The flaming apple tree provided warmth and light where there had been none. Many marveled at the beauty, most assumed that Hayden had done something using his fire magic to make it hold its shape. The Wilde family did not tell them otherwise.

The flaming apple tree provided warmth and light where there had been none. Many marveled at the beauty, most assumed that Hayden had done something using his fire magic to make it hold its shape. The Wilde family did not tell them otherwise.

The flaming apple tree provided warmth and light where there had been none. Many marveled at the beauty, most assumed that Hayden had done something using his fire magic to make it hold its shape. The Wilde family did not tell them otherwise.

The flaming apple tree provided warmth and light where there had been none. Many marveled at the beauty, most assumed that Hayden had done something using his fire magic to make it hold its shape. The Wilde family did not tell them otherwise.

Even the few blossoms that fell were flowers made of flame, falling like something Father had sculpted to the ground. It was only the mud that quenched them, turning them back to barely singed apple blossoms.

Even the few blossoms that fell were flowers made of flame, falling like something Father had sculpted to the ground. It was only the mud that quenched them, turning them back to barely singed apple blossoms.

Hayden studied her face. He’d been the strong one for weeks, when the danger was merely a threat. Now, their children were missing, and the dam could fall at any moment tripling the already swollen Soren River. Here was his wife, no longer in the grip of fear from her visions. Calm, capable, her green eyes red-rimmed but dry.

Hayden studied her face. He’d been the strong one for weeks, when the danger was merely a threat. Now, their children were missing, and the dam could fall at any moment tripling the already swollen Soren River. Here was his wife, no longer in the grip of fear from her visions. Calm, capable, her green eyes red-rimmed but dry.

He began a tale of adventure and as he spoke, he painted moving pictures into the flames. A horse running, a witch’s castle built of flame and shadow.

He began a tale of adventure and as he spoke, he painted moving pictures into the flames. A horse running, a witch’s castle built of flame and shadow.