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

by K. Lyn Hill

  ∞∞∞

  Siel

  Remembering Damien’s dinner plans, Siel wandered around the castle. There were hundreds of hallways and rooms to explore, yet there was only one he found himself constantly drifting towards.

  With their time spent caring for Serenity and the emotions drudged up from the pits of his soul every time he was around his brother’s fiance, Siel swore to create distance between them. Then she demanded the rebuilding of the orphanage and his plan was all but useless. He couldn’t stay away from her. He was drawn to her rooms anyway, despite knowing she wouldn’t even be there. She was with Damien. Her soon to be husband.

  Shaking his head, he stared at her door trying to free of his thoughts of her. It was consuming him. Weighting him down. Yet made him feel lighter than he ever had before.

  Suddenly, the door creaked open and Siel started when he saw Eli slip from her rooms. He had now gotten pretty good at telling Aerity’s friend and the army’s general apart. If one looked closely enough they could tell by the slight difference in their hair color. If nothing else, their personalities were completely different. As soon as one opened his mouth, their identity was clear.

  Eli glanced up, opening his mouth. "Hey! I'm glad I ran into you. Do you have any idea where your brother is?"

  The question intrigued him. What could he possibly want with Damien? "I was actually headed to his rooms but remembered he was supposed to be with Aerity tonight."

  Eli rubbed a hand over his neck as a guilty expression crossed his face. Or was it something else? "Yeah about that. Aerity couldn't make it to the dinner tonight."

  Curious, Siel crossed waved his hand encouraging Eli to continue.

  "There was an incident in the village. She's currently indisposed." Eli’s word choice didn’t escape his notice but he didn't think much further on it until Eli added, "Look, I really hate to be the one to tell you this, but...." His words trailed off as he caught a glimpse over Siel’s shoulder. Footsteps echoed down the hall as two guards grabbed hold of Eli and jerked his hands behind his back.

  "What's going on?" Eli boomed as the guards tried to drag him away. Siel tossed a look over his shoulder in time to see Damien stalking down the hallway.

  "I told you if you ever touched her, there would be consequences. Or did you think I wasn’t serious?" Damien’s cold voice shot through the corridor.

  Eli’s eyebrows crested in confusion. "I didn't touch anyone. What are you talking about?"

  Damien ducked his hands into his pockets with a scowl. "My future wife. Who else?" His snarl ricocheted off the wall.

  Siel soaked in the scene unfolding as he filed away the implications of Damien’s words.

  "And don't try to deny it! I heard you in her room!"

  Now Siel was completely lost. What were they doing in her room? Eli’s earlier words came crashing into him. “She’s currently indisposed.”

  "I didn't touch Aerity. You don't understand what happened!" Eli desperately yelled.

  "I know all the information I need. Guards, take him to the dungeon."

  "Siel! You know her. She would never be unfaithful!" Eli’s voice became shallow and distant.

  Damien's coldness froze over even more. "Cover his mouth from spewing more lies!"

  "Did you try to ask her yourself what happened? Maybe you’re misunderstanding the situation." Siel asked calmly, glancing between his brother and Aerity’s door.

  Damien's deadly stare seeped into his bones. "I'm not in a very forgiving mood right now brother, so I do recommend you avoid going in her rooms at the moment, unless you wish to join Eli in the dungeon."

  With one last mocking bow to Damien, Siel took his leave, while hoping that this was all just a big misunderstanding.

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Aerity

  A horizontal beam of sun light streamed in across the room, waking Aerity from a hazy slumber. She blinked, noticing half of the room was still shrouded in darkness while the windowsill intercepted the remaining light. How long had she slept? Memories flooded along with pain as she attempted to roll over. She hissed as the blanket scrapped against her skin. She eyed the burn marks. They looked much better than the day before.

  Carefully rising, she walked over to the wash basin in her room. Carly must have filled it for her and added some of the liquid Eli had dumped in her bath. She was honestly surprised Eli hadn't stayed with her, but she figured he didn't want to send the wrong message. Things were much different here than back home. Especially with a jealous fiancé on the loose.

  Dipping the rag in the water, she let it cascade down her sores. The burning subsided after a few moments and once dried, she smothered them again with the aloe. Pulling out the lightest, loosest article of clothing in her closet, she carefully got dressed and threw her hair up in a twisted bun. She searched her ankle for a spot that was blister free to tie her knife holster. Strapping it on she reached for the door but took one last moment to compose herself as she swung it open. Thankfully all the burns had missed her face, so with the sleeves of her dress and the length, most wouldn't see the damage. She was thankful to avoid prying eyes.

  Expecting to see Daniel when she opened the door, she was surprised by the sight of a new guard. Hard eyes cut to her face as his lip curled up. Interesting. "Hey, I was expecting Daniel."

  His reply seemed more like a growl than anything. "Daniel has been relieved of his duty. I'm your new guard now." His voice trailed off making his concealed mumble hard to hear. "I was moved from my post to babysit a cheating snake."

