Page 45 of The Promise Born
“No!” I ran back to the field, fighting off the guard who tried to hold me back.
I tapped into the connection with my inner dragon and pulled the ice power from within. Focused on the back of the troll that threatened Asante, I opened my mouth and allowed that ice to shoot into its back. It pierced the thick flesh. Though it felt powerful, the ice hadn’t done much outside of irritating the troll, who turned its attention to me.
The ugly thing took three lumbering steps toward me before Uradis was there. Bold and fierce, she lifted a sword with calculated focus and the troll’s head fell from its shoulder. When Uradis nodded at me, I ran to Asante’s side. I helped him to his feet.
“We’re doing this together.” I told him before he could insist I run away again. Fighter or not, this battle was mine as well.
Uradis and her team had already taken out most of the trolls. They weren’t our concern. Domin was, and he was back on his feet.
“False Prince!” he cursed at Asante and charged him.
This time I stepped in the path, letting out another blast of ice that Asante followed up with his fist. He fought Domin, exchanging blows as I worked to weaken him with my ice. I wondered why he hadn’t used his fire to fight, Domin attempted twice but failed, Asante never did. Then I saw the blood at the back of his head. We had to end this quickly.
I focused my ice on Domin’s feet, freezing him from the ankles up, and it worked. The traitor moved slower with each passing moment. I aimed for the final blow of ice that would kill him, but Uradis was there once more. She jumped in between us.
“No, he must pay for his sins! He won’t take the easy way out!”
I nodded and stepped back. As Uradis secured Domin, I felt a sense of pride. I hadn’t run away. I made a stance. Something I had a feeling I’d be forced to do time and time again if I wanted to truly live the life I wanted. Confident in what we’d accomplished and with the trolls subdued, I turned to Asante. Just in time to see the prince pass out.
While Asante was being cared for, I went to the kitchen. There was nothing I could do, and watching him in his unconscious state only made my stomach hurt. Our parents took off together, suddenly united again on the fight against the trolls. Maybe that would take their minds off Asante and I. Uradis and the other dragons secured the captured trolls who fought by Domin’s side, at least those who were still alive.
I returned to Asante. This time, it wasn’t long before he woke to find me sitting beside him.
“You’re here.” He smiled.
“Of course, I am.” I placed my hand on his cheek.
“You weren’t before.” He pulled my hand to his lips and kissed my palm. “I hated myself for telling you to leave.”
“I couldn’t leave this time.”
“The trolls, Domin.” Asante struggled to get up, but I placed my hand on his chest to stop him.
“It’s taken care of, for now.” I told him. “Domin has been captured.”
“Good.” He sighed.
“I need to ask you something.” My heart raced in my chest.
“Anything.” He cleared his throat. “What is it?”
“My mother, she sent you back to me, didn’t she?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “When she got here, she told me about how you talked before she came. She said she only wants you to be happy and though she doesn’t completely agree with our love, she gave me her approval to come to you.”
“Asante, you’re awake.” Queen Toci spoke before I could respond to his confession. “Thank you for saving my son’s life again, but this doesn’t mean-,”
“What my wife meant to say is that we will give you two some privacy.” King Sazi spoke. “Budding loves deserve that.”
“Buddin loves? I-,” Queen Toci ramped up to protest, but again her husband interjected.
“Let’s go, my beautiful wife.” The king grabbed her hand and headed for the door. “We have far more pressing concerns than this.”
“What does this mean?” I looked shocked at the door when it closed behind them.
“It will still be a battle. She won’t give up easily and will make your life harder.” He raised a brow. “But I think my father is on our side.”
“So, she’ll be a typical mother-in-law.” I laughed. “Can’t be any worse than my father. He isn’t exactly on board with this either.”
