Chapter One

 “So are you going to tell me what you’re doing this side of the Misty mountains?” a deep voice asked in the groggy haze as I woke.  I remained silent and began to look around me.

I was in a cave. The walls were lit up with torches creating disfigured dancing shadows in the flame light. Through the caves mouth I saw the five points of the mountains tops reach for the clear night sky like finger tips stretching to the heavens. Mist shrouded the tips of the jagged mountains like a giants clouded breath on a cold winter’s morning.

“A thank you would be nice at least.” I turned towards the voice this time; a tall man crouched by the central fire, his tanned hands stretched towards the flames as his piercing green eyes searched my nonexistent soul.

Why should I thank him, he condemned my brother and sister.

“Where are my brother and sister?” I asked angrily.

“Caled has them, he won’t harm them, and it’s you he wants.”

I sat shocked, b*****d. I felt the magic grow within me, the man eyed my hands warily but held his position. I had to get away from him and find Xander and Luna.

I threw a ball of flames in the direction of the rugged man. The disfigured shadows morphed to men and women as they surrounded their leader. There was no need, my fire smashed into an invisible barrier between us. Anger swelled in my heart as a beautiful woman smirked at me from the safety.

Fire ball after fireball assaulted the barrier until I was depleted of energy.

“So I’m your prisoner” I stated as I sank to my knees in defeat. What did they want with me?

“No”

“Yes” the man answered at the same time as the woman. I raised my brows in question. Which was it?

“Cersay quiet. No you’re not our prisoner, we just didn’t fell like being roasted” he replied, the corner of his lips twitching into a cheeky grin.

Narrowing my eyes, I watched the flames flickering behind them, a plan formulating quickly in my head. Smirking back at the smug Cersay and mocking man, power grew within me once again. A sharp bitter laugh escaped her thin lips as she felt me pull my magic. Using the fires flames would drain me, a lot, so if Cersay’s magic was disabled, so was the barrier and my own fire would be able reach them.

“Well you went the wrong way about that.” I stated calmly. Focusing intently on the waltzing flames I missed Cersay’s reply. I closed my glowing yellow eyes and felt my magical core tingle excitedly as it enlarged the flames causing my captors to panic and stumble. With my head pounding from over exertion I caused a flame to lap hungrily and slither its way to the brown haired beauty.

Cornered by flames she screamed pathetically her back pressed up against the barrier.

“Lower my barrier, I can help you!” I cried frantically, pretending I had nothing to do with it, I hated deceiving people but I needed to get out of here. Now!

After a flame had eagerly licked her hand my barrier was finally lowered. Beyond the flames laughter I could see four men, my captor included, battling to help the petrified brunette. A young boy helping caught my eye and his face froze in terror as he realised I was free and controlling the ferocious flames.

Touching Cersay between her shoulders I channelled a soothing heat into her body before she collapsed in a mangled heap on the floor. I sneered down at her in disgust. The word witch summed her up nicely.

I released the fire and the separating flames raced back to their fuel of logs in the centre of the cave once again. My legs wobbled from the effort of standing, I had used all my energy and was now playing a very dangerous game. Looking up I found seven men in total and a boy looking at me carefully. With strenuous effort flames appeared in my hands once more.

“Move!” I yelled. I had to get away to help Xander and Luna, wherever they were.

Most of the men scattered eagerly, tripping over one another in their haste ... all but two of them and the boy. Brave or stupid, I didn’t care. I calculated my options carefully, but only one had a good outcome for me. Regretfully, I encased the boy in a suffocating coffin of flames. Shouts and screams erupted from my audience and the distressed victim.

“Skid.”

The men let out a battle cry as they began fighting futilely with my enraging flames, I had to be long gone and quickly. I hated myself for what I was doing and prayed this worked. Sweat beaded on my forehead from the effort and strain but eventually I had shuffled close enough to the cave entrance.

Taking a deep breath I released my magic one last time and ran.

The trees branches scratched at my pale, bare arms and cheeks like sharp nails as I hurried away followed closely by angry shouts and promises causing me to shake in panic. I didn’t dare look back. Stumbling through the thick, enclosing trees I headed towards the silver, twinkling, ribbon of water to left.

Their crashing footsteps closed in quickly, I looked back to see them head towards me, only three of them, where were the others, looking up I saw nothing but a dark canopy of leaves. I continued on towards the river. Dashing through the trees I entered a small clearing and came to a sudden stop at the river bank. It was deep. Too deep.

“That wasn’t very nice, clever, but not nice.” A stern voice stated. I spun suddenly; they were closer than I thought.

The leader and two others.

“Titan, we don’t have time to convince her to come back, they are nearly here.” The leader growled to the tall muscley man who had spoken first. Titan. He was big, twice my height at least, and bald. He looked older than the other two as well.

The black haired leader strode confidently towards me. I held up my hands and stepped back.

“Get back!” I yelled worry laced my voice, betraying my fear.

A horrid heart stopping growl rang through the air as nine fully grown goblins joined our party in the clearing. Their yellow skin glowing in the night.

“Damn!” the three men exclaimed.

“Get across the river. Now!” no name shouted as he charged past me and began to swim across, Titan followed quickly. Grabbing my arm on his way past, grumpy, my name for the leader, pulled me after them. I dug my heels into the ground and refused to enter the river.

“Goblins are much worse than us sweetheart, I promise!” he yelled in my face. I looked back to see them advancing with surprising speed. Their blood red eyes oozing with hunger.

