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

by K. Lyn Hill

  He looked down at her with so much emotion in his eyes that it was blinding. As much as she wanted to kiss Siel one more time just to shove it in Damien’s face, she was above it and she cared far too much for Siel to use him in such a way. Unweaving his hands from her back, she laced her fingers together with his and brought their joined fists to her mouth, gently pressing her lips to his closed fingers. If Damien was determined to think her an untrustworthy whore, then so be it. She didn’t care anymore. She was done trying. She turned to Damien who seemed to acknowledge her lack of emotions with a hint of fear. His anxiety blasted her as his eyes widened. He must have finally taken in her tear stained, blotchy face since it was the first time he had seen her after finding her with Siel. Understanding seemed to dawn on him as the blood drained away from his face.

  Stopping besides him, without meeting his gaze, she stared straight ahead, a blank white coloring her now dull words. "I believe it reflects more on you that your fiancé would rather whore herself out than be tethered to you for eternity but you’re too ignorant to see past your own ego.” There was no bite to her words. They were simply just that. Words. She glanced in his direction, waiting for him to lock eyes with hers. “I wanted for us to work Damien. I wanted us to have a chance. I was willing to give it all up for you and your people, despite my desires and my heart.” Her voice dropped to a whisper right before a sudden steely, determination strengthened her words. “I’ll marry you because of this kingdom and the people in it but any chance that you and I once had...you just demolished it.” And with her hollow gaze facing back the way it was, she willed her feet to move, leaving Damien’s eyes tracking her exit.

  In her state of distress, she failed to notice the man who had watched her earlier, standing tucked safely in the background, having seen all that had just transpired. A dark expression overtook his face, right before he dipped back into the shadows and disappeared yet again.

  Chapter Thirty-eight

  Damien

  "Are you ready to say yes to forever?" Siel’s grating voice sprung a steady leak in his mind, one that would surely drown him and drive him mad. Siel had followed him inside to his chambers after the scene in the garden. The fact that he was acting as if nothing had happened, grinded his gears. Siel was refusing to acknowledge what had clearly just happened.

  His brother kissed his bride. The woman that was to become his wife in a matter of hours. He decided to address the issue, seeing as though Siel was ignoring it. "I didn't think you would come slithering into my rooms so soon after the scene I just walked in on. Or were you not done with completely stealing my bride yet? There are a few hours left to seal the deal."

  His brother’s composure remained calm compared to his own vitriolic one. It only served to irk him even more. Not that he planned to admit it though. "I don’t recall stealing your bride, Damien. That was our first and last kiss. You have no idea how hard we fought against our feelings. What you witnessed was a goodbye. One final chance for both of us to feel something real. That’s why tears were streaming down her face. Each and every time she tried to make things work between you two, you smashed it to smithereens. If by chance you have lost her forever, it will be because you’ve acted like a damned fool!” His calm demeanor flew out the window. “You deserve every ounce of cold shoulder she gives you!”

  Damien growled. “She is to be my wife, Siel! Do you feel no regret over your actions?” Anger rippled out of him in waves.

  “I don’t regret it.” He whispered. “I won’t stand here and apologize for loving her.”

  Damien scoffed. “You can’t possibly think you love her. It’s only been a few weeks. She is just a challenge to you. Lust. Infatuation. Something you can’t have and it makes you want to put her on your trophy shelf even more.”

  Fire rimmed eyes met his. “Don’t you dare speak of her with such disrespect, as if she is just another common wench and do not downplay my feeling and pretend you know my heart. Mere weeks with a girl like her, is like years with someone else. Aerity is special. She wears her heart on her sleeve for all to see, yet she is fierce, with a strength that is unmatched. She sees past her own desires and acts in behalf of those who can't. Damien, she's giving up herself, her world, the ones she loves. All for a chance to help people that aren't her own. This is no act. This is who she is." Siel’s face grew brighter and redder as he continued talking. “It is not hard to love someone like her. Just because you are ignorant and blind, doesn’t mean the rest of us are.”

