“Attackers!” shouts one of the guards. The King’s soldiers and the Lord Mayor’s guards close around me and Teagan, but the King leaps from his horse and shoves his way between our protectors, striding toward the forest. He lifts his hands, and fire streams from his palms, engulfing the beautiful trees in searing flame. I scream, agonized. The Ash King’s head whips toward me. His teeth are bared, flickering with fire again, and his eyes are ablaze. He’s frightening enough in broad daylight; I can’t imagine facing him in the woods at night.
