Chapter 42: An Escape is Offered

"I’m not sure what to say,” Saffron said when Kingsley finished explaining.
“There is nothing to say,” he replied, placidly.
“Why are you telling me this?” she asked, aware that they had both moved closer while they were speaking. He looked at his hands for a while, toying with his fingers.
“Because when she feeds…she loses control of her power. She is lost in the devouring. She will be feeding soon. She is preparing the body now and within the hour she will begin the ritual,” he stated.
“But why?” Saffron asked again. He smiled up at her sadly and caught a strand of her hair between his fingers. His lips were inches from hers and she wanted so badly to capture his mouth with hers and this desire frightened her. She must just be tired. She shook her head slightly to clear it.
He lifted his eyes to hers and a pang of desire rang through her. He smirked and leaned forward, his hand gripped the back of her head. He kissed her passionately and she responded with a pang of desperate hunger. She wasn’t sure what compelled her towards him, but she couldn’t deny it either. It wasn’t the same as with Elric. She knew she loved Elric, but she wasn’t sure that she didn’t also care for Kingsley, in a dark, twisted way.
Where Elric was hot, Kingsley was cold. His lips, while soft, were freezing. He tasted of snow and ice. He nipped her bottom lip before pulling away. They were both panting from the exchange. Saffron avoided his eyes, her face burning. His hand was still twisted into her hair.
“I’m telling you because this is your chance to leave,” he whispered.
“Come with us,” she pleaded. He shook his head.
“You know I cannot. What life would I have watching you marry my brother?” he responded regrettably.
“I cannot leave you here with her,” Saffron retorted.
“You have no choice. You need to get Elric and leave. Now,” he said and pressed his lips to hers once more and stood. “Go. Now will be your only chance.” He left with one last smile towards her.
Heart pounding, Saffron raced down the stairs towards the drawing-room.
####
The sound of pounding footsteps drew Elric’s attention from his brooding. Saffron hadn’t responded yet and he was anxious. If anything had happened to her, he knew he would kill everyone in this castle. She burst into the room, her cheeks flushed and hair swinging wildly around her.
“Are you okay?” he asked, his thoughts floating into her mind. She nodded.
“We have to leave. Now.” She whispered aloud and rushed to his side.
“You know we cannot,” he said with a sigh. She shook her head.
“I do not have the time to explain but try. See if you can push against whatever bonds hold you,” she said hurriedly and glanced back towards the darkened hallway.
“Fine,” he retorted, feeling irritated. He willed his legs forward. And he moved! He took a few more steps and flapped his wings. He could move!
“How?” he asked, turning his head to look at her.
“Kingsley,” she replied. “I will tell you everything later, but we must leave now before she is aware that you are gone.”
He tried to call his dragon back and shift back into a man, but he couldn’t. Whatever magic that Ishild had breathed into him still kept him imprisoned in this form. “I cannot shift back,” he said worriedly. Saffron looked over to him, her eyes wide.
“We will have to go as you are. Kingsley said that we did not have very long.” She replied.
“Very well,” he replied. “Get on my back,” he commanded. She clambered onto his back, sliding on his smooth scales. She wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and they fled the dark castle.
####
The night was frigid as snow fell heavily around them. Thankfully Elric’s heat kept Saffron from freezing. “Where are we going?” she thought, since the wind was too loud to be heard over.
“There is an old stable past the gardens. Ishild never ventures that far. We can at least take cover there for tonight,” he replied. She hugged him closer, guilt stabbing through her as she could still taste Kingsley on her lips.
A stout building appeared through the swirling snow as they passed the withered gardens. It sat pressed against the tree line and could not be seen from the castle. Saffron prayed to the gods that they would be safe enough here.
She hopped off of his back and opened the large door. Two figures stood from a table and Saffron jumped back, bumping into Elric.
“Hello, brother,” August said as he stood. Gwendolyn stood behind him, peering around his shoulder.
“You’re alive?” Saffron exclaimed, relieved and terrified. August nodded.
“It appears so. I’m not sure why we were spared but Kingsley didn’t kill us when he did the others,” he replied grimly. Gwendolyn’s face was pale as she sat back at the table and lit a small candle.
“He let us go as well,” Saffron replied. “Although, whatever magic Ishild cast on Elric, it still has a hold on him. He is not able to shift back.” She said as the dragon sat behind her and pressed his warmth against her.
“What are we to do now?” August asked and leaned back against the table.
“Run,” Saffron said solemnly.