I have given my word.
Well then, stay safe for the moment, I will be there anon.
“These people go with me,” I said, shifting slightly into a stance of readiness. His expression flickered, I think he was used to his micro expressions being concealed by fur. I tightened my grip on my spear as his hand dropped to the hilt of his sword.
“Then we have a problem,” he said. “These people, you, you’ve destroyed all that I had left. My home, my people, my lands. The fire is spreading, it will consume everything.”
“Then let your people go out the gate,” I said. “The fire is contained to this estate. It will go no further. Once it is burned out, your people can return.”
This sent some of the group murmuring. I could see easily many of the whites of the Sirian’s eyes. They were holding
their ground as good soldiers do, unlike everyone else, but I wondered how long that resolve would last.
“You will not leave this estate,” the prince ground out. “None of you are leaving this estate.”
I realised then what the purpose of the exchange was. Our use as possible delicacy was redundant now there was no kitchen to prepare us and no table to serve us on. It seemed hardly likely that our previous sexual purpose was of any use to him and the lifting of the curse was certainly off the table. Miazydar, how fare you? I sent down my mental link to my dragon.
There is something preventing me from landing in the estate, he replied, frustration evident in his tone. This storm, it is as if it acts as magical barrier.
It appears I must remove the focus of it to allow you to come to us. Hold, my love, I hope to have this problem eradicated quickly.
“You will allow us to pass from your lands,” I said, taking a firm step forward.
“Or what?” the prince sneered, drawing his sword from its scabbard.
“Or I will cut your head from your neck, slice your body into quarters and your royal burial will be attended by none other than carrion birds.”
As I said the words, I knew I could deliver my promise. The plasma spear could butcher his body more effectively than any other. I looked at the rapidly spreading fire. It was truly an amazing thing, but it would soon pose a very real threat to us. I spared a look over my shoulder and saw the way to the gate was curiously free of flames. It was as if the girl, Tess, controlled its spread.
"I'd like to see you try," the prince said, marching forward.
"Make him pay," Tess said, clasping at my arm. “Don’t give him a quick end, he’s raped and dined on too many girls. Make him bleed, make him scream.”
With reluctance, I flicked the button to turn off the plasma blade. The metal surface was still razor sharp but now relied on force to cut. I needed to prolong this, not cut the knees out from under the upstart prince as I wished. Until Miazydar could get past whatever meteorological barrier that prevented him from being by my side, the death of the prince would mean the rest of his guards would descend on us en masse, which would be problematic in our attempts to get to the gate. I nodded briefly at the prince's rapidly approaching form and fell into a relaxed pose, bringing my spear point up to meet him.
I was disappointed to see he was angry already, slashing wildly at me, something I was easily able to counter with the greater reach of my spear. Quick as the wind, I blocked his sweeping blow, then flicked my blade upward, forcing his arm wide, before stabbing forward, sinking the tip into his side, a painful, but not mortal blow. He growled at this, his larynx completely unable to make the appropriately menacing sound, then struck again. I parried his attacks almost lazily. It was something I had often observed about royalty in other courts; they did not receive the kind of rigorous martial training that was the norm in mine. "I should have fucked you when I had the chance!" he spat as he tried to rain strikes upon me. "I should have had Mellors hold you down–" I spun my spear, smacking the idiot in the face with the blunt butt, smiling as he fell back, blood running from his nose, dripping from his lip.
I stepped back as he squawked, desperately trying to stem the blood flow and re-situate his nose. "Are you ready to continue, Your Highness?" I asked. The man sent blood splattering over the cobblestones as he flicked his hands down. His grip tightened around his sword hilt and he lashed out with a wild blow.
It would be tempting to assume he was no longer a threat, having well and truly lost his composure. His attacks were powerful, but sloppy, with no real thought to targets or strategy, almost like the thrashings of a spoilt child. The accidental advantage this gave him was it was difficult to predict what he would do. He had enough skill to be able to use his weapon semi-effectively, yet there was no familiar pattern of advances in his movements. I considered his approach as I parried. He had strength, his blows sent shock waves down the length of my spear, but he was completely wild. Miazydar, my beloved, are you close?
No, he gritted out, every time I approach the manor, the updraft forces me away. I thought it perhaps some kind of magical storm, so I left the area, dropping down low to try and glide under the system, but it remains impenetrable.
Could you . . . I blocked a sweep at my feet, could you land and walk the distance? Coming through the main gate?
Like a lizard? His tone spoke volumes. I had no time to coddle my heart mate, having to strike back at the prince in a series of fast blows, culminating in me swinging the butt up, while he wavered on his feet, clipping him under the chin and sending him on his back. I watched Mellors rush forward, his ears flat to his skull. He looked up at me the minute he was sure his lord was not unconscious, murder in his eyes. I rushed back to the group while the prince recovered. “Our only means of leaving is via my dragon,” I said. This made all four of them blanch, something that would no doubt pose challenges when Miazydar finally came. “He cannot land, there’s some form of barrier preventing him. It may be that storm or tied to the curse on the prince. He is not in his right mind, but I cannot keep this up infinitely. We need another plan.”
“The fire’s also spreading, and fast,” Natty said, the white of his eyes showing.
“That won’t be a problem,” Tess said. All of our gazes were drawn to her.
“What do you mean?” said Flea.
“It goes where I want it to go,” she said in a low growl, her voice almost unrecognisable.
“Tess, what’s going on?” Gabriel snapped, but I held up a hand.
“And the storm?” I asked.