Firebird

Chapter 23

Kyla

Vallan was in my sights and I was gunning for him. This was personal. Tanwen landed and I dismounted.

"Find Beckett." I said, pulling out my sword. She took to the skies immediately. I looked at him walking towards me. His dark hair was short, stopping just before his pointed ears. He had this malicious smile across his face. "Let's end this, Vallan. Right now."

"This could have ended a long time ago if your father had held up his end of the deal." He said as he stopped a few feet away. "But you're here now. I can call off this fight now."

"What are you talking about?" I demanded. He wasn't making any sense at all.

"You don't know what you're father did?" He asked, amused. "You were promised to me, my dear."

That was not what I was expecting him to say. He couldn't be serious.

"What are you talking about?" I asked. "I'm not promised to you."

"Oh yes you are." He said, smiling again. "A long time ago, your mother was sick. So I helped by giving her the medicine she needed. After she was better, I told them what the payment would be. You. I wanted you. But then your father didn't deliver. We've been at war ever since."

"That's because I'm not a toy you can just buy." I said, walking again. "I won't be owned by anyone."

Without another word, the fight started. Our swords collided with a clang. I'd trained for this my whole life. Back and forth we went. He was much older and only slightly faster than me. I wouldn't let him gain an inch. Our swords locked up and we paused.

"We could be great together, you know?" He said, getting close to my face. "I could give you the world."

"The only world I want is the one you aren't in." I growled. In a quick move, I brought my elbow to his face. He cried out and stumbled back.

"You bitch!" He said, spitting blood on the ground. I rushed forward, bringing my sword down but he was waiting. He pulled a dagger out and plunged it into my stomach. "If I can't have you then no one can have you."

Above me, I heard twin roars. I didn't take the time to look up as I brought the hilt of my sword down on his arm. I stumbled back and looked down at the dagger protruding out of my stomach. I pulled the dagger out and looked back up at him. I raised my sword again, preparing to go down fighting. He smiled and started to walk towards me. He didn't make it far. The next thing I knew, his head was on the ground. I blinked, trying to figure out what happened. His body crumpled to the ground and I saw my mother standing behind him, bloody sword in her hands.

"Mama." I whispered, falling to the ground. She was there in an instant, pressing her hand to my stomach.

"Hang in there, firebird. Tanwen is almost here." She said, tears in her eyes.

"Is what he said true?" I asked. "Was I promised to him?"

"He made that demand after he gave me the medicine." She told me. "Your father never agreed to that. He never would have given you up."

"I know he wouldn't." I told her. I could feel my eyes closing. "Mama, I'm tired."

"You can't go to sleep, sweetheart. Keep your eyes open." She said frantically.

"Tell Beckett I love him." I whispered as the world went dark.