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

by K. Lyn Hill

  “You will make a good queen.” His words hit her like a tsunami. The thought of being responsible for all these people gave her purpose yet made her stomach coil with unease. Couple that thought with the way his words affected her, and she was a full-on emotional train wreck. She didn’t know why she thought it. She was even more confused as to why she asked it but something in his words warmed a spot in her chest that had been cold for far too long.

  “Do you think I will make a good wife too?” She obviously wanted him to say yes. It shouldn’t matter but the idea of marrying someone who didn’t even see the good in her, was too much for her to bare.

  He hesitated. “I don’t want to lie to you, Aerity.” His quiet whisper trailed off in a silent answer. It stung more than any of his other hateful words. He would give one compliment just to say something else and tear it from her grasp. She waited a moment and realized that was the only answer she was going to receive. Nodding once, she took the moment to compose herself, then she lifted her skirt and walked towards the dancing villagers, who made her feel loved and appreciated.

  Later that night, she noticed the villager man (whose eyes had tracked her movements the entire evening) had suddenly disappeared. Glancing around, she searched him out but found no evidence that he ever really existed. She must have been imagining things again. She was doing that a lot lately. Surely, she was just being paranoid.

  Her steps slowed as she approached the edge of the dance floor, needing to take a moment of catching her breath. Picking up her cup, she tilted some of the honeyed wine in and lifted it to her lips. Before she could take a sip, however, a scream shot through the air. Dropping her cup, she spun towards the sound. The music and dancing had abruptly come to a stop when a second scream echoed in a different octave. They weren’t party screams. Not-the kind of screams drunk people did while running around their house in their underwear-kind of screams. No. They were bone chilling, blood curdling ones that sent a shiver down her spine.

  The sound was far enough away to not be an immediate threat but close enough to cause alarm. Darting her eyes around the panic-stricken crowd, she searched for the face she hoped to find. Eventually it fell on Damien. She ran to his side. He looked like he was preparing for battle, loading himself with weapons that seemed to appear out of nowhere. Damien turned towards a soldier and commanded, “Ready the carriage. Make sure there is plenty of sustenance for my journey.” He sent an undecipherable look at the steward who nodded gravely but Aerity was too splitting mad to consider it any further. Was he for real? People were being attacked and he was worried about making sure he had a traveling snack? What a pompous jackass! If there was any question as to whether there was anything good in this man, that idea got trumped, squashed and demolished. She searched, inspected and dug and each time, he showed his true cards. He was nothing but a conceited toad and that was the end of it. There was no kissing him to become a prince. He would continue to remain a frog.

  She could hold nothing but hatred for this man, an emotion she had never reserved for anyone before but oh she felt it with every sense of the word. For “not being blind” as he so eloquently put it, he was surely a moron.

  His eyes were focused when he turned away and headed for his ‘carriage’, so he didn’t catch the look in her eyes. If he had, even she was afraid of what he would see. Remembering the blood curdling scream, Aerity decided to push her loathing aside and focus on what was important. She glanced around and found a soldier divvying out weapons. Reaching her hand out to grab one she was blocked by impenetrable force. “Aerity, go inside the castle and wait for my return.”

  Damien. Wait in the castle? Did he know her at all? “Like hell I will. Give me a weapon. Whatever is happening, I can help.” The soldier didn’t know who to listen to. His head kept shifting back and forth between her and Damien.

  “There’s no time for this.” He growled. “We have plenty of soldiers going to check it out. You need to stay here where it’s safe.”

  Villagers were running around shrieking, bumping into each other trying to rush to their homes. Damien shouted commands at nearby soldiers who immediately headed in the direction of the screams. “I’ll be right behind you.” Damien yelled as he pulled on more armor.

  “I know there have been other attacks Damien. I need to know what we are up against. As the future queen, I deserve to know.” She hadn’t meant to pull out the queen card but once it was out, there was no pulling it back in.

  “This isn’t up for debate Aerity. You will go to the castle, now!”

  She didn’t appreciate his tone, nor the way he commanded her. Whatever was going on now, she could help or at the very least learn what this kingdom was up against. No way would she cower inside the house. He was mad. That was the only explanation.

  “Why do you insist on trying to chain me down?” She wanted so badly for him to realize what he was doing to her but he was too blinded by his own issues to see. Clearly this was not the right time for this conversation but since he was still getting ready, she supposed it was as good a time as any.

  He continued strapping on his swords, ignoring her for a moment before acknowledging her question. “It’s not chaining you, Aerity. It’s for your protection.”

  She had seen him act like this countless of times but it still stung. He had daddy issues and he was taking it out on her. Working at a mental facility taught a person many things. Going to school for psychology helped give a different perspective into how people’s minds worked and the issue with Damien was not that he was trying to protect her. He wanted to control something in his life and she conveniently drew the short straw. Who was he trying to kid? Not her.

