Page 8 of A Lick of Flame

“I tend to agree.” The rider to his left nods.

“Why would a mage choose to be confined for two long years? No, there has always been something special about Dante,” Florian says, speaking such wise words I could kiss him.

“A mage would never allow it,” I agree.

“A king would never allow it, either,” the fae to the right of the leader scoffs.

“Exactly. I say that you are a mage who replaced Dante days ago and are now pretending to be a Lost King,” the leader says.

“Do you like living under Snow’s rule?” I ask him. “Do you enjoy taking orders from an evil dictator? She’s done all of this.” I look around us at a desolate landscape. “Why wouldn’t you choose freedom? Join me against her. This can’t go on.”

“And, let me guess, you can give that to us? Freedom. Can you also keep our families safe? Our children?” He shakes his head, not waiting for an answer. “I know that you can’t, even if you are one of the Lost Kings returned. I need to follow orders. We can do this the easy way or the hard way.” He glances to his far left. “Seize him!” Then he looks back at me.

“Rear!” I project to the rider’s horse. “Throw him off,” I say the words inside my head, my eyes locking with those of the steed.

The animal grows restless, prancing on the spot instead of leaping forward when the rider digs his spurs in. He also doesn’t rear like I requested him to. The animals are truly upset with us. It’s that, or I have a problem with my powers. I feel the buzzing in my veins. I feel the well of energy inside me, so I doubt it’s that.

“Rear!” I command the animal. “Please!” I beg. If I can cause chaos and get onto one of the beasts, perhaps I can still escape. It is my only chance and all I have right now.

I sigh in relief when the horse goes up on its back legs. The fae does not come off.

“The hard way, then,” the leader shouts. “Get him now!”

The horse rears again, higher this time, neighing. Several more fae steeds react and leap or rear with their riders. Two of them topple off.

“Run! Go now!” I tell the horses, praying that they respond. “I beg it of you!” I project all of my desperation into the animals. One or two do as I ask, but, much to my frustration, most ignore me.

“I said to seize him now!” the leader repeats just as a shadow is cast over us. A huge plume of white-hot fire blasts across the side of the troops, killing at least ten mounted fae and their steeds, burning several more. Horses turn white-eyed and run. Fae fall, others cling to their terrified beasts. The leader’s horse goes up on its back legs just as he looses a spear at me. It hits me in my right shoulder. His horse turns and neighs; the beast is terrified. It takes off at a gallop.

The air is knocked from me as I am flung backward by the force of the spear as it bites into me, parting flesh and bone. I grit my teeth and grunt; by the gods, but it hurts.

Delphine lands gently next to me.

The pox on it all.

I was almost home free. I sigh and then groan deeply as I pull the spear from my body. I grind out another hard moan as hot blood spills from the wound. I squeeze my eyes shut and groan again. It hurts like hot coals on flesh.

Delphine growls softly. I know that she is urging me to my feet. Once the fae regroup, they will be back.

“Yes, yes,” I whisper. “I need a moment, girl.” Thankfully, I am fae. I should heal quickly. Hours, perhaps as long as a day. It shouldn’t take too much longer. The thought reminds me of all the times I was injured in the pit, of how quickly I healed then, too. Now I know why. Why I didn’t scar. Why none of my wounds turned septic.

I slowly clamber to my feet; more blood drips from my wound, which aches with every movement…with every breath. I ignore it, keeping my grip on the spear, which is thankfully lightweight. It might come in handy.

Using one arm, I slowly climb onto her back as she leans down for me. It's been years since I've sat astride my dragon, but my muscle memory kicks in, and I feel right at home despite the pain and the blood still streaming down my arm.

Delphine spreads her wings wide and takes to the sky, effortlessly gliding through the air. The wind rushes past us, carrying with it the scents of rotting vegetation. I grip tightly to one of the large spikes on her neck, feeling the strength and warmth of her scales beneath my fingers.

“Go easy,” I tell her, wincing.

I smile, closing my eyes as the wind hits my face and the ground rushes past far below. I sigh. Despite everything, I am swept up in the exhilaration of flying again. I missed the freedom of it. Not just of having the wind on my face, but this. Being high above the clouds. Being me. How could I have forgotten? It’s a question that runs through my mind over and over again. Powerful black magic. It is the only answer I keep getting.

Where to now? That is the other question of the hour. I’m wounded. I need somewhere safe to hole up. Somewhere warm and dry with fresh water.

The fact is that I have no idea where I will find those basic things. I know that the beastfae kingdom has been overtaken by Snow. The entire realm has, in one way or another. But the fae lands have been the worst affected. I can’t go back to my own. They are no longer mine. My encounter with the empty fae proves it. Snow has a hold on them…on us.

Can you keep my family safe? My children?

The voice of the leader rings in my head. No, the fae will not be on my side. The bands of humans spread across the barren lands will spill my fae blood in a single heartbeat. I am unwanted everywhere and by everyone. Even by the band of mercenaries who once called me brother. I am a king, and yet, I am nothing. At least I have my dragon…my beast.

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