Queen of Fire (A Light-Bringer Prequel)

Four

Hours later, Marilyn awoke in her bed in the castle. She was dressed in a nightgown, and her red hair had been taken out from its tight braid.

"Good evening, my little Firestarter," said her mother from her bedside. "How was your rest?"

"What time is it?" Marilyn asked groggily. 

"Ten o'clock at night," said Calista.

"What happened?" Marilyn rubbed her tired eyes and looked at her mother.

Calista sighed. "After the... botched execution, you were in hysterics. Miles carried you into the carriage where your sister and I waited."

Marilyn zoned out, the memory of the execution coming back to her.

"I can't snap her out of it," said Miles. "I got up to the gallows, turned her around, and she's been hysterical since. Can't walk, can't speak, and can barely breathe."

"When we get back to the castle, I'll have a servant brew up some fatigue thé for the girls. Make then sleep for a few hours to calm their minds," said Calista.

The last thing Marilyn remembered was hot, sweet tea passing through her lips, and falling asleep in Miles's arms.

"How is Ashlynn?" asked Marilyn.

"Ashlynn is good. After waking up a while ago, she was better." Calista yawned. "I should go to bed. Good night, my Firestarter."

Calista got up from Marilyn's bedside, kissed the top of Marilyn's head, and left her youngest daughter to go to bed.

The door clicked shut, and the quiet that filled the room was too quiet.

I should go check on Ashlynn, Marilyn thought as she changed into a tunic and pants.

The dark corridors of the castle surrounded Marilyn as she made her way to Ashlynn's rooms. Once in front of the doors to her sister's chambers, Marilyn knocked.

No answer.

Marilyn opened the door, and poked her head in. "Ashlynn?" Marilyn crept in, and closed the door behind her. "Ashlynn?"

Ashlynn's room was dimly lit and looked almost abandoned. The bed was unmade, and books were strewn everywhere.

Marilyn made her way to the bureau, books piled in stacks and papers strewn everywhere. Lighting a flame and her hand, Marilyn picked up a piece of paper to look at its contents.

It can't be what I think it is, Marilyn thought as she set the page down, and picked up a book.

Marilyn opened to a bookmarked page. Her face paled as she continued to read the page.

It—it can't be! This is... dark magic.

Marilyn paused reading.

Ashlynn is a witch, she realized. I'm the rightful heir to the throne.

"What are you doing in here?" 

Marilyn spun around, finding Ashlynn standing near the door.

"That guard almost killed you. I came to check on you, and see if you're fine," said Marilyn.

"Which gives you the right to go through my belongings?" Ashlynn asked.

Marilyn took a deep breath. "Ashlynn, what you're doing is dark magic. You might as well sign your own death contract. If father finds out, he won't hang you like the rest of them. He will burn you alive."

Ashlynn started walking towards Marilyn. "And what are you going to do about it! As far as anyone is concerned, I'm the heir to the throne, and you are the shadow to the flame."

"I saw the spell," said Marilyn. "You're trying to raise Prince James of Helheim."

"To help us."

"Prince James is a psychopath! He will destroy us! You're breaking the oath you made to the Crown!"

"He could've changed!"

"Demons never change, Ashlynn! You are already going mad from what you're doing."

Ashlynn reached out to touch a lock of her sister's hair. "You're not going to tell anyone about this," she said softly.

"Try me," Marilyn snarled.

Marilyn pushed past Ashlynn, extinguishing her fire as she did. She was about to put her hand on the handle and leave to wake her parents about Ashlynn's treachery, when Marilyn was yanked backwards. Ashlynn's arm was around Marilyn's throat, cutting off Marilyn's air. Marilyn clawed at Ashlynn's arm in desperation.

Flames danced on Marilyn's right hand as she tried to bring it up to Ashlynn's arm.

"Now, now, little Firestarter," Ashlynn hissed in Marilyn's ear. "It's not nice to burn your older sister." Ashlynn pried Marilyn's flaming hand away with an iron grip.

Marilyn's vision darkened around the edges, and Ashlynn lowered them onto the floor. Her lungs hungered for the air Ashlynn was depriving her of.

Mom! Dad! Miles! Someone, anyone, help me!

As her struggling began to cease, Ashlynn whispered in her ear, "Don't worry. This will all just seem like a really bad dream."

Marilyn slumped against Ashlynn as everything went dark.