Chapter Seventeen: Ash

I stand completely surrounded by guards, my face burning under their harsh gazes. I try to ignore the way they nudge each other but then I overhear a few words and wince.

"That's enough!" A booming voice growls.

I glance up at Queen Zari. Her eyes are flaming red as she glares down at us. "Ash come with me please," she says, her voice instantly softer.

I start to head up the stairs with a small sigh.

"—dragon hunting filth," someone spits, and I flinch.

"What did I just say?" Queen Zari snarls, suddenly in the guard's face.

He whimpers slightly and backs off, casting his gaze to the floor. "Please forgive me," he murmurs.

She waves her hand. "Get out of here," she snaps.

The guards vanish in seconds, leaving me alone with the Queen. She sighs heavily, turning to me. "I'm sorry Ash, they're still stuck in the past, they don't know how to move on," she says.

I nod slowly. "It's fine, I don't blame them.