Falling For Fire

by Talia Jager

  Everyone was silent as they waited to see how I would handle the loss. A grin grew across my face. I was genuinely happy and proud of my brother. “You did it!”

  “Did you let me win?”

  “No. You would have known if I had.”

  Dune put his sword on his back. “I really won?”

  “You did!” I hugged him. “Good job. I’m very proud of you, Dune.”

  The moods of the surrounding faeries relaxed.

  “In my defense, I haven’t really had a lot of sword-fighting practice the past two years,” I said, sitting down next to me.

  “Time for us both to brush up on our skills,” Aurora said, slipping her arm around my waist.

  “You need to get your Elemental training started.”

  “I know, but what about my duties? Trying to get everyone to work together, finding the Iron Fae, teaching.”

  “We let the scouts worry about finding Iron Fae and your sister, Lumi and I will work on making the fae all work better together, and the teaching can wait until this is over.”

  “We need someone to take over teaching water bending though. That’s important.”

  “Talv can,” Lumi suggested. “His wife, Gemma, is excellent at water bending and teaching.”

  “Good. We can ask them.”

  “I was thinking that Lumi could sit in for you at the meetings unless it was urgent for you to attend, then she’d report back to you,” I suggested. “That way you can concentrate on your Elemental skills and finish teaching me water bending. Does that sound good?”

  “Yes. As long as the other things are getting done, I can focus on that.”

  “Good. You’ll start tomorrow.”

  Chapter Forty

  Aurora

  The next morning, I stood staring at my humongous walk-in closet. It was the size of a mini boutique. Normally I would gravitate toward the whites and blues, but with so much change, I thought it would be nice to add a little more color to my wardrobe, especially now that the Summer and Winter castles had combined and the lands were coming together. If we were to really embrace each other, we had to learn to embrace everything, even style. With that thought, I pulled out a lacy dark ruby halter-top and white shorts that I had brought back from the human realm.

  I brushed my hair, throwing it into a high ponytail, and sat in front of the vanity debating if I should wear makeup to my training. I should. All of my makeup was blue, light purple, silver, and white. Looking between the shirt I wore and my face, I decided to do silver around my eyes. I picked up the fat brush I used for sparkles and dipped it in the jar of silver glitter. It felt so routine and foreign at the same time. I tried putting purple on my lips, but it wasn’t as easy. My lips would always be tinted blue, that’s just who I was. I put a shimmering gloss on them instead.

  Then I bounded down the stairs and headed toward the Summer training grounds.

  I stopped and looked out at Winter Land, wondering where Eira went and what she would do next.

  “Rory!” Lumi called. I turned and waited for her to catch up. “Everything okay?”

  “Just worrying.”

  “Eira?”

  “Everything, but yes, definitely her. You think she’ll just leave us alone?”

  Lumi slid me a look that told me she didn’t think that would ever happen. “She was awful while you were away. She treated our parents horribly. Tried to get others to go against them. So, no, I don’t think she’ll go silently into the night.”

  Sighing, I played with the rings on my fingers. With tears in my eyes, I asked, “How did this happen? How did she become so hateful?”

  Lumi put her arm around me. “I don’t know, Rory. I was as blindsided as you were. Seems like it was something she was hiding for a very long time.” She paused. “I have to talk to you about something.”

  “What?”

  “Something else happened while you were gone. How do you feel… Are you okay with…”

  I took her hand. “It’s okay. Just talk to me.”

  “I’m in love with Tannon.”

  I smiled. “I know, and it doesn’t bother me at all.”

  “You know?”

  “He’s been by your side, and you two slept next to each other last night. I had a feeling there might be some feelings there. So you love him?” I asked, and she nodded. “Does he love you?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. Then I’m happy for you. You both deserve someone special.” I hugged her.

  When I reached the Summer training grounds, I sat and waited the arrival of my teacher.

  I looked up to see Sorin walking toward me and felt a smile spread across my face. I wished he could be my teacher, but we couldn’t have both the Winter queen and the Summer king out of direct contact while we were trying to figure out how to deal with the Iron Fae.

  When he reached me, I stood and gave him a kiss. “So what do you think?” I asked, referring to my clothes. I placed my hands on my hips.

  He smiled. “Red looks good on you.”

  “Thanks. So who will train—”

  “No, babe. I’m not telling.” He put his hands in front of his face.

  “Aw, come on! You knew it was me who was training you. How come I don’t get to know who’s training me?” I begged.

  “I promised I wouldn’t tell. They want it to be a surprise.”

  “They?”

  “Yes. They. You need two teachers working with you because you need to advance quicker than any other Elemental.”

  “A hint?” I asked, stepping closer so I was right up against him and peeking up at him through my long eyelashes.

  Sorin started laughing. “I love you, but no. A king’s word means something.”

