Frost Arch (46 page)

I felt Ræven fidget beside me, and I could tell she was eager to speak freely.

“Don’t say it.” I ordered her.

“But Avalon-”

“Don’t.” I repeated more firmly.

“He is dead.” She said apologetically.

“No.” I rounded on her, leaving Jack’s side.

Ræven looked at me sadly, “It’s not your fault.”

“How could he have healed?” I challenged her.

Ræven remained silent.

“Tell me. If he is dead, how could he have healed the wounds? How did his skin mend, and the gaping hole in his chest vanish?”

“Maybe he healed on the outside.” Ræven’s bottom lip trembled slightly, “Maybe he couldn’t do it in time.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

“No.” My voice broke, “No. He is a healer, and that is what he did. Do you know how hard it is to kill a healer? Almost impossible, I heard. Yes, I’ve heard stories. There are only three ways to kill a healer, Ræven Blacklock, and this is not one of them. Healers die of old age, starvation, or severe mutilation. They don’t get sick, they don’t go blind, or break bones. When they get run through with a blade, they take the blade out and fix it right up!” I was yelling at Ræven now, and I didn’t know why. I felt bad that I was taking my sorrow out on her, but I didn’t know what to do. Guilt consumed me.

“Avalon-” Ræven started.

“No.” I did not want to hear whatever it was she had to say. I no longer glared at her, but my face was pleading.

“Just listen.” Ræven began again.

“No.” I felt myself beginning to cry harder, “No.” Utter disbelieve overwhelmed me, and I could not accept it.

“Ava!” She was yelling now, and I felt her voice pierce my heart.

Holding my chest I fumed at her, “This wasn’t how it was meant to be!”

“Always so stubborn.” A throaty yet amused voice sounded behind me.

I spun around, my eyes wide. Jack lay upon the floor in the same position yet his eyes were open and crinkled into an amused grimace of sorts.

Without thinking I threw myself at Jack Greenwood and wrapped my arms around him, sobbing. He held me weakly and rubbed my back gently.

“What did I miss?” He smiled, stroking the hair from my face.

“Oh Jack.” I sobbed and spluttered into his chest, rambling on in a very high pitched voice, making no sense. Jack merely nodded and continued the stroking of my hair.

“-and then there was fire, and the Creeley twins vanished, then the ice chain broke and Hawthorne was all like, and, and, and you weren’t moving and Ræven wasn’t moving, and Frost was screaming, then Ræven sang, then I was choking then it all stopped and she was a puddle, and I was naked, and you were dead. Oh Jack I thought you were dead.” I rambled, stroking his face again and again.

“All I heard was naked-” but Jack’s voice was drowned out by my sobbing.

“It’s all right.” He chuckled, attempting to sit up, “I’m okay.”

“You weren’t breathing! Your heart wasn’t beating!” I accused him.

Jack held my face in his hands and kissed the tip of my nose, “I was mending. It’s all right.”

“Don’t ever scare me like that again!” I said angrily.

“I promise.” And he held me again.

Ræven came into sight now at Jack’s other side.

“You’re both okay then?” He looked between us, and we nodded, “Where is old Frosty then?”

Ræven and I glanced at each other before I spoke, “She’s gone.”

“She left?” Jack said bemused.

“No. She melted.” I chose my words carefully.

“Melted?”

I explained to Jack how I had regained my Power, melted the Ice spear, and then proceeded to melt Elvira Frost. I retold the story, with a little help from Ræven, and Jack merely smiled at me.

“Avalon Redding, the level five Fire Mage.” He mused.

“I don’t think levels exist anymore.” I spoke softly, “Only Mages and emotions.”

“Maybe you’re right. One can do amazing things under great pressure.”

I nodded and remained silent, thinking.

“So, what do we do about Hawthorne?” Jack said, finally attempting to stand up.

Ensuring the cloak around me was quite secure I got to my feet and looked at the enormous, whimpering beast. His red eyes were averted from us, and he licked at his ruined paw.

