Lindorm Princess

Chapter 16

When I was younger, I would often overindulge with ale after a hot midsummer's day's work. At least, that was before I became overtly aware of Far's dependency on drink. I would forget to draw the curtains by my bed, and would be awoken with harsh sunlight after only a few hours respite. That feeling, of light streaming into my eyes, uncertain of whether I existed still in the dream world or awake in my bed, was how I now felt. Disoriented, I watched, as spittle flung from the fae's mouth.

"You'll leave the lindorm prince, if you wish to stay alive," he barked. Dark feathers pricked out of human-like skin, marring his features. I yelped and attempted to twist out of his grasp, my skirts squishing heavily underneath my sodden slippers. Every magical command emptied itself from my panicked mind as he twisted my hair harder, pulling a few strands from the roots and making me gasp. Where was Björk? Couldn't he tell that the vision had ended? That I needed help and protection?

"What are you afraid of?" I taunted, trying to bide myself time, while I thought of a spell to shout. If he had wanted me dead, or worse, I was sure that he would have already done so, while I was sitting in Björk's memories. I watched the fae's scowl deepen, and his eyes flash.

"You'll heed my warning, or pay the price with your family."

Instinctively, I uncurled my fist at the threat.

I felt Slange's protective flame spark in my hand, before it consumed me in a flash of light, burning up my arm. I screamed in shock as the feathers of the fae caught flame, my voice mingling with his howls. The smell of soot-tinged flesh filled the air, and I gagged. Before I could blink, the fae had let go of my scalp, and flown across the waters in a darkened blur.

Slange's fire died down in the palm of my hand to the small, blue flame. Worried, I checked my arm, but the skin was not burnt.

"My spell will light your way, and protect you. It marks you as my ward."

I sank to my knees, panting and heaving, fear stealing my strength.

"Are you alright?"

Björk called to me from the shore of the small island. He wrung his hands, apologetic sorrow filling his voice.

"I saw what happened. I was taken by surprise, or I would have been here faster. I had to change into a swan because I cannot swim in this shape-"

"He threatened me," I said, slowly, interrupting him. "Someone doesn't want me to know the prince's history." I thought instinctively of the Queen. It had to be her- she was embarrassed of her son, after all. She wanted the throne to pass to his brother. My teeth chattered, cold registering and sinking deep into my bones.

"We should fetch your cloak," Björk said grimly. "The master will punish me for allowing harm to come to you."

"He will not," I said, adamantly. "This was not your fault. His magic kept me safe, and there is no harm done. I am perfectly hale."

I stood to emphasize my heartiness, but couldn't help my knees from knocking.

"Do I have to swim back too?" I asked, grimacing at the cold water.

"Afraid so," Björk said. "Breaking the rules of any magical place can result in a curse. The fellow here who just threatened you, will likely rue the day he decided to fly to my home." He grinned. "Well, he'll have to contend with the humiliation of being bested by a human on top of it, too."

"It was Slange's magic that saved me," I said, absentmindedly, staring at the flame hopping in the palm of my hand, before clenching it shut once more. "I need to learn how to fight."

"You do," Björk said grimly, wrapping an arm protectively around my shoulder. "But let's get you home and warm first."

By the time we made our way back to the kitchen doors, dawn had curled her icy fingers over the horizon. Slange's flame kept me from freezing underneath my woolen cloak.