“She’s not here?” I glanced quickly through the crowd, but then remembered seeing her at the docks with that girl. “I think I know where she is. I’ll get her quickly.”
Mom grasped my hands tightly. “Please be careful, and head back to the house when you find her.”
“I will.”
I slipped back through the crowd, which was quickly dispersing as people ran back to their homes or found shelter in case the volcano began raining lava, rocks, or ash from the sky. We’d all heard tales of when the Fire God was displeased with his subjects and had nearly destroyed the entire Realm with his wrath, and how it wasn’t just the lava that had taken so many lives, but the poisonous smoke and the fiery rocks that descended on the land. We were close enough to the volcano that if it did erupt and the lava flowed in our direction we could lose all our homes—and possibly our lives.
Long ago, the five Gods had created this world, and each one represented the elements of earth, air, fire, water, and spirit. The Spirit Goddess was their leader, and took the other four Gods as her mate. Later, they created the five Dragons to act as their representatives in the world, and then the Gods vanished. Now the five Dragons— Black, Crimson, Azure, Jade, and Golden—ruled over the different Realms and its people. But many people believed the Gods would one day return. I’d never thought it would happen in my lifetime, but now I was starting to change my mind.
I ran back toward the dock, but when I arrived I didn’t see a single soul, only the fishing boats tied to the wooden pier. “Loka?” I called out. “Are you here?”
When I couldn’t find her I headed down the beach in the opposite direction from where Blane had hidden the fireworks, hoping Loka and her girlfriend might be scared and hiding somewhere. I continued around the bend, calling her name, climbing onto the large rocks where I knew she liked to play where we were kids. But I didn’t see her anywhere.
She must have gone back to the town. I probably just missed her. Or so I hoped.
As I turned around to head back to Sparkport, I felt a blast of heat and smoke. I blinked it away and came face to face with a giant made of fire, who’d suddenly materialized in front of me.
I screamed and scrambled back, slipping on the wet rocks and falling on my behind with a sharp jolt. I couldn’t get away fast enough, my fear causing me to stumble over the rocks and back onto the sand in a mad dash to escape the fiery thing in front of me.
At first I thought it was an elemental, but the one Roth and I had encountered almost looked like an upside-down teardrop made of swirling water, with arms and glowing eyes. But this was different—it clearly was male, at least in shape, but made entirely of flame and as tall as a house.
And it was coming right for me.
“Calla of the Fire Realm,” a voice bellowed out of his burning mouth. He took another step toward me, his flaming feet turning the black sand to glass. “Are you willing to serve your God?”
I froze, panic making my throat clench up, as it slowly dawned on me who was standing before me. The Fire God.
Could it really be him? No one had seen or heard from the Gods in centuries. They were myths and legends, the Fire Temple had been abandoned years ago, and even though I prayed to the Fire God like a good daughter, I could hardly believe he was standing in front of me.
As the shock wore off I considered running and screaming for help, but then he let out a roar. A circle of fire burst up around us, blocking out the rest of the world. Heat coated my skin and terror consumed me, along with sheer awe. Was he going to strike me down?
The blazing eyes seemed to look deep into my soul as he spoke. “You asked for clarity. You wanted a path. You prayed for my guidance. Do you refuse it now?”
Somehow he knew what I’d written and thrown in the brazier. It truly was him. I dropped to my knees, my gown pressing into the sand, and bowed my head at the Fire God. As the terror faded away, I finally found my voice. “What must I do?”
“You will come to the Fire Temple and serve me as High Priestess. Bring four men to serve as your priests and your mates. Once you arrive, I will give you further instructions. Do you accept my offer?”
“I…” My voice trailed off as his words sunk in. I’d asked for a sign as to what my place in the world would be, but I’d never expected this. He was asking me to give up my entire life and walk away from everything I knew to live in the Fire Temple on top of the volcano and serve as his priestess. It was impossible to consider, but he was a God—could I even refuse? Would he strike me down if I did?
And why me? My mother was much more devout than I was. There were many days when I hadn’t believed the Gods existed at all, or if I did, I’d cursed them. I had no idea what being his High Priestess even meant. Not to mention, he wanted me to bring four men with me and take them as my mates. I certainly knew the four I’d want, but I couldn’t ask them to give up their entire lives for me.
Yet as the shock wore off, a sense of purpose and wonder filled me, like nothing I’d ever known before. I would serve one of the Gods—there was no higher calling than that, especially if they were awakening after all this time. But how would I ever convince the others to go with me? Derel would never leave behind his family’s business, Blane was definitely not priest material, and Roth could barely spend a moment alone with me anymore. The only one who might do it out of loyalty was Falon, but I had a hard time seeing him going anywhere without Derel.
“Why four men?” I managed to ask.
“The Spirit Goddess has four mates. The Black Dragon has four mates. My High Priestess must also have four.”
I supposed that made sense, and if I was honest, the idea of being with all four men excited me, assuming they would ever agree to it. But they would never consider leaving as long as Sparkport was in danger, and neither would I. “What of the volcano? I can’t leave my family behind if there is a risk of it erupting—and I wouldn’t be able to reach the Fire Temple if it does.”
