Page 85 of A Rising Hope (The Freckled Fate #3)
BONUS SCENE 3
FINNLEAH
T he thin air cut my lungs as I raced through the sky on my dragon. His mate followed close behind as we flew over the large snowcapped rocky mountains.
“There.” I noticed the large stone fenced yard of the evergreen estate. The dragons dove until the large trees and gray stone walls shaped in great detail. There was no space for the dragons to land, so they hovered near the roof, shaking the estate with their mighty wings. Loud screams and panic erupted in the previously quiet manor. Fear and havoc laced the chill summer day at my sudden appearance.
I slid down the large wing of my dragon, straightening up. There was no fear. The old memories didn’t scare me anymore.
The handful of guards that were stationed by the door trembled as they recognized me.
“Empress.” They immediately dropped to their knees, bowing to the ground but I ignored them walking by.
“Inadios!” I shouted, shoving the doors wide open inside the old manor. My voice echoed through the familiar building.
“Empress,” Inadios smiled with his greasy smile as he appeared from a dark hall. “To what do we owe such a pleasure?” His pig-like face turned even deeper red as he bowed.
“I’ve come to collect what’s due,” I answered, taking off my black leather gloves as I looked at him. He wore the same ugly mustard yellow shirt as the day I met him.
“Forgive me, my dearest Empress, I have paid all my dues…” He swallowed hard. When I didn’t reply he added, “but I’ll…but I’ll happily add anything else, your highness shall see fit.”
I looked around the old throne room, my lips tugging upward at the memory of meeting Gideon the first time.
“Your servant, Brita?” I asked. “Is she still in your employ?” I turned to face him. He sheepishly nodded. His sausage-like fingers swiped a few drops from sweat off his forehead.
“Um y-yes, your highness,” he stuttered, confused at my request.
“Good. I’ve come to take her.” I told him. He looked at me, surprised, but didn’t object.
“Of course, anything you wish, your highness but she is not here, she is gone to her village today. But I-I shall fetch her for you right now!” He hurried to call a servant, angrily shouting commands at them.
“You know Inadios, we’ve met before a long time ago. You don’t remember me though, do you?” I smiled at him, playful rage sparking in my eyes at his questioning stare.
“I…I…I cannot. But I apologize…I am too much of a recluse. Rarely go to any social gatherings, especially with such high company as yours,” he mumbled. I scoffed at him.
“What about now?” I questioned, making him look, as I pulled the back of my shirt, exposing just a few inches of the deep scars etched on my back. His eyes widened in recognition. “Do you recognize me now?” I smiled with predatorial hunger.
“Your most highness, I have no recollection of us meeting before,” he denied.
“Well, that’s a shame. I was going to spare your life for your apology, but how does one sincerely apologize for something he cannot recollect?” I clicked my tongue. In terror, Inadios dropped to his knees, begging.
“Please, your highness, please forgive me.”
I shook my head.
“Don’t worry, Inadios, these nice plush carpets are not worth ruining with your burned flesh.” I looked at his sad, shivering body. “Death is not your punishment, Inadios, no, you shall live out the rest of your days relying only on the kindness of others.” With a snap of my fingers, his eyes burned, and his tongue incinerated, leaving him blind and mute for the rest of his miserable days. “Pray the world will show you more mercy than you have shown it.”
Content, grounded, and eager, I marched outside. The two giant dragons circled high up in the air, hungrily eyeing the panicked humans. On my command, one of them dropped out of the sky, his tail lowered for me to climb as he hovered in the air. A thought and we were high in the sky.
Free.