The Last of the Firedrakes...Or so We Thought

Chapter 20: The Rosales Family

Two weeks later, I push through a crowd outside the palace of the Hortus Kingdom. The Hortus Kingdom rests in a valley at the base of the Cascade Mountains. Hortus is to the west of Orion and to the east of the Silverthorne Castle.

I had received an anonymous note saying there would be an assassination attempt on King Gabriel.

I shove my way past citizens who have gathered to celebrate King Gabriel, his wife, and the youngest prince, Prince Ashton's return.

It resembled a parade. A marching band leads the ensemble followed by foot soldiers and swordsmen. Then the prince, his father, and his mother.

I take my eyes off the elaborate celebration to scan the crowd. My hood is pulled low to hide my features. Concealed weapons are hidden under my cloak and my fingers tingle with magic.

I use my Fae magic to sharpen my senses and my Mage magic to extend my awareness.

I follow alongside the Royal Family in the crowd.

I hear the strings of an arrow knock and I whip around just in time to witness a hooded figure launch an arrow at the king. I throw out my hand and stop the arrow inches before it embeds itself in the king's eye.

The crowd starts screaming and scattering in every direction - anywhere to get away from the danger. Soldiers and horsemen surround the King and his wife and their son in a circle of protection.

I turn the arrow around on its archer. It goes right through his heart and the corpse falls.

The crowd has disappeared leaving me, Ashton, his mother and father, their human shield, and the dead archer.

Three soldiers break away to drag the body out of sight. Like the king and his family have never seen death before.

I slowly make my way towards the ensemble. I grin wickedly, bow to the king and his family, and start strolling away at my leisure.

"Wait!" Ashton calls. I stop but keep my back to him. "Face us!"

I do as I'm told but I keep my head lowered.

"Who are you?" Ashton asks.

"A friend," I say cryptically.

"Guards." The king orders. I don't flinch as his men are ordered to reveal my identity.

My hood is lowered off my head by two guards.

"Princess Danica?" King Gabriel gasps.

"At your service, Your Highness." I bow again.

"Dani!" Ashton dismounts his horse, shoving his way through the sea of soldiers. He runs over to me and sweeps me into a tight embrace. We had gotten really close while he stayed at Silverthorne Castle.

"Hi Ash," I smile up at him.

"You never seem to disappoint, do you?" He chuckles lightly.

"I know how to put on a show." I flip my braid over my shoulder dramatically.

"Danica Firedrake," Queen Violet says. Not sweetly, but not coldly. "Please join me and my family back to our home."

"As thanks for saving my life," the king finishes for the queen. They smile lovingly at each other. How cute.

"I would be honored to, My Lord." Ashton leads me to his huge mare. Black, muscled, obviously a war horse. He mounts and helps me up after. I ride behind him all the way to the palace.

The Hortus Palace is regal. It towers over the surrounding village. The gates open instantly at sight of the Royal Party.

We ride past the gates and into the entrance courtyard. Cobblestones line the six-foot-wide pathway that leads to the stairs that climb up to the palace doors. On both side of the pathway, grass so green it hurts my eyes sprouts. Flowers grow in rows directly in front of the gates. Trees reach the tallest tower of the palace. This courtyard resembles a small jungle.