Fate & Fire

by Anna LaVerne

  I nod to her and motion for her to stand back. I've only done this once before, and they were not as prepared as these two mystics will be. I take a deep breath and blow a stream of fire towards them. The fire goes around them as if they are in a bubble. The energy from their crystals protect them.

  Those stones around their neck hold only a small portion of node energy at any one time. Yes, they can pull more, but it will take effort. I, on the other hand, am the node with my crown and golden mystic gown. I look to the energy within the ground and pull.

  In that moment, the fire bursts forth from my mouth and hands. I appear like a demon spawned from the depths of hell. I push and push until I can sense one sister’s barrier cracking. As soon as the first crack appears, she is incinerated. It happens so quickly, I don’t feel her death like I did with the mystics who kidnapped me from Cargil.

  I let the magic run back into the mountain, while Gabal uses his wind to push the other two giant crystals into the lava. The node rejoices. Celeste can’t take her energy today, and we need to stop her progression to Lumbai, so she can’t take it tomorrow either, or get through the Lorcan portal.

  “Where is the other sister?” I ask.

  “She went back through the portal when she saw you light up like some fire beast,” Rhett answers.

  “Which one was it?” I ask.

  “The youngest, Lindy,” my mother responds.

  Nodding, I drop to my hands and knees to search for the portal stone. Once I find it, I throw it into the volcano. My thoughts return to Lindy. I remember her visiting. She was one who always played with my hair. Gayla's daughters were always nicer than my own sisters. I shake away the memories, knowing I don't have time to reflect on the past now.

  “You will need to still set off the volcano and send all the lava down the path,” Gabal says, his voice somber.

  “Yes, I know, and people will die. It won’t be Celeste either.”

  “Looks like she has others do her dirty work for her,” Trey observes.

  “She has always been a bitch,” my mother states, and for the first time that night, I laugh out loud. It is a manic laugh. The kind I shouldn’t be laughing. I can’t focus on the losses. We have just won a battle, and that gives me hope.

  “The safest place to do it from is the portal,” I say when the laughing subsides.

  “I agree,” Gabal says, and with that, we start down the mountainside still moving with urgency at the fastest pace our tired and sore bodies allow.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The mountain is rumbling by the time we make it to the bottom. The node is ready, and I am exhausted. I am not sure if I have it left in me to help her blow. My entire group is haggard and tired from the hours spent evacuating and battling. The sky is lightening. I note the sleeves of my dress are torn and singed from the fire.

  When this is all done, all I want to do is take a bath. My men graciously take turns walking with a hand upon my back as we approach the portal. The warriors still present and waiting look tired, but are not as battle-worn as my group is. We are all silent, knowing the next steps that need to be taken. I don’t speak because I need to reserve every ounce of the energy I have left for what is coming.

  As Queen Maris prepares to open the portal, I take one last glance at the deserted homes within Lumbai. This is a majestic place that may end up lost under the fiery inferno of lava. I turn my attention to Gabal who is staring at his home one last time. “We will rebuild.”

  “Maybe,” is all he says in reply.

  I turn back towards my mother once I sense the portal is open. Taking Gabal’s hand, we step through one more time to open the barriers, so the remaining people can make it safely into Lorcan.

  “Oh, Dina, you look awful!” she says.

  “Well, you don’t look too great, yourself,” I reply jokingly.

  “I need to re-open the barriers, so the warriors can come through. I'll be back as soon as I set off the volcano. The crystals are destroyed. Now we just have to block the pass from Celeste’s men.”

  “Thank goodness,” Bee says, holding her hand over her heart, trying to calm the nerves evident on her face. I close my eyes and open the barrier. Gabal does his part anchoring it for the third time tonight.

  “I will be back. I promise, my little friend.” I give Bee a big hug and go back through the portal. Everything looks peaceful and organized. The warriors work their way through, and I turn my attention toward the volcano.

  “I know I can do this, but I am not sure how I can do it alone,” I say.

  “You don’t have to. I’m here. Blood of my blood,” Gabal says and takes my hand, sending a jolt of good energy up my arm.

  “Right, we can do this.”

  For the hundredth time that night, I close my eyes to focus. During that time, Rhett takes my free hand, and Trey his. It will help us contain the energy I pull.

  When I start syphoning the energy needed out of the node, it goes through me and into my men. One by one they fill up, they cannot hold near as much as me and my beautiful crown can, but Gabal is a close second.

  Once they are all full to their brim, the energy builds in me. My body warms and glows. The humming from the node is not just something I can hear, it now echos deep within my bones.

  It doesn’t take long before I am also at my max. When you want water to burst from a glass, you blow air down the straw. I gather the energy from myself and push it back down with a force that I am surprised exists within me.

  I then syphon the extra energy being stored within my men, and I do the same thing, pushing it back into the node. The ground rattles, and the volcano begins to emit smoke.

