Page 29 of A Broken Promise

The General quickly glanced over me, pausing only slightly at my still-bandaged wrists.

“Not very chatty today, I see,” he said, taking a deep breath. “Come.” He motioned with his hand to the bridge. I listened.

Workers made way for us to approach the sparkling glass.

“Do you like it?” he asked, looking at the million rainbows shining around.

“Yes.” There was no point of denying the pure beauty of it.

“It’s quite fascinating, don’t you think?” He spoke as we continued walking up the bridge all the way up until we stopped only steps away from the large gaps of the unfinished part.

Even with the bridge being high, the chill, cool water drops splashing across the bridge foundation dribbled on my feet. “That our fire can take something dull like sand and turn it into pure diamonds.”

“Lord Destroyer General…” Inadios called out for something but was muffled by the loud sound of gushing water beneath us. The General turned to look at him, taking a couple of steps away from me.

I looked down below. The river was fast and deep, covered with rocks of all manner in its path to the mighty waterfall. This was my chance, I realized.

It was a very crappy chance, but a chance, nonetheless.

I knew how to swim; not very well, but I knew how to stay above the water when it mattered.

The heavy, velvet green dress would try to keep me down, that is, if I didn’t bash my head against the rocks upon impact. Then I’d have to be able to swim or at least float far and quick enough in the cold water without the freezing temperatures seizing my body first.

I made a step closer to the edge. A cold breeze of wind went up my skirt, caressing my skin. At least I was wearing new leather boots. Jumping legs first would be my best option, I concluded. I closed my eyes and took a step into the air.

Painfully, I was jerked back by a rough yet familiar touch.

The General.

“Not so fast,” he angrily said as he gripped my hand awfully tight.

No! No! No!

This was it. My only chance. I jerked my hand back, but he held on tight. There was no point in leashing my hatred, no point of shoving down my rage. No point in pausing to think, to plan. The sleeping dragon within me was awake, roaring hungrily for retribution.

“You. Sick. Bastard! Let go of me!” I shouted at him. I could feel all the dams that I had carefully built up through the years inside of me to reel in my utter rage breaking up with one big gush.

His jaw tightened, but he was cool and collected.

“Let’s go,” the General barked at me. Orest and a few soldiers, noticing the commotion, were making their way to the bridge. I had to get awaynow.My eyes locked with his. I could see the silver flames reflecting, growing within that darkness.

My heart pounded in my chest so fast until it stopped.

“Burn in Hell,” I yelled as I let my fury take over me, blinding me as I threw all my strength at him as I yanked my hand out of his grip.

Shocked, he abruptly let go.

Unbalanced, I fell through the crisp summer air down to the ice water, my back taking the brutal hit of the stone-cold surface.

15

Ididn’t have a chance to think as severe underwater currents sucked me in deep. Air was still in my lungs. Good.

It might have been the freezing waters, but my heart slowed down to a nonexistent beat. I had to get away before the General blasted this river into nothing but boiling mist. I didn’t have to try hard to swim away as the rapid current carried me.

I just had to not drown.

Air was now alarmingly low in my lungs. My eyes were completely useless against the murky waters. Tossed around like a leaf on a windy day, my body bruised against the river bottom. The icy water caused my limbs to go completely numb. I slammed against a large rock, clenching my teeth as the pain riddled through me, but it briefly anchored me against the rushing river. Refusing to let go, I clawed against the rock until my face broke the surface. Fresh air cut through my lungs like knives.

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