Page 161 of Hidden Kingdoms

“No, don’t be silly.” She laughed. “You must call me,Oh Mighty Warrior Queen General Alouette.”

“Got it.” I rolled my eyes as we came to a door that opened out onto a wide set of steps without being accosted by the prince.A tiled roof covered the view of the darkening sky, and the night's chill swept over my skin despite the layers.

Faint voices carried on the wind as I crossed my arms over myself, tucking my hands in for warmth. Following Alouette’s lithe form down the steps, we headed towards the thicket of trees that edged the boundary of the gravelled space. Dots of light illuminated the few gaps in the trunks, and I realised I hadn’t thought to ask where we were going. The cool, crisp night filled my lungs in that way that fuelled me, like the air itself was magik.

“So, how did it go?” she asked, breaking the quiet as she pulled a thin, silver flask from one of her own many pockets.

“You mean how did it goafteryou pushed me alone into a room with one of the people I despise most in the world?”

“Yep.” Unscrewing the cap, she took a mouthful of whatever was inside.

“How do you think it went?” Our steps crunched on the tiny stones. “Mostly he grunted out some reluctant answers and tried to destroy my mind. Completely on character.”

Alouette held the flask out to me. “But you did get some answers?”

“Yeah,” I said, accepting what I was hoping was alcohol. “And now my brain hurts with the reality of them. Life was a lot easier a couple of weeks ago.”

“But a couple of weeks ago, you didn’t have the privilege of knowing me.”

“Ah, very true, and what an honour that is.” I nudged her with my elbow as notes of distant music floated to us.

“Oh Killer, you have no idea.” She laughed as our feet met the few feet of grass before the looming trees began. Heading for the slight break in their line, a worn path wound into their depth.

She didn’t ask what answers I had gotten as we picked our way through, and for that I was grateful. I would tell her—shewas probably the only person I had heretotell—but not yet. Not until I had sorted through them a little more and right now, that sort of thinking was on pause as I let her lead me through the trees.

“Drink,” she demanded, tapping the flask I still held. Who was I to say no to the General?

Bringing it to my lips, I knocked it back, the burn as it went down making my eyes water, but I managed to keep my dignity with only a small cough escaping me.

“That’s better.” She smiled at me, her eyes glowing in a way that reminded me Alouette was something else. Something with fangs and claws and a grace that I didn’t understand.

I didn’t care.

I was something else now, too.

The trail was coming to an end, the lights ahead growing brighter. The noise louder, clearer. The collective voices of many people jumbled together, accompanied by the crackle of fires and low music that carried over it all. Slowing my steps, unsure if this had been a good idea after all, Alouette turned to me. Reading the hesitation that must have been stamped over my face, she tapped the flask I still held.

Taking another quick mouthful of the burning liquid, I handed it back.

“You’ll be fine, you need this.” I heard the words she didn’t say. That being alone in that room wasn’t a good idea right now. And she was right, I just didn’t know what was waiting those few steps beyond the cover of the trees. Without waiting, she stalked forward, and I hurried after her, breaking into a large open space crowded with people.

I braced myself for what could happen, for the images that could press against my mind at the slightest provocation. It hadn’t happened in a while, but the old anxiety was still there. Ikept my gaze light, flitting from one person to the next, avoiding eye contact where possible.

Two huge bonfires blazed against the dark sky, at least fifty or so people milling around them. Talking and singing and dancing. Some were sat on the logs that lay around the fires or stood huddled in groups, cups and bottles clasped in their hands, bodies silhouetted against the light of the flame. Others tended to the smaller fires contained within stacked blocks that were scattered around, metal grills set over them. The smell of the meat roasting atop wafted towards me, my stomach growling in appreciation.

Beyond them, past the dark sprawling forest, was the volcano. Its high slopes barely distinguishable against the night sky save from the glowing rivers of molten rock that snaked down its peaks in lines of blinding crimson.

A few people turned towards us as we moved from the shadows of the trees and into the light of the fire, hands raised in Alouette’s direction, and curious glances in mine.

Had they been there yesterday when The Darkness had attacked? Sent to the breach to protect the palace? It was likely.

Had they seen me use magik, seen it attack me when it could of chosen anyone?

But everyone seemed relaxed, and there was no standing to attention or salutes as there had been through the palace. It was smiles and laughter. A far cry from the last time I’d seen these soldiers assembled. And they were undoubtedly soldiers.

Though their clothes were slightly more casual than I had seen before, they were still unmistakably a uniform, patches and insignias that made no sense to me woven into them. Honed weapons caught the light of the flames as they moved. The hilt of a dagger sheathed on a thigh or the barrel of a gun on another’s hip.

“I’ll find you in a minute,” Alouette said. I turned to protest that there was no way she was leaving me alone here, but the flash of her bright hair was already disappearing between a group of laughing soldiers.

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