  In the darkness of the early dawn, we are not seeing it all, but we can sense it. A loud crack snaps through the air while sparks fly from the mouth of the volcano. They are bright red and orange against the night sky. After the sparks come an eruption of lava. We did it, but the lava flow is going in every direction.

  I detach from my men and step forward a few steps, stretching my arms out in front of me. I can guide fire, but lava is a different beast. I did it briefly on top of the mountain, but this is an entirely new level of guiding lava, especially since, in this moment, the lava is flowing fast.

  Sweat is dripping from my brow as I try to direct it. “Dina, you’re also a mystic and an enchantress, use that ability,” my mother says over my shoulder.

  Oh gosh, she is right. I need to use intent and words to help. I mutter under my breath for the lava to clog the mountain pass. Sure enough, my words mixed with my mage power, gets the lava to turn to my will. So much so, it even picks up to an unnatural speed.

  As I work my spell, my mind’s eye takes a trip down the ley line into the pass, and I see a horrendous sight. When the lava stops, flames have burst out anywhere it is near. I see soldiers turning and running the other way, many of whom are on fire.

  I open my eyes. I can’t think of what I have just done and witnessed. I drop my arms and suck in a big breath. Everyone is standing several feet behind me still.

  Turning to face them I say, “I am still a monster.”

  On cue with my self-hatred I feel a sharp pain in my heart. I fall to the ground. I can see my men jump into action, and then a woman's shrill screams come from behind me, “It is all her fault! She brought chaos and ruin to Lumbai, and she doesn’t deserve him!” I recognize that voice–Laura.

  The iron taste of blood enters my lips. I may not make it through this. Someone lifts me off the ground–Gabal. Before I know it, we are through the portal. I hear Bee scream when she sees me. I am fading fast, and they need to get through the barrier before I die. If I die, they will all be trapped.

  “You can’t die, Dina. If you die, I die,” Gabal's words hit me. “And I am not dying. So, you will live.” I try to reply, but I sputter blood upon him instead.

  I will not die, because if I was dying, Gabal would be as weak as I am. Something is saving me, although in this moment I can’t possibly t
hink what it is. As we leave the portal room, I succumb to darkness.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  When I wake, I am back in my bed in Lorcan. Gabal is laying next to me, asleep with his arm draped over my stomach. I had no weird dreams or callings during my sleep. My crown isn’t upon my head, and I am now dressed in a basic nightgown.

  Suddenly, I remember being stabbed in back by the crazy Laura girl. I go to work, looking for the injury but can’t find one. I am not sure if the healers saved me or if something else did.

  Gabal wakes next to me sitting up in bed. “You’re awake!”

  “Well, obviously.”

  “It has been a week, Dina! You have been healing yourself for a week.”

  “Healing myself? How is that even possible?”

  “The regeneration bracelet Queen Maris gave you, and the work of mystic healers who got the process started.”

  “Okay, that is kind of scary that I can regenerate like that,” I reply.

  “Well, it is also kind of perfect. The world needs you, I need you, and your men need you.”

  “Is everyone else okay?” I ask.

  “Yes, everyone made it through, even Tivian made the trip momentarily. He plans to go back. I have traveled the ley lines and Celeste has retreated. We believe she is coming to Lorcan next.”

  “Any other news? How is my mother, Bee, and my guys?”

  “All are well. Queen Maris and I have been convincing the high council how dangerous Celeste is. For the first time, we believe they are all on our side. Tivian has been scouring the library with Bee and Tivian. He has introduced them to our engineers, and they are engrossed in studying. Bee visits you daily. Rhett, Trey, and Vex have been keeping everyone in training.”

  “What about Manu?”

  “Um, Manu is dealing with another issue.”

  “What issue?” I demand to know.

  “Lorcan is kind of under siege by Luhl forces.” I can tell Gabal didn’t want me knowing so soon.

  I nod, not saying anything. Instead, my attention is turned to Gabal's bare chest. I notice my mouth is salivating just looking at him. My mystic genes are strong, and I didn't get enough time to devour my King Gabal in Lumbai.

  I try to tell myself I need to go deal with the Manu issue, but they have dealt with me sleeping for a week. They can go without me for a few moments longer. I roll over on top of Gabal pinning my giant to the bed. I claim his lips with mine and feel the roughness of his stubble brushing up against my lips and face. I am turned on by his manliness.

  Gabal's hands run down my sides and onto my hips, holding me to him. I sit up and rock myself against his hardening groin. I pull my nightgown over my head, tossing it to the floor. My mouth continues to water for the need of sexual energy after my deep slumber. The swirl marking on Gabal's chest glows, and the energy thickens with our need.

  I reach between my legs pulling his hard cock free from his pants. Gabal groans in pleasure and lifts his hips up towards my center. I guide him into me. The energy shocks me it is so intense. We both stop for a brief minute, reveling in the feeling coursing through us. It is not long before I rock my hips and ride him with abandon.