“Can you heal him, Jack?” I asked.

“I can try. Though I don’t think much fur will grow upon that paw again.”

I nodded and proceeded forwards with Jack.

“Will he hurt me?” He asked.

“No.” I confirmed, “He is too scared, and in much pain.”

Jack healed Hawthorne’s paw on the spot. The fox did not move, yet a low rumbling came from him. He was trying to scare us away but once the paw was healed he seemed to grow braver. His growls grew louder now that he was stronger, and there was no more fire to be seen. He splashed noisily in the water and his eyes glared menacingly.

“I think he is getting angry again.” Jack backed up a few paces, “Back to square one, eh?”

“Not quite.” I muttered.

Jack and Ræven glanced at me uncertainly.

“What are you thinking?” Jack asked.

“I have an idea.” I said slowly looking upwards. The sun shined upon my pale skin from the gaping hole in the ceiling yet the warmth from the rays was nothing compared to the heat of my flesh.

I breathed deeply, “I will ride Hawthorne.”

Jack rolled his eyes, “How do you propose to do that?”

“And why?” Ræven chimed in.

“Maybe he will remember.” I forced a small smile. I hoped he would remember. If the memory of our flight together did not jog his memories then I was out of ideas.

“He will rip you to shreds.” Jack pointed out.

“Perhaps. Perhaps not. I think he is still frightened of me.” I took a step closer to Hawthorn. His growls increased yet the fox withdrew from me and huddled into the far corner.

“See?” I looked at Jack.

“Never the less, he will still try to protect himself if you attempt to climb upon his back.” Jack looked at me with a stern expression upon his face.

“I’ve got to try.” I held the smile upon my face, my eyes simply sparkling as I looked at Jack who sighed and turned away.

“I will distract him.” Ræven whispered delicately.

Before a word could be spoken Ræven rocketed into the sky and zoomed around the melting room. Hawthorne’s eyes were glued upon the swooping and diving bird as it circled the room and danced around his head. With a great yowl Hawthorne made several attempts at snatching Ræven out of the air with his teeth. He snapped and growled yet did not retreat from his corner. The beast glared menacingly at Ræven as she taunted him.

“A little closer.” I whispered, wringing my hands together nervously.

Ræven circled Hawthorne’s head, missing his open mouth by mere inches. It was too much for Hawthorne. Ræven was like an annoying fly, buzzing around his head, teasing him. Although Hawthorne flapped his own wings, sending blasts of cold air and water in every direction he could not take flight to capture the black bird.

“Almost.” I cried, “Jack, get back!”

Jack obeyed and pressed himself against a wall, watching in awe as bird and beast danced. Hawthorne splashed angrily in the water, chasing Ræven around the room almost knocking Jack and I to the ground, but the moment we had waited for arrived. As the fox crouched low, ready to make an enormous leap, I prepared myself.

“Now!” Jack yelled at me, “Now Ava!”

Hawthorne was distracted, his gazed completely locked upon Ræven. I took my chance and ran at the fox from behind as he was now in the middle of the room, sunlight pouring down upon him. The water splashed around me as I sprinted with exact precision. My expression was one of pure concentration as I leapt at Hawthorne, my robe flapping around my ankles.

I lunged, grasping great handfuls of thick grey fur. With a grunt I got my footing upon Hawthorne’s wing and heaved myself upon his great back. I clung on for dear life, flattening myself against his spine. My insignificant weight would barely have registered, yet Hawthorne felt the tug upon his fur and turned in circles, snarling, yet he was unable to reach me. He flapped his wings faster and faster in an attempt to throw my balance but I simply entwined my fingers through his fur and clenched my thighs around his sides. Ræven now forgotten, Hawthorne focused his complete attention upon throwing me from him. My knuckles were white from gripping his fur too tightly, but I was securely upon his back. I wedged my knees behind the joints where his wings met his shoulder blades. The position felt familiar to me, and at that moment Hawthorne stopped trying to throw me off.

