Page 55 of A Rising Hope

“What the actual fuck is that?” Priya hissed as she took a step closer to me. Blades already out.

I dared only a single glance behind me, to the village where screams erupted and people scattered for shelters in a panic. But it was that second loud sound of the horn that reached my bones.

We had minutes before the creatures would devour us. And Dragon’s Island, full of mages. Full ofchildrenwas the only thing standing in between them and us.

A split-second decision, and I was sprinting at full speed towards the saddled dragonfly drumming its wings, pulling on the rope it was tied with, eager to fly away.

Priya raced right next to me.

“What the actual fuck?” she shouted against the erupting animal-like cry rapidly approaching us. “Don’t tell me you are going to fly this intothat?!”

“I am going to try to draw them away from the islands.” I jumped into the saddle, not bothering with the helmet, as I snapped in the few buckles tying me to the seat. “It’s an island fucking full of children, Priya.” A silent ask.

“Oh my fucking hell,” she seethed, but with a swift jump she landed in the saddle. Before she could finish buckling the last strap, my clammy hands jerked the reins up and the dragonfly dove into the darkened skies.

40

FREDERICK DE VILLIAR

“Every man that can fight, grab one,” I shouted, passing the crudely made swords from the dusty chests as a line of men formed on the outskirts of the village.

I forced my hands not to shake, glancing at the horizon with every breath.

“Protect the women and children!” Viyak shouted to the group of refugees racing for the caves on the other side of the valley. His warm hand grasped my shoulder as I held tightly to the sword. His cerulean eyes hid the same devastating realization that settled in my heart as well. This was a battle to the death. “We just need to buy them enough time to make it to the shelter,” he stated to me with a soft smile.

“Buy enough time.” I nodded; our eyes exchanged unspoken words.

“Lead us to battle, Lord De Villiar.” Viyak gripped his swords tighter. I squared my shoulders.

“Form a line!” I shouted to the group of scattered men, commanding as if I was a young lord on the battlefield. But this time, no banner, no rules of war. We stood with no armor, half of them barely clothed. And the wooden planks some of them heldwere a sham of a shield. Our weaponry didn’t stand a chance against the giant storm of leathery creatures that were eager to devour us. The bright summer sky darkened. The harsh gusts of wind carried their terror-filled cries.

“Swords at the ready, boys!” I encouraged. “We’ve survived a fog of darkness; we will survive this too! Fight until the very end!” I roared, concentrating every thought on the approaching death on wings. I steadied my feet on the ground.

A graceful figure appeared next to me.

“Fleur!?” My heart dropped with horror as I saw my beloved wife standing beside me. A meek dagger and an axe in her hands. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?” Terror recoiled through me. “Go!Please, Fleur, go! Run!” My voice broke, begging.

“Oh, calm down, you fool. Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?” She gave a skittish smile.

“Listen to me. You have to run to safety, Fleur! Right now!” I cried out. She squinted her eyes in that beautiful fashion that she did each time she made a point.

“Frederick, did you think I’d abandon you to die on the battlefield after all this time?” She twisted the dagger in her hand, the blade uncomfortably heavy.

Her gorgeous brown eyes wrinkled at the corners.

“I’ve watched your face turn old and wrinkly, and I haven’t listened to you complain about getting old for nothing. I think after thirty-five years, I’ve at least earned the honor of dying by your side.”

I gaped. Words seemed pointless. It pained me to see her here, and yet it also relieved me, knowing that even the next chapter of our lives we’d face together.

“Fleur . . . did I ever tell you, you are the most beautiful woman alive?” I whispered as a single silver streak ran down my cheek.

“You’ve told me that too many times now.” She smiled softly, and it was the most magnificent smile I had ever seen. “Just remember to tell me that after I am no longer alive too.” Her chin nervously quivered and her throat bobbed.

“I love you, mi amor,” I said with all the conviction I could find in the last moments of our lives.

“I love you too, my love,” she returned. She glanced behind us to the path leading to the caves.

“She’ll be okay,” I answered as my own heart was cleaved into a million pieces.

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