“I can’t...” I began to explain my reason when his patience ran out, shoving me into the river. Panic and fear took control of my body and I began fighting uselessly with the water. Beneath the surface my vision was cloudy and murky, opening my mouth to scream was a stupid idea as water gushed in, filling my lungs quickly. My vision began to darken again as sleep felt like a peaceful solution to the searing, constricting pain.

 

 

“Come on kid, wake up” pressure on my chest and an annoying constant tug on my arm diverted me from my sanctuary; I swatted the hands away as I coughed up my own miniature river.

“Thank god. Damon, Titan, she lives to see another day” a broad smile and crinkly blue eyes shone down at me from under a mop of brown hair.

“I’m Saul by the way, quite a scare you gave us there.” For the first time in days I returned a genuine smile at the man’s generosity, despite everything I had done to people he cared for.

Titan came bouncing over and handed me a cup of cold soup. I was back in the cave; Cersay sat glaring at me viciously, the young boy sat beside Damon, their leader, AKA grumpy.

“Sorry it’s cold; we couldn’t get the wet wood to light.” Titan explained apologetically as I turned my nose up at the cold food. I could. Would they let me?

I stood precariously, everyone watching me, tense and ready to fight. I sighed in resignation, I’d be gone soon so who cares. I walked over weakly to the pile of logs with a pot of soup sat above it. Crouching down beside it, I flexed my fingers, testing. I was still weak from earlier and my near death experience with the river.

Placing a pale shaky hand upon a sodden log I pushed my magic through it and the others for what felt like hours before a spark ignited a hot fire, satisfied with the flames engulfing my hand harmlessly I removed them from the log and blew into the soup pot heating it nicely before collapsing to my knees in exhaustion. I had severely over done myself today and would pay tomorrow.

“Why did you do that?” I looked up to see grumpy standing over me; I shrugged not willing to answer. I had done it as an apology of sorts. I peered past him to see the boy sat closely to the fire. Pleased I crawled pathetically back to my corner, half way there strong arms scooped me up and carried me gently to a bed behind the curtain.

“What do you want with me?” I whispered as Damon turned to go.

“Who said we want anything. You were in trouble, the forest told me to help you. I did. End of.”

I didn’t believe him but until I figured out what they did want or until I figured out how to find and save Xander and Luna I might as well stay here. Who knew, I might make friends.

“Don’t get used to the bed, it’s only for tonight.”

Or not. What a moody git. He walked away but as he came to the door he stopped.

“You need to learn how to swim.” With that he was gone.

I could swim, I was just scared, maybe one day I would tell him that, but for now sleep seemed good.

 

My sleep was plagued with lost memories and possible scenarios. Loud voices yelled and screamed waking me from my restless slumber. A broad man came crashing through the curtain demanding answers. His chest was bare, his black hair longer than my waist length hair, his skin dark like teas. A long scar ran down from his left eye to the centre of his chin. Grabbing a hold of ruby red hair he dragged my weak body to the main section of the cave.

Damon and his men all stood topless, having been woken suddenly, their hands held awkwardly behind their backs, curved swords at their throats.

“You help, or we kill.” The foreign man demanded bluntly. I stood shocked at his command. Help with what?

“Sharjahn kill” another tall man dragged forward an angry looking Damon, a storm brewing in his emerald eyes. The new man dug the tip of his blade into his chest drawing blood, Damon stood proud and tall and refusing to flinch at the pain he must be in.

“Well?”

“Well, you’re assuming I actually care about these men, which I don’t, so go ahead. Kill him, kill them all, the woman included. Then I only have you to worry about.” I raised my thin red eyebrows in challenge to the new comer and his men.

“How dare you. I prince Koshraft, you do as say!” he shouted. Raising a large hand his rough skin connected painfully with my right cheek sending me to the ground. Tears welled in my eyes from the searing pain; wiping them away forcefully I rose to my feet.

“Last I checked we are not in your territory, we are in mutual ground and in mutual ground no royal may lay a finger on another person.” I shouted back, praying I was right about where we were. The princes’ sneer confirmed my suspicions.

Smirking triumphantly I took a small step back. My joy didn’t last long however when skid’s thin frame collapsed to the floor, his eyes losing their life.

“No!” I cried as I ran towards him, another of Koshrafts’ men stood over his body.

“Move” I shouted angrily at him, nothing. “Now! Let me help him” still nothing, guilt clutched painfully at my heart. Giving in I tried one last thing.

“Let me help him and I promise I will help you.” The evil looking man stepped aside.

 

 

I had lost count of how many days we had been walking for, how many sun rises and sun sets we had stumbled through. Koshraft and his men were relentless, allowing us an hour’s sleep before continuing on again, at least, unlike the Damons’ men and women I got food and had no chains to haul around behind me.

“Ember?” I jumped at the proximity of the voice in the dark. “What do they want you for?” titan whispered beside me. I shook my head in answer before remembering he couldn’t see me.

“I don’t know.” I replied fear tainting my voice making me sound young even to my own ears. I rolled over onto my right arm and closed my eyes tightly. I just wanted to go home with Xander and Luna.

 

I was woken suddenly by the bright rays of the sun; they had allowed us to sleep all night. Why?

“Up” Koshraft ordered as titan helped me to my feet. I looked at him questioningly but he just shrugged his shoulders whilst holding me tightly.

“You kill dragon. Red hair, dragon girl.” He ordered forcefully as he pointed to a deep, dark cave.

As if on cue a loud, angry roar echoed from the caves depths freezing us all in our tracks.

