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.

you a lot, and the only reason this relationship has thrived is that we have been able to keep our private matters out of it. I have kept my hatred for your father out of it, and you have kept his predicament out. Why do this now? Don’t you think I know he is suffering? Do you think I want to make life easy for him? He killed my father.

Do not try to use what is between us to get me to do things I won’t normally do,” he said, and I shook my

never try to manipulate you. I will never try to use…” I said, and he cut

you call this, Aliana?” He asked me, and I was speechless. If he put it that way,

in my shoes, would you take it

ready to tell him what my father had

growled at me, and I stepped

I knew I had crossed the invisible line

dare, Aliana,” He said, and I stepped back until my

it all happened. He didn’t,” I

you?” He commanded me, and my body

command came with force and rage, and it made Raven

him. My father was just caught up…” I said, and he interrupted me. I

said. Tell me what the traitor told you,” he ordered

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, fighting

have it. They tried to let it go, but when they discovered they would move against your father, my father and Giles

of arrests turned into a fight, and Giles killed

felt betrayed, and that

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

Forest. Your father was the one that

wolves. They were dying

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

my father to plead

to emancipate themselves from your father

in the Woodland, away from everything. Your father did not respond, and when he finally did, he sent them a nasty letter threatening

your father thought they were coming to fight him. Because he did not have a vast army, he decided he would

caused

fast. I hoped I did not miss any detail because I was nervous while I

upper hand but did not kill him. That was when your father realised he had

father never got the letters and wasn’t

die in battle; he chose the

the sword. When the others came, they believed he had killed the king because he pulled out the sword, and it was

has stayed with him since that day. He still weeps

He yelled, and I