A Flicker In The Still Forest: From Forest To Flames #1

by K. Lyn Hill

  "I miss them both so much it's almost unbearable." So much emotion filtered into those words.

  Eli squeezed her shoulder. "I know." Was all he had to say. He understood.

  Losing family members was one thing they had in common, but now they shared even more. Both were lost in another world.

  Eli sighed deeply, the collar at his neck twitching with the movement. "I wish you were marrying Siel."

  Surprised by his words, she tilted her head to look at him, suppressing the urge to steal his words and run with them. "Why?" She tried to ask casually but knew excitement of the prospect shone through.

  A dazed look crossed his face. "He sees you, Aer. Not the princess. Not some chick who ran away. Not some stupid plaything like Damien does. But you. Your kindness, your love. How tough you are yet gentle, compassionate...he sees how you sacrifice for others and laugh at even the crappiest of situations." He turned to her with an expression she had never seen on his face before. Apparently, that's what happened when one traveled to another world. It changed people. "I just think he would respect you and love you the way you deserve to be loved." The moment was ruined by his snort. "But then again, anyone would be better than Damien."

  She smiled but without any real amusement behind it. "Siel always explains Damien’s behavior to me as if he never had a chance to live. As a kid he was trained to be king. His freedom was limited. I'm sure he will loosen up once I get done with him." She shot him a wink that even she didn't feel but it made him smile.

  "See...like that. You always see the best in people. You’re pretty amazing."

  The moment became way too serious and she was beginning to get choked up. "Come on big guy. Let's do something manly. Like chop some wood."

  His answering laughter was just as sweet as the rest of the words that had just come from his mouth. “Do I really get all day with you?” Eli asked from her side.

  “Yup. As long as I’m back in time for dinner. I’m meeting Damien. We are going over some final arrangements for the village festival.”

  Eli glanced at her. “The psycho is aware that you’re with me and he’s not chasing you down with a stick?”

  “He knows. He’s been trying.” She pursed her lips and then added. “in his own way. But then again, you never know. It’s still early.” She sent him a smirk, but he didn’t smile in return.

  “He’s been helping you plan the village gathering?”

  “We use the term ‘helping’ very loosely. I tell him ideas and he either vetoes them or tells me to proceed. It’s basically all planned, we just have to finalize a few things.”

  “Is he speaking to you like you’re a human being yet?” He meant it as a joke, but he didn’t realize how accurate his concern was.

  “We are in a comfortable state of hating each other silently.” He eyed her with pity that she didn’t care to see. “Just kidding. Yeah, it’s all good.” He could see right through her lie but didn’t press. She focused on her reason for going into town and not of the wedding. She had a lot to be thankful for. There was a lot in this world to love. Each day since dropping Serenity off, she had visited when in town. The little girl would stand at her side and hand her various tools as they laughed and sang different tunes. A curious crowd began to gather, wanting to see a princess and prince wield a hammer. She also made it a point to sneak some food out of the castle and distribute it to various villagers each day. For whatever reason, some of them joined in, using their skills to help fix the orphanage. The action endeared her to them even more so than before.

  The village seemed much more chaotic today than usual. People rushed back and forth. From a distance, screaming and crying reached her ears. Then she saw the smoke. Glancing at Eli, she grabbed her skirts and dashed towards the commotion. People ran past her carrying buckets of water even though half of it spilled out as they ran. The smell of smoke caused Aerity to cough loudly as she held her sleeve over her nose, blinking back her watering eyes. The building on fire wasn't a house or a hut, but a shed. The shed that held the food that was supposed to be used for the villager’s festival the following night. She was about to spring into action when she noticed the little boy, who had been playing with Serenity the other day, staring shockingly at the fire. Something about his expression made her stop and jog towards him. He met her eyes and pointed at the shed with his mouth open wide.

  "What are you trying to tell me?" Impatience leaked from her voice. Unfreeze kid, there's a freakin fire!

  "Serenity." Was all he could choke out.

  Her blood ran cold as panic eased its way in. "Are you saying Serenity is in the food shed?"

  His bobbing head was answer enough as she sprinted toward the shed that now blazed in blinding flames. Small cries echoed through the door. Her blood ran cold despite the heat licking her skin. Cries of the young girl.

  "Serenity!" She called as she neared the room.

  "Help!" A little yelp cried from within. Taking a quick glance around, she ran to the steel forge, grabbing the rubber gloves that had been set aside amongst the panic. Slipping the gloves over her hands and grabbing a shield hanging on the wall, she shoved open the door to the shed. Knowing oxygen fed fire, she pulled the door and left it opened a crack for her later escape.

  Fire blazed all around as smoke stung her eyes. Crouching low to avoid some of the smoke, she held the shield in front of her in attempts to block out the roaring flames. The metal heated almost instantly, shifting a molten glare back at her face, but at least it wasn't an active leaping flame. "Serenity! I need to know where you are. Call out to me, Sweety.” Heat licked her sides as sweat slid down her back. The shed was big enough for the girl to hide but not big enough that she should be too far. The food was dwindling down to ashes, but the fire still surged.

