Some are in dresses, most likely those in cahoot with the Royals of Azure.
Yet, I know none of them.
Most of them hate me for what I have done. I’d hate me too.
“I can’t wait to watch you die!” a man croaks to my right. His voice sends chills down my spine.
I don’t flinch.
I won’t give in to what they want me to do. Which is to feel weak.
To believe I cannot do this.
Despite the pain it will cause me to remember, I take a deep breath and remind myself of the training I have undergone the past few days. Especially with the two of…them.
I clench my eyes shut, my fingers rolling into fists, digging into my palms. My lips part, breathing a deep breath that no matter what, I cannot call upon the dragons. I cannot use the powers inside of me. I am on my own.
My breath comes in shallow gasps as I peer into the darkness with a cautious eye. I begin to count my breaths as my chest rises and falls, creating a steady pace for my body to withstand the battle that is to come. The darkness in the cage is still, and I wait for any sign of movement, but nothing seems to stir within its depths.
Yet still, I feel something powerful lurking there.
Waiting to strike.
Waiting to kill me.
Fiery embers begin to sparkle in the darkness. Low popping and crackling sounds roar in the tunnel. Warm, amber light creeps along the dark gravel until finally, the whole tunnel is full of fire and smoke.
The crowd around me erupts into a deafening roar as the massive being prances out from behind a curtain of flames. It is none other than the legendary fire mare, the God of Fire’s horse, forged by flame throughout its body.
Shit.
Of course they would throw me in here with the one that can burn people to ash.
The last of the flock. The last one alive, in all of Azure.
Did she put me inhere to die?
For a moment, we stand face to face, our gazes locked in an unspoken challenge. The heat from its body scorches my black, leather bodysuit like a thousand tiny devils, tempting me to back away from this fight, but I stand my ground. This is my destiny.
I will not let Prince Florian win. Not today. I will prove to him I can do this without them. That I don’t need him or Koen to teach me their ways. I am over them trying to protect me, control me, dictate my every move.
Damn it, I am my father’s daughter. I am a Deskyiara.
I need to start acting like a Deskyiara.
The mare is breathtaking. Yet, its eyes speak of death. Rumor has it, one touch to my flesh andI burn to ash.
Like most of the men before me it seems.
I’m pretty sure like the one man I am standing on.Rest in peace.
But will I burn?
My eyes lift, catching the sight of black boots hanging over the rocky wall. I hold my breath, noticing Koen eating food with his dagger as he intently watches me. He gives me a subtle nod, making my insides roll like a snake, tightening until I can't breathe.
He is alive. The only one who has survived so far it seems.
But how I wish he wouldn’t watch me with those eyes.