“Why do you want it dead?” Saul asked curiously from the arms of the enemy. He stood chained with Damon, Skid, Cersay and Lance. Surrounded by identical men pointing curved blades at their chests. Despite my pleas Koshraft saw no need for the others to live.

“Eat our sheep and peoples. Burn our villages. Now go or we kill boy!” he growled, emphasising his threat by cutting Skid on the arm. How the hell was I supposed to kill a dragon? With no weapon!

Shoving me from his grip, they dragged Titan to join the others before shooing me into the mouth of the cave.

To a normal person the cave would have been pitch black but my yellow eyes glowed intensely allowing me to see clearly. Sheep skeletons littered the floor along with old shrivelled scales shredded from the dragon’s body.

Taking a deep breath I continued deeper into the cave, the thought of Skid being hurt, or worse, the only thing that kept me going forwards.

A rumbling snore vibrated through the air as I tip-toed closer to the beast of nightmares. Stopping around the corner I leaned against the caves cold, black walls, taking comfort in their icy coldness. It reminded me of the ice caves back home, on my side of the mountains. Where the demons lived, those that weren’t rebels anyway. The right side, the safe side of the mountains. Where I belonged. Or did I? I was different to everyone there as well.

Oh my god! I can’t do this. A vivid image of a lifeless young boy clouded my vision, his cold hand stretched out towards me, his beautiful brown eyes dull and dead. Skid. In the blink of an eye his short brown hair lightened and his empty eyes turned as blue as the river. Salim. My eldest brother. Tears streamed down my cheeks at the reminder of the pain caused by his death. At the reminder that it had been my fault.

‘You shouldn’t have hesitated young one.’ A loud, clear voice tinkled annoyingly at the edge of my mind. Fear coursed through my veins.

“Who’s there?” I whispered frantically, searching around me. The cave remained silent.

‘You don’t need to speak aloud; you have a rare and special connection with us. You’re extremely gifted Ember, I can feel the power running through you, jumping for freedom. I am Adonella. The oldest dragon alive.’ This time the voice was loud and overbearing, ensuring I knew she was there. Dragon!

I slowly walked around the corner to a freshly lit cave.

Oh. My. God!

 

Sat illuminated by the cave torches was a majestic, giant grey dragon. I stood dumbfounded at her lack of ferocity. Her grey scales sparkled beautifully entrancing me momentarily. I could talk to dragons. Me. I could talk to them. Wow! What a journey this has turned out to be. Unsure of what to do next I stood there stupidly.

“Well come in then.” She chided like an unimpressed yet loving mother. She drew back her lips, baring large teeth in what I assumed to be an attempted smile. She spoke aloud as well.

“You have the mark I presume?” I looked at her, confusion written across my face.

“The red triangle, the symbol of fire.” She huffed impatiently. Oh, those marks.

I nodded my head enthusiastically realising what she meant. Pulling up the sleeve of my thin cotton shirt I revealed four triangles on my left wrist. Two pointing up and two were pointing down. The first one was red, the next green with a horizontal strike through it, then a dark blue with a strike and finally a pale blue one. Ever since I was old enough to care I have hidden my marks, they branded me as different, as weird. My eyes and hair did a good enough job of that on their own. I hated them.

“My, my, that is interesting. Has anyone else seen these?” she asked thoughtfully. Her yellow eyes scrunched in concentration as her talons scratched at a shiny scale. I shook my head as I blushed, drawing my sleeve back down to cover them again.

“Good, show no one, not for now anyway.” She ordered quickly and urgently. I looked at the old dragon warily; she was weird and hard to figure out.

“What do they mean?” I asked happy someone could finally tell me.

“Another time young one, for now we must get you away from Koshraft and his men.” She began plotting and planning intently as I sat and listened.

 

“What about Damon and his men?” I couldn’t hide the eagerness from my voice. I would not miss that man.

“No. for now you are safer with him.”

I opened my mouth to argue but was silenced with one look.

“You will go with him, but do not fear, I will always be close should you need me.”

It was time to put our plan into motion.

I ran from the cave, screaming frantically as Adonella charged after me roaring and breathing fire. Despite knowing she was on my side, I didn’t need to act, I was completely irrevocably terrified.

The sudden intensity of the sun blinded me momentarily as my eyes released their magic causing me to stumble from the caves mouth.

Koshraft and his men lounged around lazily along with Cersay and Damon whilst Titan and Saul paced impatiently, worry creasing their brows. At least they cared.

“Ember! You’re alive!” skid cheered happily as I bent to catch my breath. I smiled back at the messy boy. He had decided to forgive me and my fire after we had saved his life. Conveniently.

All the men were now to their feet, now to test my power. Gods alive I hoped this worked. I drew on my magic, every last drop I could reach and encompassed it around my… companions. Damon, titan, Saul, Lance, Skid and even Cersay just as a roaring emitted from behind me. Here it goes, no going back now.

‘Ready?’ Adonella whispered on the edge of my mind. She didn’t wait for an answer before she engulfed us all in her white hot blaze.

Squeezing my eyes shut I focused completely on protecting the others from the flames.

‘Well done, I must go. If you ever need me Ember, just call.’ I opened my yellow eyes in time to see the retreating grey body of my new friend and the shocked yet very relieved expressions spread across the others faces.

“Woohoo! I thought for sure we were going to be toasted then.” Skid cried joyfully as he danced around ridiculously.

The other five were more disgusted however as they looked at the remains of our captors.

