A Flash In The Densest Shadow: From Forest To Flames #2

by K. Lyn Hill

  He leaned in far too close for comfort giving her outfit a pointed look. “Could have fooled me.”

  Refusing to give him the satisfaction of a reaction, she lifted her chin and grinned. “How good it is to see you again, Count. I have so missed your company since that night in the castle.”

  His smirk dropped to a frown at the memory of her

  embarrassing him and he snarled. “So what’s to keep me from turning you in?”

  “Perhaps you could find a reason in the bottom of your heart, but we both know you don’t have one.” The count’s eyes drifted to the voice behind her, his face scrunching up.

  “I see you two have met before.” Kayden said casually as he slung an arm around her waist, tugging her closer.

  The count’s eyes narrowed at the movement and darkened. “You’re playing a very dangerous game Kayden. You have to know who she is.”

  “I fail to understand your concern in the matter. How does her presence affect you? She is simply a normal girl where she’s from.” Geez. Thanks Kayden. She was a complete nobody, but she was also standing right there. Did he have to spell it out like that?

  “She is being hunted by the crown. Something you of all people should be worried about.” The count spoke low and menacingly. Aerity didn’t miss that last statement. Why would it matter to Kayden that they were searching for her?

  Kayden just laughed like he didn’t have a care in the world. “Yes and we are currently in an illegal gaming ring. Care to explain the difference?” Kayden was keeping it cool but Aerity felt anxiety welling up inside her. She never expected to see the count here. Her little run in with him at the castle when he kept making passes at her (despite her engagement) was quite enough interaction with the man.

  “She endangers us all by being here and you know it.”

  “I don’t know much although I am recalling a certain person’s desires that could lead to their position being removed from them. Said person would not want to push me.”

  The counts eyes blackened. “Are you threatening me?”

  Kayden once again had his lazy grin plastered to his face. “I don’t know. Are you the one with the forbidden desire?”

  “You’re playing with fire Kayden. This is stupid. Even for you. And all for that little tart?”

  Aerity had a suspicion that they were no longer talking about her but referring to someone else. Kayden gripped her waist tighter and slowly pulled her away, ignoring Mateo’s words. “Good luck at the games tonight, we both know you’ll need it.”

  Anger radiated off the count. Aerity could practically feel it blasting into her back as they walked away. Finally she could release the pent up breath she was holding in. “Thank you.”

  “No need to thank me. If he stole you away, I wouldn’t have your assistance in winning the games.” Of course, he didn’t actually care about her. “He did seem to have it in for you though. What did you do to the poor fellow?” Humor danced in his voice but contradicted the tightness in his shoulders. His typical carefree expression still danced on his face, giving nothing away. But she knew the truth. He was just as worried about the count as she was.

  “I was engaged to the prince and he was trying to seduce me while in the same room. I don’t appreciate being touched.”

  Kayden chuckled and glanced down at the arm wrapped around her stomach. He leaned into her ear. “So what do you call this?” At the same time he spoke, his fingers spread across her like he had ownership.

  Her teeth clenched. “Desperation.”

  He was silent a moment and then let out the most mesmerizing laughter. Eyes immediately sought out the source. Fear danced in some of the men’s eyes as they glanced at Kayden. Jealousy played on the woman’s faces as they looked at who was by his side. “Well then, my dear. It’s time to see what you’ve got.”

  He led her to a table set up for five players. Colored stones were stacked in front of each players seat and a dealer sat at the corner. There were four stations in total around the room. Kayden sat down in the chair and casually leaned back. His hand lightly gripped her wrist as he tugged her down to his lap.

  Throwing on her most sparkling smile, she peered up at Kayden with stars in her eyes. She watched his face brighten and the corner of his lip turned up. He knew it just as well as she did.

  It was time to play.

  Chapter Fifty

  Carly

  “Your stance is all wrong.” Siel sighed, crossing his arms over his chest exasperatedly.

  It was no use. She was a maid, not a fighter. She didn’t know the first thing about combat and no matter how hard Siel tried to teach her, she repetitively got it wrong. Her body was tired and covered in sweat and her breath kept flowing out of her in exhausted huffs. Each time Siel tried to grab her from behind, she would get flashes of the previous night where Sloane’s hands were all over her body, sliding her skirt up. A few times she fought back vomiting all over the floor. It didn’t help that the run in with the princess kept her thoroughly distracted.

  “Your mind is everywhere but here. You need to focus.” Siel may be helping her and his title just so happened to be prince but that didn’t stop her anger from rising up. She was doing the best she could.

  “Yes, I’m so sorry for almost getting raped yesterday. How dare my mind be on anything but you.” A growl slipped from her lips.

  Siel raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything, just continued staring at her unphased. “And I’m trying to make it so it doesn’t happen again somewhere that I or someone else isn’t around to save you.”

  Instantly she felt guilty and embarrassed. It wasn’t fair to take her anger out on him. She blew a wet strand of hair out of her face. “Look, I’m sorry. I’ve just never done this before. I’m frustrated I can’t figure it out.”