  Damien was only further irritated by his declarations. The desire to make Siel just as irritated dictated his next words. "Then I guess it is a good thing she is to be my wife. Today." It worked and instead of feeling satisfaction, the words only left him feeling like even more of an immature fool.

  Siel’s crimson face turned to him. "You don’t think I realize that?!" He snapped. "You use every minute of every day to remind her that she is simply cattle that is sent to the slaughter. Just a husk that will be penned as your wife for you do so with as you please. You don't stop to consider who she even is! You know nothing of her! Not her likes, what makes her smile, the sound of her laughter. You know none of it because the only effort you've attempted is to make her feel locked in a cage. Trapped. How precious she is that she gets to be your blasted wife! No Damien! You’re the lucky one because that girl in the other room, who is about to bind herself to you for the good of others, is the greatest gift you could ever get, yet, you can't even bother with understanding her!”

  Damien never thought he had seen Siel so upset before. Even after they argued in the garden. Possessiveness seeped through his body, making his vision grow red. "Remember yourself Siel. You got to kiss her. That is as far as it will go."

  His brother’s dark chuckle sounded nothing like the happy go lucky laughter he was used to hearing. "You know what Damien. You can't own fire. You can use it when you want to, benefit from its abilities and yet it is still wild. Still crazy and utterly beautiful. Embers blaze and spark, the simplest motivation creates a chain reaction that is untamed, uncontrolled. Aerity is pure fire. She is brighter than anything you could ever imagine. She burns when she wants it to sting, yet she is the most awe inspiring and fearful thing to behold when she completely lets go. You are blowing oxygen on the torch in the middle of a forest. And I promise you that if you keep trying to smother her, she will burn this whole place to the ground."

  Siel stared at him and waited for the words to soak in. Frustration welled up inside of him. Was Siel right? Was he so blinded by his earlier rejection that he refused to see her for what she was? Everything he thought he knew had evaporated. Boiling water steaming until there was nothing left. She hated him. His bride despised him and he had only himself to blame. It was no wonder she ran to another when he was so beastly towards her.

  He wanted to throw something. Scream. Anything to release the spring that had coiled up tightly in his chest. It was ready to burst. How had he messed this up so badly?

  Throwing his weight into the hard panel of his dresser, the wood splintered as an aftermath of his punch. His shoulders heaved as his breathing rushed out unsteadily. All the tension from the last few weeks pressed down on him like the weight of the castle had dropped on his back. The raids, his people starving, his wedding. His wedding to the same girl who ran from him before. She ran from him again but this time he only had himself to blame. He had pushed her away with every effort she had made. All he knew was that he would spend the rest of his life making it up to her. He had to.

  His fight was gone. His desire to make Siel bleed, dissipated. The anger he felt in his soul, he realized was his own weakness that needed to be routed out. He was furious at himself and tried to lash out at others.

  Siel’s chest moved up and down with a heavy rhythm. Damien stared down at his shaking, bleeding hands, trying to shove away his regret. Swallowing, he glanced up to find Siel’s anger slowly deflate, as he took in Damien’s pathetic form. “I really messed this up.” Da
mien croaked.

  Siel released a sigh, plopping himself down on the couch. “You never were that great with women.” He smirked and Damien felt a smidge of his own tension ease.

  “Do you think I have a chance?”

  Siel seemed to process his question. “I think Aerity has one of the biggest hearts I’ve ever seen. If anyone could forgive, it would be her. But I think at this point, it will take some time. You jerked her around pretty good.”

  Damien grunted. “I know.”

  “I defended you in the beginning, you know. I knew your behavior wasn’t normal. I wanted her to see the real you but by the end, you were pretty hard to defend.”

  He rubbed a hand down his face. Siel wasn’t telling him anything he didn’t already know. “I was so afraid to trust her. She ran and rejected me, then came back spouting about being from a different world. I thought it was just another one of her games.”

