Flower's Curse: Flower's Fang, #2

By Madison Keller

Arara's ceremonial armor itches. She feels self-conscious standing on the stage in front of hundreds of people, including her parents. Dark clouds overhead rumble with distant thunder, drowning out the words of the Queen. Arara walks step-in-step with Sels, merged as one with him. Yet something still feels like it's missing.

Prince Sels jumps as lightning hits in the distance. Someone screams, and armored Jegera rush the stage with swords, swinging at him. An angry mob, trying to stop the ceremony. Arara leaps between them and him, building a mental shield to deflect the swords' points. Terrified, Seles cowers and lifts his hands. Fire bursts from Sels' palms and burns the attackers… and Arara, his best friend.

Can the newly bonded pair, still learning how to live with themselves and each other, really be able to heal the fractured relationship between the races before the city tears itself apart?

Flower's Curse is Book 2 in the YA Epic Fantasy Flower's Fang Series.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rainbow Dog Books
• Release date: Jul 1, 2016
• ISBN: 9781533737878

Madison Keller

MADISON KELLER lives and writes in the Pacific Northwest. When not writing he can be found bicycling around the woods of Oregon or at the dog park with his adorable Chihuahua mix. Madison has transitioned and now goes by Ian.

Book preview

Flower's Curse

Madison Keller

CONTENTS

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

World of Flower's Fang

Sebaine City

CHAPTER ONE

THE SEDYU CEREMONY

ARARA MARCHED ALONG the edge of the stage, uncomfortable with the audience’s gaze on her and sweltering with her thick fur packed in her ceremonial leather armor. Arara resisted the urge to reach under the armor and scratch her chest where it chaffed her. Through the bond Arara could feel that Sels was equally uncomfortable in his heavy, jewel-bedecked robes and elaborate braided vine-do.

Overhead, a cover of dark gray clouds blanketed the sky, threatening rain at any moment. Occasional flashes of lightning and booms of thunder could be heard in the distance.

Her measured steps fell in perfect alignment with the Prince, her sedyu-bonded, who had entered from the other side at the same time. Arara was the first Yaka to bond with a member of the royal family, a fact many in the city were unhappy with after the Yaka led rebellion that had come close to taking over the city last month.

After what seemed an eternity of walking, Arara and Sels reached the center of the stage, where the Queen and Tukura, her own sedyu-bonded waited. The Queen’s vines were braided around her head in a crown shape, with her flowers set as the points, and she wore a brocaded green gown set with rubies. Tukura’s black uniform was a dark spot next to the Queen’s beauty.

The Queen smiled at the Prince, then at Arara before chanting and throwing her hands up into the air, releasing a wave of rainbows that sparkled as they soared over the crowd until they faded. The audience, mostly rich noble Kin with a smattering of Jegera including her adopted parents, oohed and awed at the display. The Royal Magic might be pretty, as well as said to bring peace and luck to those that witnessed it, but it hid a subtle mind-control spell that kept the people devoted to the Royal Family. Her sedyu-bond with the Prince protected her from its effects but her parents had no such protection. Sels had begged the Queen not to perform it at the ceremony, but she had insisted.

Arara set her teeth, willed her ears to stay perked forward and upright and approached the Queen. Queen Seuan lifted a carved pot filled with soil saved from Sels’s seedling plot.

Arara of Last Home, the Queen’s magically amplified voice boomed out and the crowd hushed. "A sedyu-bond is a sacred pact between Jegera and Kin, promising trust, cooperation, and prosperity between the two races. Over the years we lost sight of that and Kin began to believe their magic elevated them above the other races."

The Queen lowered the pot, fixing Arara with a weighted gaze. "The first sedyu-bonded pair Queen Selvn and Bran ruled the combined Kin-Jegera Empire as equals. You are more than bodyguard. You and my son, together you are the future heirs, to be crowned as one."

This was new. During the rehearsal the day before the Queen had recited words about honor and responsibilities. Arara glanced over at Tukura. Her mouth was open, tongue lolled out in a grin, obviously in on the Queen’s plan.

This pot represents my dear son, Prince Sels’s life from birth to this moment. I give it over to you for safe-keeping.

Arara took the pot from her with practiced reverence, chest puffed up and a grin splitting her muzzle. The pot was warm in her arms as she took her place next to the Queen facing the front of the stage.

