Chapter 26 #2
She turned back to the table and placed her hand on it, then pulled it away.
Nothing happened, not even a scorch mark.
She did it again. This time, she pushed the flame into the wood.
A perfect charred handprint appeared. She repeated the action, blasting her power into the surface with all her might and a stream of flame burst through the wood, burning a hole in the spot she touched.
“Tal?” Faron repeated.
“The mage. Where is he?” Her voice sounded distant, almost ethereal.
He took in the sight of her. “He’s in a back corner. Trapped behind a layer of apparitions.” He gestured in the direction.
Tal nodded, though she didn’t know if he could tell. Slowly, she walked out of the room. It felt graceful, like gliding. The sight out in the hallway would have terrified her if she had a mind to be. As it were, she felt at peace, as if all would be well.
Apparitions filled the open space, pushing to reach the six fighters scattered throughout the room.
A guard roared as his sword sliced through two apparitions at once. Tal blinked and thought she saw a ghost, only to realize the stoic Jens had joined the fight. Waylon, too, dispatched one foe after another. His usual jolly nature was replaced by a ferocity akin to Tal’s own fury.
Her friends yelled to each other, calling out strategies and warnings.
Something flew across the room and apparitions fell in its wake.
Egan landed on top of one and tore its head clean off with claw-like hands.
She blinked and noticed how free he seemed, releasing the beast within.
It was beautiful to watch, but another problem demanded her attention.
Tal turned away and walked in the direction Faron had indicated.
Carrick caught sight of her and did a double take.
“Blazing pigs, what in the hells is that?!”
“It’s Tal!” Faron appeared in the doorway behind her. “It’s Tal!” he repeated.
“Tal?!” Carrick replied incredulously.
She continued her approach. As Talwyn walked past apparitions, she brushed them with a hand, and they burst into flame.
She found the mage holed up in the last room, surrounded by more apparitions.
She easily walked through his defenses, burning them to nothing with the slightest touch.
A cape of flame and smoke followed in her wake until it disappeared upon the apparition’s death.
As she drew closer, she could see the mage frantically spelling more apparitions into existence, but he wasn’t fast enough to block her approach.
Soon, he gave up on the apparitions and began throwing curses at her directly.
She felt the slashing spell hit her in the chest, but her flame burned it away.
His arms waved this way and that with the spellcasting, but Tal continued her approach without disruption.
When she reached the mage, he screamed in sheer terror.
What a shame. She much more preferred to kill him when he was the unfeeling man who tortured her. She lifted a hand and caressed the back of her fingers down his petrified face. He choked out a scream and his eyes glowed yellow, then flames burst from them.
Flames escaped his body from his eyes, his mouth, his ears, and soon they shot from his fingers.
They ate away at his skin. Tal watched as her fury slowly consumed him.
The screaming stopped and his burning form collapsed on the ground.
The building grew quiet. She turned in time to see her friends running into the room, all apparitions gone now that the mage was dead, no bodies nor cloaks left behind.
Her friends were in quite a state, all showing signs of an intense battle, but all thankfully still accounted for.
Their eyes went wide when they caught sight of her, jaws dropped in wonder and amazement.
When Faron pushed his way to the front, concern lined his face.
His eyes searched her. Whether he searched for any sign of injury or evidence that the living flame in front of him was still the stubborn woman from the docks, she didn’t know.
He had come for her. She had pushed him away, played with his emotions, and threatened him.
But still he fought for her. There he stood, face full of concern for her.
She walked toward him. With each step, she thought of his smile, his kindness, the feel of his hands in her hair, his kiss on her lips.
And with each memory, she felt her fury retreat into her.
First her hands and feet returned to skin and bone.
Then, slowly, the flames returned to her chest, concentrating their form over her heart until a single blinding, beating ember remained.
Tal stood naked before the king, her clothes having been burned away when she released her fury, and with the last beat of her magic, a single tear escaped her eye and traveled down her cheek. All at once, she felt too tired to continue.
Faron reached for her, and she collapsed in his arms, sobbing with what little energy remained. Egan came forward and covered her with his shirt. Faron wrapped the fabric around her and held her tight. “It’s over. You’re safe. We’ve got you,” he comforted.
Tal fought the exhaustion for a few more breaths and then finally relaxed in Faron’s arms, letting a peaceful darkness pull her under.