Nearly Released

Fire licked my skin, searing but not burning. I flinched away, holding out my hands, begging for it to stop. I knew I had misbehaved, but was this really an appropriate punishment?

***

In a time where dragons fly around the earth wreaking havoc upon the cities and towns Adrina never expected to be lifted off the roadside in broad day light. She hadn't even known they took random girls, all the court officials promised it was only royalty. Obviously they had lied.