  Ummmm alrighty then. Not sure what he was talking about, she shrugged. "Ok. I'm Aerity. What's your name?"

  "You can call me wall. Because nothing is going to get by me."

  Okaaaaaaaaaay.

  She had to crane her neck to look into his eyes. He was huge. Someone would think he was a giant or wearing platforms. She almost chuckled at the image that popped in her head. He was just as thick and stocky as he was tall. Alright. Let's try again. "Ok I'm just going to go see Damien." She needed to hear the explanation from her even though Eli had told him last night. She liked imaging that he formed an attachment to Serenity too.

  "The Prince said he is busy and doesn’t want to be disturbed."

  Well shoot. That kind of hurt.

  "Even me?" She tried again but he snarled.

  "Especially you."

  She wondered if Eli ever got to see him last night. That's the only reason she could think of to justify his anger. "Okay then I'm going to go see Eli." He would want to go back into town with her. She wanted to leave flowers on Serenity’s gravestone.

  "The Prince was very clear that you were not supposed to see anyone."

  She froze. "Excuse me?"

  "Those are my orders. You'll have to take them up with the prince." He growled.

  She ground her teeth together. "But you just told me I can't see the Prince."

  An evil smirk filled his face. "Exactly."

  She had no idea what she did to piss off the guard, but she was about to give him a real reason to be annoyed. Pushing past him, she stormed to Damien’s office to see what was going on when beefy fingers grabbed her arm and hauled her backwards. She bit her lip to keep from screaming out as they bit into her burns. Ignoring the pain, she lifted her leg up and ripped the knife from its holder. He released her arm as he hissed at the weapon.

  "Touch me again and you will lose your hand." Twirling on her heels she renewed her journey to the most unbearable prince in this universe and the next. As she reached her intended hallway, she spotted Siel leaning up against the door. His eyebrows raised as amusement tugged on his mouth.

  "Where is he?!" She was seething with each step that drew her closer.

  "I see you got past your guard. Did you kick him in the crotch?" He snickered.

  She wasn't in the mood for this. "I’m not messing around Siel. Where is he?"

  Siel’s amusement faded. "Are you looking for Eli or Damien?"

  Th
e question took her back a step. "Eli? Why would I be looking for him outside Damien’s office? No, I want the dickwad who thinks he can trap me in my room and give me some guard who looks like he's ready to kill me.” Shoving her pointer finger towards the door in a dramatic fashion, she sneered at where she assumed Damien resided. “No, I most certainly am here for him!"

  "That's all your mad about?" His eyes narrowed.

  "Is there more that I should be mad about?!"

  He sucked in a deep breath. "You know he's threatened for me to join him. He's not in the most understanding mood right now."

  "He threatened you to join who?" She asked on a huff.

  Siel looked everywhere but her.

  "Siel, I swear to God if you don't just spit it out, I will knock you unconscious, dress you in women’s clothes and throw you to the courtiers.”

  A scowl crossed his face. “Harsh.”

  Letting out an exasperated breath, she tried again. “I woke up to a new brute guard telling me I'm not allowed to basically speak to anyone. Please tell me what is going on."

  Siel’s expression of disbelief took hold as he fiddled with the cuff link on his shirt. "Damien heard you and Eli last night." A vulnerable expression took over the disbelief that was there just moments ago.

  "Oh, goody and what exactly is he claiming to have heard?" Now she was really getting pissed. Was he so quick to hate her that he would take every little thing and run with it?

  "I don't really know details. Only that he heard you and Eli and then went off on a jealous tirade." Siel was still fiddling with his sleeve.

  "And what do you believe?" She had to know if he would defend her or if he was just as bad as Damien.

  "I came in at an inopportune time. It doesn't seem like something you would do but I had no time or proof to draw an accurate conclusion." He replied carefully.

  She shook her head. Damien was a fool who would never see past his own prejudices. She was so done with this. "You know what? Screw him. I'm so sick of trying to prove myself to him when he seems so bent on finding ways to hate me."

  She started turning when Siel gently gripped her wrist but his fingers slid right over her burn and she gasped in response. Questioning eyes pierced through her before lowering to her wrist. Siel carefully peeled back the arm of her sleeve until her burn marks were clearly visible. He growled. "What happened?!" His eyes simmered with something raw as he looked at her and then back to her chewed up arm.

  "Last night there was a fire in the village." She stubbornly pulled her hand back from his, suddenly needing air. “Whatever your brother heard last night was Eli tending to my burns." Without waiting for his response, she walked as fast as she could to the entrance of the castle.

  Before leaving through the gate, she loaded up on all of Serenity’s favorite flowers. Aerity recalled how the girl had stooped to each individual one to smell them, telling her that each new one was her favorite. The girl took every moment to smile and laugh and see beauty in life. There weren’t enough flowers in the world to represent what that girl deserved. The life she should have been able to live but never got the chance to.

  If only she could have saved her. She had been so close. Those few seconds changed everything.

  She replayed the scene in her mind wondering how she could have changed fate but there was solution to find. It was as if that beautiful little girl was destined to lose her life to the fire but Aerity refused to believe that was how the universe worked.

