Heart of Fire

Chapter Fifteen

After an excruciatingly long training session, which I was only watching of course, I am back in my room trying to find a suitable outfit to wear to talk with the King. The princes are off getting changed as well, telling me they would retrieve me from my room when they were ready.

I have no idea what the King plans to question me about. Whether it be about what they did to me, or if I learned any valuable information about them. I'm assuming both. He could also very well tell me to get out of his kingdom, claiming me to be too much of a threat to everyone around me. With his way of thinking, I wouldn't put it past him.

I decide on a more casual outfit, not wanting to overdress for a simple meeting. I pull my hair out of my face, leaving the scabbed cut on my face to stick out, along with the bruises that scatter my features. My body is healing quite well, mostly with the help of healing remedies the servants have been giving me with my meals.

Right on time, I hear a knock at my door. I smile to myself at their properness, not a second late. They never are. Walking over to my door, I open it to reveal the princes standing side by side. Even if I didn't know them, I would be able to tell they were brothers. They might not act alike, but with their tanned skin and coal black hair, there's no mistaking their similarities.

"Let's go make a deal with the devil." I quip, trying to stay lighthearted. There will be no deals made, at least I hope, but I simply wanted a reason to call Bastian the devil. Hudson smiles, understanding my sense of humor in this, while Kenton merely rolls his eyes at my remark.

Someone's grumpy.

Holding out their arms for me to take, I step out of my room to accept the offer, leaving me to stand between them. With two giants on either side of me, we make our way to Bastian. No one says a word, the silence hanging thick in the air. I can sense that the brothers have some built up tension, on what I do not know. I don't question them on it, though I might try to get Hudson to tell me later.

It doesn't take us long to reach our destination. We stand in front of Bastian's office, as I remember. Hudson and I were always trying to sneak our way into this room when we were kids. We would get caught every time, which landed us a long scolding from Bastian. I smile at the memory, wishing I was still a child, getting into trouble with my best friend. When I look over at Hudson, I am pleased to see he is smiling as well, remembering the memory just as I was.

We don't get the chance to knock as Bastian swings the door open, as if he could sense us standing here. He doesn't say a word as he steps aside, silently beckoning us to come in, his face neutral. I sit down in the middle chair, the princes sitting on the ones beside me. I don't reveal anything on my face, not wanting to appear weak.

"Miss Farrington, I am pleased to see you back with us. I see you've brought my sons with you." Bastian acknowledges me, sitting down at his desk. I nod, not feeling the need to explain why I brought them with me. He can pick up the pieces himself if he wishes.

"I have heard very little about what you endured during your imprisonment at Caraq. Nor have I heard any word from the kingdom myself." He starts. "I have sent word to them that the engagement between my eldest son and the Princess is revoked, meaning we have no further attachment to them." He says, toying with a jeweled bracelet attached to his wrist. At this, I look over at Kenton, who seems to have also just found out about this. I assumed the engagement would be broken off, given that the princess stole an entire person from Narva. With the way this conversation is going, I can tell that Bastian does not in fact care about the torture I went through. He is only out for blood now.

"Not only did they take one of my weapons, but I have also found that one of our heirlooms in the castle has gone missing. For this reason, I wish to plan an attack on the Kingdom of Caraq as quickly as we can." He states, as if this is nothing but a game to him. I am not surprised to hear any of this. Between him referring to me as his weapon and calling out war as a first resort, it is predictable behavior from the bastard.