The Flame Queen

12 years before

The castle wakes to the sounds of screaming. Servants run toward the sound. But it’s too late now.

The lifeless body of the king lays on the ground surrounded by a pool of blood. The servants scream, call for a healer do all - but forget about the little audience.

Little Serena stands at the door frame behind the servants and healers, staring at her father’s lifeless body. Tears running down her cheeks.

“DAD- “she cries out and starts to run to her father, stopping short when someone catches and takes her in his arms.

“NO, no let me go! I want my father!” she screams struggling against the tight grip. “LET GO OF ME!”

“Shhh, it’s all right. Tomorrow will be better.” But she hears it all muffled, as if the voice got lost in the depths of the ocean.

She didn’t want tomorrow.

She wanted her father.

Curled up in her bed, clutching a blanket, repeating the same words over and over, each time quieter. Tears streaming down her face.

“I want my father. I want my father...”

Morning came too soon.

Sunlight poured through the curtain, too bright for her little eyes. Tina sat up slowly.

Maybe it was just a nightmare she thought.

But her cheeks felt sticky, and her chest still hurt.

Stumbling to the door, her feet bare, she banged on the door, hoping for her father to answer. To pick her up, tell her it was just a nightmare.

The door opens slowly.

“Father!”

But it wasn’t her father. Her uncle stood before her, his eyes burning red. Behind him, Amy, her maid, looking as if fighting back tears.

“Where is my father?” her small voice demands.

Her uncle kneels, gripping her little arms. “Serena... your father...” he starts, his voice already breaking. “I’m so sorry.” He is sobbing now, pulling Seren in a tight hug. Her little body utterly still. “No, no, what are you sorry for? Why are you crying?” she looks at her maid, who’s covering her mouth with her hand “Amy?” her little voice trembles with plea.

“No, no...” she whispers her cheeks wet with tears. A new fear spiked up. “Where is Noelle? Where is my sister?”

Silence.

Her uncle didn’t answer. Amy started crying harder.

Fresh tears poured down her cheeks. She didn’t need the words. She knew.

Her sister was gone too.