Page 55 of Embers to Flames

Loud footsteps, yelling, and shattering glass suddenly fill the air outside the bathing room.

“What is that?” I gasp, my voice barely audible over the chaos.

Theo’s eyes widen in alarm, and he pulls me close. I feel his wings unfurl, and I know that he’s trying to protect us. We step onto the cold stone floor with haste.

The door bursts open, and a group of guards storm in, led by Prince Ruvyn. Theo rushes to put on his pants as I manage to quickly wrap a towel around my wet and naked body. My heart sinks as I see the dark expression on Ruvyn’s face.

Theo’s eyes flash with anger, and he thrusts me protectively behind him. “Back off, or I’ll show you what it meansto mess with my mate,” he growls, his voice deeper and more dangerous than ever.

Ruvyn sneers, revealing his true intentions. “You’re just a lowly Elf, Theo. You can’t protect her from me.”

“I am not a lowly Elf,” Theo says, his voice low and full of determination. “I am the chosen mate of the rightful heir to the throne. And if you dare touch her, I promise you’ll be fighting for your very existence.”

Ruvyn’s eyes flicker to me, taking in my disheveled appearance and the flush of passion still on my skin. A smirk curves his lips. “Oh, Theodas, you think being the chosen mate of some usurper gives you power? How naive. Power in this world is taken, not given. And I intend to take everything from you, starting with her.” He points a finger at me, his voice dripping with menace. He gestures to the guards, and they press forward, their swords drawn.

I feel a surge of fear and anger ripple through me, and I know that I have to act. I clench my teeth and focus on the rage coursing through me, my eyes burning with a fire that even Ruvyn can’t ignore.

With a deep breath, I raise my hand, and a burst of energy explodes from my fingertips, shattering the guards’ swords into millions of pieces. I glance at Theo, my eyes wide with surprise. He looks equally shocked, but the grin that spreads across his face tells me that he is proud of me.

Ruvyn’s face twists into a snarl, and he lunges at me, but Theo is quicker. He moves in front of me, wings outstretched,blocking Ruvyn’s path. The prince halts momentarily, caught off guard by the unexpected move. With a snap of his fingers, he releases a dark energy, similar to what I had just used, but far more powerful. It crackles in the air, forming a dark, tangible barrier between Theo and I. Dark tendrils of energy reach out, ensnaring Theo.

Not again… not like Meemaw...

Then without warning, Ruvyn lunges at me, grabbing me by the arm and yanking me back. I cry out in pain, tears stinging my eyes as Theo watches helplessly.

“Let her go!” Theo roars, his wings beating furiously as he struggles against the invisible chains that hold him captive. Desperation flickers in his eyes as he fights to break free from the force that restrains him.

But it is too late. Ruvyn is dragging me out of the room, slamming the door shut behind him. I hear the sound of metal clashing and know that Theo is fighting for his life—and mine.

“Rosanhi,”he calls down to me through our soulspeak bond, his voice filled with determination.“Get out of here, now!”

Reaching the entrance to the manor, I hear a loud crash, and then a low growl from behind us. I turn around, my eyes widening in shock as I see Eulee, standing before me and the prince. Her fur is bristled, and her eyes are full of fierce purpose.

Ruvyn sneers, “Didn’t I take care of you already? You have no idea what you’re meddling with, little wolf.”

I stand there, my heart pounding in my chest as his grip tightens around my arm. The pain is sharp, a stark reminder of the reality I’m trapped in. Ruvyn’s eyes are cold, devoid of any compassion as he looks down at Eulee.

“You think you can protect her?” he sneers, and with a cruel twist of his hand, a surge of dark energy levitates her in the air as a single arrow appears before Ruvyn and he sends it surging towards Eulee. Piercing her thick fur coat.

She doesn’t even flinch, doesn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her pain. But I see it, the way her body trembles, the way her eyes dim. My heart aches, tears welling up, blurring my vision. “Eulee, no,” I whisper, my voice breaking.

The prince laughs, a sound devoid of joy, and with a flick of his wrist, he throws Eulee against the wall. She slumps to the ground, her body limp, her breaths shallow. I scream, a raw, guttural sound that fills the room, echoing off the walls. “Let me go!” I cry out, struggling against Ruvyn’s hold.

Eulee’s eyes meet mine, a world of emotions conveyed in that single glance. There’s pain, yes, but also a fierce power of will, a silent promise that she won’t give up, not while I’m in danger. Her gaze is unwavering, even as her strength wanes.

A crash from above us startles Ruvyn, causing him to loosen his grip. I seize the moment, managing to wrench myself free from his grasp and rush to Eulee’s side.

My heart shatters as I fall to my knees next to her, my trembling hands reaching out to touch her matted fur.Crimson stains cover my palms, as I watch life slowly slip away from her.

“I’m so sorry, Eulee,” I choke out through sobs, my tears falling to mix with the blood on her muzzle. Her once bright eyes are now dull and lifeless, and I can’t bear the thought of losing her like this. My chest aches with grief as I whisper a final goodbye to the only friend I have ever truly known.

Ruvyn drags me away, his laughter a distant noise as I cling to Eulee’s fading presence. “You’ll pay for this,” I vow, the words hollow, powerless. And as the door slams shut behind us, I’m left with the haunting image of Eulee’s still form, the silence of our broken bond, and the crushing weight of my grief.

Chapter Twenty-Six

The roof of the manor explodes in a shower of splintered wood and shattered tiles as Theo, in his massive Dragon form, bursts through with a ferocious roar. His silver scales glimmer in the moonlight, reflecting the fiery certitude burning in his eyes. The once grand estate now bears the marks of his rage, a gaping hole framing his imposing silhouette against the night sky.

With another earth-shaking roar, he challenges anyone who dares to threaten those he has sworn to protect. Inside, the occupants scramble in terror at the sight of the colossal Dragon wreaking havoc on their home. But Theo’s focusremains on Ruvyn, who stands frozen in disbelief as his earlier confidence is replaced with fear.

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