Free The Wizard's Curse (Book 2) by Jenny Ealey Page A

“I need a bit of light entertainment after that hideous experience. Think of it as helping me to carry out a public duty.”
    “Oh. Well, as long as there is a reasonable justification for your hilarity, I expect I can bring myself to accept it,” replied Thunder Storm in a serious tone of voice.
    Tarkyn was half way through a small sigh of disappointment when he realised he was being wound up in return. He looked at the woodman and laughed, “Very droll. Sometimes you are quite unexpected, Thunder Storm.”
    Thunder Storm smiled, “We’re not all Summer Rain, you know. Hmm. You’ll be happy to know you’re starting to turn green.”
    Tarkyn gave a wry smile, “It’s a mixed blessing, this green business.” He had a sudden thought which he voiced before he had time to stop himself. “Where’s Lapping Water?”
    Thunder Storm gave what could only be described a smirk, “She is taking Ibis Wings over to be with Sparrow and my two kids.” After a tiny pause, he asked casually, “Would you like me to call her over?”
    Tarkyn frowned ferociously. “No. I would not. No. Just wondering.”
    “I see,” said Thunder Storm with a slight, infinitely irritating smile.
    Tarkyn looked sideways at him and gave a wry smile, “I’m sick of her seeing me looking like some monster from the deep. I probably look bad enough as it is, in her eyes.”
    Thunder Storm put his head on one side, a twinkle in his eye, as he studied the prince. “Well, I don’t know. You are excessively large and your black hair and amber eyes are strange but quite striking. On balance, I don’t think you look bad. I think you are quite good-looking in your way, especially when you’re being funny.” He shrugged, “To be honest, it’s a bit hard to get past the fact that you look like you, which is very different from us. Probably a bit of green is neither here nor there.”
    Tarkyn frowned and smiled all at once. “I wasn’t actually asking for a critique. And I don’t think I’m all that reassured if a delicate tinge of green doesn’t make me appear noticeably worse.”
    “Not so delicate, actually. You’re becoming greener by the second.”
    Tarkyn quickly pulled his hand away from the tree. “Fine. Enough is enough. Now if we can get into position as soon as the trees are alight, we can get this whole thing sorted before any soldiers have time to react to seeing a fire on the horizon. Now I won’t have to concentrate up in a tree and that will suit me better because, unlike you, I am not so used to hanging around in trees.” Another thought struck him. “How are we going to stop the fire spreading right through the forest?”
    Thunder Storm smiled without persuasion this time. “You could use your shields.”
    “Good idea. Actually, I think Stormaway and Danton can use their shields and I’ll save my energy for fighting the infection.”
    “How are we going to know when we have destroyed all the parasites?” asked Thunder Storm.
    Tarkyn frowned, “How did it suddenly become your turn to ask questions again?”
    Thunder Storm smiled and shrugged.
    “Fine. I don’t know is the simple answer to that. I guess we’ll just have to inspect the surrounding trees for shrivelled leaves. Might have to have Stormaway floating around so he can take a closer look without touching the trees that might be infected.”
    Chapter 5
    A loud whumph made them whirl around. The fine old oak was ablaze and the fire was spreading through its branches into neighbouring trees.
    “Aargh!” cried out Tarkyn, his face tightening with shock as he ducked his head down and wrapped his arms protectively around his head.
    “What’s wrong?” asked Thunder Storm, horrified by the prince’s reaction.
    “Oh, for pity’s sake! The birds, the animals are burning. I can feel their anguish, feel their agony. Oh no! ” Tarkyn was rocking back and forth, trying in vain to escape the overwhelming reactions of the burning animals. “I should have thought.