The Beast: The Legend of Iski Flare, #7

By Georgina Makalani

Iski Flare's power might overwhelm him, but he has a plan. One to keep the only precious thing he has safe, and he is sure that his new found magic will help that happen.

 

The harder he tries to protect Flare, the more distance grows between them and the more danger he puts her in.

The safe place he finds may not offer the protection he hopes. If Iski can't be rescued from himself, he might lose more than he knew he had.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Georgina Makalani
• Release date: Dec 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9780648337225

Book preview

Flare walked in sullen silence, her arms crossed and her heart broken. Iski glanced across at her too often. Perhaps to make sure she was still there, but he hadn’t said a word since they had left the castle and the new queen they had placed on the throne.

No matter how hard she had tried to explain what she saw reflected in the queen’s mirror, he wouldn’t listen. He talked over the top of her, or cut her off as though she didn’t matter, and she had given up. They had searched for each other for so long and now that she had found him, she should be happy, but she had never felt so alone.

She certainly didn’t feel safe with him. Not like she used to. Not since she saw just how much magic he had.

Flare cleared her throat and Iski spun around to face her. His hand was too tight around the handle of the axe he carried before him. His actions transported her back to the time she was trapped in Everard Whitton’s cottage; a time when all she knew was fear.

Without warning, Iski grabbed her arm. His grip tightened as he muttered, You’re not safe here.

Flare tried to pull out of his grasp, but his hold remained firm. His fingers dug into her skin; fear caught her breath in her throat and forced a lone tear down her cheek.

Don’t worry, he said, his voice not as soft as she hoped. I will protect you. He stopped, but his hand remained too tight around her arm. I’ll take us somewhere safe.

Before Flare could ask where that might be, he pushed her back against a tree; his chest against hers and, without looking her in the eye, he pushed them into the tree. The world was calm for only a moment before they emerged from a tree in another part of the forest.

It was another reminder of the magic he held, and that her own magic was gone. As she tried to catch her breath, he pulled her towards another tree and pushed them through. And then another and another.

When they emerged before a rusty gate almost lost amongst the thorns of a hedge, she had lost count of the number of trees they had moved through. The moments of peace had not been enough to quell her frustrations that he wouldn’t listen to her about the mirror and what she had seen. Nor her growing fear of what he had become.

Iski pushed the gate against the rust and hedge holding it closed and it gave way with a loud squeal.

They may not want visitors, she whispered, looking along the high stone wall that seemed to go on forever.

There is no one here. There hasn’t been anyone here in a long time.

How do you know that? she asked.

He shrugged and pulled her through the gate and into what might have once been an extensive garden. Small stone walls ran through the wilderness, separating it into different sections, but Flare couldn’t determine what the walls might have differentiated. Tall, dry grass grew between the remains of dead bushes, thorns of undetermined plants clung to the walls. Nothing lived. It was all a dry husk of what it might have been.

When Flare looked up, the immense size of the castle before her took her breath away. Are you sure? she asked, trying again to pull from Iski’s hold, but he still held her tight by the wrist. It scared her more than she thought he ever could, as he pulled her toward the castle.

Ornate steps curled out of the garden towards large carved doors. Two crumbling stone dragons guarded the base of the steps and another pair the top. Iski didn’t even pause before he pushed the doors open and dragged Flare behind him into the darkness beyond.

Hello! she called.

There is no one here, he snarled, shutting the door behind them and finally letting her go.

Flare rubbed at her wrist, wondering just how many bruises she would wear thanks to the man who had once sworn to always keep her safe. She looked around the foyer in the dim light. A patterned window above the door, covered with grime, allowed only a small amount of light into the space. She blinked, trying to make out the shapes on the bannister of the staircase before her. Candle light flickered in a neighbouring room, making a random pattern across the floor and she stepped behind Iski, sure they were not alone.

Iski walked directly to the doorway; more scared of being alone, Flare followed. A large dining room stretched out before them. A table, that could have seated twenty, ran along the middle of the room; covered in dust and cobwebs except for the single candle that burned in the middle of it. Iski’s stomach growled loudly.

It looks as though a lot of men have sat around this table, he said.

Flare nodded, taking in the number of chairs. She walked slowly along the length, wondering where all those people were now. Someone must have lit the candle, she said, stepping back from the table and studying the its steady flame. What if they don’t want us here?

There may be some food in the kitchen, he said, disappearing from view through a doorway at the end of the room.

If there is no one here, I don’t think it is going to be edible. She followed him into a narrow corridor.

When was the last time you ate? he asked, but before she could answer he added, You must eat.

Flare opened her mouth and then closed it. She couldn’t remember the last time she had eaten. She couldn’t even remember how long she had sat before the mirror, watching Iski and the princess, the forest and the child in the trees. There is someone we need to find, she said, following him around a turn in the hallway. The clarity she had felt when they left the new queen had disappeared. She felt foggy and uncertain, and she hurried her step to keep up with Iski.

No, we need to keep you safe.

We? she asked, wondering what was lighting their way. We’ll get lost.

Men eat in a dining room; a kitchen must be close.

And the women? she asked, but he didn’t turn around. He didn’t even sound