Page 13 of Forgotten Embers

Wren felt dread coil in her. That she was in a kingdom run by such a man was unsettling. Her need to find a way home surged throughout her entire body, but instead she asked, “The second one?”

“She died when they pulled her through the portal. I do not know why, Kai won’t talk of it. He told me of the other two because I would not relent asking him what had happened. I have never seen him look the way he has since those days.”

Wren considered Sophie carefully before gently asking, “Sophie, are you and he—I mean, are you…” Sophie let out a laugh that felt foreign after such terrible tales.

“No. Gods, whatever gave you that idea? We have been friends since childhood. I would do anything for him, but no, I do not love him in that way.” She continued chuckling as if she were trying to test out the scenario in her mind.

Wren wasn’t sure what to say as she couldn’t understand what about the prince could inspire such loyalty from her.

“I keep thinking I am going to wake up and be back home, my aunt and uncle chastising me for sleeping so long. They must be so worried. Poor Georgie.” Seeing the question in Sophie’s face, Wren answered. “My little cousin. He is only six years old. He won’t understand what’s happened.”

Sophie looked like she was about to ask more questions, but thought better of it. “I cannot help what has happened, my lady, but I can make you some tea to settle your nerves.”

Wren smiled despondently. “I think my nerves are beyond settling, but thank you just the same. Sophie, I just told you I come from a farm, not even a farm I can inherit as it is my aunt and uncles. Please call me Wren. I am not a lady.”

Sophie shook her head mournfully. “It would not be proper for your maid to call you by your given name, my lady.”

“You call the prince by his name, I should think that far more improper,” countered Wren.

Sophie made to answer when there was a soft, but firm knock on the door. Sophie looked at Wren apologetically before going to answer it.

“Kai? What’s happened?” He pushed past her gently, lightly putting his hand on her shoulder as he passed. Sophie seemed more concerned than she had at any of the times he had barged in without any consideration. He glanced at Wren, briefly meeting her eyes before turning towards the wall.

“I am sorry. It had not even occurred to me that they would keep you in the dark. You deserve more than what you have been given.” His voice was quiet and distant.

The man in front of her seemed a faint echo of the fiery prince before.

Sophie took a tentative step forward. “What happened?”

He shook his head, his hair slightly disheveled at the movement. “Nothing. All of it. Take your pick.”

This new prince was a development that Wren couldn’t ignore. “Send me home.”

The sudden declaration earned her two pairs of eyes. “Impossible.” The dark voice stated unceremoniously.

What hope she had felt was quickly dissipating. She took her chance with Sophie who bit her lip as if considering. “The sorcerer from North Helm. They say he is more powerful than the Bishop. We could ask him.”

The prince turned his glare from the wall to Sophie. “Yes, I will just write a letter to the foreign sorcerer and ask him if he could send a kidnapped girl back to whence she came. Really brilliant plan, Soph.”

Sophie shook her head looking as if she hadn’t even heard the insult in his words. “There must be a way. We just haven’t thought of it yet.”

This was a strange turn of events and yet it seemed that at least Sophie was sincere in her desire to send her home.

“The lake. Where I came through last night—”

“No.” The vehemence in the single word was enough to send a chill over Wren.

Ignoring her body’s reaction, she stood from the bed and met his challenge. “Why not? If that’s how I got here then why can’t it be how I leave?”

His piercing gaze stretched over her, a question and an answer. “It wouldn’t work. You are stuck here for the time being and it is best you make your peace with that.”

Irritation, hot and consuming rose within her. “Would you? If you were stolen from your family and friends and brought to a hostile world would you simply make your peace with it?”

She hadn’t known him long and yet she knew his answer. Instead of confessing the truth, he shook his head. “I will see about the viability of the North Helm sorcerer, but I will not risk relations with them even for you.”

“Even for me? What does that even mean? You have done nothing for me.” She had seen the look in his eyes when she brought up the lake. He knew it was her way home and he was content to leave her as a prisoner.

He shrugged, but there was a kindling fire in his eyes that she could see him warring with. He was angry, but for some reason he was suppressing it.

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