Koshraft and his men had been completely incinerated; all that was left of them was the ash floating in the growing wind.

Cersay looked down at me in disgust and horror; I hung my head in shame and anger covering my tear streaked cheeks with my wild red curls.

“You’re an evil heartless devil!” she screamed in my face before knocking me back with an invisible wall.

I sat there unwilling to defend myself. I agreed. At the end of the day they were still people too.

“I had no choice, they would have killed us.” I whispered, but my words fell on deaf ears.

“That’s enough Cersay. We need to get out of here.” Damon ordered, she was instantly quiet.

Titan came strolling over, nudging her roughly on his way past. Gently he lifted my chin with his chained hands until my eyes met his.

“Can you stand?” he asked gently. I knew the answer without even trying. Shaking my head I forced my magic once more as I melted the metal restraining them all. He gathered me protectively into his strong arms before announcing we were ready. Resting my head upon his chest I felt a searing pain course through his arm. Placing my finger on it I stretched my capabilities one last time to seal shut his wound with a quick zap of heat before rain began to hammer down on us. Finally over exerting myself I blanked out to the clapping applause of thunder as lightning lit up the blank canvas of sky.

 

 

 

“You lay one finger on that girl and I’ll rip you limb from limb.” Titan growled softly, a strong threat underlying. I kept my eyes closed, pretending to sleep. Wind shrieked through the hollows and gaps of our new cave like haunting banshees out hunting. I hated those women. Unable to contend with the fist of stone poking me in the back any longer I sat up suddenly.

“How long have you been awake?” Damon demanded angrily. Nice to see you too I thought as I rolled my eyes at his greeting. What had he said to Titan they didn’t want me to hear? I eyed them both sceptically.

“Not long enough apparently.” I looked away from his empty eyes.

I preferred our other cave. Old bones littered the carpet of dead leaves. Rats scurried and fought hungrily in a corner, their red eyes watching our soup maliciously as it bubbled over the fire. The sound of leather wings echoed around the ceiling as bats swooped and swerved for unlucky insects. Water dripped continuously from a stalagmite creating a puddle. The strong smell of urine slithered up my nose causing me to gag.

“Why did we stop here?” I asked Titan, screwing up my nose at the foul stench. He laughed loudly at my expression before walking off to get some water.

“She can do that herself. It’s you watch.” Damon glared at me, Cersay hanging pathetically from his arm. I glared right back. He hated me; I hated him so why not make life better for us both and not follow when I leave.

“What have I done to you? Why do you hate me so much? I didn’t ask to be here with you! You dragged me along. Remember!” I shouted as I sat on the floor uncomfortably.

He left for a separate tunnel within the cave, not even bothering to answer me. No guess what those two would be doing. I shook violently at the repulsion that thought caused me.

“Here, get some sleep Em.” Saul handed me Titan’s discarded mug of water before returning to his seat by the fire. He was teaching Skid how to juggle.

 

“Ember, get up. Skid up. Now!” Titan yelled. Through a haze of sleep and exhaustion I saw everyone scramble around the cave frantically. A gurgled shriek dragged me through the haze and into reality. Goblins. Will I never get a break? What were they doing so far from the mountain? Rebel members.

Yanking the blanket from my legs I started stuffing things into a bag.

“There’s no time, run, split up and meet back at hollow rock. Saul, Lance take Skid and go north. Cersay, you're with me. Titan you go west with her.” With that they were gone.

Her! Her! I have a god damn name.

Titan drew his sword and handed me a knife. The look on his face would have been comical if we weren’t in trouble.

The gloomy moon shone down upon the earth, creating leaping shadows of disfigurement. A silver path of water tinkled to my left �" we were near the river again, I asked why we didn’t use it.

“It’s shallow up here; they’d walk straight through it.” Titan yelled back as we dashed deeper in to the trees. The ground was uneven and held a high chance of knocking us off balance. Branches reached for my knotty red hair and loose clothing, grabbing them and pulling me back like desperate hands. They tore away at my delicate flesh with their sturdy nails. Their sole purpose was to delay my escape.

The Goblins were closing in, fast. I could hear their footsteps approaching. My eyes widened at the fear of being caught. Which way had I come from? Where was Titan? I spun in a circle until I spotted him bent double catching his breath. My cold bare feet carried ne over to him.

“I left my boots in the cave.” I sighed depressed as I sank to the muddy ground.

Rain began to pour down on us, lightning jumping through the sky. Great! Why did it always rain here? Growling suddenly surrounded us, jumping quickly to my feet I pulled out my dagger from my pants. My back pressed up against Titans as we watched in horror as around twenty yellow skinned, ugly goblins surrounded us.

“Got any fire left Em?” Titan asked. Fear gripped my heart, squeezing the life from it.

“No.” I replied as I shook my head. I could barely stand let alone fight or conjure magic.

The goblins charged all at once, quickly disarming me. A heart breaking cry echoed through the trees, turning I found a mortally wounded Titan sprawled on the floor.

“Titan!” I screamed causing the goblins to flinch away. They hated loud noises.

‘Adonella. Help me.’ I screamed frantically as I stood over my friend.

I opened my mouth and screamed as loud as I could. The goblins stayed back, their clawed hands covering their tiny ears. I shut my eyes and concentrated just on screaming.

‘Ember young one, they are gone. Climb aboard my back and I will take you to the Hollow rock.’

I opened one eye to see the Grey scales of Adonella stood before me. I turned to see a struggling terrified Titan on his knees.

