Queen of Fire (A Light-Bringer Prequel)

Nineteen

"I knew it," Akaljot said.

"But why would you hide from us?" asked Volodomyr.

"I didn't know any of you," said Marilyn. "Plus, I was trying to hide from my sister."

"Why would you hide from your sister?" Frida asked.

"Nine years ago, Ashlynn's betrothed was accidentally caught-up and killed in a bar fight. When she heard of Lord Phillippe's death, she couldn't get out of bed, and was eventually driven mad with grief.

"Five years ago, I found out that she was trying to raise Phillippe from the dead—necromancy, if you will," she said.

"To perform necromancy, you need to raise a demon from the dead, and a powerful one, at that," said Akaljot.

"She's trying to raise the Diablo's son, Prince James of Helheim," Marilyn interjected. "She has  almost everything. All Ashlynn needs is my flame, and then Hell will reign."

"Even if she does manage to raise Lord Phillippe, he won't be the same," said Olek.

"I don't understand," said Frida. "Why does Queen Ashlynn need your magic for it? Why can't she use hers?"

"Ashlynn's flame is tainted. She killed my father, King Damon, who was the only Pyro other than myself to have an untainted flame."

Marilyn looked at Akaljot. "She did something to Miles." Tears sprang up in her eyes, her voice cracking. "You saw it back in Friedens. What did you see, Akaljot? I need to know so I can try to save him. Please, Akaljot—he's my best friend!"

Akaljot sighed. "I don't know if you can save him. Think of a puppet. The puppet-master is the one who controls the puppet. Ashlynn is the one who controls Miles—and she won't let go."

Marilyn's heart sank. Not Miles. Her fingertips brushed her lips where Miles kissed her five years prior.

"Excuse me," she said, standing up.

Marilyn walked away from the camp and into the woods.

I can still save him, she thought, determined. Miles is still in there. I saw him. I saw Miles fight Ashlynn.

"Hey, I just came to check on you," said Akaljot.

Marilyn looked back at him. "I'm fine," she said.

"Are you sure?"

"No," she broke.

Akaljot held her as she cried. He said nothing. He just stood there, and held her.

"She took everything away from me," Marilyn said after ten minutes. "Ashlynn took everything away from me. My family, my friend, my throne, my reputation—everything."

"I know," he said calmly. "I can't even imagine living through that."

"We have to dethrone her," said Marilyn. "We have to dethrone Ashlynn."

"I agree, but we should discuss the plans in Soturi. The chief and council can help us there. For now, we need to rest because we have a long day ahead of us."

—

The sun was bright in the town square, but there was a wicked glint in the eyes of Ashlynn Pyro.

"Kill her," said Ashlynn.

Iron shackles were clamped down on her wrists, and Marilyn turned her head to look up at Miles. The blade of his sword shone in the light as he raised it over her head. She couldn't recognize him.