Sharp Flowers

Part 17

I wake late in the darkness of the night, only lit by a very dim candle to arm myself and gear up to continue moving forward. Campfire smoke in the distance suggests we've almost caught up with Tennoford's forces. If we push on, give them no time to rest, surely we'll cross paths. The tent flap rustles.

"Excuse me, Raven," Sebastian greets me. I drop my gaze, focusing on prepping my sword and making sure my armor is in place. "The warrior's helmet fits you well," Sebastian comments. "Like a rose, beautiful but sharp," he says, and I feel myself blushing at his soft words. Sebastian approaches, gliding across space between us, but I step back. Words flutter around in my mind making me feel uneasy.

"I'm going to the front," I tell Sebastian, who raises both brows. "I have to fight. I'm going to tear their camp in half myself and make them pay," I add.

"Raven," Sebastian says my name. I head for the other end of the tent, but Sebastian steps in my way. "Raven?" he calls, worry seeping into his voice. I pause with a pang of guilt nestling into my heavy heart. Sebastian wraps his arms around me from behind me. Though a wall of armor separates us, my heated heart still races. His hand slowly comes up, fingers just under my chin beside my helmet. Contrary to what people make of him, his hands are gentle. I gulp; my knees are going weak on me. One part of me wants to run forward and tear apart my enemies; another part wants to fall back into his arms and look up into those dark blue eyes.

"Why do you do this to me?" I whisper.

"You know, if you asked you wouldn't have to be on the front lines," Sebastian suggests.

"Yes, and I could be a Lady of the castle," I laugh off the idea. "I was born to fight," I tell him.

"Why are we both drawn to danger?" Sebastian chuckles softly, his breath tickling my neck. I pull out of his grasp and turn around on him. He's smirking at me, his longing blue eyes watching me.

"Do you think I'm dangerous?" I inquire. Me dangerous? That's absurd.

"A stranger that sees you might see a short, small, delicate flower. They might not realize how sharp her thorns are. Nor the danger in how easily her charm ensnares her prey," Sebastian murmurs. My breathing quickens, and my face warms.

"Please, I'm not so powerful," I tell him; running a hand through my hair, I drop my gaze.

"You could easily best me if you wanted to," Sebastian suggests. My eyes snap to his, "because I trust you, I'd never see it coming, not in a million years," he explains, "I'm at your mercy, my Raven. I am yours if you'd let me," he adds. Sebastian dares take a step forward, and I turn and leave the tent behind me. The camp is moving quickly in the darkness.

"I must go to battle," I decide. I sense Sebastian following close behind, and a sheathed sword adds itself to my hip.

"I am with you," Sebastian promises in the back of my mind. The knights move in, descending on the camp just barely visible by watching posts sitting beside their campfires. Just a few of us trickle in before lunging in. Their cries are short, signaling the rest of us to come rushing in. A nearby tent goes up in flames casting light and shadows across the forest. I grab the family sword off my back and join the fold. Now, here they come, stumbling through the darkness smelling of last night's alcohol. I move without missing a step, dropping one after the other. I step over the bodies and into their blood as I make my way through their camp. It's time to wake up. I swing, clashing with my next opponent. We struggle to push the other back, pivoting to turn again, panting in the chill air.

"Raven," Sebastian warns, and I feel him leave my hip. There's a sickening crunch behind me. My opponent watches, eyes wide.

"AH!" he yells out, driving forward. I pivot around him, bringing the blade across. He falls into a mess, staining the ground before my blade falls from above. Between Sebastian and I, there's no stopping me from raging through the camp tonight.

"What a fine warrior you are," someone comments, and my stomach sinks. I stare face to face with Ryder Tennoford, king of the South Crest territory.

"You," I seethe at him. I glance back over my shoulder to find I've lost Sebastian in the madness. It's just Ryder and me.

"You could have been my wife," Ryder reminds me, "I would have saved you from this?" he adds, and I scoff at him. I look him over. Though he sounds like the same man, battles have hardened his body.

"Save me? You think I can't save myself?" I fire back, "You misunderstand me. I fight by my own will, and no one else," I explain, "No one controls me but me," I snap at him.

"Not even that monster?" Ryder taunts.

"You're more of a monster than he is," I sneer at him, but Ryder only smirks devilishly.

"Really? He doesn't twist your feelings around for a taste of your blood?" Ryder jeers, "Nor does his life play a little charade on his kingdom? Their great king couldn't possibly be a blood-thirsty monster, now, could he?" Ryder remarks, "I would never ask my Queen for blood, nor lie to my people," Ryder states.

"But you set fire to those that don't bend to your will," I shoot back, and his arrogant, smirking face sours.

"I could still give you safety at my side," Ryder offers.

"Ryder," his retainer steps out, noticing something coming. Sebastian comes in a blur, thwarted off by Axel.

"I don't need your help," I snap at Sebastian. Taking the tip of my sword to my thumb, I fold my hands together. Energy surges through me.

"So, you've learned a few tricks, Wrenwood," Ryder chuckles as his men are starting to close in. Something next to me snarls low in my ear, and fur brushes against my shoulder. Heat rages around me, burning and roaring like a wild forest fire. The three men back off, gasping and trembling.

"Where do you think you're going!" I hiss, and the nearby burning tents explode, sending flames spiraling. I blow them all away, sending Ryder and his retainers running. After him, the fire chase after him, bringing anyone down that gets caught unlucky. Sebastian's cold hand falls on my right shoulder. I bat him away, my claws slashing his forearm.

"Raven, this isn't you," Sebastian blurts out.

"You stay out of my way," I snarl at him when he grabs me. I claw at his shoulders, trying to push him away, but Sebastian's too strong.

"I know you are hurt, that you've been hurting, but do not be consumed by these feelings. They will turn you into a monster, such as I," Sebastian warns me, pulling me closer into his chest. I take a deep breath. My chest burns, and my eyes water. Sebastian holds me firm, not giving up until the flames quite spiraling out of control. As soon as he loosens up, I tear out of his grip and storm off while the rest of the army celebrates their victory. My victory hasn't been won quite yet.