“Titan, Adonella will take us to Hollow rock. Come on. Trust me.” I croaked helping him to his feet. My voice had gone after all that screaming. He watched me incredulously for a while before nodding in agreement. Smiling timidly up at him I struggled as I helped him over to Nella.

 

The wind whipped my already messy hair back into Titan’s face as we soured high in the sky. My hands rested on Nella’s head, my knees gripping her shoulders. Titan clung tightly around my waist as my magic, unknowingly to him, coursed though me to his wound. The flight took all night for us to reach the hollow rock by which time my mind was groggy and sleepy from lack of energy and my own wound on my arm, whilst Titan was healed and grumpy about my stupidity.

‘Your friends are already there young one.’ Nella whispered softly. With a slight thud we landed in the clearing causing mayhem amongst the other four. Wait four? Where was Lance?

“Dragon!”

“Bring it down!”

“Run”

My head was too muddled to even distinguish who had said what by this point, everything floated by like a surreal dream.

‘Nell’ I muttered as Titan landed on the floor. She remained quiet.

“No wait!”

“Titan? What the hell?” someone demanded, probably Damon.

“She saved us from the goblins, Ember, she can, it’s weird but, she talks to her. I though fire mages just manipulated fire.”

Silence followed Titans explanation. They didn’t know I was a Faery. They thought I was a mage, a low level witch. Now I was insulted.

‘Nella’ my voice was barely audible any more. She roared loudly as I slid from her back, unable to hold myself any longer.

Yet again I was blacking out from exhaustion. Bracing myself subconsciously for the impact with the hard ground I was shocked to find myself looking into Damon’s green eyes.

‘Fast man is powerful. Be careful.’ Nella’s loud wings grew fainter as she flew away into the rising sun.

 

 

Planting my foot carefully on the mossy boulder I leaned forward, acutely aware of the deep crevasse below me. Despite the danger, however, I couldn’t help but stop and take in the wonder of the plunging waterfall, crashing against the bedrock as it fought its way down the mountain. The beautiful city engraved in stone took my breath away. Down in the court yard a white tree rose tall and regal at the gardens centre, a queen surrounded by her humble subjects.

“I see you’re finally awake.” I turned to the commanding voice behind me. Long black hair ran down her back, meeting a burgundy dress at her hips. She turned to face me; her kind smile warmed my heart as it reached her vibrant eyes. A delicately intricate tiara perched on her head. Out of habit I curtseyed deeply and politely.

“Rise child; do not trouble yourself with such formalities. I’m Queen Tiana, Tia to you, I’m Damons mother.” She chirped merrily as she steered me back to my room.

Damon is a �" a prince? No way. No. I was surprised by that to say the least. He was too rude, mean and stuck up. Mind you.

I was pushed out my surprise by a slight yet definite pressure on my back as I was walked over to the bath and told bluntly to bathe as I smelt awful. Uncomfortably I removed my dirty clothing and jumped hastily into the hot, soothing water.

“Now tell me child, green or purple?” why did everyone keep calling me a child. I was eighteen, of age, not a child. Perhaps it was because of my height, I stood annoyingly at 5’2” only.

Shocked by her question as she tugged relentlessly at my red hair I answered green.

A loud knock sounded at the large, oak door draped in metal swirls and designs, I discreetly sniffed the air, comforting myself. It wasn’t iron. Iron was like a deadly poison to all demons, Fae more so than others, it was horrible smelling and burnt the skin causing blisters like a fire would to humans.

“Enter.” Tia called, before I had the chance to say no the door clicked open and two tall men entered.

“Mother, Damon and I ha-” the younger version of Damon cut off when he caught sight of me slouched low beneath the bubbles of my bath.

“Have you told her ye-” Damon did the exact same thing as his brother but had the decency to turn around, but not before his eyes turned to ice and filled with disdain.

Twat.

My cheeks burnt red from embarrassment at this confrontation.

“You never told me she was beautiful Damon. Hey I’m Austin.”

His handsome face lit up when he smiled brightly at me. I returned it shyly as he commented on how divine my smile was.

I noticed Damon fist his hands and tell his brother to shut up and finish telling us the news.

“Your father has been contacted and is currently on his way, he left immediately, along with men to help our father and our men find your missing siblings.” Austin relayed the message as if he had learnt it off by heart but I smiled at him once again and thanked him before their mother shooed them both away.

Shortly after they left I clambered from the bath and wrapped a fluffy red towel around me.

“A dress is on the bed for you sweetheart, ready for dinner tonight.” Tia explained as she walked to the door.

Dinner? Why couldn’t I have it in here? Hidden, I spun to ask but my room was now empty. I picked up the dress on the bed, an emerald green, and put it on. It was tight on the waist and chest, a sparkling emerald sat between my breasts attached to a green silk strip wrapping intricately around my neck. Below the waist the dress flowed beautifully and freely speckled randomly with gold dust. It was amazing. Walking in my green heels I came to a mirror and plaited the sides of my long hair before wrapping them around my head like a hair band in a futile attempt to tame some of my persistent curls. Satisfied it was as good as it was going to get I rose and walked to the grand door just as a knock vibrated through it.

“Wow, you look beautiful.” Saul exclaimed as I opened the door to him.

I blushed deeply at his compliment, not used to getting them back home, as I was always stood beside Luna who was the definition of beautiful and perfect mixed into one. He turned in his black suit to walk away holding his arm out to me. Taking it nervously he led me down lots of corridors until I no longer knew if I came from the left or right.

