Page 9 of A Storm of Fire and Ash
“You are needed at the palace, Your Highness,” Zayn responded, his tone dripping with what I felt was condescension.
As he approached, he cast a disdainful glance in my direction as if I were a mere footnote in his narrative. He handed the reins of the elegant white horse to Fintan, who gently rubbed its snout, a silent bond forming between them. “Run along now, peasant,” Zayn taunted, each word tinged with arrogance.
I had never felt so small, so utterly belittled, as I did in that moment. Tears rushed to fill my eyes, but I blinked them back, unwilling to let him see the effect of his cruelty.
“Do not speak to her that way, Zayn,” Fintan interjected, his voice steady and protective, a shield against the disdain. He jumped onto his horse with a grace that seemed effortless, holding out his hand to me once more. “Come, I’ll drop you off at your home.”
I noticed Zayn didn’t apologize to the prince… maybe they were friends? I didn’t take his hand. Instead, I raised my gaze to Zayn, and a low, throaty growl rumbled from him, sending a shiver down my spine.
I stood much closer, my heart racing as I took in the intricate swirls of dark ink that peeked out from beneath the edges of his armor, tracing dangerously close to his chiseled jawline.
“Elara?” Fintan’s voice broke through the tension, drawing my attention back to him.
“Thanks, but this peasant can manage the walk home just fine,” I said, casting a pointed glance back at Zayn, who seemed to thrive on my irritation as he smirked, his eyes glinting with amusement. I could easily punch that infuriatingly smug smile right off his perfectly sculpted face.
What a dick.
A gentle breeze swept through the air, tugging at the loose strands of my crown braid and sending them floating across my cheeks. At that moment, I glanced over to find Zayn inhaling deeply; his eyes widened in surprise.
That was odd. Did I smell bad or something?Suddenly, I became incredibly self-conscious.
“Please, I insist,” Fintan said again, still reaching for me.
“Well, since you insist, and you are the Prince, I suppose it would be all right.” I grabbed his hand, stuck my foot in the stirrup, and hopped in front of him. I couldn’t help but notice his hard body against my back and enjoy the way it felt.
“This is Moon,” he said with a smile, stroking her glossy coat, “the best horse in the world and my most loyal companion, aren’t you, girl?” Fintan leaned closer, his hand caressed my thigh gently before he moved it down to stroke Moon’s side. He gave her a friendly kick, and she responded with a soft whinny, her blue eyes shining with affection.
I led Fintan toward my quaint cottage, nestled among the trees, the fragrance of blooming wildflowers filling the air. Zayn trailed closely behind, his imposing presence a stark contrast to the peaceful scene.
“Here,” I said, nodding toward my home, its wooden door partially covered by climbing vines.
Moon came to a halt, her hooves sinking slightly into the soft earth, and Fintan gracefully dismounted first. Zayn reined in his powerful stallion, positioning himself right beside me, his voice dropping to an ominous whisper. “You’d be wise to steer clear of the kingdom, Elara Valdusian.”
I shot him a steady glare, my defiance simmering beneath the surface, even though Moon stood slightly shorter than his magnificent steed. “And you’d be wise not to dictatemy choices, Zayn,” I deadpanned, my words sharp and challenging.
Turning to Fintan, I beamed at him, feeling a rush of warmth that contrasted with the electric tension in the air. I took his hand as I hopped down from Moon’s back. With a gentle pat on her neck, I murmured, “Thanks, girl,” before retrieving a ripe peach from my bag. I peeled away a succulent piece and offered it to Moon. She made a delighted sound, her velvety lips eagerly wrapping around the morsel.
“She seems to like you,” Fintan remarked, guiding me toward the door of my cottage. “Moon usually doesn’t like anyone but me.”
I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear, a playful grin spreading across my face. “Clearly, Moon is an excellent judge of character,” I quipped, feeling a deep sense of connection between us.
I paused and turned to face Fintan, the warmth of gratitude swelling in my chest. “Thank you for everything today. It was truly refreshing to have someone to talk to…”
I could always confide in Landen, but with Fintan, something felt different—easy, flowing, almost like we were two pieces of a puzzle that had finally come together.
Fintan gently took my hand, his lips brushing against my palm in a soft, lingering kiss. A jolt of electricity surged through me, igniting a warmth that spread throughout my entire body. I glanced over at Zayn, taken aback by the intensity of the moment.
Suddenly, an impulsive urge drove me to kiss the prince, to show Zayn that even a peasant like me could capture the interest of royalty, despite knowing deep down that it was far from the truth.
Standing on my tiptoes, I leaned in and planted a delicate kiss on Fintan’s cheek. As I pulled away, I could feel the heat rush to my cheeks, a warm blush blooming across my face.
Fintan stood still, his eyes closed as if savoring the fleeting moment. “Elara… what am I going to do with you?” he sighed, his voice a mix of amusement and tenderness.
“Hopefully, that thing you said out in the field,” I flirted.
The shocked look on his face pleased me deeply. Before he could say something, I quickly added, “Could you deliver the message to my father that you promised me?” I bit my lip, a flutter of uncertainty stirring within me, worried I might have overstepped.
A radiant smile spread across his face, lighting up his features. “I think I would do anything for you, as I said before. You have my word.” His sincerity wrapped around me.