  I stuck out my lower lip and turned around. “Fine.”

  From behind, he wrapped his arms around me. I let my wings flutter in his face. “Aw. Come on, love. Don’t pout,” he said, chuckling.

  “You sure I can’t change your mind?” Facing him again, I swiveled my hand where Sorin couldn’t see and created a ball of water over him.

  “No.”

  “So sure?”

  “He doesn’t need to keep it a secret anymore,” a voice from behind me said.

  I turned to see Keir and Dune standing with their arms folded across their chests. The smiles on their faces proved they were highly amused with my and Sorin’s interaction. I stuck my tongue out at the two guys who, if everything went right, would eventually be my brother-in-law and my cousin.

  “You guys? You’re my teachers?”

  “Indeed we are,” Dune said.

  A smile slowly started forming on my face, and I turned to look at Sorin with my eyebrow slightly raised. I could now get inside information on Sorin’s fire-bending style.

  Sorin sensed my curiosity, and he looked right at Dune. “Not a word,” he told his brother.

  Dune smiled and said, “I make no promises, brother. I’ve got to give my future sis some pointers.”

  I started laughing. Sorin kissed me, and I returned his kiss. When we pulled apart, he said, “Go learn something, love. I’ll see you in a few hours.”

  “I love you,” I said, walking backward.

  “I love you too,” he replied, then turned to walk back to the castle. That’s when I let the ball of water hovering over his head drop on top of him. Dune and Keir doubled over in laughter. Sorin froze for a single moment while I stood there looking innocent.

  “That’s for not telling me.”

  “You two cackling hens over there could have said something, you know,” Sorin said to his brother and best friend.

  “And miss this?” Dune said and started laughing all over again.

  Sorin looked back at me. “I’ll get you back later.”

  “Bring it on, babe,” I said in a tone that was most definitely a challenge.

  He smiled, shook his head, and made his way back to the castle.

  I turned around when he disappeared from my sight. To Keir and Dun
e, I asked, “Where do we start?”

  “First, we stretch, go over the basic strikes, and then move up the difficulty of the moves. Don’t focus on trying to bend fire, just the movements,” Keir instructed.

  After spending a solid two hours on learning all different strikes, punches, kicks, and combinations, it was time to start focusing on technique.

  “Throw a basic striking punch, and after you throw it, don’t move,” Keir said, standing a couple of feet in front of me.

  I took my stance, breathed deeply, released my punch, and held it.

  Keir stayed where he was, and Dune started to circle me, analyzing my position. He placed his hands on my hips slightly turning them, then he touched my arm and stomach. “You have too much tension in your stance. Replace it with strength. Try again.”

  I nodded, relaxed my body for a second, and Keir ordered, “Strike.”

  When I did, I froze in place, and Dune once again assessed my position. He nodded. “Much better. Well done, Rory.”

  “We’re going to do some hand-to-hand next. Keep in mind that the strikes, punches, kicks, and combinations are used for fire bending,” Keir said.

  “The more comfortable you get with the fire-bending fighting style, the quicker and easier it will come,” Dune added.

  “Got it. Who am I sparring with?”

  “That would be me,” Keir said, stepping forward.

  “You ready?” Dune asked.

  “As I’ll ever be.” I nodded at Keir, and he struck. I avoided his punch and dodged his next few attempts as well.

  “Strike, Rory. Go on the offensive. Fire bending is all about moving and constantly striking.”

  I let go of a deep breath and threw a punch at Keir, but he blocked me. I kept punching and kicking, staying on the offensive.

  “Keep it up, Rory. Keep moving. Keep fighting.”

  I knocked Keir off balance. Quickly I took advantage of the situation and threw my fist at him with a speed and strength I didn’t know I had. Right before I hit him, he turned his head slightly to avoid the punch. He was lucky; not only did he avoid my fist, but when my arm completely extended, fire shot from my fist.

  I laughed once hard in amazement. Looking at Dune and Keir, I realized they had smiles on their faces. “Well done.”

  “Let’s see if you have any more left in you,” Keir challenged.

  I smiled slightly, accepting his challenge. We began sparring again, but the difference this time was that with every punch I threw came fire—and that had me smiling from ear to ear.

  Leaning back, I extended my leg upward and sent fire in Keir’s direction. He pushed my leg away, which knocked me down onto my back, but I used my momentum to roll in a backward summersault. Using my hands to push up from the ground, I hopped back onto my feet. Keir had a wide smile on his face. “You’re learning fast. Picking it up quicker than I had expected, way quicker.”

  I backed up from him. “Let’s just see how quick I really am.”

  I swung my arm out wide then brought it back and punched hard, multiple times, sending fire balls at him.

  Keir blocked them and redirected them at me. We went move for move. I was putting up a real fight.

