Fire Chosen

A Heirti among the Riders

*Ember's POV*

"Dad?"
"Ember!" 

He broke into a wide grin before stepping off his grand throne and embracing me in a warm hug I hadn't felt for 5 whole years. 5 whole years since I last saw him, 5 whole years since he was taken by them.

I breathed a light laugh, I couldn't believe it. I thought I'd never see him again, not after they came and took him. He pulled apart to examine me, a look of admiration and love in his eyes.

"My dear, it's been so long since I've seen you, and look at how much you've grown!"
"Yeah, I'm almost as tall as you now, I bet I'll get taller than you in a few years."
"Ha, as if!"

After a few more moments of exchanging joking remarks with each other, we both suddenly realised I still had my wrists bound with rope. My father looked over my shoulder to the men behind me.

"Why is she tied up?" he questioned them, a small fire burning in his eyes.

I turned around to look at the three men who brought me here, Lucas, Tark and Mike, all kneeling before my father and I with their heads bowed. I couldn't see it but I felt fear radiating from all three, what did my father have that scared them all so much?

"W-we didn't realise your relationship with her Your Majesty, we just assumed she was another you wanted for treason." stuttered Mike

"Did you not pay attention to me or Dilan specifically telling you how to treat my daughter?"

I wasn't sure but I could've sworn I heard a dragon roaring in the distance as Dad said this, a sound that was of raging anger. The three men before us seemed to have heard it too because they all shivered and cowered in fear and yet my father didn't so much as flinch, for some reason, I still felt completely safe. Finally, the quieter of the three, Tark, spoke up.

"My humblest apologies, Your Majesty," he said in a quiet yet clear voice, "we did not understand the true reason you sent us out to that foreign land of enemies nor did we listen to the briefing you and Royal Advisor Dilan gave us. But that was because it was not the only instructions you gave us during this mission."

I looked over to Dad at this and saw him raise an eyebrow before Tark continued with his apology.

"With only the instructions for the first mission in mind we, regrettably, overlooked your instructions for our second mission. Our treatment of her is something that cannot be forgiven, we know that, yet we are part of your royal guard. We have been for a while and have never failed you before. So I beg you, give us another chance to redeem ourselves, in any way possible, but just remember, this is the first time failure has come from us." When Tark finally finished talking Dad just sighed.

"Very well, untie my daughter then you are all dismissed. However, I expect a full report by tomorrow, understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

After Lucas untied me Dad turned to me and put his hands on the sides of my face, kissing me on my head.

"I 'm so glad I can see you again Ember, let's go off to your quarters and get you settled in, okay?" 

I just nodded, giving him a smile before taking his outstretched hand and walking out of the throne room. I was happy, even though he was the King of a large kingdom he still had a part of him that enjoyed keeping company with me. I used had been in such a position once myself, leader of a large group, before I split with them that is. Just before we left the room I looked back to see them all still standing at attention before the doors closed on us.

*Mike's POV*

The moment the King and his daughter, the Princess I suppose I should address her as, stepped out of the throne room Lucas immediately burst out laughing.

"Wow! We really messed up!"

I let out a heavy sigh and messed around with my hair. Who knew what the King was going to do with us now? Sure, we were basically his elite group but he didn't hold favours for anyone.

"We're definitely going to get punished for this..." I groaned.

"You're absolutely right! Man, I wonder what punishment the King would give us for this!" replied Lucas, way too excited and happy for the situation we were in.

Glaring at him I turned to go towards my quarters.

"I'm going to go take a shower. Don't do anything stupid you two."