  “You’re not going to be able to instantly fight. It takes years to perfect. Having basic knowledge will help you but you need to stop cringing every time I touch you. I won’t hurt you, Carly.”

  His words felt like they were a tightening hand around her throat, but he was right. She knew he would never hurt her. “I know.” She stood there staring at her hands. She had lost count of how many days Aerity had been away from the castle and something pinged in her chest. She wished her friend was here to teach her. Carly wondered if she made it to Ferali okay and what she was up to. Probably doing something heroic and awesome. Befriending widows and such. The thought made her smile.

  “Aerity made it look so easy.” She whispered and peeked up through her lashes.

  At the sound of Aerity’s name, Siel’s head jerked up. His face was no longer impassive. He seemed in pain. She never did have a chance to tell him that Aerity had been in the dungeon. From the look on his face, Carly wondered if he already knew.

  Before she had the chance to ask, the door to the training room whooshed open with a loud crash against the wall. Elias stormed in, his back tense and neck straight. His eyes focused on Carly and glared, shifting his keen attention between the two of them. A shiver went down her spine. Something about him just wasn’t right.

  “As soon as you are done playing with the help Siel, the king requires your presence.”

  Carly clenched her jaw at his derogatory words. They all thought her useless. Nothing. She would prove them all wrong. She just had to. She was tired of being a nobody. Relying on other people to save her.

  Without another word, Elias left the way he came in a huff. The man had a perpetual scowl marring his face. Carly wondered if it was in fact permanent.

  Siel sighed and looked back to her. “Duty calls. It’s up to you. Do you want to pick back up tomorrow morning?” He asked as he grabbed a cloth and wrapped it around his neck. He hadn’t even broken a sweat because he had nothing to compete with.

  One day she would be good enough. One day.

  With renewed determination, she gave him a sharp nod. She wasn’t just the help or servant and she wasn’t helpless and pathetic. There was more to her. So much mor
e.

  And she was going to prove it.

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Damien

  “Remove his weapons.” Was all he heard before a handful of guards commanded his sword be handed over. The king knew that if he wanted to, he could take out all his guards and slaughter him if he was put in the right position.

  That and if he happened to be blood thirsty. Which he wasn’t.

  Killing wasn’t something he chose to do. It wasn’t a choice. Each time he had taken a life, it was to protect those closest to him and the image of each one still haunted him.

  Without giving him a chance to remove the weapons himself, the guards clawed at his body like he was a commoner. Not that his father would care. The less people in the kingdom who respected him, the better. It meant a longer reign for him if they all thought Damien a bigger monster. In fact, the king took every opportunity to smear his name in the dirt. Whether true or not.

  Stepping up to where the king was seated, he once again found himself in the same position. With his father looking down on him.

  “Did you think I wouldn’t find out?” His menacing voice, cold and unfeeling chilled his bones. Damien could tell instantly that something was about to go horribly wrong if the look in the King’s eyes was anything to go off of. And he had a strong feeling that others were about to suffer too.

  “What are you referring to, Your Highness?” He said politely, even though inside he had begun to shake.

  “Where is she?” The king’s voice was coated in darkness, confirming what he already knew. The princess told him about Aerity.

  “Who, Your Majesty?” He asked casually, furrowing his brow in the act of confusion.

  The king’s face grew fierce and unrelenting. “You know who. Where is she?”

  “I don’t know what you’re referring to.” He played dumb. He would never tell the king where Aerity was. Not for anything in the world.

  The king dragged in a deep breath. “You don’t understand the consequences of your action, Damien. She must be found and annihilated. She holds a threat to our world.”

  “Are you speaking from experience, father? Perhaps it has something to do with the sanctioned off part of the woods? Or the stories that were thought to be just stories to keep children from misbehaving? You sure do have a way of covering over your errors. Did Benjamin really die from natural causes? Or was he just another means of sweeping your mistakes under the rug?”

  “Benjamin was my friend and it was your digging and prying that got him killed!”

  Could the rot dig any deeper into this man’s core? His secrets were going to resurface and burry him alive. Damien just hoped he would be around to see it happen. He growled. “Maybe you should have been the one to tell me! I could have prevented so much if I had known!”

  “Hard decisions need to be made when you become king. It’s best if you learn that now rather than later. You can start with telling me where she is!” His father yelled, his voice echoing off the walls.

  “She is harmless. You do not need to hunt her down. She won’t cause us any problems.”

  Piercing eyes met his. “Until she wants more. The threats will grow, the demands will multiply, and it will never end! She is from that dreadful world and needs to be eliminated. That witch had the face of my wife. She destroyed everything!” He boomed.

  “Aerity is different.”

  “Your princess imposter must be eradicated! You just don’t understand yet but you will. This is your last chance Damien!”

  “No.”

  The king released a sigh. “I was hoping things wouldn’t come to this.”

  Damien’s body stilled. “Hoping it wouldn’t come to what?”

  “You should realize by now that your actions have consequences and as much as I wish to take your punishment from your own flesh, you would simply take it much easier than other means of torture.”

  Damien clenched his jaw and his eyes hardened. Whatever his father had planned, he wasn’t going to like it. “Why can’t you just let this go?”