  “No Damien, it’s not to protect me. It’s so you can oversee something in your life. It’s not about keeping me safe, it’s about control. You can put me in a pretty cage wrapped in ribbons and bows and call it a fun house if you want, but you know what? It doesn’t change the fact that it’s still a cage.”

  The only thing letting her know he was listening was the clenching of his jaw. But he wasn’t the one who deserved to be pissed. She was.

  Some were gathering around them, shifting closer to hear what was going on. Ridiculous. They thought that Damien was telling her something important. No. He only treated her like a child. He continued to squeeze a vice grip around her and didn’t recognize what was right in front of his eyes. He was cutting off her air supply. Trying to force her into a mold that he designed. Everything he did was alone. He carried the weight of the world on his shoulders and didn’t get that they could carry the load together. If she was forced into this marriage, then they might as well work together. They could be a team. She was more than just a blasted baby maker. She had skills that could be useful and yet he was determined to shut her out. It had never been her style to sit on the side lines and let others accomplish things without her. He had no idea just how futile it was to try and stop her. It only proved to shove her further away. “Why am I here if you’re going to do everything alone anyway?”

  His fingers paused from fiddling with the strap crossed over his chest. “You’re here to become my wife.”

  If he expected her to back down, he had another thing coming. “And as your wife, you should include me in this. Stop shutting me out Damien, let me help you!”

  His icy glare came up to meet hers. He wasn’t going to give in. Her shoulders slumped. It didn’t help the fact that the crowds were witnessing their little debacle. It was exhausting and humiliating. Would he ever trust her? She couldn’t help but notice the crowds seemed to be creeping closer to her. Almost as if they wanted to block her from him. Which was absurd. She must have been imagining it.

  “You’re here to be my wife and have my children, Aerity. Embroider, take care of household jobs. Not fight in wars.”

  No, he never was going to let go of all his misconceptions of her. Obviously, her future was to be a slave. Her throat bobbed but she squared her shoulders, nonetheless. She would always be n
othing to him. Just as he would always be a beast to her. Something was attacking their people and continued to get closer and he wouldn’t let her in on what was happening. All the war council meetings she was missing, information he refused to tell her. Well she was sick of it.

  His gaze slid over her shoulders and rested on something behind her. “Siel, make sure she stays here.” A gentle hand pressed softly against her lower back. She could feel the heat of Siel’s body as he stepped closer to her. This was protection. Not in the form of a cage or chain but Siel genuinely cared about her and didn’t want her feeling alone. She had no doubt that if roles were reversed, Siel would allow her to join him in whatever quest they ventured on.

  Whispers sounded around them, but they were ignored. She had no idea what they were saying but at this rate, she didn’t even care. “Damien, maybe you should let her...” Siel tried to come to her defense but Damien shut him down. What the great prince wants, the great prince gets.

  “Enough! Siel, keep her here safe. That’s an order.”

  Her pretty fingers clenched around her pretty dress. All she was meant to be was a pretty ornament on the big bad wolf’s arm. A trophy wife. She whipped her head around disgusted. Siel’s hand helped to calm her frantic nerves. She could feel him pressing into his touch as much reassurance as he could, but his hands were just as tied as hers were. He was given an order and as much as he liked to live on the edge, he wouldn’t disobey. Not even for her.

  “Yes, my prince.” Siel’s voice dripped with distain.

  Aerity caught the sharp look Damien shot Siel right before he spun and headed away from the village. It seemed he didn’t like the formal title coming from his brother’s lips but if that was the case then he wouldn’t have used his position to keep her controlled. She could fight Siel to get away but what would be the use of it all? She would make do with what she could accomplish in the village. Help to calm the villagers and show them a lending hand.

  Damien wouldn’t break her no matter how hard he tried and it was bloody well time that he saw that.

  ∞∞∞

  Siel

  Siel watched the rainbow of emotions flutter over Aerity’s face. It went from hurt to anger, then frustration to disgust, only to end with determination. He placed his hand tighter on her back, careful to avoid her burns and her posture straightened as she stepped away from his strength.

  She didn't need it. She was strong enough on her own. If only Damien saw that.

  It was clear enough she could be useful in more ways than the average tasks assigned to a princess. She could fight with her hands and her mind, put those around her at ease, not to mention the strength pouring out of her in abundance. Siel couldn’t tell if Damien was that idiotic, blind or simply refused to see what was jumping up and down waving a flag in front of his face. But seeing how much Damien underestimated her and took her for granted, wasn’t doing much to soothe his temper. His brother was not acting like the person Siel knew and he was no longer as compliant to follow his brother’s orders.

  Aerity had shaken up their world and he no longer knew how to remain standing in her presence. There were no other girls like her and he doubted he would ever meet another. She was one of a kind and special beyond measure. Completely wasted on his jerk of a brother. Siel longed for her to be his. Waking up every day to her green eyes and whimsical smile. He could imagine their children running around with his curls and her eyes. They would have them because she wanted to not because everyone expected her to be a breeder.