  "I'm over here!" A little cry came from the right.

  "I'm coming for you. I need you to keep calling and making noise ok?"

  Tiny coughs wracked the girl’s body. "I can't breathe!"

  She was running out of time. The building could collapse at any minute. Either that or the smoke would make one of them pass out. "Hold on, Hunny. I'm coming."

  A quieter "okay" sounded not far from her. Aerity could soon make out a slight shadow of the girl huddled in the corner. Using her shield to block the fire, she held her rubbered hand out. "Grab my hand, Serenity."

  Little fingers grasped her hand. "I'm afraid."

  "I know but it's okay. I've got you now." Gripping the little girl to her chest, she pushed through the flame on the way out. Wooden boards started to collapse and shatter behind her as she pushed even harder through the now fire consumed room. The rubber gloves were beginning to melt around her hands as they finally reached the door. Desperation clung to her as she realized the door was no longer cracked. Did someone shut the door not knowing anyone was in there? Wouldn’t someone have seen them? She shook her head. Now was not the time to think about it. They needed to get out.

  Sliding the girl down her hip to stand on her own two feet, Aerity used the edge of her skirt to rip off the melted glove and tried to open the door that would have been boiling to the touch. It was welded shut. Yanking, gripping, shoving and the door wouldn't budge. Serenity cried and gripped tighter at her hip as debris dropped all around them.

  Banging the door with her booted foot, it still wouldn't budge. Burns were starting to sear through her dress and cling to the lifted skin slowly melting off. There were no windows, nowhere to escape. No other way out. They were both going to die.

  "Stand away from the door. I have an ax." A voice called from outside.

  Relief shot through her as she grabbed hold of Serenity and took a step back from the door. Heat erupted along her spine and she silently begged him to hurry. A hole peeked through the wall growing bigger and bigger with each swing. Eventually it was big enough that she could shuffle Serenity out, and then she heaved herself through the hole as strong hands gripped and yanked her out. Without letting her go, Eli carried her far
away from the burning death trap as she frantically looked around for Serenity. The little girl stood next to her in a daze until her eyes caught on something outside the door. Serenity went running towards the object on an unstoppable course.

  "Serenity no!!!!!!" Aerity yelled but the little girl was either too focused to hear or she simply ignored it. By that point it was too late. It happened faster than anyone could have had time to react. Serenity gleefully held up a prized stuffed animal she must have dropped outside before going into the shed. Beaming at her once lost treasure, the structure met its final efforts to remain composed. Sounds of snapping wood echoed and popped just as the shed gave a final heave before it collapsed entirely over top of the path in which Serenity stood. Aerity watched in agony as the building landed on top of the little girl, completely crushing her beneath its weight.

  Pulling herself out of Eli’s arms she dashed to where the girl was buried under debris. "Serenity." Her shrieks pierced the air as she heaved wooden planks off the girl’s lithe body.

  "Help me!" She screamed at the crowd through the tears running down her face as everyone stood around staring at the scene in front of them. A few villagers came by to help lift the wood but by the time she got it off the girl and pulled her body out from under the debris, there was only a shallow rise to her chest.

  "Serenity, Sweetheart. I need you to stay with me Hunny. Please open your eyes." Her voice became more panicked as she tried to get the young girl to look at her. "Please Serenity. It will be okay. Just look at me. Please." Her voice was breaking as sobs wracked her body. This couldn’t be happening. Please don't let her die.

  Tiny flutters of her eye lashes were the only thing showing her still breathing. Her chest was now heaving in slight movements. A tiny hand wrapped around Aerity’s finger as the breathing came to a halting stop. "No no no. Serenity you can't leave me. Please come back. Please." Her tears turned into a river as she rested her forehead to the girl’s still chest and released the geyser of emotions plaguing her.

  She didn't know how long she sat there but by the time steady arms wrapped around her back, the sun had started setting and she was fairly certain she had run her tear ducts completely dry.

  "Aer." A sympathetic whisper was spoken against her charred scented hair as she tilted her body back to bask in the embrace of her best friend. After a few minutes she composed herself and stood, chancing another glance at the little girl who had stolen her heart and then shattered it to pieces.

  "What are you going to do?" Eli asked.

  She wasn't quite sure what he was asking but decided to answer it in the only way she knew how. Cold steel filled her lungs as she stared down at Serenity. "You mean after I bury a four-year-old little girl?" She didn't need to glance at him to feel his pain radiating off him in waves. "I'm going to find who started that fire and then...I'm going to watch them burn."

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Damien

  Damien should have known she would stand him up but somewhere deep inside he had hoped she wouldn't. He thought they made progress this week, getting along sufficiently well while planning the village festival despite the few discrepancies along the way. Once he began exerting effort, she seemed to as well. Now, he assumed, it didn't last as long as he anticipated it would.