Prince Sebaine Lsander, Tukura began, lifting a tinkling charm bracelet. Her pitch projected loudly over the crowd. "Your sedyu-bond is to be treasured. Together you are more than you were-"

Arara sent to Sels over their bond.

Sels was focusing on Tukura, trying to catch his cue in her lines.

A stab of annoyance at Sels caught her off guard. Bonded for over a month and he hadn’t even told her his full name. She did her best to stamp it down. He probably assumed she’d learned it in her school classes, not knowing she’d skipped class almost every day to avoid the bully Kerka. Besides, it hadn’t come up before since Kin were always called by a combination of their family and given name; full names were only used in rarely and always in private.

Thunder cracked, drowning out Tukura’s words. The storm was getting closer. As soon as she thought that the wind picked up blowing the edges of the Queen’s skirt into her legs. Sels wobbled when his robes flapped hard. Arara reached out with her mind and nudged his side, helping to keep him upright. A surge of gratitude came through and her tail wagged.

-my advice, Tukura finished, howling to be heard over the cracking of the banners whipping in the gusts. Together you are the future heirs, to be crowned as one.

Tukura slipped Arara’s charm bracelet over Sels outstretched hand. This bracelet represents Arara’s life from birth to this moment. I give it over to you for safe-keeping.

The soft leather strap was made up of several pieces woven together, along with a carved bone charm made by Arara’s adopted father and a large crocodile claw. The claw had been taken from the croc that almost killed Arara during the first trial a few months ago.

While Sels stepped back and turned, a drop of rain hit Arara’s nose and she discreetly licked it off. The ceremony was almost complete, however, a buzz at the back of her head distracted her. She’d kept her mental shields tightly laced during the ceremony, a must with this many people nearby, but something was strong enough that it was bothering her even through her shields.

A Jegera wearing the uniform of a royal guard rushed onstage skidding to a stop in front of the Queen and Arara. Your majesty, a mob has stormed the gates. They are inside the palace. We must get you and your family to safety.

The crowd buzzed as more guards filed down the aisles and began ushering guests out. The Queen lifted her skirts and nodded her head to the guard. Arara carefully set the pot on the stage before following them; the thing was heavy and would only slow her down. Sels waited for her at the top of the steps nervously fiddling with the bracelet on his arm. They made their way up the aisle after the guard in silence, trailing behind the Queen and Tukura.

Sels sent to her.

Arara said, although she tried to project reassurance she was sure Sels could feel her own uncertainty.

A scream split the air from somewhere out in the gardens. It was followed quickly by yelling and the pounding of feet. The guard leading them had just reached the exit when the shadowy form of a Jegera darted through the doorway and cracked him over the head with a club.

Seuan, get back on the stage. It’s more defensible! Tukura snarled as she lunged for the attacker.

The Queen shook her head and began casting a spell, hands weaving through the air as she chanted. Arara dropped to all fours and ran forward to help Tukura as two more Jegera came through the door. Unused to the weight of the leather armor, Arara’s headlong charge became more of a slow trot.

Claws out, one of the newcomers went to swipe at Tukura’s exposed back. Arara dropped her shields and stabbed at his face with her mind. The attacker’s head snapped back, struck by the invisible force of Arara’s mental powers. He dropped with a groan and lay twitching. Before the bond that much use of her power so quickly would have left her with a pounding headache, but with Sels so close she just got a slight stabbing pain in her forehead that was gone by the time she finished trotting up the aisle.

Before she could jump on the second Jegera a blast of wind sent him flying over the back wall of the council hall and out into the garden maze. There was a crunch as he hit one of the hedge walls. Arara knew from experience that the poison in the hedge’s spikes meant he would be dead within moments.

More Jegera poured in from the doorway, all of them armed with makeshift clubs. One even held a flaming torch and he smelled of burned sap.

Retreat! Tukura yelled at Arara. Sels and his mother had already started back towards the stage. Rain began falling in earnest now. Although it was midday the cloud cover made it almost as dark as night. No wonder the Queen retreated - she needed sunlight to power her magic. In this gloom the Queen was almost helpless.

Arara and Tukura raced away as the mob continued to pour into the hall. Arara’s short legs meant that she fell behind almost immediately. Tukura, seeing Arara’s distress, slowed down and took Arara’s scruff in her mouth, hauling her along like an errant puppy.

