Chapter 11: Burned up

Moments later, Young and Chabela were racing down the paths to bring Malina back to the kingdom at full speed. Only Rascal was happily scurrying along the pass like an excited wildcat.

Young peered over his shoulder to check on Malina. Her skin was turning a pale red from the heat. "Just hand in there," he told her. "We'll get you there in no time." As he steered Chabela, he commanded, "Faster, girl! We have to get there!"

"Wahoo!" Rascal exclaimed as he rolled down the hills. "Hey, I'll meet you guys at the castle!" "No Rascal! You stay out of sight!" Young said as he galloped even faster. "Will do!" Rascal said as he scurried away from them into the village. Then, Young heard a scream from someone who obviously didn't expect to see a talking ferret. "Aah! It talks!" someone had screamed. So much for Rascal to stay out of sight!

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At the palace gates, a watchmen standing from a watchtower suddenly spotted the horse and its travelers hurrying up to the gates of the castle. "It's Princess Malina!" he exclaimed. He immediately ordered the guards to open the gates and let the travelers inside the castle.

After stopping, Malina tried to get off of Chabela, but felt Young's arms grab her. "Hang on, I got you," Young said as he carried Malina to the castle. "Are you going to be okay?" Malina asked. "Don't worry about me," Young said, wiping her forehead. "I'll be fine." He carried Malina inside the castle courtyard, where they met up with two servant women waiting for them.

"You need to get her to Prince Ian," Young ordered, letting Malina down and walking her to a servant woman. "Bring her inside the castle. Make sure that she is safe." "Oh, you poor girl, you're burning up," the woman told Malina as she helped her inside. "Let's bring you to the castle and keep you cool." As the servants whisked Malina, Young stood, watching. The castle gates then closed, shutting him out.

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Inside the castle, Ian was speaking with a couple of dignitaries and soldiers, discussing the possible fate of San Theodoros' AWOL queen.

"I'm going back out there to look for Malina," Ian said, rising from his seat. "Nobody is to go near the queen until I return." "Prince Ian," one man said to him, "you can't go back out there in this weather. San Theodoros needs you." "If anything happens to Malina…" Ian started. "If anything happens to Princess Malina," another dignitary said, "you're all San Theodoros has left. Please."

Suddenly, the doors flew open. The two servants stepped inside, with Malina in hand. "Malina!" Ian exclaimed as she fell into his arms. "I was worried you'd never come back! You're so hot, and your hair! What happened?"

"Ian, you have to kiss me," Malina said suddenly. "What?" Ian asked, confused. "Now!" Malina exclaimed desperately. "Whoa now, hold on," Ian said, rather taken aback. The servant smiled, sensing that Malina and Ian needed some time alone. "We'll give you two some privacy," she said. Everyone else, including the two servants, then exited the room.

Once they were alone together, Ian turned to Malina. "What happened to you out there?" he asked. "Alex, she…she struck me with her powers," Malina said. "But you said she would never hurt you," Ian said. "I was wrong," Malina replied. "She burned my heart, and only an act of true love will save me."

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Malina's body felt warmer than ever, even when she had returned from the humid jungles and steep mountains. But she felt relieved to tell Ian everything he needed to know in order to help.

She told In the whole story of her ordeal, right up to that horrifying incident when Alex struck her heart. After hearing the entire story, Ian looked to Malina, smiling. "An act of true love," he muttered pensively. "A true love's kiss." Leaning in close, Ian prepared to kiss Malina. Malina lifted her chin and shut her eyes in anticipated hope. Suddenly, Ian paused.

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"Oh Malina," he whispered smugly. "If only someone ever loved you." "Huh?" Malina asked.

Rising to his feet and walking toward the window, Ian stared out among the village. "As thirteenth in line in my kingdom, I never stood a chance," Ian said. "I just knew I'd have to marry into the throne somehow." "What do you mean?" Malina asked, barely lifting her head. "As heir, Alexandria was preferable, of course," Ian said. "But you…" He gave a rather small smile.

"Ian?" Malina asked, unaware of what was going on. "As your sister said, you were so desperate for love, you were willing to marry me just like that," Ian said. He walked over to the wall and grabbed a lantern from the mantelpiece. Then, he moved over to the large block of ice placed on the empty hearth. "And I figured that after we married, I'd have to stage a little accident for Alex." He then smashed the lantern onto the ice, causing flames to rise and melt the ice. "Ian, wait! No!" Malina cried out. She tried to reach for him, but she fell, weak and hot.

Ignoring her pleas, Ian lit a match and lit the soaked firewood and watched them melt the ice from underneath. A hot wave of air filled the room. "But she had doomed herself, and you were so dumb enough to go after her," Ian sneered. "Ian, please!" Malina pleaded, but Ian ignored her.

Ian smiled, drawing his sword from a scabbard slung over his waist. "All that's left now is to kill Alex and bring back winter," he snickered. A sense of despair engulfed Malina, as she had suddenly realized the depths of Ian's true nature. "Ian, you're no match for Alex," she said bravely.

"No, you're no match for Alex," Ian said. "And I, on the other hand, am the hero who is going to save San Theodoros from destruction." He strode over to the door with pride. "You won't get away with this!" Malina demanded.

"Oh, I already have," Ian said with a wicked grin. Then, he strode out of the room and locked the doors shut.

"No!" Malina exclaimed, attempting to get up. Feeling weak, she teetered her way to the door, but she fell over in pain. "Someone, help me!" she said, pounding the door with every swift force. She began to feel the heat getting to her body. "Help!" she called out hoarsely. She looked all around, realizing she was alone.

"Help…me," she whispered. "Please…please." Suddenly, she collapsed.