Smoldered Flames: Part I of the Edonia Series
Chapter 9

Valeri

I couldn’t explain the shamelessness that I felt during the interaction between Dr. Masterson and I. The bold way I took what I wanted without a care of the consequences. It felt...empowering. After consuming the doctor’s blood, I felt ready to take on the world.

A knock came from the outside of my door and in comes a nurse. She was a petite woman with her hair slicked back into a tight bun. Her face is taut with exhaustion.

Despite her obvious exhaustion, her lips stretched into a genuine smile as she introduced herself. “Hello, Miss Valeri, my name is Nurse Lila. Dr. Masterson has determined you fit to be discharged from the Medic Ward, ” she says as she approaches me.

“Where exactly am I? What is this place?” I try to ask.

“You are in the Medic ward of Sundancer University,” she answers.

I avoid rolling my eyes.“I know that, but where is this university located?”

Nurse Lila seemed to hesitate. Her eyes broke contact with mine before responding. “Sundancer University is located on an island called Brightdale Key.”

“And what exactly is Sundancer University?”

She ignores my question and observes my handcuffs. A hint of shock settles over her face before masking it with a calm demeanor. She lightly clears her throat before silently hooking the cuffs together. She checks my blood pressure among other things before calling out to someone.

A male guard walks in and my mouth almost waters at his appearance. This man screamed deadly. His tall broad stature seemed to fill the entrance of my room. His dark gray eyes studied me in a cautious manner. The male guard’s dark umbre skin tone revealed warm undertones in the Medic ward’s fluorescent light. His interlaced dreadlocks were swept back into a ponytail making him an intimidating man.

Nurse Lila takes a step back. “The doctor didn’t leave any discharge instructions, so you are free to go!” Turning to the sinfully sexy guard, she says,“She’s all yours.”

I become a little nervous and self conscious suddenly; I haven’t bathed in so many days. The guard approaches at my side, undoing the cuffs attached to the bed rails.

“Where are the guards that I previously had? What happened to them?” I inquire. The air was thick with tension.

The handcuffs are linked together, allowing my arms to hang limply at my sides. He then yanks me from the bed, hauling me to my feet.

“Well damn, let me get my balance first.” I uttered.

In all this time the guard says nothing. As if escorting me was a chore. I never asked to be babysat.

He leads the way out of the room. We enter a pristine triage area that’s lively with both nurses and doctors bustling about. The Medic Ward seemed to be on ground level with jagged rocks lining the walls and the lights brightened the entire unit. My feet felt the cold stone floors and it reminded me...

“Isn’t it protocol that patients are wheeled out of hospitals?” I questioned the silent guard.

I try to yank myself away from him, but his steely grip prevents my freedom. “I can walk by myself you know! Where would I go anyways?”

He doesn’t stop. He doesn’t respond. It would have been more entertaining to interact with a brick wall. We weaved in and out of the medic crowd until we came across a steel elevator. Once we were inside, he selected a button and we ascended. My insides felt heavy while the steel box surged upward. Soon the short trip was over and the doors opened. I didn’t expect to be led outside.

Warm winds blow in my face as the sun beams down at me. Houses and shops are the first things I see. Worn paths are covered with wild grass, no pavement in sight. Horses pull carts full of goods, people buying goods, and children running under adults’ feet. Shadows hover above the village and they seem to ignore them. All expect me. I take a quick glance and my stomach drops from what I see.

Azul skies greet enormous beasts as they ride the warm thermals. Some have riders upon their backs, and others without. They came in an array of species and colors. I noticed a few pegasi, dragons, and other supposedly mythical creatures. The hide of the horse-like creatures gleamed warmly in the sunlight. The dragons’ scaly hides soak in the sun’s warmth and reflect brightly on the ground in a kaleidoscope of colors.

“Whoa...” I whisper as I witness this wonderful creation.

One beast in particular broke away from the artful flow of flight. My heart leapt in my throat as it dove down towards our direction. I tried to break away from the silent guard’s grasp, but his steely grip refused me.

“Do you not see that thing coming towards us? Let me go!” I screeched at the immovable man.

Still he says nothing. But his cold gaze rakes me with major dislike. I stopped my struggle as my near dead heart seized from what I saw what lay within his eyes. He hated me. Me, a woman who he’s never met... Or has he?

Before my thoughts delved deeper on the matter, a hefty thump settled a few yards from us. Two golden orbs stare balefully at me. Smoke wafts from the dark gray crocodilian being that seemed ready to bite my head off. It creeps closer as the giant guard meets it.

“Wha… What are you doing?!” I begin to protest. My body seizes in fear as it kicks into survival mode.

He jerks my body to face him. “Enough!” he commanded.

My body stilled. Something within responded to his command. Another part wanted to defy his order. To show that he wasn’t in control. His gaze quieted any rebellious thoughts surfacing within my mind. Quiet thuds come closer and something comfortably hot settled over my shoulders. I tilt my head up and the reptilian creature glares down at me.

I’m speechless as the thing snorts down on me. Smoke billows around me, and I’m surprised I don’t cough.