“Why do I have to come to dinner Saul?” I enquired as he comically blew his mop of hair from his loving eyes. His hair had grown since I had met him in that cave, two weeks ago. We came to a stop at a large set of carefully carved doors made of stone. Music muffled through the crack as they were tugged open by strong metal chains.

“Queen Tia wanted us all there, to welcome us back and you here officially.”

Raucous laughter and idle chatter joined in with the music as the doors finally opened. The over bearing fake joy assaulted my ears as I walked nervously into the dining hall. I hated large dinners like this and avoided them skilfully back at home.

My breath hitched and became ragged as panic welled painfully in my chest, as I looked on at hoards of unfamiliar faces mixed with four I now knew.

“Please say you are sitting by me.” I whispered to Saul as we walked in to the room.

Everyone instantly stopped talking and turned to look at me, some respectfully, others distastefully.

Saul pulled me to a stop a foot away from the table and bowed low before Queen Tia and her husband, King Lemar. My skin prickled as I curtseyed respectfully, I could feel his witch magic probing at me for information. Closing my eyes I mentally slammed shut my mind, like hell was he getting in there.

“Please sit.” Tia said as I was lead towards an empty seat. Saul pulled out my chair as I sat down gracefully between a strange man and an empty seat, with which Saul quickly occupied.

Plate after plate of food was brought out to the table followed by pitchers of strong honey mead. People talked comfortably all around me like old best friends whilst I sat awkwardly in the middle of it all. I picked at the food unsure of what most of it was, and downed plenty of mead. It was sweet from the honey and warm as it trickled down my throat, probably from the excessive amounts of alcohol it contained.

“Shall we join the dance?” someone asked from behind me, I hiccupped as I looked around to find Austin waiting patiently for me to accept his hand and offer. Peering past him I noticed most of the guests now dancing gracefully around the hall, whilst the louder music sung melodically for them.

“Urm, I can’t dance.” I whispered as I stumbled clumsily to my feet. Austin chuckled softly as he gripped my elbows to steady me. He had the most amazing smile, his features were boyish, his attitude joking and full of laughter, which led me to wonder just how much younger he was than his brother.

“I’ll let you stand on my feet, just don’t tell anyone.” He said in my ear, his warm breath tickling my sense, his palm pressing softly into the small of my back caused my breath to hitch pathetically. Damn I was drunk. I giggled like a child at his remark as we walked to the dance floor. Timidly I stepped on his feet, hoping I wouldn’t be too heavy, putting my full weight on them I watched his face carefully. He didn’t even flinch.

“How old are you?” I blurted out, causing my cheeks to flush furiously.

A cheeky smile played at his lips as he asked me to guess.

“Oh boy, I’m so sorry in advance if I offend you. I have a knack of doing that.” He laughed at my statement and waited patiently for me to guess, whilst he spun perfectly around the hall.

“Nineteen?” I asked unsure. He shook his head at me and his smile grew, brightening up the room.

“Older or younger?”

“Here I’ll help you, Damon is twenty three, and I am two years younger than my dear sweet brother.”

“So you’re twenty one.” I said, glad my head wasn’t too fizzled for a simple sum. He nodded happily, pulling my body closer to his.

So he was three years older than me, and Damon was five. I raised my eyebrows at that news and turned my head to find the brooding face of the prince watching us whilst an animated man spoke to him excitedly.

Our eyes met for the briefest of moments before I backed down and looked away.

“You look absolutely beautiful by the way. Definitely out weigh every lady at court.” Austin complimented as he winked cheekily at me. I realised then that he was a player, but a friend as well. Someone I could easily come to love as a brother and best friend.

“You enjoy teasing don’t you? You’re like the court jester.” I said as I laughed at his goofy smile causing dimples on his cheeks.

“Damn you sussed me out in one. I think we will make great friends Ember.” He replied merrily as he bowed before me to symbolise the end of the song, and dance. I curtseyed in return a smile on my lips as well.

“So do I. Austin.” With that he was gone.

I stood awkwardly in the middle of the hall on my own, as men found new partners to dance with. All looked at me curiously but ended up settling with the familiar. Destined for solitude in this dance I began to back away when a hand grabbed me by the wrist.

“May I have this dance?” I turned to find Damon stood stiffly behind me. Knowing custom and expectations I couldn’t refuse, but I also knew accepting properly would allow him freedom to dance whenever and wherever he wanted to with me. I shrugged my shoulders indifferently at his offer, causing the first quirks of a genuine smile to play on his lips.

“Clever, not answering properly.” He said as he began to pull me around the hall with delicate steps of confusion, stumbling after him I stood on his toes a few times but he refused to acknowledge it. Thankfully.

“You look...” he hesitated, allowing confliction to shine in his eyes momentarily. “Like a girl for once. A dull one mind you.” He finished in my ear.

My mouth hang slack, not beautiful, not nice, hell not even like a woman. Just a god damn girl and a dull one at that.

Anger boiled in my veins as embarrassment flooded my cheeks. How dare he! Angry tears welled in the corners of my eyes as I stepped away from him half way through the dance, causing everyone to stop and watch. Hundreds of pairs of eyes watched me closely.

I quenched the swelling magic within me, noticing the King tense dramatically, and stomped down on Damon’s foot instead. He cried out and hopped from the sudden pain. Sharp intakes of breath echoed around the room from the many strange dinner guests. From the corner of my eye I noticed Austin steer his way towards us.

“At least I’m not a cold hearted, no wait heartless, a*s hole!” I yelled, finding a suitable word to describe him was harder out loud.