  “Do you believe her now?” Siel asked.

  “I don’t know. I want to. I just don’t want to be a fool and get duped again.”

  Siel chuckled. “Well, if it’s any consolation, I don’t think you could be any more of a fool if you tried.”

  Damien rolled his eyes. “Yes, that helps so much Siel.” He replied dryly. Sitting down on the couch next to him, he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. “How do I fix this?” When he felt Siel’s eyes on him he turned his head.

  A smile spread on Siel’s face. “I have an idea.”

  ∞∞∞

  A few hours later, Damien couldn't help but pace the corridors between his rooms, wanting nothing more than to watch Aerity and her mom reunite. Although she won't be the same person Aerity remembered (if Aerity and Elias were anything to go off of) it would still be a spectacle to watch. If only he had been the one to come up the idea. Of course, he was the dolt who wanted to get her jewelry. It was Siel that questioned such illogic.

  "If there was one thing in the world you would want, what would it be?" Siel was always trying to train him in human interaction, like one day he was just going to wake up and be able to communicate his thoughts properly.

  "I'm not her though." Logically speaking, he wouldn't have the same thoughts as her. What he would want is completely contrary to what she could want.

  Siel was the perfect imitation of calm as he tried again to lead him to the correct answer. "What do we all have in common?" Siel stared encouragingly at him, waiting for Damien to give the correct answer.

  He was at a loss. "Siel I don't know what you’re getting at."

  His eyes flared with frustration. "She's from another world." Siel paused. Then continued. "In her world, her mother died..." He gave him a patronizing 'come on, you've got this’ look. Finally, things clicked into place.

  "Her mother is still alive here." Siel rewarded him with a ‘way to go’ smile and he set his plan into motion.

  Chapter Thirty-nine

  Aerity

  Something about the air felt wrong the next morning. Aerity wasn't sure if it was the impending doom of a marriage with someone she didn't love, or some other unknown factor about to jump out and yell boo, but something sent her body on high alert. Scanning her gaze around the room only heightened her freak out. It wasn't just the wedding. Her father had taught her to always trust her instincts.

  Without thought, her steady hand clasped around the hilt of the knife Siel had given her. Immediately upon the contact she felt a calming in her soul, the feel of the knife a balm to her worry. "I know you’re in here." Confidence infused her voice. "Come out come out wherever you are." Sliding around the room in tight and careful movement, her eye caught on motion by the door to her rooms. On silent feet, she crouched, ready to propel herself at the perfectly timed opening. The uninvited house guest tried on silent feet to enter the threshold. When the shadow was in position, Aerity let loose a sweeping foot motion as she sprang to subdue her possible attacker. Throwing her weight to balance and lock the culprit in place, she dipped her knife in the neck crease of pale milky skin.

  Recognition created a blushing bloom across her regretful face. "Carly! I'm so sorry!" Struggling to climb off and help her friend up, she continued to spill her apologies. The girl was now five shades paler than her normal hue and must have just lost ten years off her life from fright. "It was a lot earlier than you normally come by." Aerity tried to explain, blubbering like a fool.

  Carly calmed down enough for her normal snarky attitude to come out. “The prince wanted to surprise you with your wedding gift. Why are you trying to attack me with a knife?!"

  Guilt weighed her down. “I just got a weird feeling when I woke up. I'm so sorry Carly. Are you ok?"

  The girl pulled herself together faster than expected. "Yes. I'll be fine." Bending down, Carly picked up the box that moments before had clattered to the ground. "Here’s your gift. Damien wanted me to drop it off and leave swiftly. I’ll return soon to get you ready for the wedding."

  Having a moment to compose herself, Aerity sat at the edge of the bed holding the gift. “Thanks Carly.” She said just as the girl exited the room. Now she was growing paranoid and striking out at innocent girls who brought her presents. Wonderful.

