Girl of Iron and Magic

40.

40.

PRESENT DAY

Shards of metal and wood rained down to the floor as Lotte's feet touched down. The key fell limply on its chain, settling near her heart.

"Poe?" she said, her throat so choked that her voice came out as a mouse's squeak. She unsteadily moved over the rubble. "Poe?"

There, he was sprawled on the floor. She rushed towards him, her toe stubbing against something. She crashed down by his side.

He wasn't moving.

"Poe. Oh no, Poe..." On her hands and knees, she crawled towards him.

His long hair covered his face that was turned away from her. All along his body, there were cuts oozing gold blood. On the right side of his throat was the Yomi triple helix tattoo for healing. It was still bold, but fading rapidly.

What had she done?

With eyes blurred by tears and shaking hands, she dipped her finger into his golden blood and began to draw on his arm. Again, and again the simple enchantment that gave force to healing.

The tiny clatters of her tears were drowned out by the thundering echo of rushing feet down the stairs.
Lotte moved his hair away, touching his cheek. "You can't die," she whispered, pressing her forehead to his. "Please Poe. I'm so sorry. It's my fault. I couldn't control it. Please, Poe. Please don't die."

The footsteps behind her stopped.

"Come with us," said a cold voice behind her.

Lotte didn't move.

"I'm asking nicely, half-breed. Come with us."

She scooped up a handful of her tears in her blood coated hand, crushing them inside her fist as she rose, and turned.

Prince Fintan stood before her, flanked by Monthes on one side and Briaad on the other.

"He's dead," she said flatly. "Do you know what that means?"

She held the dragon heir's gaze, but he was merciless, unwavering.

"It means you killed him," he replied.

"I've got nothing more to lose," she said, hand going to the key at her throat.

"What're you talking about? He's still alive!" Monthes cried, pointing. "Take him to Enchantress Yuralar."
At his command, three virata came forward.

"Don't touch him," Lotte said, raising the iron key. The enchantment hadn't faded yet. It was still strong and active. "There's plenty of iron here. If anyone so much as moves, I'll—"

"You'll what? Kill the new Dragon King?" Fintan sneered. "Come off it, half-breed. You've lost. Now come along quietly and we will give you a slow death."

"Death? But your majesty," Briaad said. "Surely, this was all an accident—"

"Lady Briaad, would you care for a tour of the prison?" Fintan asked. "I already told you that in my kingdom, a single murder is punishable by death. How many people died upstairs? Can anyone say?"

"They were just criminals, your majesty," Monthes said with a laugh.

Fintan turned on Monthes with blazing fury. "They were my subjects," he barked.

Lotte thought she knew what he was doing. Or maybe she didn't. Either way, she bent down to Poe.

"They had a sentence to fulfil and should have been protected here," Fintan went on, voice rising.