Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) - By Paula Flumerfelt Page 0,165
out of him, ripping the dragonfly closest to him in half. It was nothing like the small drills he had done back in Korinth with Enak.
Ignoring the dull green blood that splattered everywhere and sizzled, including onto him, he ran to where Erik was kneeling over Vincent. The dragonfly’s blood was like acid, burning his skin, but as he skidded to a halt in front of his family, he just didn’t care. Shotting Enak’s power at the second dragonfly, he eliminated it just as easily as the first. More blood landed on his skin.
Mathieu dropped to his knees beside his father, petting the fur of Vincent’s muzzle. “Can you try to hang in there…?” All he got as a reply was labored panting, a pitiful whine, and hands covered in blood. “Oh, Vincent…”
Erik was shaking beside him, “He jumped in front of me and took the blow…this is my fault.”
Mathieu looked at the King, who was now cowering against the back wall. In the back of his mind, Mathieu realized that he stood between the King and the only exit to his secret chamber. Vincent’s pained sounds were pulling at his heart, and he knew that he wasn’t strong enough to heal that much damage. “I’m sorry, Vincent…you’re such a good cousin…and I wish I’d gotten to know you better.” He leaned down and kissed Vincent’s muzzle. The wolf gave a soft whimper as Mathieu ended his pain.
Tears streamed down his face and his sword was back in hand. Mathieu let the energy he was tapped into mix with his own, flowing into the dual blade. “You’ll pay for this.” He said, standing to face the King. “Erik, find the Queen and get her to safety. Now.” There was a rustle and a sound of retreating steps, then the door opening and closed. “You bastard.” Mathieu was shaking like before, but this time it was with anger, not fear. This man, this King, was slowly taking everything from him that he cherished, and Mathieu would have no more of it. Walking through the corpses of the King’s pet dragonflies, he came to stand a few feet from the man. He was so angry that he had reached a state of false peace. The dragonflies’ acid-like blood wasn’t even hurting him anymore.
The King’s voice trembled as he spoke, “And w-why should you kill me? If Avian knew—”
Mathieu had no need for words, and was upon the King in a matter of steps. He slashed down with his sword, slicing into the man’s shoulder. “You don’t deserve to even say her name.” Was all that he could grind out past his consuming anger.
It was easy. Just one twist of his wrists and a hard shove was all that it took to sever the man’s head from his body. But it wasn’t enough. Rage clouded the corners of his vision and he began to scream and cry, hacking and slashing at the body until nothing remained but a bloody pile of meat and bones.
Now it was enough.
~*~
A day later, Ateri was still smoldering from its fires. Solomon was safe; he’d seen him in passing with his own two eyes, as were all the others. A few cuts and bruises, but no lost limbs or anything major. Avanon and Elric has announced their plan to be wed soon, Narrie was helping to organize with the cleanup of the city, Erik had reunited with Enak, and Anastasie had returned to her home with Banin to mourn the loss of Vincent. The rest of the rebel force was currently holed up in the castle, resting and recuperating. At the moment, they were all asleep and everything was okay.
Mathieu sat in the Royal Graveyard that was set upon the slight hill at the back of the castle’s property. Beside him was Avian’s newly erected headstone; he’d made it himself, with her name and dates of birth to death. Under it, though, was buried Vincent. He didn’t think Avian would have minded. He couldn’t see her at the moment, but he knew she was there.
As the suns came over the horizon, he and Avian watched over her city.
Epilogue
Mathieu wouldn't have believed that a wedding could be pulled together in a mere two days if he hadn't seen it with his own eyes. Narrie had been the spearhead to getting things her, determined to give Avanon a proper wedding. Mathieu hadn't realized how close the two girls had become since Narrie had joined them in Korinth.