EMBER

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“Ember Lockell. Deliveries.” Master Jenkins gave her a sharp glance, waiting for her to respond.

Ember merely gave him tight nod. An unnecessarily wide opening was cleared for her in the group of servants and Ember hustled away, her head low.

She let out a simultaneously relieved and frustrated breath when she was outside with the delivery cart, rolling it down the street. The slights her fellow servants gave her were hurtful, yes, but Ember had long ago learned to shrug them off. Being a loved and popular figure in her family only was okay with her.

In the calming quiet away from any people, a song began to bubble in her heart. It burst through her lips in a soft whistle as she pushed the cart along.

“Forbidden beauty indeed,” said a low voice behind her.

Ember whipped around, blanching. She stared into the dark eyes of a buck, his fur a mix of brown and gold. Ember forced a laugh, though her heart was beating uncontrollably in her chest.

“Oh, well, sorry,” she said, breathing four times as quickly as usual.

“I’m afraid I upset your cart,” the buck said, leaning to look around her. Ember glanced behind her, suddenly realizing that the cart that had toppled over.

“Oh, it’s no matter!” she said, giggling brightly, nervously. She turned her back to the buck, exhaling, then bent to the ground and tossed the packages into the cart. The buck bent to retrieve the last one, then handed it to her.

Ember’s hands touched his, and she cringed, knowing he had noticed the sweat that drenched them.

“Are you okay?” he asked with a frown.

“Oh nes!” she said. “I mean, yes! Of course, I’m… well, I’m okay. Fine. Good.”

The buck stared at her for a second, then let out a laugh. “I’m sorry to have startled you.”

Ember was beginning to be annoyed with her blunders and with him for causing her to act that way. “What’s your name?” she asked crisply.

“Glenn,” the buck said, bowing. “Yours?”

“Ember.”

“Ember,” he repeated slowly, his dark, low voice somehow making it sound like a work of art.

Ember swallowed, her heart beginning to quicken its pace again. She suddenly and conveniently noticed that his right arm was in a white wrap, apparently injured. “What happened?” she asked, nodding her head toward it.

“Broke it,” Glenn replied, grimacing. “Being an officer and unable to help with my arm broken, I was told to stay home and let it heal. I’ll be back on duty in a few days, though. The administration can’t spare many people, as you probably know.”

“Of course,” Ember said. She nodded and smiled, though inside, her heart was sinking, smitten with a sudden and cold disappointment of the harshness of reality. “Um…” She swallowed. “I’d better get back to my own job.”

“Don’t let me keep you! It was nice seeing you, Ember!” Glenn’s face softened into an unexpectedly warming grin.

Ember forced her facial muscles into a smile. “Bye.” She swiveled and continued on her way, pushing the cart. He's an officer of the administration. An enemy. Just as she was about to turn the corner at the end of the street, she craned her neck, glancing behind her.

Glenn was still standing there, gazing after her.

Ember swallowed and hurried on her way. She knew now Glenn would not forget her. And neither would she forget him.

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I hope you enjoyed this! I would love feedback, and speaking of that, do you think Ember has clear weaknesses? (I have already made a list of them, but I'm not sure if they have come across yet.) The recent discussion about Heather not having weaknesses was making me extra aware of giving my own characters weaknesses, so hence the reason for my question. :) Bear the Flame!

Um, also, @Bearer of the Flame, I hope it doesn't seem like I'm copying your (AMAZING) fanfic because it's set in Akolan! It's just a super fun place for a setting... lol :)