Cursed Daughter

Chapter 16

Kyle's POV

    I was standing at the doorway to the princess's chambers. Me and the other guard knew where she was hidden and we knew we had to protect her at all costs. The intruders hadn't made their way to this portion of the castle yet and it felt like ages passed as we stood there. There was a clamor down the hall and we get our swords ready. A distant scream made us pause and the other guard went to inspect. I heard a gasp followed by him screaming. I ran over to help him when I saw the fire.

    "Run!" I yelled to the servants.

    I ran back to return to the princess but the fire blocked my path. I yelled out in frustration quickly trying to find a way around. I briefly entertained the idea of passing through the fire but when I got close the heat overwhelmed me. I turned down a corridor that I knew could take me back and started running. I went to turn left and was stopped by flames. I cursed and continued straight trying to just get back quickly. Every turn I tried to make out of the corridor was just met with another dead end.

    "Momma!" I heard the princess yell.  

    She must have left her chamber when she heard screaming. She kept calling for the queen so I followed the sound of her voice the best I could. Eventually I reached a turn that the fire hadn't touched yet. I could hear the princess's voice getting weaker and I rushed to find her. I turned again and found a wall of flames. I was about to turn back when I saw the princess lying on the ground.

    "Princess!" I yelled out to her but she did not respond.

    I tried to find anything that could get me through to her to no avail. I cried out in frustration again just wishing that I could walk through fire. I got near the flames and was taken aback that I didn't feel the heat this time. I cautiously moved my hand near it then through it. I gasped when the flames seemed to move out of my way. I felt a tug in my head and took a deep breath to steady myself. I was sworn to protect her at all costs so I stepped into the fire.

    I prepared for the searing pain but felt none. I opened my eyes and saw that the flames still danced around me, looking as if an invisible wall was holding them back. I snapped out of the amazement that I was in and rushed over to the princess. The fire had reached her and was starting to burn her skin. I had nothing to put it out but I was desperate to save her. I concentrated and moved my hand to hover above her and saw that the fire started to retreat. No, not retreat, it was as if my hand was almost inhaling the flames.

    I paused for a moment unsure of what to make of this before continuing. The flames all disappeared from her body and I saw that her dress was burned away. My pushed my shock from this new revelation aside and noticed her skin was burned horrifically. The queen was Immortal she will heal but this will still scar her.

    "Austin!" I yelled and shook her.

    She stayed unresponsive but I saw she was still breathing so I picked her up as gently as I could and started making my way out of the castle. I took the quickest route and every new wall of fire I encountered I waved my hand at and it disappeared. My only concern was saving the princess so I did not give myself time to process what I was experiencing. I was well aware that my familial line was Elemental but control over fire was rare. Even more so seeing that I was not of age to come into my powers. I had not the first clue as to how I was already able to control it this well but I thanked the stars for it.

    I gulped in the cool night air as I finally got out. I laid the princess down on the grass on her side so her back could get air to help the healing process. Her back had already started to look like it was forming sinews of new skin but I was correct that it would leave scars. I had carried her several yards away so she was safe from the fire and I got up to go back inside and try to find any other survivors. As I stepped to enter from where I just exited a felt something hit the back of my head.

    I fell to my knees and stars danced across my vision. I turned to look at who had hit me but before I could do so I felt the most unbearable pain all over my body. I screamed out as I felt like two daggers had been stabbed into my throat. What felt like hours must have only been seconds before I passed out.

                                            *                                        *                                                * 

    I screamed as I woke up and jumped up from the bed I was laying on.

    Wait, bed? I thought.

    I looked around and saw Austin staring at me eyes wide. Dimitra was sitting next to her, hand frozen in Austin's hair. I dropped to my knees hanging my head low.

    "Princess please forgive me. I failed to protect you. I plead that you take my life in return for betraying my oath."

    Austin gasped. I remembered being her guard and I failed her.