CHAPTER 29 #2
The flames were getting closer to his stall, too close.
I grabbed the metal latch, and a scream tore from my throat.
I ripped my hands away and looked at the burns already taking shape, as a piece of my skin dangled from my palm.
My hands began to tremble, but I had to free Ares.
He tugged at my hair in panic, his head poking through the hole of the stable door.
I grabbed what was left of my dress, wrapped it around my hands, and yanked on the metal latches, screaming at the pressure against my burned skin.
The latch gave way, and I swung the door open.
Ares sprang into motion, running from the stables to the fresh air.
I chased after him, but the smoke was becoming too much.
I fell to my hands and knees and crawled my way out of the stables, barely able to hold my own weight on the searing pain of my palms. My trembling hands hit the grass, and a tiny wave of relief washed over me.
I gathered enough strength to push myself up, coughing the remnants of smoke out of my lungs, and dashed towards the willow tree, hoping everyone had made it there safely.
I turned the corner of the engulfed building and was met by a cloaked figure standing in front of me.
Panic strangled my throat, as realization slammed into me as I remembered I had left my swords at the back of the stables when I opened the doors.
I backed away, wanting as much room as possible between us, hoping its powers couldn’t reach me if I was far enough away, but I was wrong.
The Soulless lifted its hand, and I was lifted into the air, my feet dangling under me.
The choking sensation grew, but it was not my panic this time.
My scorched hands clawed at the invisible hold on my neck, but no relief came.
This can’t be it. This can’t be the end.
Darkness edged into my vision as fatigue washed over me.
Suddenly, I crashed into the ground, coughing as I rubbed my throat, gasping for air.
I looked up, and a sword was protruding from the creature’s ribs, and another through its head as black shadows engulfed its body.
The black mist radiated from where the swords were and wrapped around them in an attempt to pull them free, but they retreated from the gaping wounds as the cloaked figure fell to the ground.
Zendryk! He stood just behind the creature's lifeless body, a sword in each hand, covered in blood, as black, misty shadows surrounded him. He rushed over to me.
“Are you hurt?!” He checked me over and then noticed my hands.
“Shit, Avyn!” He ripped a piece of his shirt and wrapped it around each one.
“I’m okay. I got them all out; I left my swords at the back of the stables, though. I have to go get them.” Bracing myself through the pain, I got to my feet and began moving.
My vision was speckled with stars, or was it fleeing fairies? He followed me closely, looking in every direction to see if any danger dared to approach as his black mist surrounded us, blending us into the shadows of the stable walls.
“How the hell did they get in?” I asked him as I grabbed my swords. The pain was still there, but it was manageable with the cloth wrapped around it.
“I’m not sure, but there are a lot of them. I’ve taken down at least ten. It was an organized attack.” He looked left and right. “Here.”
He unfastened his sword belt and tied it around my waist, leaving me to tuck in both swords safely, so that he didn’t feel their wrath again.
“We need to get you to safety.” He said, surveying the line to the willow tree.
“I am not hiding while others need help.” I knew that I would be useless since I couldn’t hold my swords properly.
The fire in his eyes was not from the reflection of the burning building behind us; no, desire and passion brought them to life.
“You are so fucking amazing.” And he leaned down and brushed a fleeting kiss to my lips; I didn’t fight it. I wanted it. I wanted this. I wanted him.
The sound of pounding hooves came from behind us, and the feel of his smile broke our kiss.
“I hope you aren’t scared of heights.” He said, pulling his face away from mine, and then he winked before picking me up and tossing me on Ares’s back as he slowed to a trot coming towards us.
“Hold on, Sweetheart!” and he smacked Ares's backside.