“Once you arrive at the temple the volcano will become calm again.”
I glanced back in the direction of the village, though the rocks blocked it from view, and then sighed. This was my destiny, like it or not. “Yes, I will become your High Priestess.”
“Then rise.”
I pushed myself up on shaking knees and faced the God in front of me. He moved close, singeing my dress and my hair, and my skin felt like it was going to peel off me. Before I could pull away he reached for me, and then all I knew was fire and heat. It raced along my skin, tore at my flesh, and melted my bones. I was taken apart and reformed. I died and was born again. I was ash and flame, smoke and lava, sparks and coal, and then I was whole again.
As the fire faded away and vanished, I stumbled back—but the Fire God was gone.
5
Somehow I found my way back through the empty town, past the abandoned stalls, discarded dragon kites, and the new crack in the road. I felt so odd, like I was watching myself from a distance, unable to comprehend what had just happened. The Fire God had done something to me—but what?
I was in shock, still in disbelief that I’d said yes to his offer, and now I had a journey ahead of me that I was both excited and nervous about. But first I had to talk to the four men in my life, along with my family. How was I going to explain what had happened on the beach? Would anyone even believe me? I certainly wouldn’t.
When I made it back to our home, the door flew open and Loka dashed out. “There you are!” she said as she wrapped her arms around me. “Gods, your dress! What did you do to it?”
I glanced down at myself and saw my crimson gown, which I’d worked so hard on for months, had been torn in numerous places, covered in sand, and singed in numerous places. I could only shake my head as she led me inside, where the rest of our family waited.
“Thank the Gods you’re safe,” Mom said, as she swept me into her embrace.
“I’m just glad Loka made it back,” I managed to say.
“Yes, she arrived not long after
you left to find her. You must have just missed each other.” She wiped soot off my face. “Goodness, you look like you had a fight with a hearth and a lost. Is the ash from the volcano truly that bad already?”
“No, I…” I sank down into a chair, still shaken. “I have to tell you something.”
They sat at the wooden dining table and listened intently while I went over everything that had happened at the beach, which sounded even more unbelievable when I said it all out loud. When I was finished, my sisters glanced at each other skeptically.
"Are you sure you weren't dreaming?" Krea asked.
"Yes, maybe you slipped and hit your head on the rocks," Loka added. "Are you feeling all right?"
I shook my head. "I know it sounds impossible, but it was real. I wish there was a way to prove it to you."
My mother had remained silent the entire time, her mouth frozen in a permanent tight line. But now she said, "There is a way."
"How?" I asked.
"The High Priestess can summon her God's element." She reached for a candle and set it on the table in front of me. "Try it."
Now I was the one giving skeptical looks. "How do you know?"
A faint smile touched her lips. "My grandmother was also High Priestess, as was her mother, and her mother before that. They could control fire too."
"It's hereditary?" I asked.
"It was, at least in the old days."
"You never told us any of this," Loka said, her eyes huge.
"What happened?” Krea asked. “The Fire Temple has been abandoned for years."
"My grandmother Ara left the temple and married a man here in Sparkport. I don’t know why exactly, but my mother believed perhaps Ara grew tired of serving an absent God that no one believed in anymore. And maybe all of the world did stop believing, but now the Fire God is stirring, which means something is changing. And he's chosen you to be part of it. You can't refuse."
"But I don't have any magic,” I said.
"Maybe you do now. You said the flames covered you, but you appear unharmed." She rested her hand over mine and gave it a squeeze. "Have faith. He came to you for a reason."
"I'll try," I said, but I didn't have any confidence it would work. My body felt no different than it had before meeting the Fire God. It was my mind that had been shaken.
I reached for the candle and thought of fire, but nothing happened, although I sensed...something. I closed my eyes and remembered how it had felt when the Fire God had touched me and infused me with flames, how they'd become part of my body. Maybe I could channel that out of me now.
The candle wick suddenly burst into a huge flame, so large it made me gasp. My sisters stared at me like they'd never met me before, while my mother had never looked more proud.
She clasped her hands to her chest. "I knew it. Praise the Fire God."
"It's true," Loka whispered. "You really are the High Priestess."
I waved my hand at the fire, and to my surprise, it went out. "Not yet. I still need to travel to the temple. Only then will the Fire God tell me my purpose—and stop the volcano." I swallowed. "And I need to bring four men with me to be my priests."
"Lucky you," Krea said, with a knowing smile.
"That shouldn’t be a problem," Mom said. "I'm sure Derel will agree, and those other friends of his probably will too. They all seem to be smitten with you."
"For some strange reason," Loka added as she nudged me with her elbow, making me smile.
“This is such a large thing to ask of them though. They'd be giving up their lives here for one at the temple. And they'd have to all agree to be with me." I glanced at my mother. "Are you sure you're all right with that?"
"As I said, our family is descended from the High Priestesses of the past. My grandmother had four fathers. It's not common in the Fire Realm, but if the Gods demand four husbands for their High Priestess, who are we to argue with them?"
I nodded and ran my hand along the table, feeling the ridges and grooves that I’d known my entire life. "If I do this, I'll be leaving Sparkport forever."
