Someone groaned nearby. He turned toward the sound and spied the rest of his companions laying in the grass. Omari approached them and nudged each one gently with his foot, attempting to rouse them.
Zarya stirred. She groggily opened her eyes. “Mmm ... Omari?”
“Yes, yes, it is me.” Omari helped her to her feet and assisted Nester and Aidan.
Nester rubbed the back of his head. “You mean ... that li’l trick worked? Kaijin did it?”
“Seems so,” Omari said. “Kaiijn got what he wanted, and so did I. Now, I must return to the Citadel. Ghaeldorund lies just beyond the mountains there, through Gryphon’s Pass.”
Aidan stretched, making his knuckles and his neck pop. Omari cringed at the sounds.
“So, Kaijin is still at the Pyre....” Zarya said wistfully.
Omari huffed. “He is where he belongs. I am just glad to be home.” He paused and added reluctantly, “I will see what I can do, for you all to be given some accommodations for the night. Afterwards, however, I must finish my business.”
“Of course.” Zarya nodded curtly. “It was an honor to have traveled with you.”
The group walked the majority of the way in silence. Omari couldn’t help but stare off toward the southwest, toward the Pyre.
He is really gone. Omari found himself wondering how Kaijin was faring.
XXVII
The essence of Ignis left Kaijin. He sank to his knees, feeling empty, as though his body had been used and discarded just as quickly.
Kaijin leaned his back against the bottom of the braizer and groaned. He stared blankly at the polished obsidian floor.
“Kaijin?”
“Let him be, Vargas.” Ranaiah shuffled beside Kaijin and knelt down.
She smelled sweet, flowery. He focused on her. His gaze traced the hem of her robe, then trailed upward, noticing the faint outline of feminine curves. He finally looked into her eyes. Much of her reminded him of Zarya, except she had imperfections. Miniscule dark blemishes dotted her cheeks, and yet, it did not detract from her beauty. It was the only thing he saw about her that assured him that she was, indeed, human. Her natural beauty did not jar him, as Zarya’s seemingly unnatural one had. Ranaiah’s imperfections were what truly attracted him. He couldn’t help but smile at her.
Ranaiah’s expression softened. She placed her hand on his and whispered, “Don’t try to move around too much. The Firelord has demonstrated his power—and we were all honored to have witnessed it.” She gestured to the rest of the hall where the clergymembers stood awe-struck.
Kaijin’s smile faded. His companions were gone. Did the spell work?
“How do you feel, Kaijin?” Ranaiah asked.
His tension eased. He looked down at her silky smooth hand upon his.
His experience had been far more powerful than what he experienced at Easthaven. “Words can’t explain how I feel right now. I’m a Firebrand. I still don’t think I am worthy of such an honor. I am a mage. Why has Ignis chosen me, of all people? Why has He not chosen you, Ranaiah? You are the Eternal Flame.” And you are beautiful, he wanted to add.
The priestess tensed. “He has chosen me to do other duties as the Eternal Flame. Ignis has chosen you as His disciple and a conductor of His power. One cannot argue the ways of the gods. Don’t worry, Kaijin. I will help you in any way I can.” She helped Kaijin to his feet.
Kaijin slowly stood up and braced himself against the edge of the braizer. “Is this going to keep happening to me for the rest of my life?” he asked Ranaiah and Vargas wearily.
Vargas shook his head. “It will happen for as long as Ignis allows. This is something beyond the control of mortals.”
“For now, it seems you have completed His task,” Ranaiah added. “But that does not mean He is done with you. He is never done with any of us. The Firelord constantly finds new uses for us and tests us through life. We must always be prepared. The way of the Flames are unpredictable; they soothe; they hurt; and they heal.”
Kaijin stared at the ground blankly. “People have died because of me. I lost my city—I lost my family.”
Ranaiah tilted Kaijin’s chin toward the direction of the braizer. “You cannot blame yourself for what happened. Look deep into the brazier and listen to Him. Call out to Him for these answers and listen. He will tell you everything you need to know.”
Kaijin had no choice but to look. Old memories—old wounds—reopened in his mind. Easthaven, his family, his friends, his enemies, his master—he saw them all. Sighing softly, he stared into the white flames, looking for that strange figure he had seen before.
The flickering entranced him.
Everything turned hazy, grey and barren.
“Why?” Kaijin called out in his mind. “Why must there be so much destruction?” He trekked within the endless, yet familiar barren, grey void of his mind until he encountered a bright light. He shielded his eyes.
