Page 5 of Embers of Ruin

I run across the frozen field, trying to be as silent as possible even though my boots crunch loudly on the frost. I hope against hope that it’s not loud enough for listening ears. Survival is the only thing on my mind and the closer I get to the forest, the better my odds of not being caught.

I want to linger on the fact that someone likely sold me out. Who would have done it? I have worked what some would call miracles for many of them. I want to be furious that they would rather see me killed than have someone in the village able to cure what healers without magic cannot. But I don’t have time for those thoughts, so I suppress them. That doesn’t stop my eyes from stinging at the betrayal.

The shouts grow louder behind me. Even from this distance, I hear men barking orders and see the flicker of torchlight cutting through the darkness. I can only hope those orders aren’t directed at me.

Wishful thinking, but I have a feeling I’m exactly what drew the guards here. Mara and I always knew there was a chance something like this could happen. We just prayed it wouldn’t.

“Find the girl!” One man shouts, his voice so close that it stills the blood in my veins.

“Our orders are to find the Tarethyn girl, so FIND her!” another man shouts, and I hear the sound of a sword sliding from its hilt.

My stomach immediately drops and any hope that the guards might be looking for someone else dissolves. Their reference to the Tarethyn girl certainly has to be me because I’m the only Tarethyn left in Elvora. Looking over my shoulder, I push myself further until my legs begin to ache. My lungs burn with every breath, but I know I have to keep moving. Survival is the goal, because capture … I don't want to think about what will happen to me if I’m captured and turned over to King Thorin. The thought propels me forward until I see an abandoned stable tucked away near the edge of the forest.

I duck behind it, checking to make sure I wasn’t followed before creeping in. I press my back against the damp wood, allowing myself a brief moment to breathe. There’s silence for a moment and then I hear it ... the sound of clanging armor. My heart races so fast it feels as if it’s going to explode. I’m on the verge of burnout, and about to have a panic attack. Gods, this can’t be happening to me today. Of all the days, today is the day I’m going to die. In an old battered shed, of all places.

Through the cracks in the wood, I see the soldiers making their way across the field and moving closer to my hiding spot. Their torches gleam against the contrasting night sky, and I notice there are many of them. Too many to outmaneuver.

I pull my cloak over my hair to hide its bright silver color that would make me an unmistakable target and stand deathly still. Trying to be as silent as possible, I watch as they move closer, noting the unmistakable crest on their silver armor; it’s the Shadow King’s mark. One of them lifts a small sprig of green—my herbs. I pat my satchel, noticing it feels significantly lighter. Drawing a sharp breath, I let out a low curse, knowing I’ll have to run if they get any closer.

“She was here,” a deep voice says. “Search the fields. Quickly!”

I curse under my breath, preparing myself for a fight. I don’t want to use my magic to harm them, but if it’s me or them … I clench my hands, willing the light to stay buried. What lurks beneath the surface is a blessing, but it is also dangerous. My gift is much too bright for a world that has forgotten the sun.

A branch cracks nearby and I turn, just as a strong hand closes over my mouth.

“Don’t scream.”

The voice is low and rough, so close to my ear that it tickles. I twist free, spinning to face a man half-hidden by shadow. He isn’t wearing armor, nor does he bear the crest of the king’s guard. The man wears a long dark coat and leather gloves, his hood drawn so low I can only make out his dark eyes, which are cold and assessing.

“Who are you?” I demand after he releases his hand from my mouth.

Moving quickly, I pull a dagger from a holster strapped to my ankle and press it to his throat, breathing heavily. I bet he didn’t see that one coming.

“Someone who doesn’t plan to let you die tonight.”

He pushes my dagger away, unafraid of my threat, as a smile tugs at his lips. Well, this was not what I planned, but neither were the events of this day, so … I roll my neck, taking a defensive stance to let him know I’m prepared to fight him if I have to. He’ll knock me on my ass for certain, but I’m not going to let a stranger drag me off without a fight.

“I don’t need your help. I need to get away from here,” I snap, attempting to keep my voice down.

“Oh, I think you do need my help,” he says simply, glancing toward the torches sweeping closer. “The guards will find you in minutes if you’re the girl they’re looking for.”

I hesitate, studying him for a moment. There’s something unsettling about how calm he is. The guards are practically on top of us but he doesn’t seem bothered. I inspect him closer, mentally noting several details about his appearance. He certainly isn’t from Elvora, his fine clothing gives that away. He doesn’t carry himself like a soldier either. Narrowing my eyes, I attempt to get a better look at his face. Something is off, I just can’t pinpoint what it is and I don’t have time to run through the possibilities. I can’t think of a single reason this stranger would want to help me.

“Why would you help me? You don’t even know me.” I’m moving closer to him now, trying to get a closer look at his face. Apparently, I have no regard for my own safety.

The man smiles faintly, revealing a row of perfectly white teeth. “Because if you are the girl they are looking for, the King wants you. And whatever the King wants, I want the opposite.”

Before I can react, he catches my wrist and pulls me with him. We slip through the stable’s rear door and into the forest, the roaring wind muffling our footsteps.

“Let me go,” I hiss, trying to wrench free of his iron clad grip. “What in the seven hells do you think you’re doing? I don’t need your help, I can make it just fine on my own!”

The man ignores my protests, keeping a firm grip on my arm. “Not until we’re clear of those guards,” he growls, turning to face me. “You need to calm down. I am not going to hurt you.”

Moonlight spills across his face, finally giving me a glimpse of the man beneath the cloak. The sight catches me off guard. He is undeniably handsome with long dark hair pulled back from his face, sharp angular features, and dark, almond-shaped eyes that tilt slightly upward at the corners. My gaze roams over his form, noting the tunic that clings to a solid, muscular build. My gaze lingers for a moment before I clear my throat, remembering that I’m alone in the forest with a complete stranger.

I yank my arm free and stare him down. “Then what? You’ll drag me to the king? What do you want with me, and how do you know it’s me the guards are after?”

He remains stoic and silence stretches on for a beat before I sigh in annoyance. I look him up and down, trying to find a crest or branding of some sort. I have so many questions, but he doesn’t seem like the type that will willingly answer them. I can’t stop wondering what he’s doing roaming the forest at night. And how did he know exactly where to find me?