Sels stood on the edge of the stage, mouth set in a grim line as he concentrated. He was still new to his own magic and it took him a while to gather and focus the energy around him. While Tukura shoved Arara straight up onto the stage, not bothering to go around the side to reach the steps, Sels pointed a finger at the advancing mob.

A cone of fire cascaded from his hand, engulfing the row of benches closest to the stage and drenching the ground in front of the approaching mob with a liquid inferno. The nearest Jegeras slid to a stop on the wet grass. The rain hissed as it hit Sels’s magical blaze.

Yaka invader!

Mist monster scum! They began to scream epitaphs at her from the other side of Sels’s fire, probably realizing that Sels was reluctant to hurt them.

Static electricity hummed in the air and Arara’s long fur puffed out of her armor.  A flash of light engulfed her and her nerves screamed in agony.

THERE WAS A SURGE OF moon magic and a concussive boom shook the stage. The force picked Sels up and flung him back like a toy. Blinded by shock and the flash of light, Sels screamed. Every part of him hurt, was burning. He screamed a second time then the pain was gone.

Chaos reigned around him while he gasped for breath. As his vision cleared he saw the stage was on fire where the bolt of lightning had hit. He couldn’t see Arara anywhere, although he could still feel a ghost of her pain and panic through the bond. Everything sounded muted and far away.

Tukura shoved him back down onto the planks of the stage and rolled him over, beating out a fire on his robes before she pulled him to his feet. A big section of the stage was on fire; black oily smoke rolled up from it, obscuring his vision. Tukura began to pull him away from the fire and smoke, away from Arara.

No, Arara! Sels fought against her grip. She’s in there!

"She can take care of herself, she is a sedyu-protector, Tukura growled in his ear, jerking his arm and causing him to stumble. As the Prince you must see to your own safety first."

Didn’t you listen to the ceremony you just performed? Sels snarled back, ripping his arm from her grasp, hardly noticing the pain as her claws scored his skin. She is my bonded. I can’t leave her.

Tukura nodded and dashed off, hopefully to find his mother and get her to safety. Sels took a few steps back towards where the smoke seemed the thickest but his heavy robes pulled at him. He tried to un-knot his sash, but his fingers trembled and caught on the fabric. A lick of flame shot out of his fingers, burning through the silk with the stink of burning hair. He ripped out of the outer robe. The gems clanked as they hit the wood and he sighed with relief.

The smoke burned his lungs and he coughed. He shook out the long sleeve of his thin under robe, holding it over his mouth and nose. With a deep breath he charged into the smoke in the direction of Arara’s presence, burning in him like a beacon. A wave of heat met him, growing steadily hotter as he went. His eyes watered and his skin crackled under the heat. He was so focused on moving forward that he didn’t realize he’d found Arara until he literally tripped over her arm.

Coughing, he groped around with his free hand until he found one of her paws. He gripped it tightly and pulled back the way he’d come, but she didn’t budge. When he dropped his sleeve to free his other hand acrid smoke burned his nose and throat. He dragged Arara back out of the smoke, feeling her mind getting fainter in his head all the while.

The gray form of a Jegera materialized from the smoke, grabbing Arara from him and throwing her over their shoulder. Sels wheezed as he followed them, trying to keep up with the Jegera’s longer legs. Tears streamed down his face from the smoke, blinding him. He tried to speak, to tell them to slow down, but couldn’t force any sound out of his raw throat. His vision dimmed and he stumbled and fell. Furry arms caught him, lifted him up.

Cool water hit his parched tongue and he could finally find the breath to cough.

Get them both to the infirmary, call a Healer. Someone called out.

Sels gasped in relief and relaxed, safe.

CHAPTER TWO

FUTURE CRUSHED

ARARA FLOATED BACK to consciousness, only gradually becoming aware. Her entire body ached, a dull throb in the back of her muscles and she smelled burned hair. Once she was able to pry her eyes open she recognized the pink painted walls, familiar from her last visit to the Royal Infirmary.

She’s awake! Sels’s voice floated over her, his excitement through their bond almost overwhelming her. His fingers gently stroked her head and ears, his legs shifting under her head. She tilted her head back in his lap and blinked up into his smiling face. They were alone in the room, but Arara sensed others on the other side of the doorway.

What happened? Arara mumbled, her voice a hacking hoarse cough.

Sels chewed his lip, glancing between Arara and the door. I was holding off the rioters with my fire when someone struck you with a lightning spell. I think it was meant to look like a natural strike, part of the storm.