  He watched as she swept through the town, assuring anyone who was overwhelmed with fear, helping everyone get to shelter without trampling over each other. Her soft voice carried over the wind as she took charge and gave the soldiers orders. “I want all the leftovers divvied out according to the size of each family.”

  He wanted to laugh at the looks all the soldiers were giving her but then she glared right back and they rushed into action. No one would even be able to tell she was injured with burn marks by the way she moved with such grace. He began to assist the soldiers in passing out food to each hut, occasionally stealing glimpses of her. He tried to ignore the sheen of moisture that shimmered in her eyes. This world was slowly tearing her apart, no matter how strong she appeared to be.

  After all was done and all the villagers were safely tucked away in their shelters, Siel searched her out again. He forced himself to stop staring at her while they worked so he could focus on what he was doing. The pressure of the evening weighed heavily on his shoulders and he knew without a doubt that Aerity was probably carrying twice as much on hers. They seemed to always end up at the same spot in the courtyard. The flowers blossomed while the water fountain trickled with laughter. The same fountain that Aerity had splashed around in with Serenity. Cool air rippled off the surface of the water, making her wrap her arms tighter around her small frame. Slipping off his jacket, he walked up behind her and draped it over her shaking shoulders.

  She took a deep breath before burrowing into it deeper, the collar pressed against her nose. He realized then what she was doing. “Are you smelling my jacket? I hope it’s not atrocious from working all evening.” He tried to keep laughter in his voice but he could sense her sour mood and it made his heart sink. Another puff of air blew out and he pressed his hands on her arm and rubbed up and down to give her some warmth, careful to avoid her injuries.

  “I like the way you smell.”

  “What do I smell like?”

  A sad smile touched her face. “Like sunshine.” Then it faded like the flowers fade into winter.

  Siel begged for it to come back but it didn’t

  “Will he ever see me?” She whispered and it nearly shattered his heart. He wrapped his arms around her and she greedily leaned into his touch, wrapping her fingers around his forearm.

  Leaning close to her ear he answered, “I don’t know, but I see you.”

  She released a bitter laugh that caused him to loosen his grip. “Yes, you do, but unfortunately, it isn’t you who I’m marrying.”

  Those words stung more than he wanted to admit.

  Horse hooves sounded from behind the city gates when they heard a call for them to be lowered for the prince.

  Damien was back.

  Knowing it would only cause more problems, he unraveled his arms and stepped away from Aerity, leaving space between them. She continued to stare out at the water unaffected by Damien’s return. Hooves soon paused, replaced with firm footsteps as Damien came into view. He shot her a look but made no attempt to speak so Siel decided to fill the silence. “How did it go? What did you find?”

  Damien sucked in a breath and stared in her direction, clearly not wanting to speak about it in her presence. Siel heard her before he felt her shuffle up to his side. Her normal warmth was gone. All that remained was a chill echoing off her. Fabric touch his skin, he realized, she had handed him back his jacket. Her eyes were trained on Damien even though she spoke to him. “Don’t waste your breath, Siel. He won’t tell you anything of importance until I’m out of ear shot.” Picking up her skirt, she started to walk towards the castle, the temperature of the courtyard dropping drastically until she had stepped through the castle doors. His focus was pinned on the door that he could barely hear Damien’s growl.

  ∞∞∞

  Damien

  “Ahhhh bloody hell!” Why couldn’t he do anything right? He had simply not wanted to disturb her with the images he was forced to see that night and she had taken it as though he meant to leave her in the dark. It didn’t help that Siel was glaring at him menacingly as though he had just sold his first unborn child. He didn’t mean to force her hand earlier either. His gaze kept falling to her burns and he couldn’t bear to think of her getting hurt even more.

  “She isn’t made of glass, you know.” He was surprised to find Siel’s voice wasn’t filled with its recent anger. Anything having to do with Aerity seemed to set him off lately. Damien was sure he was about to receive another lect
ure.

  “You didn’t see what I saw. That is no sight for a lady to relive.”

  Siel snorted. Always on her side when Damien always found himself on the opposite end. “Aerity is no lady. She’s tough and resilient along with beautiful and cunning. You’d do well to put more faith in her. She could help if you would only let her.”

  “She is best served here in the castle like every other queen.”

  “She desires more than that.”

  “And I desire a woman who wishes to marry me, but we don’t always get what we want!”

  “That is of your own making and you know it. You push her away at every turn even when she’s desperately trying to make the two of you work.”

  Damien took a deep breath and released it. He reached up to rub his tired eyes and then remembered what they were coated in. Blood. Human blood. Which helped prove his point. He had more things to be concerned about, starting with what he saw that evening. If the empty eye sockets following his memory everywhere he went since he left the crime scene wasn’t enough, then it was the skin stripped from their bodies while they were still warm and breathing. It had a mark of an animal but the intent of an intellectual being. It wasn’t to eat them as prey being hunted. Nor was it sport. This was something else. Almost as if something was sending him a message.