by Amy Sumida
“Then you'll be happy to hear my reason for stopping by; to tell you that I'm ready to proceed with our wedding.”
“Really?” Declan leaned back to look at me.
“Really,” I confirmed. “It's time.”
“That's wonderful news.” Declan hugged me again.
“And if Alexandrite decides to mess with us and birth a new queen, we can give her the choice of abdication or death because there's no fucking way that I'm giving you up.”
Declan beamed. “I like that plan.”
“Then it's decided.” I kissed him again but kept it short. “I'm sorry to drop that on you and run, but Slate and I are on our way to Coven Cay, and I've kept him waiting long enough.”
Declan scowled as he watched me climb out of bed and slip into my clothes; clothes which had popped back into existence beside the bed.
“Coven Cay? Why?” He slid out beside me and went to his armoire to find something to wear.
“Hold on a sec.” I went to the door and opened it to let Slate in. “We're done now. Sorry about that, honey. Declan was having some personal issues.”
“Issues that required you to get naked?” Slate lifted a dark brow as he looked pointedly over my half-dressed state.
“Yes,” I said simply as I gave him a look that clearly said; drop it.
Slate blinked in surprise but then nodded. He could be an ass, but he knew when not to be.
“Elaria, what about Coven Cay?” Declan asked again as he buckled his belt.
“El has a small bit of Fire magic left inside her,” Slate blabbed my news before I could. “We need to get her some help with mastering it. So, we're off to speak to Odin.”
I hummed a line from “We're Off to See the Wizard.” It had to be done.
“You what?” Declan turned to look at me, his shirt half buttoned.
That's when I realized that he was putting on human clothes.
“Why are you wearing that?” I countered.
“Because I'm going with you,” Declan said in an obvious tone. “Now, why didn't you tell me about the remnant of Fire magic?”
“I didn't think it would be an issue, but then I started having nightmares,” I admitted. “I think my soul is trying to warn me. I need to find a way to control this magic before it gets out of hand.”
“Then it's not Odin who you need to see.” Declan finished buttoning his shirt and grabbed a leather jacket to go over it. “It's Osamu.”
I blinked. Declan was right; Odin is the Leader of the Earth Witches. He could advise me on Fire magic but not actually teach me. To learn how to control Fire, I needed a fire witch. My father is one, but Osamu is the Leader of the Fire Witches, and he's much stronger than my father. He'd be the best witch to consult.
“Okay then,” Slate said. “Let's go see Osamu.”
Chapter Three
Osamu wasn't at Coven Cay. The Fire Witch Leader loved to travel around the globe, studying and visiting with witches who didn't live on the island. The Coven trained witches and housed several on the Cay, but most lived normal lives among humans. Osamu returned to teach a few classes every now and again but, generally, he was absent. Before we tracked him down, we decided to go with our first plan and speak with Odin.
“Osamu can't help you,” Odin said as soon as I finished explaining the situation. “And where is the rest of your... family, Elaria? Shouldn't they be here with you?”
I grimaced. “I haven't told them yet. I've only just decided that this needs attention.”
Odin shook his head like a disappointed professor. “You should have told all of us about this as soon as Lucifer released you. And you should have started with your father.”
“I know my dad can't help me. He's already taught me everything he knows. Now, you say even Osamu can't help me.”
We are with you, my love.
Oh, now you're here? I grumbled.
Did Declan tell you who the woman was? He countered.
Yeah. But you could have stuck it out with me.
You really wanted witnesses to that?
Yeah; valid.
I would have stayed, RS muttered. I wanted to stay, but this guy got all huffy.
It's fine; it all worked out, I murmured.
I sighed and leaned back against the velvet couch. We were in Odin's private suite. Specifically; the sitting room that also served as a sort of entry room to his quarters. An open door led back to other rooms, including his bedroom. At the far end of the suite, a set of stairs led down to the lower level where Odin had his workspace, but I'd only been down there a few times.
Slate and Declan flanked me on the couch while Odin sat in a heavy armchair across from us, looking stoic and Odin-ish. His one, dark eye stared at me pensively. A leather patch hid his other, useless eye. Since he used to hang with Vikings, I thought of him as the original pirate, though I doubted he'd ever stolen anything. Odin's left eye narrowed and his gaze went distant. I could practically see him sorting through his vast stores of knowledge, trying to find something to help me.
“The magic you're trying to control may be elemental, but it's also primal. It's a condensed version of ours. For lack of a better word; it's pure. You need a teacher whose whole being is focused... on... fire,” Odin's face went slack as he trailed the last bit of his sentence off into a whisper.
“You've thought of someone.” Declan leaned forward eagerly. “Who?”
“Not someone in particular.” Odin launched himself to his feet. “A whole lot of someones.”
