JEREMIAH

I know rushing to the abandoned courtyard would just mean I had to wait longer. Kenneth had a very strict work schedule and would probably be late. But I couldn’t hold in my excitement. I scanned the empty lot, thinking of the spot that had the most coverage. There were plenty of patches of tall, overgrown grass, or bushes that had been left untouched. They all would offer concealment from any windows that someone might be passing by. Once I decided on the spot I shrugged off my bag and sat it down gently. I peeked into the leather and smiled at the glittering egg. It shone even in the muted light inside my bag.

I stood and started to gather any stones I could find. I would need to make an enclosed space so we wouldn’t set fire to any nearby plants. If the fire burned as hot as it needed to, it would practically be an explosion. I wanted to make sure I had as many safety precautions as I could gather. I even had a pale of murky water from the fountain on standby.

Kenneth came just as I finished the stone enclosure. The sun had started to light the sky into a light grey.

“What’s the circle?” he asked as he neared.

“We can’t set the entire courtyard on fire,” I told him. “Obviously.” I shoved his arm. I pointed to the bucket as well. “Even got the fire brigade.”

He gave me a mean look and laughed. “I have the fire salts.” Kenneth produced a small glass jar. Inside were the bright red grains that gave off the soft glow of heat. Across the neck of the jar were small white runes painted over the glass. It was for protection. If the jar wasn’t enchanted, the salts would melt right through. “Be very careful and don’t touch any of the grains. You’ll be burned badly.”

I nodded and he handed me the jar. Even with the runes on the glass I could feel how warm the embers were. I grabbed the egg as carefully as I could and placed it in the circle. The stones were parted just enough to hold the egg perfectly. Kenneth crouched next to me and helped arrange some sticks to make a point above the egg. It would ensure all sides of the shell were touched by the fire. When he was done, it formed an almost cozy looking enclosure around it. I then held up the jar and Kenneth backed away. I stood and readied myself. Taking a deep breath, I counted down silently with my fingers.

I dumped the entire jar out onto the twigs and jumped back. The heat still hit me like a wall. The plump of fire almost burned my eyebrows right off. I stumbled back in shock, tripping over my own feet. I fell back hard on my ass. Before I could even collect myself, the fire crawled outside the stones I had placed. My heart sank and I scrambled for the bucket. Half of the contents sloshed over my shirt front. I dumped it on the spreading fire, but it didn’t even make a dent. The flames spread to my bag and I yelled out. The leather was burned to a crisp before I could even reach for it. The heat was unbearable this close. I had to retreat. It burned my eyes and hurt my lungs. Kenneth was already on the other side of the courtyard, watching the fire spread in horror.

“I told you to be careful!” he screamed. “We’re both dead!”

I almost jumped out of my skin when I saw the rusted old gate swing open. My brother came rushing over, looking at the raging fire that I had started. “What the hell did you do, Jeremiah?” he hollered.

The Princess followed and gasped when she saw the huge fire quickly expanding. Shells fell from her hands in shock. It would have been comical if there wasn’t a disaster unfolding in front of us.

“We have to get out of here and tell the guards,” Kenneth said frantically.

“Wait,” The Princess called.

“Wait?” I cried.

I watched as she lifted her hands and pushed forward in one fluid motion. She was muttering something under her breath that I couldn’t quite hear. She moved her hands, her body shifting back and forth. Then with one final large thrust, a gust of wind ripped through the burning courtyard. The wind pushed hard against me, making me stumble. I fell back and clung to Kenneth for support. Once the wind was gone, the embers settled. The fire was completely snuffed out. She had put it out with no more than fancy hand motions.

She looked over to us and nervously tugged on her dirty dress. “Is everyone okay?”

“Are you a witch?” Kenneth breathed.

She nodded once, her eyes turning to the ground.

My hands shook as I walked over to where my egg was. Just under the ashes, the shell uncracked and unphased, it remained. The opal still had it’s dull glow even through the black soot. I jumped when I heard the Princess right next to me ask, “Is that a dragon egg?”

“Yes,” I grumbled. I couldn’t lie to her. She already saw it.

“Wow,” she breathed. She made the same motion that she did before, this one much quicker. A small breeze blew the egg shell clean. She reached her hand out for it but I stopped her. “I would like it if you didn’t touch it,” I said. The thought of her taking it to use for potions or spells horrified me. I gave her an uneasy stare as I inched myself between her and the egg.

She let her hand fall back to her side and she stepped back. She didn’t try to hide the disappointment in her face. “Right. My apologies.”

I grabbed the egg. It was still warm to the touch, but not hot. I tucked it just under my coat. Hopefully this was discrete enough to take it through the halls. “Are you going to tell Mother?” I asked.

“Me?” The Princess asked. “No.”

“I certainly should,” Malachi snapped. I felt his knuckles dig into my hair and rub roughly. I pulled away and gave him a venomous look. “But I won’t,” he finished. He crossed his arms. “If no one asks about the fire in the abandoned courtyard I would like to keep it a secret.”

“Oh, thank you Prince,” Kenneth breathed, bowing low to my brother. He looked more worried than all of us. “My father would have my head if he found out.”

“Keep better company, Kenneth,” my brother sighed.

“Whatever,” I snapped. “I’ll go back to my room now. Thank you, Ky,” I mumbled.

With that, Kenneth and I rushed back into the palace and went our separate ways. I felt a blossom of dread growing in my chest. I was worried about the princess knowing. I knew my brother must trust her by now, but I didn't. There was nothing stopping her from telling everyone who would listen to her. She certainly had enough people throwing themselves forth to be in her company. And I knew everyone would take the side of the future queen.