Page 6 of He Who Ignites The Flame
“No,” I muttered under my breath, barely loud enough to hear.
“Lies,” the guard grumbled under his breath. “Fuckin’ kinslayer.”
That warm smile returned to her face, and she shifted her weight as she returned her attention to the paper. “That’s not what the details of your charges say. Barrett Stratos, charged with the murder of his family. Mother: Cassia Stratos; father and Kyrios of House Stoicheion: Elias Stratos; and sister: Calliope Stratos.”
My fingers trembled, and I tightened them around the bars. What was the point in all this? I’d accepted the charges for my parent’s deaths and whatever punishment came with them, but when I fought the claim that I’d killed Calliope, when I tried to tell them the truth of what had happened that night…
I’d been silenced and left to rot in this dungeon.
“If you didn’t do it, who did?” she asked, something changing in her demeanor, in the air around her.
I didn’t answer, didn’t want to think of him, didn’t want to hear his name. He didn’t deserve to be remembered—neitherof them deserved to be remembered. If it were up to me their very memory would have been burned from both realms.
“I have a theory, but I need your help,” the female said, resting a hand against mine. My eyes fell to where she touched me before shifting back to her, finding warmth still in her gaze.
My thoughts warred, winding and overlapping one another like a den of snakes.
She’ll use you. She’ll betray you just as the others did. They always do. You’re only good for how you can benefit them. They’re all the same. Don’t trust her. She wants something.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I have a feeling I know what truly happened, and I don’t think you deserve to be imprisoned for the actions of others.”
“Why help me? What’s in it for you?” I asked, and the guard grumbled. “If you’ve got a problem, Quickie, speak up.”
“Qui—” he huffed, chest puffing out as he stormed toward me.
Yes, just a little closer. I’d wanted to lay this bastard out numerous times. He’d learn real fast how weak he is, even with these warded iron bars separating us. The mere proximity of the specially concentrated metal left my skin tingling, but it was worth it just to get to him.
“Stephan,” the female said, her voice commanding, and he halted. “I would like to speak with Barrett in private.”
The guard’s eyes flew to her. “B-but?—”
“I will be fine,” she said, as if she didn’t have a care in the fucking world. “Oh, and leave the keys, please.”
I blinked.
“Your Majesty, it’s not safe.”
She smiled. “I can handle him.”
The flames bristled within me. Who did she think she was?Handle me? I’d like to see her try.
The guard let out a sigh but handed her the ring of keys. “As you command.” He dipped his head to her and turned for the only exit from the dungeons.
I lowered myself to her level, my forearms resting against the bars as I leaned in. My eyes roamed down her body. She was pretty, I’d give her that. A bit small, but she might be able handle what I could dish out. It had been far too long since I’d gotten inside a female; she looked like she’d feel good...taste good. I may even make it good for her as a reward. “You want to go a few rounds with me...” I frowned. “What’s your name?”
“Lucia,” she said, smiling as if she was chatting with a friend. It irritated me how this female spoke like she knew me.
“Lucia,” I started and glanced back at the bed of straw. “There’s not much to offer as far as bedding, but I can promise you a good time.” I nodded toward the guard as he opened the door to leave. “Far better than Quickie ever could.”
He froze, his hand gripping the doorknob tightly, but he didn’t answer before jerking it open and slamming it shut behind him. The keys jingled, and my attention snapped back to Lucia as she unlocked my cell. Shit, was really going to let me out of the cell? Was she out of her fucking mind?
The iron door groaned as she opened it.
Magic swelled within me. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
Flames surged to life on my skin, the wards on the cell broken by the opening of the gate, no shackles binding my wrists to weaken my magic. Gods, it felt so fucking good to set the flames loose again. I grabbed her by the throat, slamming her up against the bars of the cell opposite mine. “You should have listened to Stephan.”