Odin hurried through the doorway, to a roughhewn cabinet in his bedroom; one of those types with open shelves above, covered shelves below, and a counter set between. The counter had bottles of multicolored liquids and dried herbs lined up in neat rows while the shelves above held books. Odin trailed his fingers across the spines until he found the one he was after. With a quick flick, he collected the black leather book and brought it back to his chair. I blinked in surprise when I noticed the title; Contacts.
“Is that an address book?” I asked.
“A contacts book.” He tapped the embossed title as if it were self-explanatory.
I rolled my eyes. “I mean; are you looking up a phone number?”
“Yes, Elaria,” Odin said with annoyance. “Did you expect me to conjure up a teacher for you?”
Slate snickered, and I shot him a glare. Completely unrepentant, he flung his arm over the back of the couch behind me and started to massage my neck.
“Who are you calling?” Declan asked the more important question. “You still haven't told us who the teacher is.”
“Because I don't know yet,” Odin said absently. “Ah, here we go; I knew I had a few contacts in the Pyre.”
“The Pyre?” I gaped at him.
“Phoenixes.” Slate gave up massaging me to lean forward. “Of course!”
Hell yeah! Bring on the Firebirds! RS crowed. You know I love me some birds.
You're an idiot, Ky said dryly. But you're also right; Phoenixes are magnificent and a perfect choice to teach Elaria.
“They're true immortals,” Odin nodded as he spoke. “Every thousand years, they incinerate themselves and then are reborn from the ashes. Even if they die before their time, their bodies spontaneously combust and the same rebirth occurs. They cannot be killed; not for long anyway.”
“And you believe this gives them an insight into Elaria's magic?” Declan cocked his head at Odin.
“I believe that an immortal magic such as theirs, one that is the foundation of their being, is far closer to what Elaria has than any witch magic is.” Odin pulled out a cellphone and dialed.
I exchanged a hopeful look with my men. A phoenix. I'd only met one phoenix in my entire life; back when I was working a job in Cairo. She had been breathtakingly beautiful and mysterious; drawing the attention of everyone she passed. But that's what Phoenixes are like; their magic has a charismatic quality, luring people to them like moths to the flame. It wears off with Beneathers but not w
ith humans.
Phoenixes are one of the few Beneather races who populated several continents when they first arrived on Earth. There are Phoenix nests in Egypt, Persia, Greece, India, and China, and each of those countries has their own myths about the race. Because no matter how unassuming a phoenix tries to be, they cannot be ignored. They inspire stories by simply breathing. The rumor in the Beneath is that their numbers are low, which makes spotting one rare, and that, similar to the Shining Ones, Phoenixes don't procreate often. But no one knows exactly how often Phoenixes breed, nor have they ever been seen in large groups together They are a closed-lipped, tight-knit bunch. They do not mate outside their race. Not ever. And outsiders are not allowed within their nests.
How Odin planned on convincing one of them to teach me was a mystery.
“Shava,” Odin's tone went low and deep; his sexy voice.
I lifted a brow, but he refused to meet my stare. Ah; mystery solved.
Oooo, someone has a bird-crush, RS said in a sing-song tone.
“Yes; it has been awhile.” Odin smiled.
I widened my eyes at my men, and they grinned back. Odin has had some fascinating lovers. The last one I met was a dragon. Actually, she's sister to a guy I dated so I guess I could say that I've had some interesting lovers as well. I thought Odin was still dating Ilis, but the way he was speaking to this Shava made me wonder about that, as well as about what I knew of Phoenixes not mating outside their race. Odin's secretive about his love life so it's not as if I'd know if he had stopped seeing Ilis. Then again, flirting with an ex—or possibly just someone he admired—didn't necessarily mean he was unattached. It could be completely innocent.
“I need your help, Shavalina,” Odin went grim. “I have a very good friend who is in need of a teacher; someone who can guide her through the use of Fire magic. Goddess Fire magic.” Odin's eye widened as he glanced at me. “Yes, Elaria Tanager. How did you—” He blinked. “Ah, of course. Yes. Thank you.” He smiled brilliantly. “I look forward to seeing you as well.”
Odin hung up and stared blankly forward, lost in his thoughts.
“Odin?” I snapped my fingers in his face.
Odin jerked and stood up abruptly. “I need to change. Um... excuse me.” He headed toward his bedroom.
“Odin!” I gaped at him.
“Yes?” He looked back at me in a daze.
“Did you get me a teacher?”
“Yes, of course, I did. Weren't you listening?” He frowned. “Shavalina Aryana will be here within an hour. Why don't you collect your other men while you have the chance? Meet me back here.”
“Uh, okay.” I got to my feet as Odin went to search through his wardrobe for something befitting this Shavalina.
Chapter Four
My lovers were not pleased. They, like Odin, thought I should have mentioned my ember of Fire, my nightmares, and my potentially growing magic. They got over it quickly, though; that's the sort of men they are. When it comes to me, they focus on what's important. Mainly; my wellbeing.
