Chapter 10 Starlette Lily’s Flaming Petals
That wasn’t a question. It was a demand.
“I already told you,” I said firmly, hardening my gaze.
Jackson scoffed, straightened, and then walked away. I watched him go, my brows furrowed.
Cedric’s rudeness was out of wariness. But the captain? He was cruel, angered by something. Or someone.
“Why is Embercrest on lockdown?” I blurted. “Embercrest is open to all—”
“Embercrest’s affairs have nothing to do with an outsider,” he barked. His voice boomed, and I recoiled.
“But—I’m a Ray. Queen Victoria is expecting me!” I protested.
“Her Majesty relayed no word to me. So she either forgot about you, or doesn’t care,” he muttered.
“WHAT?!” I roared.
The noise outside the tent went silent, and a few knights peeked inside.
Robin or not, being told my mother didn’t care about me was a trigger.
Jackson hesitated and sighed. “What I’m saying is that I don’t have the time to spare for a bastard’s child without proof.”
My jaw dropped. I had never seen such disrespect for someone of Ray heritage. “Bastard or not, he’s still the past king’s son!”
“A son never spoken about for a good reason. His dishonorable actions taint the Ray name. I’m fully aware he has multiple lovers, and I wouldn’t be surprised in the least if you were the result.” Jackson tilted his head. “But if you insist, My Lady. You’re welcome to pass the barricade.”
The tightness in my chest eased as I breathed, “You will? Really?”
“Yes.” He brought out his dagger and unsheathed it. I flinched when he stabbed it onto the map, in the middle of Moir Forest. “On your own.”
My hope dropped like a rock in water. “On… my own? Through Moir Forest??”
“As I said, I don’t have time to spare for you.” Jackson crossed his arms. “My current orders are more important than anything right now, and they have my hands full.”
I could tell he wasn’t lying, but it still hurt that he wouldn’t even apologize.
My teeth ground as I balled up my hands and barked, “Fine! FINE!! I’ll go by myself!”
The light in Jackson’s eyes briefly flickered. His lips pursed, holding back words until he turned away. “Do as you wish,” he grunted before leaving.
How dare he!
I fumed; my body grew hot.
I’ll show him!
Before storming out, I snatched the dagger and sheathed it, tucking it under my jacket.
A handful of knights watched me walk out of camp, including Cedric and Erik. They spoke to Jackson, worry reflected in their eyes, but Jackson dismissed them and got back to work.
I didn’t bother giving him a second glance as I marched into Moir Forest.
The forest I was in earlier was nothing compared to this. No sunlight could reach beyond the branches. The shadows were long, and there was no wind. Silence. It sent chills through me. The fire that drove me onward dwindled into embers.
There’s that feeling again…
I hugged myself, struggling to breathe. It’s like an energy that’s pulling me somewhere. I glanced in the direction that my body was drawn toward and saw nothing but blackness.
I think I’ll avoid that area—
The sound of rustling leaves made me jump and spin around, glancing around wildly. I fumbled for my dagger, but by the time I unsheathed it, the leaves around a tree trunk rustled again and a mouse crawled out from beneath them.
I heaved a sigh. My shoulders sagged as I clutched my pounding chest.
Thank goodness no one was around to see that—
Suddenly, a gurgled roar echoed behind me, and I whirled around. A massive black-furred bear came crashing out of the undergrowth and leapt at me. Its hostile yellow eyes glowed. My body—Robin’s body—moved on its own, agilely dodging. It snarled, bearing its long fangs, and charged.
There’s no way I can outrun that thing. My grip tightened on the blade’s hilt. I have to fight!
With a battle cry, I lunged and swung my dagger. It slit the bear’s nose. Flinching, it stopped and reared back, booming a roar as it swiped at me. I jumped back, but slipped on the leaves. It leapt on top of me, trapping me between its legs. The bear’s gaping jaws chomped down on my dagger, using it as a shield, or my skull would be next. One shaky hand squeezed the hilt, the other the blade. Blood flowed from the cut on my palm down my arm. Its drool dripped on my cheek. My heart drummed in my ears.
I can’t get free!
You are no knight, my mother’s words whispered in my head. You can’t throw yourself in harm's way like that!
All my life, I had to learn how to be a lady. Chin high, sit upright, be spotless, look pretty, speak formally. To be a queen. To smile. All the while, I watched the glorious knights from afar. What I would have given to let my long platinum blonde hair get messy, armored and dirtied, with a sword in my hand.
The world beyond the palace’s luxurious walls.
But I was chained to a throne. Stripped of dreams.
My fate chosen the moment I was born.
Fate. My fate.
My fate should be MINE to choose!
I yanked my dagger aside and threw my arm up. The bear’s jaws chomped down on my arm, shredding the sleeve and mauling my flesh. My bone threatened to crack under the pressure, and I cried out in pain. Dagger free, I stabbed it into the bear’s neck and dragged down. Its blood splattered on my face. The bear yelped, releasing me, and I stabbed it again.
The bear reared back and lifted its paw; its claws glinted. My grip tightened on the hilt. It roared and swiped its claws at me as I gave my battle cry and lunged with my dagger. Before we exchanged blows, it gave a shrill yelp. My attack would’ve hit first, but the bear staggered and collapsed.
H—huh?
I fell, gasping for air as my adrenaline rush faded. Fatigue blurred my vision, but I could see a deep, gushing slash in the bear’s back. How… I shrieked as someone approached. My blurred vision could only make out the silhouette, and a silver sword dripping with blood.
My nightmare replayed in my mind, and my blood went cold.
“STAY BACK!” I screamed and blindly swung. My body grew sluggish, energy draining as my mauled arm bled profusely. “I’m warning you!” I shouted, swinging again as the figure stepped closer. “I’ll…” I panted. “You’ll…” Losing strength, I collapsed on the grass. “Don’t do it..." I barely whispered before my vision went black.