The House of Fire

by M. Goldsmith

  Water sloshed over the sides of the tub as they moved together. “I’m glad to hear you dreamed about me as much as I dreamed about you. I can’t get enough of you, Ash.”

  Even their thoughts were quiet as they were swept away by the feel of each other moving in harmony. Intimacy which should have taken years to build had them climbing to the highest heights of ecstasy. Neither one of them wanted to break the spell of their spiritual joining, but the Fire Guardian Ceremony needed to be faced. They reluctantly left the warmth of the tub.

  They readied themselves quietly, and then walked hand in hand to the center of the Village Square. Ashlyn stood on the lovely mosaic of the compass rose and looked around her. All of Aether was gathered and Ashlyn thought, How beautiful Aether is. And the people, oh the people, they are the most beautiful people I have ever seen.

  Forgetting for a moment that Hawk could read her thoughts, he was in her head. “None are as beautiful as you, my love. Are you ready for this?”

  In preparation for the Ceremony, a fire circle had been created using large stones. Wood was piled high in its circumference. Groups of people were gathered all around, and she saw her parents waving to her. Laurel stood close by with Kai at her side. Dignified as usual, the Elders stood proudly next to the new Guardian’s parents, who held the infant in their arms. The baby, swaddled in a special blanket which had been used for generations of Guardian Ceremonies, cooed loud enough for Ashlyn to hear. On the very edge of the crowd, Ash noticed Brooke. She stood solemnly with Quill’s arm draped around her.

  Ashlyn spoke aloud, “I’m ready.”

  Raven stepped forward and addressed the crowd. “Welcome people of Aether. As you know, our Fire Guardian has been returned to us. We are all grateful to have Ashlyn back where she belongs. The Guardian Ceremonies are a long-standing tradition in our world. Tonight, we are blessed by the God and Goddess to witness the dazzling display of the Fire Guardian Ceremony. Ashlyn, if you please.”

  Ashlyn advanced to the circle. “I, Ashlyn Woods, Guardian of The House of Fire, connect with the Elements and the people of Aether. I pray to the God and Goddess of the Earth.” Ashlyn waved her hands, and the wood in the circle ignited with loud hiss. Bright red and orange flames surged, rising high into the air above the circle.

  “I offer my gifts to the people, so I may protect and serve. With the stars above and all the people here to witness, I pledge my Fire to this beautiful baby.”

  The parents moved forward with the infant in their arms. “I vow to teach her the ways of our people and the gifts of Fire magic, so she may take her place when she comes of age. In this sacred place, where the history of our people was born.” Ashlyn took the baby from her mother’s arms and held her up. “I name this child, Ember, future Guardian of The House of Fire.”

  Ember’s mother wiped away a few stray tears, and her father beamed with pride. Ashlyn held the baby close to her and looked down at her adorable face. Ember’s golden colored eyes connected with Ash’s. Electricity rippled through her body as the bond between them came to life.

  “Oh, great God and Goddess, I call upon you and the Fire that burns within me. Give this child strength, knowledge, and peace, so she may she guard the people and the Flame. Fire is life. Water is life. Air is life. Earth is life.”

  Handing Ember back to her mother, Ash stood over the swirl of flames which rose above the circle. Lifting her hands toward the heavens, sparks ascended and soared upward. Bursts of blue, red, and orange flames exploded above the crowd. Gasps of astonishment echoed across the Village Square.

  She took several paces backward and extended her arm above her head with her palm facing outward toward the assembled. “Behold, the symbol of the Guardian of The House of Fire.”

  Ember’s mother handed the baby back to Ashlyn. Together they unwrapped the blanket, and Ash lifted the child high in the air. “Ember, you were born with the symbol of Fire, and therefore you will take your place as the new Guardian when you come of age.” The powerful symbol on Ember’s palm was presented to the people of Aether. Then, Ashlyn slowly turned in a circle so all present could witness the power of Fire.

  The ritual transformed her, releasing all of her unwanted energies and attachments. She was profoundly moved. “May all who are present be blessed by the Elements and the God and Goddess, who watch over our people. This is a time for celebration. Let us rejoice.”

  Ashlyn placed a kiss on Ember’s forehead and returned her to her parents. They each hugged Ashlyn and thanked her. She smiled brightly and turned to face Hawk.

  “You were incredible, Ash. I’m so proud of you. How did I get so lucky as to call you mine?”

  “We were destined to be together. Selected by the Elements and the God and Goddess to be one. I love you, Hawk.”

  “And I you, my beautiful Fire Guardian, always.”

  She placed her hands-on Hawk’s shoulders and gazed at him longingly. He lowered his head until their foreheads were touching and stared right back into her eyes. Ashlyn and Hawk blended together so seamlessly that neither could tell where one began and the other ended. They were truly one. Body. Mind. Spirit. Forever joined in love.

  Epilogue

  Brooke

  The Grand Lake glistened in the sunlight as Brooke neared the water’s edge. “Simply magnificent,” she murmured to the peaceful surroundings. Aether was truly a place of beauty and wonder. How would she ever fit in with all these gorgeous people, amongst all their power and greatness. Their gifts were incredible, and she was just ordinary. Plain old, nerdy, Brooke Barrington, the scientist, she was no one special.

