Page 10 of Embers to Flames

It is a calculated risk. I knew he would come straight for me—and he does—but being sober has its advantages. I swiftly move from the chair and leap to my feet causing him to stumble over the empty chair and he falls to the floor.

Now is my chance. I make for the front door. My hand is on the latch—damn!

My coat. My knapsack. I’ll need coin to get to the mainland.

I turn back and reach for them both. As I do, Mikyl surprises me from behind and wraps his hand around my left wrist. Tightening his grip.

“Where do you think you’re going? I’m not done talking to you—wife!”He growls at me with fury in his voice.

Before I can think to respond, he whips me backwards and pushes me over the table and towards the hearth. I fall hard against the cement and dirt floor, face first. My right-hand lands on red and orange coals that line the hearth. The taste of blood enters my mouth, dripping from my nose. The metallic taste coats my lips and I feel a pain in my right side, just under my chest. It pains me to take a deep breath.

I have a cracked rib, I’m sure of it.

I steer my eyes up towards my hand and realize—it should be burning—the heat from the coals should be searing my skin.

Yet they are not.

Mikyl grabs hold of the edge of the table, flipping it to its side as he charges towards me. I see him out of my peripheral, coming for me. Instinctively and without thinking, I take a handful of hot coals and hurl them in his direction. Burning red coals hit him in the face and he staggers backwards, screaming.

Eulee is howling. I can hear her call, far off and away. She is still in the barn.

The front door crashes open with ferocity and six armored elven guards enter the cottage. Mikyl stops screaming long enough to react to the intruders.

“What is the meaning of this?” he says, still clutching at his face. A large red scalding wound has appeared on his right cheek as it begins to bubble in a blistering form.

One of the guards steps forward, bellowing, “By the authority and word of King Varitan Eillynn of Quillyan, a warrant has been issued for you, Mikyl Hepburn, to be taken into custody and brought to Eirina for the crimes of which you are accused.”

“This is an outrage. For what crimes am I being accused?” Mikyl’s face holds a state of disbelief and shock as a thin, glowing white lighted rope appears before his wrists, binding his hands so he is unable to resist. I slowly—painfully—raise myself to my feet as one of the guards approaches me.

“Are you alright, madam?” he asks sympathetically.

“Yes—err… I think I am.” I reply, clutching my side, trying to breathe.

“Your husband will be taken to Kaladis to await transport. You may call upon Lord Erhorn for any other information you might require. Our high Lord will also be hearing about what was happening here this evening. These crimes will not go unpunished.”

The other guards escort Mikyl out the door, all the while he is protesting. “I didn’t do anything! Rose!... Rose!... You must believe me! Help me!”

At this very moment, I cannot stomach even looking at him. I turn over a chair from its side to sit upright and take a seat. I think I am in a state of shock.

“What is my husband being accused of sir?” I ask the guard who had approached me.

“Murder, ma’am… Your husband is being accused of murder.”

Chapter Six

Cleaning up after Mikyl is not uncommon for me. The last time he had gone into a rage like this, I spent hours cleaning up and tossing out broken furniture. I finally called in Eulee after the guards left. She lays quietly in the corner now, watching my every move as I sweep up the broken glass and towel up the mead that had sprayed on the wall and floor.

Just as I am about to attempt lifting the table off its side and back on its legs, there is a knock at the door. Eulee lets out a soft growl. I stop and stand like a statuette.

Who could that be at this hour?

“Rose? It’s Theo.” His compassionate voice echoes through the wooden door.

I still hesitate to respond. “Theo? What are you doing here?” I ask curiously. Still not having opened the door. I don’t want him to see me in this sorry state.

“Can you let me in, Rose? Please. I heard what happened. I’m here to help.”

“I’m fine. Thank you for checking on me, but I don’t need anything.” Tears well up in my eyes and I stifle back a whimper of soft sobbing. I’m only realizing now just how much my body really does hurt. The adrenaline must be wearing down.

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