But all of them focused on Shavalina Aryana when she strode into Odin's suite and pulled back the hood of her cloak like a bride unveiling her face to her groom.
It was the same as it had been the last time I'd met a phoenix; everyone in her vicinity stared. Shava radiated warmth; palpable energy nearly as alluring as a siren's call that made it impossible to look away. It wasn't completely sexual either, though she was blatantly sexy. There was simply something brilliant about her; something that promised safety and solace but also excitement. Water is life, but Fire is what makes it worth living.
I couldn't even fault my men for being awed by her; I was just as impressed. Besides, at least some of it was magic.
Hey, assmats! Not cool. Eyes on Elaria! RS didn't share my understanding.
The guys flinched and cast guilty looks my way, but I just shook my head at them. They were committed, not dead.
What in all the Realms is an assmat? Ky asked with a note of horror.
A mat you put your ass on? I don't know; it rhymed with asshat, which is my other fave so I went with it.
Idiot, Ky said simply.
You adore me, the RS asserted confidently.
“Shava,” Odin said reverently as he stepped forward to take her hands.
“Odin Earthshaker,” Shava spoke with a melodic lightness, “you have improved with age; I like the lines.” She stroked the skin near his eye patch. “But they show me that it has been too long.”
He nodded, speechless. Which, in itself, said a lot.
As I mentioned, Phoenix charisma will lessen the longer a beneather is exposed to it, but even without the magical allure of her people, Shavalina's beauty would warrant a few stares. Auburn hair—a color nearly as deep a red as Declan's—hung past her waist in straight but thick swaths. The color went well with the golden-brown of her skin, making her appear to be a living flame. She was nearly as tall as Odin, with the willowy figure of a Sidhe lady. Sharp edges strengthened her delicate features and when she shifted her gaze to me, that sharpness intensified. Her irises were ringed with mahogany and lightened to gold in their centers. They flashed like a crackling fire as they moved over me from head to toe.
“Elaria Tanager,” Shava murmured as she left Odin to stand before me. “Let's take a look, shall we?”
I was standing as well, we all were, but I couldn't remember getting to my feet. Shavalina lifted a feminine hand and laid it on my cheek. The fire in her eyes returned, flaring to an inferno, and I lost myself in their dancing flames. Lulled into a sleepy relaxation, I swayed forward. Shava's free hand came up to steady me.
I heard inhaled breaths around me as the ember inside me came to life; blasting me with searing air. My hair lifted, shivers raced along my skin, and light burst around the Phoenix and me. I had no idea where it was coming from, and I didn't care. I was too busy diving into her inferno; basking in the brilliant power that pooled inside her.
But then my ember ignited my soul.
My love!
El, girl, hold on!
I roared and broke our stare; my head thrown back as my feet lifted from the ground. My whole body burned; my clothes turning to cinders in an instant. Shouts echoed in my ears along with the thunderous whooshing of fire but, suddenly, a whirlwind surrounded me; leeching the heat away from me. I fell to the floor; crumpling onto my hands and knees as the magic dwindled back into a small, glowing speck.
“Stay back!” Shava ordered the others as she laid her hands on my shoulders. “Elaria, breathe shallowly, we don't want to feed the Fire. Think cool thoughts; ice, arctic breezes, deep seawater. Let the feeling of those thoughts rush through you and quench the heat.”
I panted; taking those shallow breaths as she instructed and filling my mind with images of icebergs. A chill coasted through my veins and coated the ember in a hardened shell. I finally sat up and took a deep breath.
“El, are you okay?” Slate asked.
“Sure,” my throat was dry, cracking my voice. I tried again, “Sure; I was just doing some naked yoga.”
Slate made a huffing sound and rolled his eyes.
Please tell me that naked yoga is a real thing, the RS begged.
“Was that truly necessary?” I grumbled to Shava, completely ignoring the voice inside my head.
Shavalina Aryana laughed; a high, squawking sound that was so incongruous to her appearance that it made me laugh too.
“Little bird,” Torin murmured as he swept his cloak over my shoulders, “that was unsettling.”
I let Torin help me to my feet and then settled his cloak around me. “For me as well.”
“It was necessary,” Shava finally answered me.
I glanced at my men; they weren't staring at her anymore. Now, they stared at me. Concern burning away charisma. I suppose looks can only get you so far; love trumps all. They rushed forward to circle me and make sure that I was all right.
“I had to taste your magic, Elaria,” Shava went on. �
��I cannot teach you if I don't know what I'm dealing with.”
She tasted you, RS snickered.
I swear to Elaria that if you make a lesbian joke, I will start singing “The Song That Never Ends,” Kyanite declared
All right! Sheesh, you didn't have to go nuclear on me.
“Some warning would have been nice,” Odin said to Shava. “She nearly burned down the manor.”
“There was never any danger of that,” Shava scoffed. “I've worked with fire for over twenty-two thousand years, Odin. I know how to extinguish one.”
