Flames of Fury

Magnolia

Sure enough, as soon as I am dressed and cleared by the good doctor, Gorm’s ugly mug appears in the doorway. What’s unfortunate is that he’s actually not ugly at all. Much like his king, he’s slim but toned, has angular facial features, and long, silky brown hair that just kisses his shoulders.

It’s disturbing how attractive they are, it’s unnatural. But what they have in looks they lack equally in manners.

“So you can follow directions.” Gorm’s mouth twists into an exceptionally sinister smile.

“Remind me to add your balls to the list of organs I’ll relieve you of before I kill you.”

Gorm snarls and I grin at my victory of getting under his skin. “Let’s go, Illian’s waiting. You too, Doc.”

I look over my shoulder towards Ember. She looks just as surprised as I am that Illian wants her to attend dinner. A hint of fear flashes across her face, her hands wringing together in front of her.

She doesn’t voice her nerves, she simply nods and gestures for Gorm to lead the way.

I run through the plan in my head as we follow him through the cavern. Confirm he released my dad and uncle, torch him, go home. Easy.

We finally come to an alcove in the cavern with a 12 foot ceiling and light brown, earthy rock walls on three sides of the room. The front of the room opposite where we entered is completely open, giving a grand view of the heart of Drow Hollow just below.

It’s not what you’d expect of an underground cavern. It’s not damp or musky, it’s not dark or cramped. It’s open and spacious, there are lanterns and torches along the pathways and large chandeliers that hang in various places throughout. The stony pillars give natural support to the high ceilings and carved bridges. The edges of the doors are curved into arches. There’s nothing sharp or jagged about this fortress, and if it wasn’t the home of my current enemy I’d even call it charming.

I’m still looking out over the balcony when I feel him, the air losing its heat to the endothermic snake behind me sucking the warmth and goodness out of his surroundings.

“I’m pleased you could join me this evening, my flower. You look… magnificent.”

I still don’t turn to face him. “Have you held up your end of the deal? Did you release my family?”

He clicks his tongue, thinking about how to answer. “Your family members are no longer in Drow Hollow.”

That’s an evasive response but I don’t think he’s going to give me anything better. My family is free, step one done. Now for step two, torch the worm.

My fingers flex wide by my sides giving the beginning wisps of green flames space to dance between them.

Ian tuts at my back. “I wouldn’t do that just yet, little flower.”

“Give me one good reason. After everything you’ve put my family through, why should I allow you to breathe for even a second longer?”

“Not that I particularly care, but using your fire now would result in the death of your unborn child. A fetus, even one of your bloodline, wouldn’t survive the heat.”

I whip around to finally face him. “Except I’m not —“

“Pregnant? Unfortunately for us both it would appear that you are. I’ve asked Dr. Ember to be here to verify that what I’m telling you is the truth and to answer any questions you may have.”

I rip my eyes away from Ian and look at Ember. Her eyes rapidly oscillate between meeting mine and dropping to the floor.

“Ember, what the fuck is going on.”

“I ran a full blood panel when you were first admitted three days ago. I — you — ,” the words catch in her throat. “He’s telling the truth. You’re pregnant.” Her words are whispered but they shatter the silence all the same.

Pregnant?

Instinctively my hand moves over my stomach, acknowledging the life that’s growing inside me.

A baby.

I wonder what the twins will think, how they’ll react. Will they be happy about a baby, or will they be angry? We’ve barely had any time together, and I’ll have to deal with the repercussions of flying off without anyone first. But maybe once they feel the life they put in my belly swimming around they’ll ease up on me.

“Right, so, if you’d please have a seat, we can discuss things over dinner.”

Illian holds out a chair for me, like this one act of chivalry could make up for imprisoning my family and knocking me unconscious.

“I’ll admit your…condition has put a minor kink in my chain. But I’m a fairly patient man, I can wait.”

“Wait for what?”

“Please, my flower, sit with me.”

I relent and take a seat at one end of the long table. There’s already a banquet spread of food littering the table, along with bottles of red and white wine.

“You see, Magnolia, I’m a collector of sorts. I collect things of value, I collect debts and favors. I collect power.” He sits down opposite me and lays his dinner napkin across his lap, fully expecting me to have an actual dinner with him.

“You are a rare commodity, indeed. It took me nearly half a century, but I finally tracked down an ancient elder who had knowledge regarding those haunting flames you harbor behind your eyes.” His gaze could bore a hole right through me. “You’re the last Fey Female.”

“You do know that makes me the biggest threat to you and your people? Assuming I don’t kill you with my bare hands, there’s nothing stopping me from torching you after I give birth. And trust me, I have no intention of having my baby in this pit.”

“I do like your fire. It’s like a forbidden fruit. I know I should stay away but I just can’t help but be lured to it.” He takes a long sip of his wine before continuing. “I told Ember just to terminate your pregnancy, but she cautioned me that doing so could cause irreparable harm to your womb.”

“How kind of you to consider my womb.” I reply dryly, sarcasm drips from every syllable.

“Indeed.” He hums. “So here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to resist using your fire on me and my people and in exchange, if it’s a boy, I’ll let your son live.”

I scoff at how arrogant he is. “And if it’s a girl?”

His lips slowly curl into a tight grin. “If it’s a girl, then I promise I won’t do to her what I plan on doing with you.”

A sick feeling washes over me. I don’t like the way he said it, and I definitely don’t like the lecherous gaze with which his eyes prey upon me.

“Which brings me back to my original proposal. Marry me, be my queen and rule by my side and there shall be nothing in this world that you could want that I wouldn’t give you.”

“As tempting as that offer is, you can fuck all the way off with it.” I say with a sinister sweetness.

“My sweet flower, I would take some time to think it over. Whether or not you choose to comply, my plans for you will not change. But how much or how little you enjoy yourself will. I think you’ll come to find that I quite enjoy exerting my power over others almost as much as I enjoy acquiring it.”

He stands and approaches me, smoothly gliding across the floor. His hands rest heavily on either side of my shoulders and his breath chills my skin when he leans down to whisper in my ear. “Your choice matters little to me, because come a few months from now when that mutt is finally evicted, I’ll be the one filling your belly. You’ll mother my brood, a fey resistant Drow, and I’ll be the ruler of the most powerful colony in the world.”

He uprights himself and squeezes my shoulders. “Chew on that, my little Fey flower. I’ll give you a week to make your choice. Sweet dreams.”