  Quill came up behind her and placed his hands gently on her shoulders. Warmth spread through her. Relaxed by his touch, not startled, she’d sensed his presence as he’d drawn near. There was definitely something about the impressive Protector and not just his looks. Kindness and caring, which he masked with humor, radiated off him. Not to mention, he was the most handsome man she had ever seen. His sandy colored hair was on the shorter side making his striking green eyes stand out. Deep red lips which called out to her to be kissed made her melt when he was close.

  Although she couldn’t deny her intense attraction to Quill, Brooke remained leery. She didn’t have much experience with men, at least none which were positive. Deeply in love with her first and only boyfriend, she gave him the gift of her virginity. He threw it back in her face telling her she was cold and horrible in bed. It turned out he had only dated her until she finally slept with him. Heartbroken, Brooke stayed clear of romantic relationships of any kind. She never wanted to feel rejected like that again. She sighed. Maybe my father is right after all and I am unworthy.

  Quill would have to remain a naughty fantasy. He couldn’t possibly want a plain Jane like her. Plenty of women in Aether probably sought his affection. Kind, funny, and extremely sexy, any woman in her right mind would want Quill.

  “Are you okay? You checked out all of a sudden.” Concern marred Quill’s features.

  “It’s the water. I’ve always loved being near the water. It relaxes me, and sometimes I have a tendency to get in my own head a little too much.”

  “That’s funny because I have a tendency to say or do whatever’s on my mind. Sometimes it really gets me in trouble. Like right now, maybe? Because all I can think about is kissing you.” Quill spun Brooke around to face him.

  Heat rose to her cheeks instantly, and she didn’t know how to react. My God, did he mean it? Did beautiful Quill actually want to kiss her? “I’m not sure it would be a very good idea, Quill. I’m not very good at that kind of thing…kissing I mean.”

  “There’s only one way to find out.” Quill gently touched his lips to hers and electricity jolted through her entire body. He licked along her the seam of her mouth encouraging her to open to him. She responded, on fire for this incredible man. His taste was intoxicating, and she felt consumed by him. No one had ever kissed her with such passion before, and she feared no one ever would again.


  She pulled away breathless. “Quill, please, we can’t.”

  “Why not? I thought it was amazing. And by the way, you’re very mistaken, you are very good at kissing.” He waggled his brows and smiled suggestively.

  “I’m sorry… I just don’t know how to navigate this. It’s not you…you’re perfect…it’s just I haven’t been very successful with all this, and with relationships in general. I wouldn’t want to disappoint you.”

  “Stop right there! You could never disappoint me, Brooke. I think you’re perfect, too, just the way you are. How about this? Let’s just take things slowly and see what happens. Okay?”

  “That sounds good,” she said, with a smile.

  Leaning down, Quill brushed his lips against hers once more. She could tell he held back, keeping things light.

  “The sun is starting to go down. Let’s go back to my house and get ready for the Fire Guardian Ceremony.”

  “Okay… And, Quill… Thanks for being patient with me.”

  The sexy Protector didn’t say anything more, he simply took her hand and placed a kiss on the back. Then, he led her up the path toward his house.

  Later, when they arrived at the Village Square, a crowd was already beginning to form. Brooke didn’t have any desire to squeeze in for a close-up view, so they stood together on the periphery. Ashlyn and Hawk arrived hand in hand and Brooke thought they looked amazing together. Ashlyn was tall, shapely, strikingly beautiful, with her wild red curls, and Hawk was handsome, with dark Native American looks, muscled, and sexy.

  Quill kept his arm around her making her feel safe and warm. The Fire Guardian Ceremony began with a dazzling display unlike anything she had ever seen before. Brightly colored flames of red and orange shot up from a circle which looked like a bonfire to Brooke. The stunning pyrotechnics lit the cloudless night sky, like fireworks on the Fourth of July.

  As Ashlyn turned the mark on her hand toward the crowd, Brooke’s stomach twisted in knots. A tingling and burning sensation pulsed through her scar when Ashlyn lifted baby Ember’s hand to the assembled group. Slowly, Brooke pull backed the compression glove she always wore. Staring up at her was a raised red mark on her own palm. Her heart pounded, and she gasped when recognition set in.

  Quill looked down at her as if he could sense her confusion and fear as it mounted. “Brooke?” He turned her wrist in his hand so that her palm faced him. “What the hell is that?”

  “My scar… I was burned as a baby… I’ve had this my whole life.” On Brooke’s palm a bold triangle pointed downward toward her wrist, with a dot placed prominently in the center. It resembled a brand. Deeply embedded in her skin, the impression gave the appearance of having blistered and healed in a blush tone.

  “My God, Brooke… Do you know what this symbol means? You, Brooke Barrington, are the Guardian of The House of Water.”

  A word from the authors…

  M. Goldsmith and A. Malin (aka Mel and Anita), have been close friends for many years. As a writing duo, we love all kinds of romance, but especially exciting paranormal adventures. Avid romance readers and now writers, we have joined creative forces to create the world of Aether, where the Elements rule.

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