The light shimmered into an image of burning white flames that no longer blinded him. “Purity cannot come without destruction. Destiny cannot be made without purpose.”
Kaijin asked, “What about my companions? What has become of them?”
“They are where they desired to be. They are alive and no longer concerned about you.”
“Why did you allow my family to die?”
“Their deaths were necessary, for you to begin your path to where you truly belong.”
Kaijin’s gaze wavered. Tears formed and quickly evaporated, leaving a dry, salty crust on his cheeks. “No ... I loved them.”
The flames chuckled. “They would never understand you, Kaijin Sora. They would forever deem you ‘strange.’ They have always doubted you.”
“No, they loved me.”
“Magic runs deep in your lineage, Kaijin Sora. Your mother knew what mages were capable of and was determined to break that line of Ankhram tradition by distancing herself from the rest of her family. She always worried about your love for magic.
“She also knew she couldn’t stop the inevitable, so she gave into Ramon’s decision for you to study magic. But even after you had become adept at the art, you would never have been welcomed back home.”
Kaijin’s eyes burned. He wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come. Is it true?
“Rorick was always jealous of you,” the flames continued. “He wanted to learn magic, something he could never understand. He shunned you for being different. Your family regretted this path you have chosen, but your undying servitude shall be rewarded soon enough.”
Kaijin cringed. He missed his brother dearly, and he could not begin to believe that he had been unwanted by his family. But the Firelord had always seemed to speak nothing but truth. A lump formed in his throat.
The light brightened, blinding Kaijin again. He groaned, shielding his face and dropping to his knees. His hands slid from his face, and he opened his eyes and discovered he was consumed in darkness.
Kaijin awoke with a gasp. Where am I?
A fireplace in the corner and several strategically placed candles lit the room. It was cozy like a bedroom, with a bed, a desk, and a bookshelf. Miele stirred in the shadows of the ceiling above, screeching in an echo to Kaijin’s surprise. Ranaiah stood at his bedside.
Kaijin relaxed when he saw the priestess. “Ranaiah?”
“Yes, it’s me, Kaijin,” she replied softly.
“Where ... Where am I?”
“One of the recovery rooms in the Pyre. You fell unconscious shortly after the ritual and have been asleep for about two hours.”
Kaijin blinked. He let his hand slip off hers. “Have you been here all this time?”
Ranaiah smiled. “Of course. I wanted to ensure that you were all right.”
“But—”
She placed her finger over his lips, silencing him. “You are important to all of us here. It is my duty to see to your needs.” She lifted her finger.
He licked his lips, tasting a hint that was sweeter than the sweetest honey. What is ha
ppening to me? Why do I feel this way? The necklace pulsated steadily, but his heart fluttered. He took a deep breath. “Please, Priestess. Don’t ... Don’t worry so much about me. You should tend to your other duties.”
She chuckled. “You are part of my ‘other duties’, Kaijin. In fact, you are my highest priority.”
“You have done far more than you should. I am eternally grateful. Please don’t trouble yourself any more than you have.”
Ranaiah paused, slowly leaned forward, and kissed his forehead. “You are anything but a bother, Kaijin, but I will respect your wishes and leave you be. Rest some more. We will talk in the morning. Don’t move around too much.”
Kaijin stared up at her, feeling lost in her beauty. He swallowed the small lump in his throat. Should I be feeling like this? “R–Ranaiah ...”
She gazed at him, her eyes glittering. “I am always here for you, Kaijin.” As she stood, Kaijin gently grasped her hand.
So enamored he was by her, Kaijin hadn’t realized he’d done something possibly wrong until he saw the surprise on her face. He quickly released her hand. “Ah ... forgive me,” he mumbled, lowering his head in shame.
Damn it. What’s come over me?! “I ... I think you’re right. I need more rest. Thank you, Priestess. Thank you for everything.” He lay back in bed, and stared up at the ceiling, feeling content. He noticed Miele fluttering happily.
To his relief, Ranaiah was not upset. She smiled at him, her cheeks flushing, and then quietly left.
* * *
After shutting the door behind her, Ranaiah rested her back against it and sighed. So, he is the one I have been seeking. At last, I have found him.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
R.M. PRIOLEAU is a game designer by day and dangerous writer by night. Since childhood, she’s continued discovering new ways to expand her skills and creativity as she delves into the realm of literary abandon. R.M. is a National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) enthusiast who has been active in the worldwide writing community since 2009. Find out more about the author at www.rmprioleau.com.
Table of Contents
Title page
Table of Contents
Aransiya Map
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
About the Author
Enflamed (Book 2) Page 28