  Gabal's fingers dig into my hips hard. The pain from his rough hold mixes with the pleasure I am experiencing. I bounce up and down and rock back and forth mixing my motions and clenching my sex around his large staff until I land on the sweet spot I am searching for. Once there, I stay in motion, watching Gabal intently as he bites his lip and continues to moan in pleasure. The crescendo of energy we are creating continues to build. When he explodes within me, I hold myself to him tight and rock a few more times until I follow him into oblivion. I needed that desperately.

  When Gabal opens his eyes, I see nothing but love and admiration staring back at me. I am still sitting upon his cock, although I can feel it going soft within me. I know if I move, it would only be that way briefly. Instead, I pull myself off of him and stretch myself alongside Gabal in bed.

  "I'm sorry," Gabal says as he caresses my cheek.

  "Sorry for what?" I ask.

  "Laura. I knew she was in love with me, but never knew she would try to hurt you. I assumed she was loyal no matter what. I am sorry I didn't recognize her obsession for what it was sooner."

  "It's okay, Where is she?"

  "Queen Maris sentenced her to death before entering Lorcan. As far as I know she is dead."

  I nod and am not surprised. My mother can be swift in anger. I am all she has left and someone threatened my life. "Are you okay with that?" I ask Gabal.

  "Yes, it needed to happen. I will not lie, I am glad it was Queen Maris who dealt justice and not me."

  Smiling at Gabal, I change the subject. "I need you to take me to my mother and Manu. I need to help get that situation taken care of."

  I climb from my massive bed and grab a basic dress from my closet. It is a pale pink, just like my mother to leave all the pastels in there. When I am dressed, Gabal and I exit my rooms and walk down the halls of Lorcan together. Everyone I pass stops to stare at me and then hurries on when I look at them. Some even give me a bow. I am not used to this kind of attention. Every now and then, we pass someone in mage robes carrying books.

  "It appears your people are acclimating well.”

  “They love Lorcan and all the books within the walls. They also love sharing alchemy, science, and the nature of our magic with the mystics. I think we have a bright innovative future to look forward to once all of this is over.”

  By “all of this’, I know he is referring to my sister. We climb the stairs to the ramparts on the sea side of Lorcan. Once on the top, I am assaulted by a heavy salt-tinted breeze. I approach the edge and see ship after ship filling the bay around Lorcan.

  “There has to be thousands of warriors on those ships. How many ships are there?”

  “Hundreds,” Gabal replies.

  He leads me down the ramparts until we come upon Manu speaking with my Mother and Vex. When they spot me, everyone stops to pull me into an embrace one at a time.

  “It is about time you woke up,” Vex teases.

  “I have to admit, I was worrying,” my mother replies.

  “I knew she would wake. She is my star, and I don’t think fate would have given me Dina if she would be taken from me so soon.” Leave it to Manu to always have a burst of poeticism.

  “I love you, too, Manu. So, what is the plan?” I motion to all the ships in the bay.

  “An emissary came early this morning. We will meet with my father tonight,” Manu replies.

  “Whoa, I will get to meet your father?” I feel excitement creeping through. I will never get to meet any other parent of my other three men because they are all gone.

  “Don’t be so excited, he can be a crude man,” Manu says.

  “Oh, I am certain I can break him, and this awesome collection of ships will join our fight against Celeste.”

  “You are more optimistic than any of us. What do we offer them to bring them to our side? Luhl is full of stubborn chieftains that will only help if they get something in return,” my mother says.

  “Marriage,” Manu interjects.

  “Oh, yes that would be most helpful to Luhl! It will join the nations in more than just a contract of good will.”

  “Marriage? To who?” I ask. It can’t be me, I am already married.

  “To you, Queen of the Magi, and Heir of Aster,” my mother says.

  “But I am already married.”

  “What you don’t want to marry me, Princess?” Manu sticks to his usual pet name for me.

  “No, not that, I just didn’t know I could.”

  “There is no law saying you can’t," Queen Maris replies.

  “Let’s hope they accept our offer tonight at dinner then.” I look at Gabal, unbelieving that he is okay with this.

  “It doesn’t bother you?” I ask him.

  “Remember, I knew what I was getting into when I learned I was paired with a mystic. Manu is already
a part of our family. If a marriage to Manu will strengthen our chances and make our future domain stronger, then I say you do it. I will love you the same no matter.”

  “Let us all start planning for tonight. Dina needs to be fed, and we should also send for Trey and Rhett to let them know she is awake,” Vex suggests, and we all agree.

  Life is never what you expect it will be. I am grateful that we are finally on the path to winning this war against Celeste and bringing a new age to Aster and the rest of the world.

  Author’s Note

  Thank you for taking the time to read Fate & Fire. If you want to keep up to date on the next installment of the Mystic Harem Trilogy please follow my facebook page: Author Anna LaVerne

  Shout out to my fellow writers with Penned in Ink. Feel free to join our Penned Readers facebook group.

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