Page 10 of He Who Ignites The Flame
“I heard what that recruit said earlier,” he said, the heat softening into something else. “About your scar.”
My smile faded.
“I know you hate it, that it’s a constant reminder, but...” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to my cheek, his lips brushing over the base of the scar thatwasa constant reminder.
I forced a weak smile and cupped his cheek. “I’ll be fine. I’m tough.”
He eyed me as I grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the exit. “I didn’t say you weren’t tough.”
“I know, I know. It’s just...” I didn’t know what to say. “I don’t think he’ll be making any more comments like that in the near future after that embarrassing display today.”
He gave a pained smile, and I hated it. I hated the pity.
“He’d be a fool,” he said, and his words brushed over my skin like the touch of wild grasses, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “Because if he so much as breaths wrong in your direction again, he’ll have to deal with me.”
4
THE GIRL WITH STORMY EYES
60 YEARS PRIOR
Iwas cold. So cold…and alone.
Icy wind snaked over my skin, and I curled into myself, hugging Arion to my chest. The little wooden Pegasus gave me some comfort in the smooth edges defining its wings and powerful form. Papa had carved it for my birthday last year—his stories of the mightiest stallion who fought alongside our goddess, Selene, were always my favorite. He recited them to me almost every night at bedtime, and I rarely asked to hear any other story.
Tears welled in my eyes, and I sniffed, blinking them back. Arion smelled heavily of smoke now and little of Papa, of Mama, of home. I wanted so badly to hear Papa tell me a story. I didn’t care if it was about Arion, or the siren and theOneiroi. He could even tell me the scary stories of The Fates and their threads, or the ghastly creatures of The Shadow Steppes he used to share at supper. I only wanted to hear his voice, hearMama’s voice.
I clung to the little Pegasus, the only thing I had left of our home, praying Arion might bless me with his courage. Wind whipped through the trees and the scent of rain filled the air. My body quivered, but I tried to steel myself.
Be brave.
It could be worse. Tonight wasn’t as cold as the last few nights had been, and I had a jacket this time. I smiled as I curled into it, pulling the fabric around me tighter.
The boy promised a blanket tomorrow. I wanted to see him again, play with him. I hadn’t gotten his name, only his sister’s: Cali. What were they doing now? Probably curled up with their mama, warm and safe.
Loneliness sank into the pit of my stomach, and I wrapped my arms around my knees. I whimpered as my thoughts drifted to Mama and Papa. Where were they? Why hadn’t they found me yet? I’d searched and searched for them, but I hadn’t found them anywhere.
I flinched as a branch snapped above me, and I screamed as the small limb crashed to the ground at my feet. Panic shot through my body as I pressed against the base of the tree, and the tears came harder. I wanted to go home, wanted to be held by Mama, hear her tell me it was going to be all right.
Mikros?
I stiffened at the soft voice echoing through the forest. The sound of the winds died out, but the branches continued to sway just as violently. A soft hum sank into my bones, warm and comforting.
Over here.
A warm lull settled over every inch of my body, as if the very air was wrapping me in its embrace, tugging me forward. I gripped Arion tightly, my fingers trembling.
The voice. It was Mama’s…right?
I scanned the dark woods. Where was she? My lips parted to call out for her, but the rawness of my throat was too painful to speak, the fire and ash from the attack a few nights ago leaving my throat so raw and sore, it hurt to even drink or eat.
Warmth filled my chest, the world swaying as I quietly begged Mama to find me. The forest went deathly quiet—the whisper of the branches disappeared, and the rustle of the leaves, the chitter of the night creatures that had kept me company in the recent nights, vanished.
I reached out for the voice again, praying to hear Mama respond.
Where are you?
It was soft, barely a whisper, but I heard her again, and my heart swelled.