Arara closed her eyes with a groan. That explained why she felt like every nerve in her body was on fire.

The healers did what they could. Oh, Sels reached over her head and held a bowl of steaming broth up to her muzzle. They said for you to drink what you could of this.

She lapped at the bowl, eyes still closed. It smelled divine and felt wonderful on her aching throat. When she was done Sels moved the bowl back to the table and resumed stroking Arara’s head.

Sesay pushed through the vines at the door. She still wore her jeweled gown from the ceremony, her pink petals ornately braided. Her brows were pulled up in concern, and her pointed ears were drooping with fatigue, but she held herself with poise, hands clasped in front of her as she looked the two of them over.

Her bonded, Recka, a big, black, muscled Jegera who loomed a head taller than her followed her through the door. Arara had been intimidated by him before, and she’d responded with aggression. However, over the last month he’d become a close friend and mentor as he helped her navigate the complicated machinations and quirks of court life. He too had grown up in a small village and had been more than sympathetic and understanding of her situation, giving her plenty of time to get her bearings in the unfamiliar setting.

Arara pushed Sels's hands away and sat up, embarrassed that Recka had caught her in such a vulnerable position, lying on her back with her tummy exposed. She narrowed her eyes at him and growled softly. Recka flashed her a grin, his eyes twinkling.

I hope you are happy with yourself, Sesay fixed Arara with a stare that could have wilted flowers.

Arara met her eyes and bristled, showing teeth. What?

That riot, it’s all because of you. I told Sels you were bad news, ever since I met you. After what the Yaka did to this city you should have stepped down, allowed Sels to get a Jegera bonded.

Sels shot to his feet, fists balled. "Arara saved all of us from those killers. They were going to execute us! If Arara hadn’t intervened we all would have been dead!"

Sesay looked to Sels, glanced at the floor, then back to Arara. "I am grateful for that, for saving both Recka and I, but Sels, at least you should have known better. You both had a hand in this."

Sesay paused. Sels and Arara stared at her in shock.

You’re right, Arara’s ears drooped and her tail curled between her legs. I was being selfish. Before I met Sels I’d never felt like I belonged anywhere, and I didn’t want to give that up.

Don’t listen to her, Arara, Sels pushed between them and stood facing Sesay. It’s not her fault any more than it’s mine. Or yours.

Sesay clutched her hands together and glanced at Recka. Let’s not argue about this now. But Sels, I do care about you. I worry. After me you are next in line to run the Empire. When you take risks like you did today, running into the fire with rioters around... She took a deep breath. Just, try to think things through next time. Think, instead of just reacting. For example, why didn’t you use your magic on the fire, perhaps try to put out the flames?

Oh, Sels flushed and Arara could feel his frustration through the bond. I’ve only ever started fires before...

You need training. Sesay stated, holding up a hand to forestall the questions Arara could feel bubbling in his mind. I know, there isn’t anyone else who can cast Moon magic, but a solid grounding in the foundations of Sun magic will-

Yes, there is. Sels cut in.

There is what? Sesay refolded her hands, face puzzled.

Another Moon magic caster. That lightning today wasn’t natural, it was a spell. Sels was tensing up, so Arara reached over and sque-ezed his hand. He relaxed a fraction, took a deep breath.

Sesay pursed her lips. I see. We rounded up the rioters. I’ll have them questioned and see if anyone remembers a Kin caster.

You believe me? Surprise colored their bond.

Sesay sighed, shook her head. A few pink petals floated loose to fall on the floor.

Yes, I do; for what it’s worth. I’ll check into it. Recka, let’s go.

Recka’s thoughts came to Arara unbidden. Between the lightning strike and the healing her mental shields were fried and she was too tired to try to rebuild them.

Sesay replied through her own mental bond with Recka. Arara cocked her head, trying to hear more, curious what ‘it’ was. An angry buzzing sound filled her head.

Sesay gave Arara an irritated look. Stop eavesdropping, it’s rude.

Arara blinked in surprise as Sesay swept back out with Recka at her heels. Sels let out a huff and collapsed in one of the plush chairs that had been pushed up against the walls.

Glad that’s over, Sels pushed his vines back from his face and began inspecting what remained of his under robe.

For the first time Arara realized that Sels was dirty, covered in soot and grime, and most of one of his