Forged in the Flames by Karima Sa'ad Usman

Nikolas raised an eyebrow waiting for me to speak. My mouth was dry, but I dared not drink water. I did not know if I should sit beside him or talk to him standing. I did not know what to do.

“What is the matter?” he asked me, sensing something was wrong.

“I..I..” I started and swallowed to compose myself properly. He put down his food and looked at me with a frown.

“I want to thank you for everything you have done for me and my people,” I started, and he frowned.

“I am grateful for your kindness and leniency,” I said, and he looked confused.

“Knowing who you are, I respect your kindness. I know you have every reason to be angry and hate us, especially my dad. I am grateful that you allowed us to live,” I said, and he frowned at me.

“What is the meaning of this, Aliana? Did my mother say something to you?” He asked, and I shook my head.

Even though I had a lengthy conversation with his mother, with her talking for the better part of the duration, her words weren’t why I was acting the way I was. I was afraid because of what I was about to tell him.

I shook my head and fought my tears. They were tears of uncertainty and fear of failure.

“No,” I said and swallowed, ensuring I did not cry.

“You are a strong and powerful man, and I can never take advantage of your kindness. I can never reach for what you are unwilling to give, and I will always be content with where you place me. I will never try to manipulate you for selfish reasons or take advantage of your love towards me,” I said, and he got up and advanced towards me.

He pulled me into his arms and held me.

“What is the matter, Aliana? Tell me because you are making me nervous,” He said, and I bowed my head, unwilling to look into his eyes. If I did, I would lose the courage to speak, and I needed all the courage I could get.

“It is about my father,” I said, and he pulled away from me. I did not look up to look at him. I had started speaking; I might as well spill.

“He isn’t doing well. He can’t continue to work. He will die,” I said, and he was silent.

“Please find something less strenuous for him to do. I know you hate him, but he is all I have left. Please. I swear he will not plot against you or do anything to hurt you,” I said and looked at him, and his face was expressionless.

I knew he was a bit annoyed, and I could feel it. “Did Qusack put you up to this?” He asked me, and I shook my head.

“I haven’t seen Beta Qusack today. I went out and noticed my father was around, so I went to check on him. He had received treatment and was sleeping,” I said, and he went to sit on his couch.

“And you somehow figured it was the mason’s work that made him sick,” He said, and I shook my head but dared not speak Israel’s name. It was already going wrong.

He sighed.

I know he is suffering? Do you think I want to make life easy for him? He killed my father. My mother and I grew up

to use what is between us to get me to do things

you. I will never try to

Aliana?” He asked me, and I was speechless. If he put it that way, it did seem so, but I

my shoes, would you take it easy on him?” He asked, and I

said, ready

at me,

I had crossed the invisible line with my

until my back was against the wall. Were we

me how it all happened. He

He commanded me, and my body

came with force and rage, and

I said, and he interrupted me. I looked at him, and his eyes were

me what the traitor told you,” he

Lycan were trying to usurp power. Leon was your Uncle, your father’s half-brother. He wanted to be king, but your father did not know. Your father loved him,” I said,

have it. They tried to let it go, but

a series of arrests turned into a fight,

father felt betrayed, and that was the beginning

the crime immediately, he wanted to investigate the matter, but all the officers implicated in the plot were killed by poison. That made your father believe the werewolves were trying to isolate him and take over. Giles and all the werewolves working in the kitchen were killed. He

sign the unity law. The law that he had fervently kept away from Forest. Your father was the one that sealed our fate by signing that

werewolf Military and sent them to battle with nothing but their wolves. They were dying and sent letters to complain about their condition. He did

sign a slave trade deal. Your father planned to sell werewolves

to plead with

wanted to emancipate themselves from your

when he finally did, he sent them a nasty letter threatening all sorts of things. The werewolves had it, so they decided to march together

he did not have a vast army, he

what caused

not miss any detail because I

the woods. My father got the upper hand but did not kill him. That was when your father realised he had been deceived, but

believed your father never got the letters and wasn’t

surrender and leave or die in battle; he chose the

his heart with his sword and fell on it. My father rushed to him to pull out the sword. When the others came, they believed he had killed the king because he pulled out the sword, and it was in his hands, but he was mourning

stayed with him since that day. He still

He yelled, and I