  “She took everything from me!” The king boomed, slamming his fist on the table. “And I will be damned if one of her minions is here to finish me off! There is no other reason someone from that world could have gotten here without that bitch’s help! The slate must be cleared!” Spittle flew from the king’s mouth.

  Damien tried to remain calm. “Aerity didn’t even know how she got here.”

  “That’s what she wants you to believe! You’ve always been such a fool! And I’m sick of your stupidity. Your insubordination! You will never be ready to be king!” He paused and wiped at his mouth, leaning back in his chair and just as calmly tapped his finger to the armrest. “I’ve run through the accounts since I have returned. Seems as though someone has been skimming off the top of our supplies.”

  Damien’s blood froze in his veins and took a quick glance around the room searching for who his father was going to use against him. He would never dare to use Siel but that didn’t mean he couldn’t find a way. It was one thing for his father to abuse him. He would take every single last hit, if it ensured other’s safety. But the king knew that wasn’t the way to punish him. No, the way to do it would be to make him watch others get hurt, especially if it was from his actions that they got pulled into his father’s vengeance.

  The king let go a dark chuckle. “I see the guilt clearly written on your face and you know exactly what that means.” The door to the courtroom abruptly opened, followed by a number of guards. Tucked and huddling behind them, Damien got a glimpse of old ripped fabric.

  Villagers.

  His heart dropped. No.

  He reached for his sword only to remember he didn’t have a weapon. Four guards circled him but left a gap remaining so he could clearly see what was about to happen.

  “These dirty villagers have stolen from our kingdom, Damien. They had our blankets and unauthorized food storage all over their cottages.” The king tssked. Damien jerked his head back to his fathers, clenching his hands at his side. He frantically searched for familiar faces, but none of them resembled Rebecca or Marecio’s. A sigh of relief almost slipped through his lips until he remembered that innocent people were still standing in front of him, basically on a slaughtering block.

  “I think they are deserving of a hanging. For example purposes of course. What do you say, son? Do you agree on their punishment?”

  Damien wondered how many of the guards he could have taken out by himself but he would get himself killed and that was what the king wanted. An excuse to see him suffer. He couldn’t help anyone if his father stayed in rule forever. At least Damien would make a difference when he had the throne, even if now he wanted to throw that all away to help them all.

  “You already know it was me who gave them those supplies. They aren’t thieves. You would do much better to punish me.” Damien replied calmly, even though his insides were warring.

  “What fun would that be? No, you will only learn your lesson this way. It’s what needs to be done.” The king paused. “Unless you tell me where she is.”

  All these deaths for one person? But he couldn’t sacrifice Aerity’s safety. He wouldn’t. Anything he chose, he would lose.

  Damien’s heart began to pound harder as he looked at the sobbing woman that had been transported here like cattle. He had been so used to keeping his expression dead when it came to his father. He enjoyed punishing him far too much to let him see Damien’s pain.

  But this, this was too much. Too far.

  Without being able to hold his tongue, he spat, “Women? You can’t really plan on doing this! Mother would be disgusted and ashamed of what you have become!”

  “Your mother is dead!” He screamed, his face contorting with rage. “Too bad she didn’t die sooner so that you weren’t born!”

  Damien felt like he had been punched in the gut. He suppressed the intense shattering of his heart. His mother was everything that was good in the world and his father spoke words
that couldn’t be undone. Defaming her name. He couldn’t catch his breath, so much anger was surging through him.

  But was the king done? No. No he wasn’t. “Every time I look at your bloody face, I see her! I see all my mistakes! How could she be gone but left me with you! Pathetic excuse of a person.” Spittle flew from his mouth as he hollered. “Tell me where she is!”

  “Don’t do this!”

  “Last chance!”

  “I won’t let you kill her!

  The king clenched his jaw. “So be it. Kill all of them but one!” He ordered.

  “No! Don’t! Please don’t! This won’t solve anything!” Damien lunged but it was too late.

  Three guards seized him as the others each took a woman and slid their swords over their throats. The guards suddenly dropped him and he felt he could no longer hold himself up. His legs weakened as he fell to the ground, staring at all the red with curled fingers digging into the tiled floor. Clawing for a way out. A way to rewind.

  The one remaining woman looked at the others lying on the ground with horror and then at Damien with something akin to pure terror. His ears were roaring with the blood rushing to his hanging head.

  “Now.” The king continued as if he hadn’t just murdered a group of innocent women, “You” He pointed to the lone woman standing in the room convulsing. “will go to the local villagers and tell them that they stole from the castle supplies and Damien had a chance to save them but didn’t.” The woman stared blankly at the king still in shock. “If you don’t and I hear you told a different story, I will hunt you down and have your entire family murdered.” Liquid formed a puddle below her legs. She urinated on herself. “Do you understand?”

  She nodded emphatically.

  “Speak!” He boomed.

  She jumped and quickly said. “Yes, Your Majesty.”

  “Good, now get out of my throne room.” The king waved her off with a casual hand motion but Damien couldn’t focus. He was still busy staring at the bodies now being drug out of the room.

  So much blood.