25 The Rolls and the Fire (2/2)

Because no one attacked them.

The Prince held up a hand to the sky, as if meaning to capture the clouds in his palm. They remained where they were and moved on with their day.

Such an easy life, so far beyond his grasp.

Did Ariene live such a life? If she did, would he be able to take her from it?

===

Raz laid out a futon on the wooden floor. She and Maia had been given a room to spend the night. It only had one bed, enough for one person. The Rash of the Sea wasn't about to take a 'no' as an answer—not even from a redhead pirate.

”Why not take the bed, Raz?” Maia said. She entered the room from its adjoined bathroom. Her damp hair soaked the night clothes lended to her by Lily. She accepted it, grateful to be rid of her filthy clothes for the time being.

A light breeze flew through the window, making her shiver.

”You deserve a proper rest tonight,” her leader explained. Raz took the blanket and the pillows that had been provided and placed them neatly on the futon. Unlike Maia, she merely stripped off her outerwear and shoes, leaving her tunic and her trousers.

”I think you deserve it more,” the redhead argued, ”You also spent the night in the forest. I bet you didn't even sleep even when I took over as lookout.”

Raz chuckled, ”How about this? We push the bed to the wall and pull down the mattress. That way, we both sleep on the floor.”

Maia contemplated the idea. It seemed quite fair compared to only one person having the privilege of the bed. The two girls pushed the bed until it hit the wall and placed the mattress next to Raz's futon. They lied down, backs facing each other. Raz stayed near the window in case of an intruder. Yet, the night remained quiet and darkness wrapped them up in a blanket.

…

…

…

Smoke engulfed the air as flames of crimson heat soared high up to the ceiling. Screams of terror echoed away from the room. Beams crashed against furniture, breaking them into splinters. Grasses of kindled fire soon covered the floor. They crawled over it and sprouted like weeds.

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In the middle of it all, stood a little girl.

Her entire body had been covered in soot. The dress she wore burned at the hems. Inexplicable pain seared her skin. She ran around the room of fire. Her hands touched any wall and searched for an exit. Despite the uncontrollable blaze, none of them caved in. They kept the room upright no matter how many scraps of wood fell from above.

She coughed.

She choked.

Her vision began to blur and her knees caved in. She knelt onto the floor, wheezing what little air she had left. She could hear the others but no one heard her. She closed her eyes. Her fate had been sealed by the walls that kept her locked in.

Silent tears rolled down her cheeks, her only source of water inside the inferno. They tasted salty against her tongue but her mouth had become so dry that it welcomed the tangy droplets.

One by one, the flames crackled until they left no surface untouched—including the little girl.

Maia woke up, her eyes wide with adrenaline. She sat up and panted. Sweat trickled down her forehead. She wiped it off with the back of her hand. Then, she placed it on her chest. Her head felt light and her nerves trembled. Each time, the dream became more lifelike and each time, the same hopelessness weighed in her heart. Even awake, she could feel the fire creep up her skin, toasting her body.

She licked her dry lips and focused on her breathing. In this room, there was no smoke. The air was clear and it tasted fresh from the trees.

”Maia, are you alright?” Raz rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, sitting up.

The redhead was a sight to behold. Her lips had gone pale and her hair had snarled up into a haystack. Raz could see her visibly shake from head to toe. One look at the frightened amber eyes in front of her and she knew.

Tears welled up in those eyes when they stared back at her, ”I—I—”

Raz reached out and yanked Maia into her arms. She rubbed her back, smoothing out the goosebumps that rose on the redhead's skin, and whispered into her ear, ”Sshh, it's okay, it's okay. It was only a nightmare. It wasn't real. I'm here. I'll protect you.”