Page 84 of Crown of Flame

She slows down enough that I can see her. Her eyes are like bright yellow gems, and her skin is so crimson, it stands out among the dull gray rocks of the beach.

In a flashy display, Cinis lights the first rock on fire, followed by the second. Hesta’s entranced by the light.

He hovers over, patting her on the head, and I think I see a flame kindle in her ashen gray hair.

“Next time, you’ve got to stay with mommy, okay Hesta?”

I grip the cold metal amulet in my hand, thankful for everything it’s given me. This life might be difficult, but it’s never been dull. Every day, I realize how lucky I am.

She hasn’t spoken her first word yet, but I know she’s sorry.

I lean down, and I kiss her on the cheek, before massaging her shoulder.

“You should take Hesta back home,” I urge Cinis, gesturing toward the beach. “Elves have made landing.”

I start approaching the beach, gripping the handle of my dagger tightly. Their magic is unpredictable, but there are certain tells elves have. And when all else fails, you can usually bargain with them.

But in my peripheral vision, I note that Cinis still hasn’t left for home.

I turn.

“If you don’t hurry, they could catch up to her!”

Cinis shakes his head, deep in contemplation. Every day, I swear he gets a little more human.

“Actually, I thought maybe this time she could tag along,” Cinis suggests.

My eyes widen automatically, my jaw hanging slack.

Surely, he’s not suggesting bringing our one-year-old daughter along on a mission.

“What are you talking about, dear?”

Cinis looks out toward the ship. I look out toward the ship.

Thankfully, the crew hasn’t begun disembarking, but it’s only a matter of time.

“I’m just noticing how impressive she is,” Cinis says. “Even growing up here, this child still doesn’t know anything about fear. And I don’t really want to hide her away from the world anymore.”

“Cinis,” I urge him. “She’s only a child. A baby, even. Surely, she can’t fight with us.”

The ship drops anchor, and the first dark elf climbs off the side, looking straight at us as he lands on the wet beach in the distance.

We’re not exactly inconspicuous.

“Now’s your last chance! You need to run!”

But Cinis just looks out indifferently at the dark elf staring him down. Even from this distance, I can see the intimidation the elf projects tries to conceal his fear.

“Watch daddy, Hesta,” Cinis says. “Just do what I do and stay close.”

He looks at me. I ready my daggers.

I suppose it’s too late to turn back now. We’ll see what happens.

Cinis grabs mounds of quick clay, then begins to reshape it into a large ball with his mind.

“What the fuck is that!”