"You can still come visit, I'm sure," Krea said. "The Fire God won't demand you stay in the temple every single moment of your life."
Loka sat up with a smile. "And we can come visit you too. We’ll make sure you have enough supplies. It's not far, after all."
I nodded. As she said, Valefire wasn't far—only about a two day walk or so—but the journey up the volcano wouldn't be easy, especially when it was active. I'd have to trust that the Fire God was not sending me to my death and that he would protect me and my men.
Emotion made my throat tight as I glanced between my sisters and my mother. "I'm going to miss you all so much though. And the bakery—will you be okay without me?"
"Of course we will." Mom wiped at her eyes and then gathered me in a hug. "We'll miss you too, but this is your calling. I'm so proud of you, dear."
I hugged my mom back, my eyes filling with tears. I'd wanted guidance, but I hadn't expected my entire life to change this night—or that I’d have to say goodbye to the people I loved.
"We'll take care of Mom," Krea said, as she and Loka hugged me next.
"Don't worry about us. When are you leaving?" Loka asked.
Another small quake rippled under our feet, reminding us of my duty. "Tomorrow. Assuming I can convince the four men to come with me."
Mom jumped to her feet. "I'll start preparing some food for you to take.”
"I'll help you pack,” Krea said.
I rose in a daze to begin preparations, but then a knock sounded on the door. Mom rushed over to answer it and smiled when she saw it was Derel. "What a lovely surprise.”
"Mother wanted me to check on all of you." His dark eyes found me behind the rest of my family, almost like he was seeking me out, but then he turned back to my mother. "Are you well?"
"Yes, thank you. But Calla has something she must speak to you about."
"Is that so?" Derel asked, raising an eyebrow.
I took Derel's arm, leading him outside, away from my nosy family. I closed the door behind me and spoke in hushed tones. "Can you get the others and meet me on the beach in a few minutes? It's important."
His face changed from intrigued to worried. "Is something wrong?"
"No, but I need to ask all of you something. Tonight."
He nodded. "I'll get them."
6
I sat on the rock where Blane had hid the fireworks earlier and adjusted my ruined dress, wishing I’d spared a moment to change into a new one. I’d been too busy packing my things and debating how to explain all of this to the four men I hoped would come with me to the temple. If I couldn’t convince them, what then?
The volcano had calmed now, perhaps because I’d accepted the Fire God’s offer and was doing what he wanted. The four men stood in front of me on the sand, the moonlight illuminating their handsome features. I’d agonized for so long over which man I would marry and how I would ever choose, but now it seemed I wouldn’t have to—assuming they said yes.
“Is everything all right?” Falon asked.
“When I said we should meet later, I didn’t mean with these other guys,” Blane muttered.
Roth crossed his arms, looking surly. “Why have you brought us out here in the middle of the night?”
I drew in a deep breath. "There’s something I need to tell you. And more importantly, something I need to ask you. All of you.”
“What is it?” Derel asked.
There was no easy way to say this, so I just dove right in. “After the volcano awakened I went looking for my sister on the beach to the north. There I met the Fire God.”
Falon’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”
“What do you mean, you met the Fire God?” Blane asked.
“He came to me looking like a giant flaming man. He told me he’s chosen me to be his High Priestess and that I need to go to the Fire Temple to serve him.” I glanced at the volcano, which still had a plume of s
moke rising from it. “Only then will Valefire return to sleep.”
The four guys gave each other confused and skeptical looks, probably wondering if they should be worried for my sanity or if I was trying to play some kind of prank on them, like we did when we were kids. I sighed and held out my hand, hoping the magic would come to me again this time. A spark flashed and then flickered into a small flame dancing in my palm. Oddly enough, it didn’t burn me at all.
“I know this is hard to believe,” I said, as they all gasped and stared at the fire. “But it’s the truth. I’m leaving tomorrow for the Fire Temple…and I’m here to ask if you will go with me and become my priests.” I swallowed and lowered my eyes. “And my mates.”
Blane raised an eyebrow. “Your mates?”
“You want us to become priests?” Falon asked, looking more baffled than ever. “And…share you?”
“How would that even work?” Derel asked.
“And how did you summon fire?” Roth added.
“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’m still figuring all of this out myself.”
“Did he tell you anything else?” Falon asked.
“No, but he said we would learn more once we arrived at the temple. All I know is that the Fire God chose me and he told me to bring four men with me.” I closed my palm over the fire, snuffing it out. “I know this is a lot to ask of you, but I can’t imagine choosing any other men as my mates.”
“And if we say no?” Roth asked.
“I…suppose I’ll have to find others. The Fire God demanded four.” I shuddered at the thought of taking strangers as my mates.
Roth ran a hand over his scarred face. “Are you sure you truly want each of us?”
The hint of vulnerability in his voice made my chest ache. “Yes, I am.” I met their eyes as I spoke slowly, hesitant to admit the feelings I’d kept inside so long. “I care about all of you so much. For years I’ve wondered if one of you might become my husband, but I wasn’t sure I could ever choose between you. Now I don’t have to choose, as long as you all say yes.”
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