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Prologue

I once wished for a better home, and then I woke up with lungs full of smoke.

My dreams were interrupted by my choking gasps. I crawled out from under the sheets of leather I’d used for blankets, my eyes burning as thick, black smoke blocked my vision.

They’re burning down the shop.

I knew the guard was planning on demolishing the old building, but I’d hoped there would be enough time for me to find a new home before it happened.

My heart pounded as I looked around for Kipu, relieved to find his nest empty.

He must have already flown outside, thank the heavens.

There was no time to grab anything, so I ran for the nearest exit.

My head spun as I hunted for the stairs, startled to find dancing orange flames blocking my only way down.

What do I do ?

The smoke was getting thicker, and the hot clay floor was starting to burn the soles of my feet. I thought about going back for my sandals, but I’d long since outgrown them anyway.

I darted back toward the window Kipu had likely flown out of, sticking my head out to suck in as much clean air as I could. Sure enough, royal guards surrounded the building, watching with their soulless eyes as the shop burned to the ground.

They didn’t even check to see if it was empty first.

I considered calling out for help, but my throat was too dry. Even if I could have screamed, they likely wouldn’t have come to my aid. Who would care about an orphaned ten-year-old who had to beg to survive?

Except I don’t want to die...not yet.

My wish to live shouldn’t have been granted. I’d done nothing to earn it; in fact, I’d been much more of a menace to the kingdom of Caramin than anything. I kept looking for a way out, but eventually my eyes fluttered shut and my body collapsed to the floor.

I prepared for the heat to consume me, but the warmth I woke up to was far more comforting than I’d expected.

The floor had gotten softer too, and the air was cool enough to soothe my throat.

When my eyes popped open, I found myself in the arms of one of the royal guards that had nearly burned me alive.

He was younger than most of the other guards, very young, but still strong enough to carry me to safety.

I coughed a few times to clear my throat, my spit a blackish-grey color.

“W-who are you?” I sputtered, but the guard didn’t answer. “Did you save me from the fire?”

Again, no response. Only his eyes looked at me through the slits of his scarf and helmet. He only looked to be a few years older than me, maybe fourteen?

“Do you have a name?”

Nothing. I was starting to wonder if he even possessed a tongue. I stared at him for a long moment, deciding that I was willing to overlook his rude silence after he’d saved my life.

“How about Jean? You look like a Jean to me,” I suggested, still receiving a deadpan stare. “Geez, Jean, you sure are a talkative one, aren’t you? I wish you wouldn’t tell me so many juicy secrets.” He shrugged, giving me the first real sign that he wasn’t made of wood.

Maybe he wasn’t supposed to rescue anyone inside and can’t talk about it?

“Well, I’m Kya,” I said, holding out my hand to him. “Thank you for saving me. We can keep it our little secret if you want.”

He nodded, and I smiled.

It might be nice to have a friend like Jeanie around.