  She had spent the afternoon with Eli but swore to be back in time for dinner. He wished to trust her. Tried to calm his jealousy. But it was a losing battle. She must have been having a better time with him, like she did every other guy. Shocking.

  Chugging down the remainder of his wine, he stared at the now frozen food, done with playing her stupid games and tired of waiting. His mood was already dour before he even approached her rooms and heard the voices. Aerity, Elias and what sounded like…splashing water?

  The male voice echoed through the door. "You need to get out of that dress."

  Damien’s hands shook as those words raked nails down his spine.

  Her voice only escalated his anger. "We can do it with the dress on." His body began to vibrate.

  "Aer, your body is scorching hot. I need to see you without clothes on. Come on, you know that I've already seen what you've got."

  He was tempted to bang on the door and make his presence known. Maybe even drag her to the dungeons for her unfaithfulness. Snake. Just like Elias had warned to begin with. Engaging in this behavior right under his nose. How insulting.

  No, imprisonment would be too quick for someone like her. Not to mention he needed the marriage to save his people. No, he would get her back when he used her body how he wanted it. She obviously was fine giving it away to other men freely. Why not for him? To think he had actually begun to think she was different and genuine. He was such a fool for her every...single…time. Clenching his teeth, he spun away from the treacherous whore before he did something he would regret.

  ∞∞∞

  Aerity

  "Come on, I've already seen what you've got."

  Aerity scoffed humorously looking down at her singed clothing, knowing exactly how they had gotten that way. "You saw what I had at three years old when our parents made us bathe together. I have much different parts now." She didn’t care about Eli seeing her in underclothes. His expression would be completely void of lust. It was the fact of peeling her skin off along with the dress that she was trying to avoid.

  "Awww you got a sex change and didn't tell me? I thought we were best friends!" Eli moronically joked. Aerity glared at him unimpressed before returning her gaze to the gown. She needed to stop being such a baby. It was just like ripping off a Band-Aid from a wound, only in this case, the Band-Aid was her dress.

  "Okay." She took a deep breath as she worked her way out of the fabric, grimacing as the top layer of each blister peeled off with it. She focused her thoughts on other things, but they began to grow grimmer the longer she was trapped inside her own head. Serenity would never smile again. Never grip her hand and call her mom. Her chest constricted. Serenity had been so close. So close to living.

  Eli carefully lifted her chin to tilt it his way. He offered her a sad smile. "Her life was far too short but think of the joy you gave her in these last few days." He was trying to help but it only made the boa constrictor on her heart squeeze painfully tight.

  "I don't want to talk about it." She sounded weaker than she had in years, but then again, she had never been so emotionally drained before. Even when it came to her mother she had known the day would come for her to not wake up. But Serenity…she should have had so much more time to live.

  He nodded in understanding as he helped her peel her dress away, leaving her in only a shift. "Alright, get in the tub like old times sake. We need to wash your burns."

  Aerity eyed the water like it was poison but stepped in anyway. Hissing as the water lapped her raw skin, she lowered herself slowly into the tub. "Did you fill the water with alcohol or something? Geez!" The tub couldn’t have possibly held normal water. It burned like an antiseptic.

  "I asked the doctor here for something to clean burns without needing to scrub. He said this." He shrugged. "Not sure what it is but it'll make you squeaky clean."

  Aerity grumbled. "I'm going to kill you in your sleep."

  Eli smiled. "No you won't. Because I also got you aloe."

  The prospect of aloe made her brave the sketchy water. The scent of burning flesh on her hair refused to leave her nostrils as she washed. She had a feeling the scent would stay with her far after it was scrubbed away from her skin.

  Eli turned as she stood from the tub, drying herself and slipping into something loose and dry.

  Lowering herself to the bed, she winced, remembering the plans she had tonight. Groaning she looked up toward the ceiling. Damien was going to kill her. "I had dinner plans with Damien tonight. He's going to think I blew him off."

  Eli glanced at her over his jar of aloe as he gently began rubbing it on her injuries. "I'm sure he will understand. After I'm done, I'll go find him or Siel and explain what hap
pened." Relaxing a little, knowing he would take care of it, Aerity leaned back and allowed him to continue the treatment.

  "Here drink this." He shoved a cup of liquid that smelled like horse dung to her lips.

  She eyed it skeptically. "There's no way I'm drinking that."

  Eli sighed. "I'm not going to poison you. It will help with the pain and will help you sleep. Just drink it."

  Sticking her tongue out at him, she wrinkled her nose at the drink. "Bottoms up!" She mumbled as she tipped the cup. The revolting liquid slithered down her throat.

  After everything that had happened that day, falling asleep didn’t seem like an option (even with the aid of that nasty liquid). But as Aerity laid on the bed staring at the ceiling, she must have been more deprived of energy than she thought. After a few minutes passed, she nodded off. Bliss took over her mind as she sunk into a magical world with no fires and no death.