Fuming but fearing the repercussions of my actions I turned to flee from the hall.

A rough skinned hand grabbed my arm tightly, the strange looking man who had sat beside me at dinner, his black hair greasy and his empty eyes constantly wondering down my chest.

“Apologize” he growled maliciously, his eyes still staring down my dress. Creep.

“Let me go!” I ordered. Who the hell was he? Behind him I noticed Damon, his composure regained, shoving Austin out of his way and stride towards me anger blazing in his eyes. S**t!

A quick flurry of fire ran up my arm burning the sneering man’s hand. Free once again I dashed quickly from the hall, no destination in mind.

 

Tears streaked down my cheeks as I came to a stop by a stone bench perched beneath the regal white tree I had seen earlier from my balcony. Why did I let him get to me like that?

I gentle hand rested cautiously upon my shoulder causing me to lift my head from my knees.

“You okay?” Saul came to sit beside me followed closely by Skid.

I hadn’t even noticed him at the dinner. His curly brown hair fell humorously into his big green eyes. I nodded numbly as Skid handed me a tissue.

“Thanks.”

“Don’t worry Titan and Austin are cooling Damon down.” Skid chirped as I peered warily in the direction they had come from. Relief flooded me, and smiled weakly at him.

“Saul, Skid could you give us a moment please. I will return her to her room when I am finished talking with her.” I turned to find King Lemar standing over us.

I stood up and curtseyed only to be dismissed like the queen did.

“Walk with me.” He ordered heading deeper into the darkened garden.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. Damon needs to learn, he thinks he is impenetrable and he’s not. In fact he’s far from it. Tell me Ember, when you first entered the dining hall, I could see your desire to escape and help your siblings. But what exactly would you do?”

We had stopped walking and rested at the edge of a shallow stream flowing into a lily infested pond, a wart coated frog sat croaking along to the distant music still playing in the hall.

I looked up into the deep green eyes of the king, wondering what his intentions were, searching subconsciously with my magic; I noticed when he willingly opened up to me fully. I saw his concern for his sons, for my brother and sister. His love for his wife and devotion to her kingdom. But most of all I felt his sorrow and loss. For the place he once called home, Dancing river Kingdom, my home. For the loss of his best friend when he married Tia. And for the desperation and conflict he felt with his brother.

I shrugged my shoulders in defeat.

“Anything I have to, my lord. I would give anything to see them safe again.” I replied, confident of my answer.

“Even your own life?”

I was shocked by the question, I hadn’t even thought of that possibility. Would I give my life to save Xander and Luna? The haunted eyes of my father filled my head when he had found me crying by the river at the age of five, Salim’s head in my small lap. I had been the cause of his death; he had been protecting me from goblins, because I had wondered too far away from the kingdom boundaries, not listening to my father, wanting to prove him wrong. Could I be responsible for their deaths too? Could I live with any more on my conscience? No. The answer was simple.

“Yes.” I replied simply

If Lemar was shocked by my answer he didn’t show it, he just nodded once before leading me back to my chambers.

“Before I moved here, your father was my best friend Ember. Don’t do anything stupid. Please. I know Kellton, the man who took your brother and sister, he will not spare them just because you co operate.” He explained sadly as we stood outside my room. Turning the handle I entered my room silently and closing the door on him.

Kellton was his big brother, which made Damon and Austin cousins to Caled.

Shivering from uncontrollable tears I crawled into bed, still fully dressed. I lay awake for what felt like hours before I finally started to drift into a peaceful oblivion.

 

Wind whipped at my face, cutting it sharply like a cold blade. I whooped in joy from the exhilaration as I gripped tightly onto Nella’s back. She roared in delight as I sent blasts of fire high into the thinning mountain air. She sped up, dodging jutting out mountain at the last minute, and swooping down only to careen up dangerously at the last minute.

In the distance a howl echoed, I looked down at the tree infested ground, my eyes zooming in, like a bird of prey’s. Howling on a rock stood a wolf, as black as the night’s sky during a storm. The name Hathor came to mind as i felt my magic seep into the earth, embracing this new magic I rejoiced at the sense of power and tranquillity that filled me every time I touched the life that dwelled hidden from our sights.

‘Land’ I ordered.

Nella instantly swooped low, before jolting softly as she came to a rest beside the wolf.

A tall man walked from the dark trees as I jumped from her back. Hathor bared his teeth in warning at the stranger, Nella crouching low and growling. Holding up my hand to silence them, they waited impatiently and ready. The man walked forward into the light, he had calculating grey eyes, and a head full of curly black hair. His skin was tanned like Damons, his posture was similar too. Tall, strong and god’s was he handsome. A cruel sadistic smile settled on his lips, as he watched me cautiously. He hid his fear well but I could smell it on him, like a wolf can on its prey as it hunts. I felt rather than saw as a strong, blue Kelpie and a Shimmering golden griffin joined the ranks behind me.

“Who are you?” I asked, angry that this man had ruined my fun.

“I think you already know that Ember.” He sneered mockingly. Caled. Narrowing my eyes, I pulled on my magic. Sensing my distress the blue skinned horse came to stand beside me protectively. I peeked at her quickly, she was tall, my head came up to her back, her skin shone a pale blue and her mane and tail swished in a blur of deep blue. Her eyes were black and empty but full of love and devotion. She was a friend, I knew that, but I didn’t know how. On my other side the Griffin had approached. with the body, swinging tail and strong back legs of a ferocious lion, the king of beasts and the beautiful head, powerful wings and front claw of an eagle, King of the birds.

