Page 38 of The Ember and the Emerald

I accepted and flipped the lid. Clean bandages. Vials of stuff I couldn’t identify. “I can tell you with absolute confidence that I’ve seen twenty years into the future.”

New gasps of surprise sounded. Little wonder I had leaned into the persona.

Jasher released me to hold the box while I turned my back to the soldiers and bound my wound, adhering the bandage through the slit in my clothes. He didn’t watch me, but the others, malice pulsing from him, daring anyone to make a move.

He was only flirting to win me to his side, but he was doing a good job of it.

When I finished and faced the soldiers, Jasher dropped the box and wrapped his arms around me again. The malice switched off, and I relaxed into his hold. He did this to…protect me?

“Now, where were we?” he asked the others.

The captain pressed a hand over his heart, earnest as he peered at me. “Great One, do you wish us to pry the monstra off you?”

“He’s fine where he is.” Jasher wouldn’t harm me. I was almost sure of it. “As previously discussed, you will take us to the king. Without harming my friend.” I should destroy the journal before we reached the palace.

Could I use it as proof of my claims? Yes. Surprise! I’m your child. See, you wrote this to help me, and Ian is a wicked man responsible for the monstra.

But better safe than sorry. I couldn’t risk Ian getting his hands on it. He caused too much damage with it.

Captain Rourke hesitated, fingers twitching, as if he debated his next move. “We will do as you’ve requested. After we’ve restrained the beast to our satisfaction.” Every soldier around him shifted, a hundred small movements syncing, reminding me of a tightening net.

Jasher let loose a sound of amusement and hunger at once. “Try to bind me. If you dare,” he taunted, voice low and far more dangerous than anything they’d heard from him yet. “I played nice before. I won’t do so again.”

Swords rose, ready. A soldier’s hand shook as he lifted a net-harpoon.

“There’s no need for further shackles,” I told them as confidently as I was able. “Come now. He didn’t slaughter the lot of you when he had the chance. And honestly, he isn’t the biggest threat here, is he?” When in Hakeldama… “Let us go while I’m still in such a good mood.”

The “he” in question rested his chin on the top of my head, and I didn’t have to see him to know he grinned at the soldiers. “Perhaps you should run. Her temper far outshines Elowen’s.”

Suddenly the men looked ready to vomit.

I smiled sweetly, even as my ribs tightened at the mention of the water queen. The next time I wasn’t surrounded by threats, I’d probe my memory. Learn more about our previous interactions.

The captain raised an arm, a quick signal to stand down. “Very well. We will escort you and your…beast to the palace, without further restraints.” His gaze flicked to Jasher. “But the axes are ours. And if he attacks us, even with words, we will take extreme measures against him.”

Considering the blades would return to him, I wasn’t exactly worried about their confiscation. “That’s fine.”

Jasher tossed them over without comment. I bent to scoop up the fallen pack.

Captain Rourke reached for it. “I’m happy to carry your bag, Great One.”

I drew back, tightening my hold on the strap. “Mine. But thank you.”

Frowning, he gave the signal to move on. As I followed, Jasher keeping pace behind me, I was certain of only one thing: Everything was about to change.

11

OFF TO SEE THE KING

Mounted on colorful horses, the soldiers encircled us, a moving wall meant to discourage flight. We journeyed through the forest. The same woodland I’d trekked before, yet nothing was as I remembered.

Before, it was a place of towering giants, with canopies woven so thick that thin, golden ribbons of sunlight had filtered through the leaves like falling glitter. Now, beyond the sweet oasis where Jasher and I had arrived, only ruins remained.

Thick smoke cloaked the sky, the woods beneath a skeletal husk. Blackened branches appeared to claw air with every bluster of wind, as if the trees attempted to drag themselves from the destruction. Insects and critters that once hummed and buzzed were now silent.

On a boulder, seemingly painted in blood, was an ominous poem that reminded me of my nonsense note. Foxes in need dream. Hills eat rain.

No wonder tension held the soldiers in a vise grip. It held me, too, especially when a lone bird with three eyes and patchy rainbow feathers landed upon a gnarled limb to watch our procession.