  As she made her way to the grave she had marked the day before, a hush fell over the crowd. Many stopped what they were doing and just stared. Then one by one they began dropping on their knees. Aerity didn't know what they were doing so she kept walking. Tears stung her eyes as the newly dug dirt came into view. Turned out her tear ducts weren’t dried out like she thought.

  She approached the grave, tilting her face towards the sky as she too fell to her knees. Those that hadn't bent to their knees on the path had walked over to the grave and joined her in a similar stance. Lowering her eyes, she placed the flowers on the freshly turned dirt and began singing the same song she had sung while Serenity had fallen asleep in her arms a few nights ago.

  If I were to sing you a tale about a little girl so bold.

  She would defy the world and ignore stories the ignorant told.

  She shone brighter than all the rest.

  Because she was willing to pass any test.

  Her strength showed in her works and her wisdom in her love.

  She looked for those to help and cared for the littlest dove.

  One day a man told her she could have anything she could ever want.

  She said give all the homeless people room in a hut.

  Again, he said you can have anything you could ever dream.

  She replied can you make a world where no one is mean?

  He tried one more time to get her to understand.

  He said do you want riches? Health? Maybe even a man?

  And she answered back, can the riches be for those who need it the most and the health for those touched by the worst?

  Frustrated he shook her and said what is it that you wish for yourself?!

  In answer she said riches for the poor, home for the lost and the sick I want health.

  He snarled and said, "foolish girl, no one can make all those things come true.

  She just smiled and said, “just watch, I’ll prove it to you."

  The woman to her right grabbed her hand. Aerity reached out and grasped the woman's hand on her left and the woman squeezed back. Their eyes never left the grave.

  ∞∞∞

  Damien

  What is it?!" Damien had specifically made it clear he didn't want to be disturbed.

  Siel pushed through the door with urgency. "I think you made a big mistake."

  Lifting his lips in distaste, he glared at his brother. "Let me guess, you’re going to defend Aerity?" He was sick of his brother’s constant slobbering over her. He needed to see the conniving woman she was.

  "I don't think Eli did anything wrong. You should release him now before she finds out. You should be happy she has brushed off your actions so far, but she will learn to hate you, Damien, if you keep pushing this."

  "I believe I already have an advisor, but I will take your concerns into consideration. Now leave." He barked.

  Siel sighed exasperatedly. "You’re not understanding what I'm telling you."

  Damien was sick of hearing that. First from Eli, then Siel. She had them all wrapped around her finger and under her spell. "And you’re not understanding what I'm telling you!"

  They were both interrupted by another person bursting into the room. Elias, his general, stood at the door disheveled and panting. "Look out your window right now." What could have possibly been outside? Heaving himself up begrudgingly, Damien headed towards the window. From how high up his office was, he had a clear layout of his lands, including the villages. As he gazed out, the sight almost knocked him off his feet.

  "What are they doing?" Most of the villagers sat in a circle holding hands. One of the people clearly stood out amongst the crowd. Aerity. Others stood in the path leading to the castle bent down on one knee.

  "I believe they are bowing."

  Damien jerked his head to Elias. "Bowing?"

  His head nodded emphatically. "I watched her leave the castle. As soon as she walked by, they started bowing. Then they ended up on the same area of land and got down on their knees." Stunned, Damien looked around at the other faces in the room. "Is she controlling them by some kind of magic? Why are they bowing? And what is the plot of land they are around?"

  "I think it's a grave." Elias spoke solemnly.

  "A grave of whom?!"

  "That I don't know. There were whispers of a death yesterday and a savior who still couldn't beat fate."

  Damien’s eyes shot to Siel’s. "Do you know anything about this?"

  Looking just as dumbfounded as him, Siel shook his head.
"Aerity had burn marks all over her arms today. That's what I tried to tell you."

  What was going on? Could Aerity be the savior they all were whispering about? And who was it that died? Damien didn't like all these unanswered questions.

  Siel lifted his chin. "Eli would know what happened." He knew Siel’s voice housed an, ‘I told you so’ but thankfully he never said those words out loud.

  He already had the distinct feeling that he would hear just how wrong he was when approaching Eli. Damien didn't think he could take any more humiliation.

  On their way through the dungeon, he schooled his features from reacting to the smell of urine hitting his nose. The smell seemed to amplify the further they traveled in.

  They approached he cell to find Eli lying on the cot in the corner. Upon hearing footsteps, he laughed. "Did you finally find out the truth and come to release me? Or did Aerity find out and threaten to cut off your nuts?"

  Damien grimaced. He had no doubt about how badly Aerity would have reacted to Eli’s imprisonment, which was part of the reason Damien had done it to begin with. He needed her to feel anger and betrayal like he had. "Neither, but I'm going to give you a chance and hear you out."

  Eli scoffed. "She deserves so much better than a prick like you. Are you going to lock up every guy she talks to? Soon you'll worry that she likes women too. You'll isolate her from everyone she loves simply because your too damaged to fix yourself."