My confidence rose as I felt the power radiating from my companions, Hathor had come to stand before me and my forever faithful Nella stood calmly behind me, towering over us all.

“Where are my brother and sister?”I demanded hate filling my core and fuelling my magic. White flames flickered furiously in my palms, wind whipped wildly around us, water wailed wondrously behind him and the soil sagged secretly beneath his feet. I could feel the magic course through me like it never had before.

“My father has them. They haven’t been harmed. Yet. He keeps them in a tower in the eighth mountain of the nine mountain range.”

Taken aback by his truthfulness I felt my magic ebb slightly.

“Why did you tell me that?”

“So you find them. Before it’s too late.” Magic glimmered around him as he vanished into the night sky again.

 

I sat up suddenly in my bed, my feet tangled in the long green dress, sweat beading down my forehead. What the hell? A loud howl rang around the castle making me startle. I had heard that howling everywhere. Clambering out of bed, I shielded my bare arms with a black silky cloak hanging on my door and stepped into a pair of leather knee high boots left for me before sneaking out my door and down the corridor.

The empty corridor was dark, the torches long been extinguished, and deathly silent. Pulling on a small thread of magic my eyes glowed dimly, allowing me to see well enough to navigate. I stood outside my door for what felt like forever, unsure of where to look, or even how to get anywhere in this new place. I closed my eyes as another howl echoed through the air.

‘Which way?’ I asked myself mentally.

A soft niggling egged me towards the left, with no plan or destination I tip toed down a never ending corridor taking random turns when I felt like they were right. I soon got lost and confused, no longer knowing my way back and loosing count of left turns and right turns and stairs I had descended or ascended. I walked for ages before I came to a large metal gate concealing a smaller wooden door. Sniffing the air I cautiously stretched out my hand towards the metal, pretty sure it contained no iron. I gripped the stiff handle lightly, sure I wasn’t feeling any burning sensation I held firmer before twisting into clockwise in a full circle. It announced its lack of use with a ear splitting squeak, causing eroded rusty flakes to float gracefully to the boggy ground like a snow flake at the beginning of a storm. Muddy water tried to invade my warm boots as I stood stagnant whilst inspecting the elaborate swirly designs upon the wooden door. Wading through the muddy water, encompassing the door like a long forgotten guard, I traced a cold finger along the pattern in the shape of four separate triangles. It was like the one on my wrist. Red for fire, just like Nella had said. Green to symbolise the Earth. Dark blue for water and pale blue for the power of the air. Like in the stories in our library back at home, the symbol of the Elemental priestesses, why had I never made the connection before? Because they were just that, stories. Yet here I stood with them permanently engraved into the skin of my left wrist like a brand of evil. I remember when they had first appeared, I had been four at the time, and I was sat in my room with my nanny playing dolls when I had collapsed onto the floor in a fit of tears and screams. My wrist had felt like it was on fire, which shouldn’t have been possible as I had an affinity with fire. I remembered my nanny scrunched up into a ball on the floor, screaming along with me before my dad and Salim had come running into the room. I hadn’t been allowed many friends or a nanny since then. Everyone feared me apart from my family, yet no one knew why. Not even me.

‘You should not be down here child.’ Adonella whispered softly in my head.

‘Nella? What is this place?’ I asked as I fingered the door once again, deep in thought.

‘It is a Priestess door; it leads to a special place, the palace of the priestesses.’ She explained as I racked my brain for why these words sounded familiar.

“The ice palace.” I whispered aloud, remembering the stories of the power hungry faeries that had once lived in these lands.

Long, long ago, the two kingdoms had been one with no mountains separating them. They had been ruled by the most powerful of Magyks, the Elemental priestess Faeries. There had been five to begin with. Sabrina, the oldest, followed by the twins, Corla and Colly then Dari, Fauna and the youngest and most powerful, Womina.

The story says that the youngest, Womina had wanted more, that power had gone to her head and she had separated herself from the others, which broke the balance. All five were needed to keep the order of the land. Womina had been consumed by greed, killing all who stood in her way. One day the other four priestesses had decided to stand up against her, the battle had been huge and had caused the growth of the nine mountains, magic swelled in their cores. It had caused the deaths of all but two of the priestesses, Colly and Dari. After the depression of the battle they had gone separate ways, and it had been the end of any balance and order, until my father had claimed himself king in Dancing River, and Tia’s great grandfather himself King in Hollow Tower. Demons hadn’t really mixed with humans after the battle, not for a long time.

‘Leave this door child, forget it. For now at least. You are not yet ready.’ Nella chided. My feet stayed frozen to the wet ground, realisation sinking in. Colly wasn’t an ancestor, she had been my mother.

‘I’m one of them aren’t I Nella? An Elemental priestess.’ Fear gripped tightly at my heart, everyone had feared them, all of them, since Womina, even the new ones who didn’t mix. They were hunted.

I felt a warming glow at Nella’s approval of my discovery.

‘I will protect you, child, just as I did for your mother. Except this time, I will not fail.’

I shuffled back to my room a few hours later, still in shock from my horror and collapsed into a tight ball on my bed. I allowed myself to cry myself to sleep that night, and again when I woke until I had no more tears to release from their prison. After that night I used no more magic unless necessary whilst in the kingdom, for fear of discovery, and kept my disappointment and sadness hidden along with my fear tightly locked away in a mental iron box.

Author's Note

All comments welcome. *British spellings please* for corrections