Whatever I decide, I need to act fast.
Chapter Seven
Maxim, King of Ember
Explosions of fire billow up ahead as I soar across the mountainous border between the Ember and Iron Kingdoms, my golden serpent carrying me swiftly through the air.
The toxic scent of clashing iron fills my chest as we draw closer to the battle on the barren plain past the wide mountain range.
Not a battle between Iron Fae and Ember Fae.
An hour ago, darkness like nothing I’ve ever experienced rushed south from the Iron Kingdom, over the mountains, and across the sand dunes of my home. The darkness blocked out the setting sun’s final rays and cast the landscape into an unnatural night. While the stars quickly resumed shining in the east and west, here a dark channel has formed, maybe half a mile wide, not a star visible above me. Not a single moonbeam strikes through the air or reaches the ground.
And now, the unearthly shrieks of starving vampyrs set my teeth on edge. Shrieks I never thought I’d hear anywhere near my kingdom. The dark creatures swarm the fae at the border,taking down eagles and their Iron Fae riders as well as attacking my people, the Ember Fae, and our golden serpents.
From this distance, all I can do is watch the carnage.
Another eagle plummets and a mass of vampyrs immediately converges on the downed bird and its rider, the bird’s screams strangling and cutting short when the dark creatures form a mound over them.
Writhing and feeding.
Even upon my Iron Fae enemies, I would not wish this fate.
Leaning low over my serpent’s neck, I murmur, “This is where we part.”
I had planned for him to carry me as far as possible into the Iron Kingdom.
My goal was to pursue the Oracle.
Yesterday, I finally acquired the legendary fire dragon’s hide that will allow me to infiltrate the Iron Kingdom without fearing that my fire will destroy everything around me. If my flames threaten to burn beyond my control, I can wrap myself in the dragon’s hide to stop the fire from spreading. Or, if I wish for my fire to fulfill its potential destruction, I can use the dragon’s skin to protect a fae of my choosing.
The Oracle.
She’s the one I’ll protect.
But now I’m flying into a new battle, and I won’t risk my serpent’s life. I certainly won’t abandon my people to this fight.
If we don’t stop the vampyrs right now, they’ll use the darkness to surge farther into the Ember Kingdom wherever the dark channel extends.
“Seek shelter in the mountains behind us,” I command my serpent.
I sense he’s about to disobey me. He certainly doesn’t turn away or slow down. But I’m not about to take advantage of his bravery.
I’ll need to use my fire to its full extent to fight the vampyrs, but by doing so, I’ll endanger every other living creature near me.
Nothing survives my flames.
“Don’t come after me,” I order my serpent one last time before I take matters into my own hands and launch myself from his back.
Leaping into the air, I jump toward the rocky earth below, landing lightly a hundred paces from the battle ahead.
I race along the flat ground, gratified when a glance back confirms my serpent is obeying me by turning away from the fight, even if he’s moving slowly and repeatedly checking on me.
Satisfied that he’ll stay safe, I run onward, my arms and legs pumping while the rocks and sand try to slow me down.
The large satchel I’m carrying bumps against my back. The dragon’s hide is folded within it, along with two sets of clothing, including masks and hoods to conceal my identity, and a pair of short boots, all tucked away within the protective hide so they won’t burn to ash if my fire explodes.
Up ahead, multiple towers sit at equal distances apart, each Ember Tower built to oppose an Iron Tower.