  Rattling her head clear, she reached for the box. A note fluttered to the floor as she went to retrieve it. She debated about whether she wanted anything from Damien but she sucked up her pride and unfolded the paper. The scrawl inside was formal, elegant, yet had sharp edges making the end of each word harsh. A bitter smile struck her face. How fitting of our dear Prince that his writing should match his personality.

  Dear Aerity,

  We haven’t gotten off on a good foot the last few weeks and I know I have a lot to make up for. For so long I have been a fool and have hurt you more than I ever thought myself capable of doing. I promise you that I have not been myself and if you would be willing to give me one more chance, I won’t let you down. I know I don’t deserve it or your forgiveness in any sense of the word but it is my dream for us to start over. I just regret it has taken me this long and so many harsh words to see the truth. Nothing can undo my behavior, nor the horrible opinion you no doubt have of me, but I hope this will be the first step in earning your forgiveness.

  I was running through the possible list of things to get you for our wedding day; however, I was at a loss. Bestowing upon you jewels and pearls was my first brilliant idea but I deduced that you would probably remove them to get into a brawl.

  Oh how right he was. She kept reading.

  Then I thought myself to be the smartest man in the world if I bought you another dagger but fear for my own life hung in the balance as I figured you would most likely use it one day to assassinate me...or cut off my appendages. Neither which I must say, would work for me. Not to mention, Siel already covered that gift. So then I thought to myself, what is the one thing that I know Aerity would treasure more than any gold or weapons and the answer lit in my intelligent mind like a candle. And alas I concluded the perfect gift for my bride on our wedding day. In order to receive the gift though, I'm afraid you must do a bit of a scavenger hunt. You need knock on your room’s outer door three times. Baldwin will have your gift in tow. I implore you to go before your eyes have been decorated with charcoal, as I do not wish to marry a raccoon.

  Yours,

  Damien

  P.S-I put in this note a disclaimer, which states, that anything humorous was written in a combined effort with Siel. Therefore, I cannot take full responsibility of any laughter that may have occurred while reading this note.

  It made so much more sense knowing Siel helped. She could picture him cracking jokes, waiting heavily for the grand pause before bursting at the seams with his joyous laughter. No matter what mood she was in, one of his smiles made everything right with the world.

  She eyed the note. What could possibly be outside the door? Curiosity overwhelmingly took control and Aerity shuffled to the door. Obeying the note, she knocked three times. It flew open and her gift was delivere
d.

  Knees threatened to give out as she stared at what was most certainly the most precious gift she had ever received. Gasping in lungsful of air, she willed her breathing not to give out. Never in her entire life has she seen something so beautiful. A cry of disbelief, joy and surprised anguish shuddered past her lips. "Mom." Then her legs gave out.

  "Honey what ever are you doing?" Aerity hadn't expected the sight of her mother that morning. She realized it wasn't the woman who raised her and nursed her ailments back to health, but just the fact of getting to hold her again made her feel like a sobbing cow. Damien was right about the makeup; she was having a hysterical crying fit. Everything about her mother looked the same as she remembered. Almond eyes accentuated by a youthful sparkling light. Ridges crinkled at the corners, drawing a patterned array in its wake. Dainty and graceful arms, that were currently wrapped stiffly around her. An awkward tap on the back was her mother’s main source of contact. The woman she remembered was warmer than a hot summers day with a smile that could stop any storm cloud. This woman was cold and aloof with a pert nose constantly positioned in the air. "That's enough, Dear. Stop your bawling. You’re stronger than this." She scolded.

  Aerity ignored the stiffness and shifted in closer. "I just missed you, mom." The words choked as they dropped from her mouth. How long she had yearned to say those three letters again. Mom. Mom. Mom. Mom. Aerity of this world didn't know how lucky she was. Didn't know what she had.

  Taking a sobering step back to compose herself, her not really mother squinted down at her with a curl to her lip. Aerity ignored it. She could imagine and she could pretend all she wanted and nothing would ruin this moment. "Well that was enlightening. Now I must be on my way so you can get ready for your big day."