Page 62 of Prince of Blaze and Embers
"Cornelius," I said. "I can't do this. I'm not strong enough. I failed them. I failed Cade and Hunter. I failed Bella."
Cornelius moved closer, his sturdy tortoise legs carrying him with a slow, comforting gait. "You did not fail, Ash. You fought bravely, and you survived. That is a victory in itself."
I shook my head, the weight of my failures pressing down on me. "I ran. I left them behind. The Sythers said the queen is coming for me. I can't face her. I'm just a slave girl from a miserable small town. I'm not strong enough to go on."
Cornelius's voice was gentle yet firm. "You had to run, Ash. You were outnumbered, and Cade and Hunter could not have reached you in time. If you had stayed, you would have died, and the dragons were incapacitated by the nets. I'm glad you listened to me. You did the right thing. You survived."
His words did little to comfort me. The image of Cade, injured and fighting valiantly, flashed through my mind. I had left him behind, left him to face the Sythers alone. "I can't fight the queen. I'm not strong enough. I never will be."
Cornelius's gaze was steady and unwavering. "You are strong, Ash. You are still alive, and that is a testament to your strength. You killed the lead Syther. That was a huge accomplishment, and I am proud of you."
His words sent a ripple of warmth through me, a flicker of hope in the despair that threatened to consume me. But the doubt lingered, a shadow that refused to be banished. "How can I be strong when I couldn't protect them? When I couldn't protect Bella?"
Cornelius's voice was filled with wisdom and patience. "Strength is not just about physical prowess, Ash. It is about resilience, determination, and the will to keep going even when the odds are against you. You have shown all of these qualities and more. You are strong because you continue to fight, continue to seek a way forward despite the obstacles in your path. Strength is not the absence of fear or weakness, but the ability to face them and keep moving forward."
His words struck a chord within me, a spark of hope that grew into a flame. I was still alive. I had survived. I had faced the Sythers and emerged victorious. Maybe, just maybe, I can face the Blaze Queen someday. Maybe I can be the Gold-Marked, the one destined to wield this magic and help those in need.
But the doubt still lingered, a stubborn shadow that refused to be banished. "But how can I face the queen? She is powerful, ruthless. I am just a slave girl from a shit town. How can I hope to stand against her?"
Cornelius's gaze softened, filled with a gentle understanding. "You are more than just a slave girl, Ash. You are the Gold-Marked, the one chosen to wield the power of the Gilded Radiance. The queen fears you because she knows the power you possess, the power that could bring an end to her tyranny. That is why she seeks you, why she will stop at nothing to capture you."
His words ignited something within me, a spark of defiance and determination. Maybe I'm not just a slave girl. I'm the Gold-Marked, chosen to wield the power of the Golden Rune on my neck. I have a destiny, a purpose. I could not let fear and doubt hold me back. I had to embrace my strength and face the challenges ahead.
"But how can I face the queen when I can't even protect those I care about?" I asked, the doubt still gnawing at the edges of my newfound resolve. "How can I stand against her?"
Cornelius's voice was calm and reassuring. "You will learn, Ash. You will grow stronger. You have already taken the first step by acknowledging your strength and facing your fears. With time and practice, you will become a formidable force, capable of standing against the queen and protecting those you care about. But remember, you do not have to do this alone. You have allies, friends who will stand beside you and support you in your journey."
His words filled me with a newfound sense of purpose and determination. I was not alone. I had allies, friends who believed in me and would support me in my journey. I had to embrace my strength, face my fears, and continue to grow and learn. With their help, I could face the Blaze Queen and bring an end to her tyranny.
Cornelius extended a sturdy leg, offering it to me. "Come, let us get you to your feet. You have a long journey ahead of you, but you are not alone. I will be with you every step of the way."
I reached out, gritting my teeth against the pain in my side, and gripped his leg. With a grunt, I pulled myself to my feet, the world spinning around me for a moment before steadying. I took a deep breath, steeling myself against the pain and the doubts that still lingered in the corners of my mind.
"Thank you, Cornelius," I said, my voice filled with gratitude and determination. "I will not give up. I will face my fears and continue to grow and learn. I will become the Gold-Marked and bring an end to the queen's tyranny."
A soft smile spread across Cornelius's face, his eyes filled withpride and encouragement. "That is the spirit, Ash. Now, let us get you to safety. You are injured and depleted from using your magic. You need rest and healing."
He led me through the moonlit forest, his sturdy tortoise legs carrying him with a slow, comforting gait. I hobbled along beside him, each step sending a jolt of pain through my side. But I gritted my teeth and pushed forward, refusing to let the pain hold me back.
We walked for what felt like an eternity, the darkness of the forest engulfing us as we made our way deeper into the Faewood. Eventually, the sound of rushing water reached my ears, and we emerged into a clearing bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight.
A magnificent waterfall cascaded down the side of a cliff, the water shimmering in the starlit night. The waterfall fed into a pristine spring, its surface seemingly incandescent under the celestial light. The sight was breathtaking, a sanctuary of peace and tranquility amidst the chaos and turmoil of my journey.
I stumbled toward the water, my legs giving way as I reached the edge of the spring. I collapsed into the water, letting the cool liquid envelop me. The coldness was a shock to my system, but it also brought a sense of relief and rejuvenation. I let myself sink beneath the surface, allowing the water to wash away the blood, sweat, and tears of my fight. The water felt like magic in itself, soaking into my body, making me feel whole again, pieced back together. It felt something like I would imagine a father holding in your arms would feel like; a foreign feeling that I'd never had, and never would...
As I lay there, letting the cool water lap around me, I felt a ripple of water splash into my face. I blinked, opening my eyes and peering into the depths of the spring. And that's when I saw it—a massive shadow moving behind the waterfall.
My heart leaped into my throat as I glared at the waterfall, the shadow growing larger and more distinct. Cornelius gasped andturned to me, his eyes wide with alarm. "Ash, get to your feet! You need to run!"
But I was frozen in place, my limbs heavy with fear and exhaustion. The shadow emerged from behind the waterfall, its form becoming clearer with each passing moment. And then I recognized it—the same dark blue dragon I had seen nights prior with Cornelius. Its body was immense, its scales shimmering in the moonlight, and its eyes burning with a primal, predatory intensity.
The dragon growled low, raising its head high above me, its jaws snapping in the air. Fear gripped me, paralyzing me as I watched the beast approach. It moved closer, its massive form towering over me, the scent of dragonfire wafting from its nostrils. I could see every detail of its form—the sharp scales, the powerful indigo wings, the fearsome teeth.
But this time seeing the dragon, I saw more than just menace in its form. The dragon stepped fully into the moonlight, and its scales, though shadowed in indigo and navy, rippled with silver-blue veins that pulsed like rivers beneath the surface. Mist curled around its feet, as if the waterfall obeyed its presence. Its wings were vast, webbed with a glimmer that mirrored starlight on still water, and as it breathed, the air thickened with the scent of rain and sea salt. Something stirred deep inside me—a resonance, like an echo in my bones—as though a current long buried had risen. The dragon tilted its head, its gaze locking with mine, and for one suspended breath, I wasn’t afraid. It felt like recognition. Like we were two tides pulled by the same unseen moon.
I am going to die if I keep running, I thought to myself, a realization dawning within me. I've got to be brave. For me. For Bella. For Cade. For Hunter. I can't keep running. I can't keep hiding. I have to face my fears and stand my ground.
With a deep breath, I summoned every ounce of strength and courage within me. I raised my hands, holding my palms out tothe dragon who snarled and flashed its teeth. It lowered its head, gazing deep into my eyes, its breath hot against my skin.
