The stocky creature with dark grey skin and black tufted ears turned his back on Sabyn. All those standing in the semi-circle tensed, watching Sabyn with edgy eyes. Loi's mouth felt as dry as sawdust and she swallowed, trying to moisten it, her eyes locked on him. The tall man flexed his broad shoulders, glaring at something past their heads and she knew he relived that awful morning again, his hand flexing around the handle of his sword. The ship swayed when a sudden change in wind hit and those watching drifted off to help the Draoths. Loi ignored them, her eyes still on Sabyn who seemed locked in a living nightmare, muttering and shaking
Paiga gasped and Mila stiffened. A glimmer of annoyance flashed in Mama's eyes before she reached for Luca.'Yes, they have. But we won't. We're tied together. We will go in together and come out. You have to trust in us Luca. We need your energy too, please keep the right thoughts in your mind.'Luca swallowed, throat convulsing. He nodded. 'Yes, Aunty Dan'iss.''Listen up everyone!'Uncle Harlon's shout made Mila jolt.'Hush, Mila,' Papa joggled her in the sling. 'You're going to be fine, I'm right here.' He wrapped his arms around her. Heart pounding with nerves, Mila pressed her cheek to Papa's chest, listening as Uncle Harlon gave the instructions.A glimmer of eyes appeared by Papa and a moment later she felt the brief touch of Ery's hand to her head.'Bye Ery,' she whispered. The air within the cave started to hum with energy, all the adults calling theirs up. It made the space warm and comforting. Mila started to doze off.'Hold on,' Uncle Harlon called out. 'Here we
The conversation seemed easy after that.Ery showed the girls' how to swallow the worms whole. Mila screwed her nose up, grabbing her arms and shaking her head. 'No, no, no!'Paiga tried it. With a grimace, both Mila and Ery watching close, she plucked a wriggling worm up then dropped it in her mouth. Her eyes squeezed shut as she gulped the worm down in one swallow.She opened her eyes and stared at Mila and Ery. 'It tasted good!''Really?''Yes, sweet.'Mila shook her head when Ery offered her the last one, motioning it to her. 'No, you have it.' The mushrooms were yum, and the sparks continued as you swallowed it. It was impressive on Ery with her fine almost translucent skin. Mila and Paiga gasped as the sparks flashed in her throat before another dim flash in her tummy. It made all three of them laugh, the two girls giggling away while Ery coughed her laughter.Next was the flesh and berries. Ery showed them how to peel a piece of flesh away from the main then mush the be
When the group came across a river, they stopped. After a careful taste test, dipping a crystal necklace in to check the quality, everyone was allowed to drink.Mila and Paiga wrinkled their noses at the odd smell. Like a cup of nellor left out for too long.'It won't hurt you, girls,' Papa said with a smile as he squatted to scoop water to his mouth. 'Drink up.'The two girls' sipped water from their cupped hands, giggling as it spilled out. The adults conversed as the two of them had fun flicking water at each other.An odd sound like a cough made Mila look up, Paiga too.Both girls gasped, stumbling back from the river.'Mila? What's wro-' Mama broke off as she looked up too.Uncle Harlon made a funning clicking noise.The strange looking person that clung to the ceiling with three others responded with clicks and whistles.Mama beckoned Mila and Paiga, and the two girls scampered to her side.'Mama, who are they?' Mila whispered, Paiga crowding close to hear the answer.
