Page 20 of A Broken Promise

“As you do get more solid information, I will await your full report.” The General paused, taking a sip out of his gold goblet. Like an eagle and his prey, his eyes clawed to me. Lord Inadios turned nervously to me too. “What do you know of the Rebels, mage?” the Destroyer inquired.

With my head still lowered and eyes firmly on the floor, I replied as softly and pleasantly as possible, “Nothing, my Lord.”

He scoffed.

“He is no Lord to you, you senseless, stupid girl. He is the great Lord Destroyer General, you filthy scum!” Inadios barked at me.

The General’s face lit up with a wicked smirk. He gestured to Inadios, silencing him, as if a dog.

“Forgive me, my Lord Destroyer General,” I replied and nodded low, flinching from sharp pain in my side.

The rage inside of me filled up to the brim, like a fuel ready to spark in flames with a single match. Anger within me overflowed the longer I stood there, motionless. Helpless. But I stood there still. For Viyak. For my promise. For me.

What’s the point of the dragon inside, if you keep it on the chain?My mind raged but I kept it still. Restrained.

Lord Inadios fidgeted, trying to ease the tension.

“My high Lord, not sure how long you are staying with us this visit—” One look at the Destroyer’s raised eyebrows and Inadios jumbledover his words to continue. “Oh no, my Lord Master, we are the utmost blessed to have your presence among us and will be delighted to host you and your soldiers as long as you wish! Forgive me, my Lord, for my words sometimes come out all wrong. All I meant was to invite your high presence to visit the Crystal Bridge over the Dniar river. It’s not quite finished but you’ll be delighted to see much progress since your last visit.”

“Perhaps. Given your history of disappointments, Inadios, I doubt I’ll bedelightedfrom this visit after all. But I shall accept your invitation. We will head out tomorrow then.”

“How blessed! We are forever grateful, my Lord Master. Perhaps a day after tomorrow? My High Lord, local royalty and devoted servants of the Queen have awaited long to meet their most valued Destroyer General and Queen’s great protector! Plus, it would give us enough time for preparations since the Crystal Bridge is a long journey from here.”

The Destroyer General took another sip of wine. His expression was cold as ice and yet his dark brown eyes burned bright.

“Inadios, do you know that Destroyer’s raw fire can turn things to ashes in a blink of an eye?” he said while swirling wine in his big goblet and looking at the painting on the wall.

Inadios nervously wiped droplets of sweat off his forehead.

“Oh, my great Lord, I have heard wonderous things about the Cleansing Fire!” Inadios exclaimed.

The General, ignoring him, continued.

“And yet, Destroyers are taught to reel that fire in during their training, to simmer it down. Do you know why?”

Inadios blinked, tripping over his words, not finding an answer. His knuckles turned white as he clenched his fists stressed.

Because swift death is mercy, and Destroyers are merciless.

I spat out in my mind. As if reading my thoughts, the General’s prying eyes went back to me. I bowed my head low until my neck cramped, but an invisible hand grabbed my chin and jerked my head up until our eyes met. I instinctively moved my eyes down.

Meek and obedient. But then I saw the fire-like hands holding myjaw. My eyes widened. Frozen mid-breath, I attempted to reel in the sheer panic rising in my chest. The fire hands jerked my head up again, tightening the grip until my eyes met his. Something primal in my body roared and clawed at the sight of fire on my skin. It didn’t burn, yet I could feel the heat of my anger lighting up, my blood on fire.

My heart pounded against my chest faster.Breathe, I willed myself again.

Breathe.

Inhale.

Exhale.

The General stared at me oddly. My mind was rancid.

Breathe,I cried out, though my chest closed off, unwilling to let the air flow.

Like a swine, Inadios squeaked back, bowing his head a bit.

“Sorry, my Lord, but your humble servant doesn’t know the answer.”

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