Infernal Desire

The Pit of Loneliness

After a mile or so, Talia realizes something. “Are we walking to Ignis?” She asks Lucian. Igneous is well ahead, but she has a feeling he can still hear them.

“What were you expecting? A grand parade?” Lucian responds, linking his fingers behind his head, his easy unreadable smile in place.

Talia frowns, “I wasn’t expecting a warm welcome. But I at least expected a carriage to pick us up.”

“Sorry, we couldn’t spare any.” Lucian shrugs.

“Too good to walk, human?” Igneous says, startling Talia by suddenly returning. Did he backtrack just to make a snide remark?

“Look, I’m fit as a seasoned warrior and I train to keep my body in shape! I have no issues walking a great distance. However, I did not expect to walk ten miles in six-inch heels!” She retorts, lifting the hem of her dress to show off the ice-crystal adorned heeled sandals she is wearing. Both men stare at the shoes for a moment as if they are foreign to them, then they both laugh. Talia feels anger bubbling in her gut.

“You shouldn’t have tried so hard to impress me. I have zero interest in you or what you have to offer. You could have shown up in a paper sack, and you wouldn’t be any more appealing to me.” Igneous says.

“You think I did this to impress you? HA!" Talia snaps, "Believe me, the opinion of an oversize lizard means little to me. But since I couldn't care less about how you view me, I didn’t even waste a doubloon on a new dress.” They all stop walking and regard each other. Lucian looks at her curiously, the first real emotion he’s shown aside from laughter. Igneous looks furious. He takes a step toward her and Lucian steps between them. Talia already had a spell ready to cast at the tips of her fingers.

“Let us all calm down. You two have your entire lives to duke it out and argue. How about you do that after you are husband and wife then proceed to spend the rest of your lives pretending that the other does not exist?” His curiosity is gone and only that unreadable smile remains. Talia allows the heat to recede out of her fingers and Igneous releases the breath he had been holding. After a moment, they begin to walk again, with Talia bringing up the rear and Lucian between her and the prince.

The walk is silent and intense. Talia’s feet ache as she tries to keep up with the men’s long gait. She is used to the bubbling and popping of lava beneath her feet and the ice crystals keep her cool. They did not do much for the pain in her feet, though. Talia is finally fed up at mile 3.2, “Listen! I don’t mind walking, and I don’t mind being ignored! But that doesn’t mean I don’t mind being in pain and saying nothing! I would appreciate a little decency and rest for a moment! You two walk fast, and my feet are killing me!” Talia is never one to complain, deciding that it is best left to the spoiled brats she grew up with, but this is beyond ridiculous.

Lucian regards her with amusement once again and Igneous gives her a look of pure disgust and annoyance. She does not care and glares into those ember eyes with all of her stubbornness on full display. Never breaking eye contact with Igneous, she picks her foot up and breaks the heel off. The first hint of surprise crosses the men’s faces as she does the same with the other shoe and flings both heels over the bridge and into the lava below.

“Better.” Talia smirks and walks past both men with a graceful stride that would make her father proud. After a moment’s hesitation, Lucian and Igneous follow her, overtaking her with two strides of their long legs. She is not one to be outdone, and she keeps pace with them for the remainder of the journey. After what seemed like an eternity, they reach the other shore and Talia is stunned to see a large pale blue carriage complete with a driver and horse-riding escorts waiting there. Looking at Igneous and Lucian she points to the procession, “What is this?”

“Our ride,” Igneous says with a shrug. He and Lucian walk up to the carriage door that the driver opens for them with a flourishing bow and Igneous steps in first. Lucian pauses with one leg in and looks back at Talia.

“You’re more than free to walk the 50 miles to Ignis if you want. If not, please get in.” He smirks and slips inside the carriage.

“These damn savages! Haven’t they ever heard of ladies first?!” Talia thinks, stomping over to the carriage and climbing inside to sit on the opposite side of the men. The driver nor the guards even offered to help her in. Talia did hate to be treated like a damsel, but she did expect a certain level of courtesy for a princess from another land. The carriage jolts to a start and turns to go back in the opposite direction of the Burning Sea. Talia just stares out the window, deciding right then and there that there is no difference between her and a servant when it comes to the dragons. She realizes that she will have to rough it out alone and not expect help or compassion from anyone.

“The unwanted bride.” She mutters quietly and decides there is no need to be ladylike any longer. She pulls her knees to her chest and hugs them tight against her body. She is aware of the other two looking at her, but she does not care. If she could not handle a few stares, she would not have volunteered to come to this god-forsaken place. The stares, whispers, and harsh words are following her here. Only this time, there is no home to return to or a loving embrace to chase the bad things away.