Page 81 of Beneath the Flames
With the way my magic had been failing to keep danger away from us, I didn’t know how long Shadow Ire would remain safe.I still couldn’t figure out what had happened with the tent.I must’ve let go of the magic while I was sleeping.I had to believe that, otherwise I had to face the harsh reality that my magic was truly beginning to fail.If that were the case, the castle might not be safe to dwell in much longer.It could be weeks before the Scorching Rivers devoured Shadow Ire, or it could be mere hours.If the castle fell, there was nowhere to go, especially for a human.
Cross that bridge when you come to it, Rhydian.Focus on the next task while you still can.
Maren and I hurried across the courtyard and up the stairs, each taking a full, unhindered breath once the doors were safely closed behind us.
“We made it,” she repeated beneath her breath.
I couldn’t help myself.“I’m just as shocked as you are.”
Her scowl was almost…cute.An unfamiliar sensation swallowed my insides at the sight of it.What is that about?
I couldn’t allow myself to be attracted to her.There was only one way all of this ended, and it wasn’t with us together.
Something pushed against the edges of my magic, and I glanced out a nearby window to find the Scorching Rivers daring to get closer.Maren’s brow furrowed as she turned to see what I was looking at.I fought and yanked for the pitiful amountof magic currently running through my veins to appear, and barely managed to force the Rivers backward until they were once again where they should have been all along.Sweat beaded on my forehead from the effort, which infuriated me.Magic like that used to be as easy as breathing.Now it took every bit of strength I had.
It was just a brutal reminder that my time was almost up.
I hoped a good meal and a long rest would be enough to strengthen it once more.
Not that I had the luxury of rest.Not when I could feel the secondstick tick tickingaway like the pulse of my heart.
“Come on,” I said, placing my hand over Maren’s lower back and nudging her toward the stairs.I didn’t miss the way she relaxed into my hand, or the slight red tint that colored her cheeks.“Let’s get you to your room before you collapse from exhaustion.”
“What about the second task?”
“It can wait until we get a few more hours of sleep.It’ll help neither of us if you pass out again.”
Though her mouth opened to protest, the heaviness of the journey weighed down each of her steps, and her lips pressed together.For once, she didn’t argue with me and started up the stairs.With her back to me, I glanced out the window once more to make sure the Rivers weren’t sneaking their way inside, satisfied to find them where they should be.
I’d never cared much about the Scorching Rivers before.They used to keep to themselves, and I paid them no mind.But then the curse happened and they became violent, corrupted, seeking out any life they could find and devouring it.
What I had said to Maren was true.Eroth hadn’t always been like this.It may have always been a land of night and darkness, but it hadn’t always been a land full of death anddanger.
No, that was Nefaroth.A truly foul and wicked place.
“Is your magic going to continue protecting the castle?”Maren asked once we got to the top of the stairs, those gray eyes piercing straight through me like arrows.“If it didn’t keep a tent safe, how do you know it’ll guard this?”She gestured to the ceiling with a sweep of her hand.
“It’ll keep.”
“How do you know?”
Anger flared white-hot through my veins, and I hated the doubt shining in her eyes.I wanted that trust from before back.I skidded to a halt, tugging her to a stop.“I saidit will keep.”
A flicker of hurt flashed across her face, and she yanked her wrist from my hand, rubbing it against her chest.In the span of three seconds, every emotion on her face disappeared beneath the mask she liked to hide behind.I tried to use my magic to decipher what she was feeling, but it was either too weak still or she had done a masterful job at tucking her emotions away.
Maren was still rubbing her wrist and it was then that I noticed the fading bruise that lingered there.It was an ugly shade of yellow now and would probably be gone in a day or two.The sight of it had an inexplicable need to protect her suddenly flaring deep inside me.
I counted to five, forcing my breaths to slow until the anger weakened and then dissolved altogether.Shame was a dark cloud hanging over my head.I knew I shouldn’t have snapped at her, but it was difficult enough seeing what was happening to my magic, to my kingdom, let alone having her doubt my ability to keep her safe.
I fixed my gaze on her arm, nodding toward it as I asked, “Who did that to you?”
She turned on her heel and stalked down the hall, stillcradling her wrist.
With a sigh, I quickened my steps to catch up with her.“Maren, wait.”
She froze, her foot pausing mid-step.Her back remained to me and I wished she would face me, if only so I could see her eyes.
“I…” An apology sat on my tongue, just waiting to be uttered, but the words wouldn’t come out.I was Prince Rhydian Malathar.I didn’t apologize to anyone.