With that entertainment gone, Mila went back to focusing on her feet. Pull one knee high while keeping balance and drop it. Each step seemed to make her head go lower. But she kept going, with Mama and Papa pulling her along. Finally, after what felt like hours and hours, Uncle Gydon said they could stop.'Take your rest, I'll be waking you in an hour to keep guard,' he motioned an uncle. 'Then you take an hour watch and wake the next. You get five hours rest. Make the most of it.'Papa and Mama and several other adults had bags with clothing. It all got pulled out and spread around the group, trying to provide a little warmth and comfort. Mila curled up between her parents, her head against Papa's chest. It seemed so cold and strange she didn't think she could sleep.Then she closed her eyes.'Mila, lovey, wake up.'Mila stirred at Mama's voice and the gentle touch of her hand on her back. She sat up with a jaw-splitting yawn. Blinking, she peered around in confusion.'Mama, a
The air smelled cold, and something else, something Mila found familiar but out of place.'Mama,' she whispered. 'What's that smell?''What smell, lovey?''It smells like,' Mila paused, considering. 'It smells like the kitchen, when cook has fresh rabbits.'Mama didn't say anything but she looked at Papa.'I smell it,' said another voice from within the circle.'Me too.''Carrion?''Perhaps. The scent will carry when the air is still.'Not understanding what "carrion" meant, but glad that the adults appeared to have solved the smell, Mila relaxed a little, nose wrinkling at the sharp edge of that scent.Minutes ticked by as they covered good ground.'We're close,' said the man leading them. A screech flashed past overhead, the group twisting, following the sound.A man shouted.Mila's head snapped in the direction of the shout, just in time to glimpse the man's boots vanishing as something, something with enormous black wings, snatched him up!Shrieks of terror rang out
Everyone moved. It surprised Mila how many people were here, but so many seemed to be missing too. Mama took her hand. On her other side was her younger cousin Paiga. Normally she annoyed Mila, with all the questions she asked, but the scared expression in her eyes reminded Mila of Addy. She offered her other hand to Paiga, who took it with a tentative smile.The group began to walk.Mila hadn't realized until now how tired she was. She stumbled over the riverbed the rocks stubbing her toes as she held Paiga and Mama's hands. It made tears run down her cheeks, but she didn't stop. On and on, picking her feet up, tripping, Mama's hand stopping her from falling. Paiga tripped and Mila managed to hold her arm high enough to stop her cousin from hitting the stones.'Thanks, Mila,' Paiga sounded like she felt. Ready to cry. So very tired.Around them the adults talked. Mila listened.'Where do we go?''The hidden caves. We can keep underground nearly all the way to the coast.''The
Papa's energy sparked in alarm then Mama's too. Mila twisted to stare back at the way the sounds came from and spotted a bobbing light. Torch light.Mama and Papa kept low and began to move again, almost crawling. Mila crunched up against Papa's back, squinting at first then kept her head down to avoid the lower branches.The sounds of those approaching grew. Papa moved faster, Mama right behind. They scooted up higher, scrambling, and tucked against cold stone. Not a moment later the torches bobbed past, following the track they'd been on.The bobbing lights moved closer then away, and closer again. The voices, questioning but too quiet to make out the words, sounded near.Crouched against the narrow stone ledge, Papa and Mama held hands. The soft touch of their energy surrounded all three of them.The bobbing lights came closer, close enough that Mila saw the faces of those who held them. Five DeNaga men, armed with swords, axes, and clubs.Mila shivered at the sight of the
Now the puzzle looked a third smaller than when she'd stared, but instead of one beginning point to work from there were three. She regarded the three pieces while chewing on the inside of her cheek. Two circular and one rectangle. The rectangle had a large circular opening, about the size of the smaller circle. Mila focused on the larger circle and turned it around, looking for the switch. It looked different to the previous circles she'd worked with, the markings running out from the centre like a starburst. One line caught her eye. With a finger Mila traced down it then jolted when something clicked. She froze. Heart pounding in her ears, she watched the circle break apart, opening at all the lines of the starburst. With another click it moved into motion, each piece folding down on itself and merging with the next. A moment later a tiny gold ball like had been in the first puzzle piece hung before her eyes.Excitement ran through Mila when she realized how the pieces went togeth
An array of squeals, bells, rattles and shrieks rang out. Face white Papa reached for them as something flashed out from amongst the lock trap, winding around his leg, wrenching him off his feet as it wound back in the blink of an eye.Mama gripped Mila tighter, her voice breaking on a note of despair, 'ZAYCK!'In the centre of the ceiling held by his ankles, hung Papa.Mama's energy holding Mila clutched even tighter as Mama set her on the ground then stood and reached out with both hands toward the lock, her energy glowing. Mila stared, waiting to see what happened.Mama stretched her energy out, probing gently.It touched the first puzzle piece. A clattering of chimes and screeches rang out, sparks flying.In the centre of the room, jerking like a fish caught on a line, Papa made an awful shriek.Mila dropped, hugging her knees to her forehead, stomach and mind sick from that sound.Papa was the bravest, strongest man in the world.He couldn't be caught, be hurting.Who wo