Free Forest Fire (#2 The Legends of Regia) by Tenaya Jayne Page A

into it. One single second encapsulated all of the pain of separation she'd suffered over the last months.
     
    "No!" Forest screamed and ran into the closing portal.
     
    Syrus was ahead of her in the rushing darkness. She reached out and grabbed hold of him.
     
    "What are you doing?" he shouted over the noise of the wind.
     
    "We can't be apart again!"
     
    The portal dumped them in a bare, empty room of the Onyx Castle. They both stood perfectly still for a moment, listening and waiting. Nothing happened.
     
    "I thought we'd be in the throne room," Forest whispered.
     
    "So did I. Not that I'm complaining. I can do without the fanfare." He rubbed his hands on her trembling shoulders. "It's going to be okay. No matter what, I won't let you go."
     
    The creaking of the door's hinges had Syrus stepping protectively in front of Forest. She peeked over his shoulder to see a small vampire maid curtsy to them.
     
    "Sir, madam, please follow me."
     
    Forest's mind tripped. What the fraz?
     
    Syrus shrugged and pulled her along by the hand. The hall was completely empty. They followed the swift-walking maid, who led them through a few long passages and up two stories.
     
    "Your room," the maid said, stopping and gesturing to a large, ornate door. "If there is anything else you desire just ring the bell." She bobbed another curtsy and walked away.
     
    "Well, I see they've prepared for our arrival." Syrus chuckled. "It's a little odd to be shown to a guest room in your own house. I guess that means it's not mine anymore."
     
    "Of course it is!" Forest said forcefully. "You're the future king."
     
    He kissed her lightly. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not. Come on."
     
    Syrus opened the door and walked into the room, leaving Forest standing on the threshold.
     
    "It's not booby-trapped," his smile was teasing.
     
    Forest came slowly into the vast room, trying to not be impressed at the luxury. Never had she felt so misplaced. The view from the window drew her magnetically, and she drifted toward it when something in the corner caught her eye.
     
    "Oh!" Forest ran to her locker. "Thank you, Syrus!"
     
    "For what?"
     
    "For getting my locker from Fortress." She caressed the carved wooden doors, unlocking them with her touch.
     
    "Forest, I didn't. I didn't do any of this."
     
    "Then who? Kindel must have done it." The doors swung open. Happy tears rose behind her eyes as she spotted her sword. Snatching it up, she held it to her breast, running her fingers along the hilt. "Oh, Syrus, my sword is here! I thought I'd never see it again."
     
    Syrus came up behind her and placed his hands lovingly on her shoulders. "I'm glad you're happy."
     
    Having her sword back momentarily eclipsed everything else, but her questions and nerves resurfaced quickly. She laid it down and closed the locker.
     
    A sharp knock vibrated the door.
     
    "Syrus?!" the voice on the other side was rife with desperation.
     
    Syrus moved toward the door. "Dad?" He lifted the latch.
     
    King Zeren charged through the door and engulfed Syrus in a rib-breaking hug. "Oh, my son! You're safe! I'm so glad to see you!" Zeren released him reluctantly and looked at him thoroughly. "Your sight?"
     
    "No, Father. I will always be blind."
     
    "You must tell me everything."
     
    "I will. And I'll start with the most important. Father, this is Forest."
     
    Zeren fixed his eyes on Forest. Her heart leapt into her throat. She wasn't prepared for formal introductions. She had no idea what her face, hair, or body looked like, and she was wearing plaid boxer shorts and a faded T-shirt. Groaning internally, she straightened her spine and lifted her chin. She would apologize for nothing. If she had a call to be nervous, then so did Zeren. The glare of inspection he used on her, she served right back to him. Zeren noticed. He raised one imperious eyebrow for a moment before smiling at her as though she were the cutest thing he'd ever seen.
     
    Syrus got his looks from