Page 91 of Wild Flame

“Manticore venom,” I explained, gesturing to his wound. “Luckily, it wasn’t a deep scratch. Even with the dragons flying as fast as they could, I didn’t know if we would make it here in time.”

Once we were airborne, it hadn’t taken us longer than an hour to reach the Farr’s sprawling villa. They must have been warned of our dragons’ approach because Otim and his lovely wife Alora had been there to meet us, even though it was the middle of the night. Once they had seen what was wrong with Malik, they had ushered us inside and Alora had taken over Malik’s care, directing us like a general with her troops as she worked to save his life. After she had given Malik the magical elixir that would enable his body to fight the venom, it had been a long night waiting for it to burn out of his system. I had no idea when I had fallen asleep.

Malik leaned forward and touched his forehead to mine. “You scared me,” I admitted. “You’re a rider. You’re not supposed to get hurt.”

He stroked a hand down my cheek. “Well, you must have done something right, because I’m still here.” Then he asked, “Where ishereanyway?”

I sighed and leaned back. “Otim Farr’s house. Taj said his wife was one of the best healers in Zehvi. He said if anyone could help you, it would be her.”

Malik nodded in understanding. “I know them well. How long have we been here?”

“I’m not sure. We got here late last night . . . and I’m not sure what time it is now.”

The chamber door opened then, and a very pregnant woman entered. She was in her third decade, pretty, with her blonde hair braided intricately back from her face.

“Praise the Nine! I’m glad to see you awake, my king,” Alora said. Her Halmarish accent reminded me of home. I had been so consumed with worry for Malik last night when we met that I had barely noticed the woman hailed from my country. She jerked her head at me as she carried in a tray laden with two bowls of soup. “This one has been sick with worry.”

I refused to look at Malik as I rose, intent on taking the tray.

“Oh, sit down. You’re as bad as Otim. Just because I’m with child doesn’t mean I’m an invalid.”

Raising my hands in surrender, I sat back down.

“I guessed you might be waking up soon, so I brought you this,” Alora continued, setting down the tray. She glanced at me. “I brought you some as well.”

I nodded my thanks.

“Thank you,” Malik told her sincerely. “And thank you for what you did to heal me.”

She bowed her head in acknowledgment. “I could do nothing less for my king.” Her eyes fell on the bandaged wound, then back to Malik. “The fact that you survived means that you will forever be partially immune to the venom. It is a part of you now.”

“Will there be any other lingering effects?” I asked, fighting hard to quell the pit of worry in my stomach that just wouldn’t go away.

Alora shook her head. “No. He will be good as new in no time.” Her eyes twinkled. “Though your concern is admirable, my queen.” She smiled at Malik. “You picked a good one. Imagine my delight when I discovered our king shocked everyone and snagged himself a Halmarish princess.” She winked. “Not that I’m surprised. We do have a way about us.”

Malik’s health improved rapidly, and we only waited one more day before making the journey to the Obsidian Mines.

The mines were overwhelming, to say the least. When we flew in on our approach, I couldn’t believe the size of it all from above. When Azrun and Bhorag landed and we dismounted, I took in the stories and stories of wooden scaffolding and walkways along the rocky hillside. Dozens of mining shafts and tunnels led into the rock and underground. Sounds of clinking metal striking stone and voices echoed around us. The entire operation was an impressive sight.

Kheer, a tall man with a long scar on his cheek, and one of the few members of Malik’s Fangdar I hadn’t met, greeted us immediately upon our arrival. Malik gave him a back-slapping hug before Taj and he exchanged a similar greeting. Obviously, this was a man that had been truly missed. When Malik introduced me, Kheer took my offered hand and bowed low over it before murmuring respectfully, “My queen. It is nice to meet you.” He had the air of a man that was more reserved than Taj, but still had a ready smile. I liked him instantly.

“Likewise,” I murmured.

I had seen no sign of Kheer’s dragon, but the others waited outside as Kheer led us into a guardhouse of sorts that overlooked the entire mine below. It also boasted a desk and chairs and appeared to double as an office. To my surprise, we didn’t stop to talk. Instead, Kheer grabbed a set of keys from his desk and led us through the room, down a walkway, and into a tunnel.

The passage was just high enough that the men didn’t have to stoop as we entered. It trended downward and was lined with lanterns every few dozen feet, giving off a yellow glow to the rock around us as we descended. We passed several other passages that veered off in other directions and from which I could hear the sounds of voices and people working.

Kheer was before me, and Malik just behind, while Taj brought up the rear.

“Where do all the workers come from?” I asked curiously, my voice echoing slightly around us.

Kheer answered without hesitation. “They are all criminals, my queen. In this territory, those who are convicted of a nonviolent crime are given the option to work in the mines to shorten or commute their prison sentence.”

That was an interesting idea. “And what is the going exchange rate?” I asked.

He glanced back briefly. “For every year they work in the mines, five are taken off their sentence.”

I blinked. “That seems generous.”

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