“Chancellor Barati has requested your presence. The only way to reach his headquarters is by dragonback,” he says. His velvety warm voice had a hint of an accent I couldn’t quite place. It reminded me of summer tropical storms.

My last attempt to escape his hold is cut short by the feel of the cold-blooded beast’s sharp claws. A deep gurgling sound comes from within it’s chest as it witnesses my feeble attempts at freeing myself. It’s gleaming white teeth widened while it’s eyes held malicious humor. The scaly bastard was laughing at me!

The male guard leaps onto the dragon’s back and buckles into the saddle before we leave. The dragon’s strong wings raise up into the heavens before arcing downwards in powerful strokes. I feel the wind currents and my stomach feels heavy while the beast lifts from the ground. Once in the sky, she shoots upward like a bullet. Turbulent winds buffet my face, keeping my eyes closed.

Shortly after our vertical travel, we level out onto tranquil gales. Condensation moistens my body while pearlescent clouds wrap around us like a soft cloak of safety. The beat of the dragon’s wings are muffled to silence.

A dark blot in the sky nears. There aren’t too many winged beasts here, and as we near the dark blot in the sky, I see why. The dark object in the sky was in fact a building. It grows in magnitude the closer we get and I can see people walking to and fro. Spires point sharply towards the sky and a small Keep stands in the center.

We landed on a large cobblestoned courtyard. The dragon flings me to the ground before backing away at great distance. The male guard leaps down from the dragon and it takes off again.

Gunmetal gray walls stretch out in front on either side of us. Small arched windows line the highest part of each stony wall.

Something creaks in the distance before an arrow launches right next to where I stood.

I leap back from that area. “Hey!” I shout out into the atmosphere.

I observe the ground around me and see that there are egress windows lining the base of the walls. Another arrow launches into my general location. This time it landed on my other side.

“Enough!” a thunderous voice booms from across the courtyard.

I leap at the sudden authoritative figure that appeared. He was a bald man dressed in black leather attire. Black leather trench coat covers black leather pants and dress shirt. The sunlight made his skin shimmer as he strode towards me. His right hand is held up to seize the apparent attack on me.

One more arrow launches above my head.

The bald man looks in the arched window furthest from me.“Mr. Wilson, the next arrow you launch will be your last. That, I vow. Think carefully of your next decision,” he warns.

I held my breath during this transaction. My fight or flight instinct takes and I whirl around to leave. Except, the annoyingly quiet guard was closely behind me, preventing my escape.

Ugh. I wouldn’t be going anywhere far with him around.

The bald man addresses me. “Come along, Miss Valeri. We have much to discuss.”

He turns back towards the entrance he came from and we follow. Before I’m able to take three steps, the guard seizes my arm, guiding me along.

“I believe the young woman is able to walk on her own without your assistance, Mr. Adeyemi. I’ll have someone show her to her quarters. You are released from this duty.” he says without turning his back.

Adeyemi looks taken aback. “I am to watch the prisoner. Queens’ orders.” he states brusquely.

This time, the bald man gives us a glance. “You know the law of Esther doesn’t apply here. Follow my command, or take your leave,” he advises.

Something flits across Adeyemi’s gaze before he responds. “As you wish, Chancellor.”

So this was the Chancellor. I can see it now. His silent air reeked of power and influence. He commanded respect.

I wrinkled my nose at this. All these pissing contests, where were the women?

The entrance to the university was indeed grand. Black pillars stand at attention before the doorway. Stone arches curve overhead with archivolts and border the stone door. It opened on it’s on accord at the Chancellors presence.

Walking in, I stop dead. The interior of the university was coal black. Black pillars line a corridor and stretch high up to connect with a vaulted ceiling. The vaulted ceiling held streaks of color that held its own radiance. The corridor is bustling with students as they enter or exit from class to class. Some stop to gaze at the newcomer (me) and while others dare not to spare a glance.

“This way, Miss Valeri”

We quickly stride towards the end of the corridor and come across another door. It was smaller than the awe-inspiring entrance, but just as grand. Intricate designs trace the outer border while the inner part is laced with gold. He whispers something before the door opens. Entering, I notice we’re in the same office space as before. You know, before I passed out. Two curvy reception chairs face an L-shaped dark wooden desk. A gigantic window sits behind the desk, letting in natural light in the otherwise dark office.

“Please, have a seat. Mr. Adeyemi, your presence is no longer needed at this moment,” said the Chancellor.

I look back at the guard. He gazes impassively at me before exiting. Sighing, I ease myself down in one of the seats.

He settles in the office chair in front of me.“I’m glad we can finally speak. I do apologize for the negative hospitality that you received thus far. It is not the way of Edonia,” he begins.

I let out a snort of incredulity. “I would have never guessed.”

He ignores my sarcasm. “Seeing as they’ve left you in my care, I will give you only two choices.”

Uncomfortable silence stretches while our eyes connect before he continues. “You can either choose to willingly serve the high-borns or you can be a Custodian. Which will it be?”

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