Cinder: In No Way, a Hero || Book 3

~ Chapter 15 - The Secret Princess ~

Soot walked through the familiar hallways, memories filling his mind. Most involving Skyblaze, some involving his father.

Neither of which he wanted to think about.

Focus, Soot, he scolded to himself.

He wound through the hallways, eventually reaching the one that led to the prisons. He cautiously stepped in, walking through the dimly lit tunnel. He arrived at the normal prisons.

He walked to the end, looking to both sides. He took the tunnel to the left, which was another dimly lit tunnel. There were many winds and splits and tunnels. Somehow, Soot remembered each one of them, and quickly got through the labyrinth-like tunnels.

Eventually, he got to a small room, which was only lit by one lantern. Soot walked into the room, looking at the end of it, which was made of steel bars. Inside of the dungeon was a large dark red form.

Soot pulled out a pair of keys from his pouch, and used the black key to unlock the cell. Once he did, he slid the bars open, and stepped in.

The large SkyWing, who was curled up, awoke, lifting her long neck. Her eyes opened, which were a clear blue.

Soot cleared his throat, bowing to the SkyWing. "Y'er majesty, Queen Phoenixfire."

Phoenixfire sat up. "You better be careful with y'er tongue, Soot."

Soot straightened, smiling. "Not anymore. Skyblaze is dead."

Phoenixfire huffed. "Oh?"

"My sister and her son have killed her. It is time f'er you to take the throne."

Phoenixfire sighed. "I appreciate it, Soot. Really, I do. You and y'er family have kept me alive f'er so long, waiting f'er Blaze's inevitable end. But have you ever stopped and thought how I would have ever learned how to be a good queen?"

Soot stammered. "I-I-I..."

Phoenixfire nodded. "Exactly. To ensure I do not become like my sister, I insist you summon y'er best advisor."

Soot fidgeted with his claws. "My family has always been the royal advisors..."

"Then I'm sure you can handle it. I trust you, Soot."

Soot wrapped his wings around himself. "But..I'm scared. I can't leave Eagle...I promised them I would live with 'em. Far away, maybe in another kingdom. We'd grow old together. We'd be free of any politics, of any conflict. We'd finally be...happy."

Phoenixfire nodded. "I see. Tell me, Soot, is that what you want?"

Soot looked to the SkyWing. "I-I don't know what I want..."

Phoenixfire wrapped her wings around Soot. "It's ok. As long as Skyblaze is dead, I can assure you, and I'm sure Eagle can, too, that you will never be harmed again. Now, you said y'er family was always royal advisors?"

Soot nodded.

"Does y'er mother have any political background?"

"Probably. But she's been livin' all secluded, on an island far away. Skyblaze sent 'er away after I became a general. That way, she could keep me right where I was. And no one could stop her from doing what she did to me."

Phoenixfire nodded. "Do you think, and this might be askin' a lot...but do you think, maybe, you could be my advisor until we get 'er back?"

Soot backed away, Phoenixfire curling her wings back. He nodded. "Of course, y'er majesty."

Phoenixfire smiled. "Thank you. Now, you said I had a throne to claim?"

"Yep. Follow me." He led the new queen through the tunnels, and up into the throne room.

Strangely, it was empty.

No body of Skyblaze. No Cinder and Ronin.

No one. Not even guards.

Soot huffed. "Those bastards. Ran off before I could thank 'em."

Phoenixfire shrugged. "I wouldn't worry. I'm sure they have their own things to deal with."

Soot nodded, then widened his eyes. "Wait! I have to find 'em! I have to take 'em to the Delta!"

Before Phoenixfire could even ask, Soot ran out, jumping out into the air, and using his wings to catch himself.

He had to find them.

He had to get to the delta.

He wasn't going to lose his sister.

Not again.