Phoenix Rising

by Rebecca Harwell

  “My tools do not ride in the carts,” she said, voice deep and commanding.

  “But, lady, madame—”

  “Forgemaster.”

  “F—Forgemaster, you have a long journey, and if you do not claim the space, I will have to give it away.” He wiped his forehead, and Nadya stifled a laugh.

  “Then do so. Do not bother me again.”

  “And I’d do it quickly before she decides to throw down with you for insinuating that she’s a delicate flower needing help.”

  Nadya grinned as Shay strolled into view, her easy smirk scaring off the guardsman.

  Jeta Forgemaster shook her head and trudged forward, leading one of the pairs of pack mules out toward the city’s gate.

  “Having fun?” Nadya asked, walking up behind Shay.

  To her credit, Shay did not jump. She turned, her smirk turning into a genuine smile. “And here I thought I would be able to sneak off without a tear-laden good-bye.” She gripped Nadya’s arm. “I am glad you came.”

  “Me too.” Suddenly, her tongue turned thick and heavy, and everything she wanted to say failed her. Nadya stared at Shay until the other woman laughed.

  “You look like you’ve someplace to be. Phoenix too. Don’t tell me that crazy cloaked woman is going to make an appearance at the wedding today.” Despite her light tone, the edges of Shay’s smile strained, and Nadya knew such carefreeness was an act.

  “No. I am coming with you.” Finally, the words were there.

  The smirk fell back slowly, as if Shay had heard her words piece by piece. “With the caravan? To the edge of the sea, of course. A send off from the great Iron Phoenix, hmm?” There, the smirk was back, but Nadya knew better. It was a shield, and Shay was practiced at wielding it.

  Nadya closed the space between them until the soft scent of coals that was Shay’s alone filled her entire world. “Only if you stop there. I’m with you as far as you go, Shay. Beyond Storm’s Quarry, beyond the Kyanite Sea. To the end of the South Marches, or west past Wintercress. As far as the Dragon flies,” she added with a smile.

  “Dragon, now?” But there was a quaver and the armor that Shay wore so well, the mask darker than her face paint, fell away. “The wedding?”

  “Not going.” Her smile broadened as Shay’s eyes softened.

  “And Kesali?”

  “I choose you, Shay.” Stars, it felt good to say it. Nadya swallowed back the thickness in her throat. “I choose you,” she repeated.

  “I don’t…” she stuttered, looking wildly about for Jeta, for a guardsman, for something to anchor her, but there were only the two of them as the end of the caravan left them in the Nomori square, headed for the gate of the city.

  This was Shay, who could burn a person to cinders for looking at her wrong, who never showed a bit of weakness no matter how many soldiers were bearing down on her, who held Nadya as she relived Gedeon’s control and calmed her, unafraid of her strength, who faced the family that had thrown her out for dead when it mattered the most, to save Nadya’s city. Who now stood before Nadya, eyes vulnerable with hope and fear, mouth quivering, heart racing loud enough to frighten off the seabirds. Whose voice cracked only once as she asked, “Are you sure?”

  Nadya took her hand and kissed the back of it, lips skimming over the forge-weathered skin, quelling Shay’s trembles. She looked up into Shay’s eyes and replied, “I have never been surer of anything, Natsia.”

  About the Author

  Rebecca Harwell grew up in Minnesota and has since lived around the Midwest, which has given her a love of winter and the prairie. She holds a BA in creative writing from Knox College and is currently pursuing her MS in library science at Indiana University.

  Her writing reflects the comic books, space operas, and high fantasy epics she loves to read. When not writing, Rebecca can be found studying, watching Star Trek reruns, playing with her rabbit, and staging imaginary battles in her head. She remains unconvinced that unicorns aren’t real.

  Rebecca can be contacted at: rebeccajharwell@gmail.com

  Website: http://www.rebeccaharwell.com/

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