“Hawthorne.” I breathed, gently extending a hand to stroke his long neck, “Remember this?”

I felt his whole body rumble as he growled deeply, but the sound was unsure.

“Let’s fly.” I smiled softly and dug my heels into Hawthorne’s sides. With a great lurch my fox leapt into the air, beating his wings effortlessly and within a matter of seconds we were soaring upwards into the sunlit sky. My hair was blown in all sorts of directions as we rocketed through the melted hole in the castle roof. Fresh air filled my nostrils and I let out a laugh as we parted the clouds. I loosened my grip upon Hawthorne’s fur and looked upon him to see a glistening white coat. Hawthorne was happy. Happy to be flying, and happy to be with me, I hoped.

“Hawthorne.” My grin was from ear to ear yet it did not fully represent how exhilarated I felt. My heart was pounding with love and happiness, mixed with adrenalin and relief.

We flew in circles above the clouds for what felt like ages, soaring effortlessly. It felt as though I were flying away from my troubles. I had Hawthorne back, my powers were back, and I was alive. Not only that but I was free, for now I had control over the fire. I understood it. Perhaps that is all that was needed. In the beginning I had feared the flames that had caused harm to my family, yet in a time of extreme need I had managed to call upon them.

It was only now that I looked down upon Frost Arch and saw that it had changed. The snow clouds that usually covered the exact perimeter of the city had dispersed into a thin layer of fog, and it was not snowing. The sun shone brightly upon the buildings and people who gazed upon a blue sky for the first time in years. The Ice Mage was gone, and so was the never ending winter. I let out a laugh of triumph and patted Hawthorne lightly to indicate to him that we should descend, and he obeyed at once. We spiraled downwards and through the castle roof once again where Jack and Ræven waited patiently. When Jack saw us descending he let out a whoop of joy to see me astride a perfectly white Hawthorne. Ræven clapped, positively beaming at us with enormous blue eyes.

We landed gently and I remained astride Hawthorne who trotted towards Jack and nuzzled him affectionately, yet not gently causing Jack to topple over. I smiled and stroked Hawthorne.

“That’s more like it.” Jack said getting to his feet, “How did you know though?” He added to me.

I shrugged, “I had an inkling when Elvira Frost mentioned that he would not fly for anyone. I wasn’t positive of course, but it was worth a shot.”

Ræven was petting Hawthorne gently upon the side of his face, which he enjoyed greatly and thrilled in having met a new friend.

Sliding from his back I walked around Hawthorne who bowed his head to look me in the eye. Looking back at him I put a hand to his furry face and apologized.

“I really am sorry, Hawthorne. It took us much too long to find you … but we are together now … and we’re going to leave this place … If you’ll have me.” I added in an undertone. I had decided that Hawthorne was not my property and he should choose his own path whether it be with me or not.

His confirming nuzzle against my neck brought a smile to my face.

“You and I, Hawthorne.” I petted him lightly, “We’ll be inseparable.” I said as I hugged him around the neck.

Jack’s cleared his throat noisily and I turned around. His arms were crossed over his chest.

“Is that it then?” He said in a rather defensive manner.

“What?”

“You think you’re just going to leave?”

Ræven looked between us, rather confused.

I frowned and looked between Jack and Hawthorne, and then to Ræven for some sort of explanation.

“Jack, I’m still wanted here … by Sebastian Forsythe and the guards that capture runaway humans.”

“I see.” Jack nodded; his expression hard.

“You don’t expect me to stay do you? The only reason I ran away from home was because I couldn’t control my Powers well enough to be around my family. I have them back now, and I have Hawthorne … It’s time to go home.”

Jack glared at me and I felt myself withdraw internally, yet I stood my ground. He was being utterly ridiculous. Where would I stay in Frost Arch? I couldn’t live in hiding at Ræven Blacklock’s house forever.”

“You don’t get it.” Jack said averting his eyes.