  After a while, Dune joined in. “You ready for this, Rory?”

  “Yes.”

  I surprised myself by how quickly I threw rapid punches of fire at the two of them. I waved my arm, creating another ball of fire, then I spun, swinging my leg and kicking the ball of fire toward Keir. I intentionally made it hit the ground right in front of him and watched as the force of the blast sent him flying backward in the air, flailing a little bit.

  Dune threw a stream of fire at me, and in one motion, I pulled at the fire directed at me and turned, sending the fire right back at him. While he was trying to deflect the fire, I threw a combination of punches and kicks at him. One hit him right in the chest, throwing him backward into Keir, who was just making his way back to us.

  “Ahhh!” Dune shouted, trying to correct his balance in the middle of the air.

  A loud umph came from Keir as Dune collided with him, forcing the two of them to the ground. “Okay, Dune, get off me.”

  “Man, that hurt.”

  “That hurt you? You flew into me!”

  He brushed off his chest. “That hit hard.”

  “Ah come on, you big baby.”

  “Whoa there, big man, easy with the name calling. I expected her to be able to knock me down, but I thought she’d have to put more of a fight to knock you down,” Dune said, looking up at Keir while he leaned over, resting his hands on his knees.

  I cleared my throat, interrupting their bickering. They turned and looked to see a big smile plastered to my face. Keir returned the smile while rolling his eyes and waving me off. “Okay, we get it. You’re extremely more gifted and advanced than anyone thought you would be. No need to gloat.”

  My hand flew dramatically to my chest. “Me? I would never.”

  “Uh-huh, sure you wouldn’t.”

  “In all seriousness, I don’t imagine it taking you long to master fire. I actually think one or two lessons should do it.”

  “Really?” My jaw dropped.

  “Don’t you think you did well?”

  “I guess.”

  “You kicked our butts today. Not only that, you knocked us onto our butts.”

  “Your ability to pick up bending is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. The power you possess is astounding. I don’t think anyone ever has been as gifted as you in bending.”

  I swallowed back a few tears and gave them both a hug. “Thank you, guys, for everything.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “So any tips concerning Sorin?”

  “He tends not to think with his head, unlike you. Don’t just see the move you’re doing, see five moves ahead of the one you’re actually doing,” Dune said with a chuckle.

  “He doesn’t throw a lot of kick strikes. With your power, speed, and agility, you could probably make that work to your advantage,” Keir added.

  “Thanks for the inside information.”

  “No problem. Now go inside, get cleaned up, eat, and drink lots of water,” Dune ordered.

  “And get plenty of rest,” Keir said.

  “Oh, trust me, I will.” I turned and made my way back to the castle.

  Chapter Forty-One

  Sorin

  I knew Aurora’s training was going well. Spirits in the castle were high, and she was so talented in water bending, I had no doubt she would accelerate in her Elemental training.

  I walked out of the great hall with Lumi at my side. “You did well today,” I complimented her.

  “You think?”

  “Yes. You were composed, well spoken, and elegant. You did a good job today standing in for your sister.”

  “I don’t know how Rory does it. On top of being a queen, she teaches too, and she’s been taking care of Neige and Skye.”

  “It’s tough and can be overwhelming, but she has us, and she knows to ask for help if she needs it.”

  “So I’ll see you tomorrow?” Lumi asked.

  “Yes. In the morning. You’ll have the afternoon off because I will be participating in your sister’s training.”

  “Okay. Goodnight then.”

  “Goodnight, Lumi.”

  I walked to Aurora’s chambers and knocked on her door, but there wasn’t an answer. I could hear giggles coming from inside. Slowly I opened the door to find Skye and Neige sitting on Aurora’s bed in their nightclothes reading books.

  “Hey, guys. What’s going on?”

  “We’re just reading while we wait for Rory.”

  “Do you want to wait with us?”

  I smiled. “Sure, but I’m going to change into my nightclothes first.”

  “Okay.”

  I walked to the door that adjoined my and Aurora’s room until the day came that we were married and could take the wall down.

  I set my crown in its box, pulled on a lon
g-sleeved cotton shirt and pants, and made my way back to Aurora’s room. I crawled onto the bed with the kids. After a while, Skye and Neige fell asleep, and I tucked them in.

  Aurora finally made it back. Her face lit up with love when she saw us. Quietly she tiptoed over to where we were and asked, “What are you all doing?”

  “Waiting for you.”

  “Sorry I took so long. After I was finished, I went to have something to eat.”

  “No need to apologize. Do you want me to bring them to their beds?”

  “Nah. Let them sleep. I’m going to get ready for bed.”

  “I’ll wait here,” I said with a smile.

  She disappeared and came back a while later in a tank top and silky bottoms. She crawled into the bed next to me, pulled the blankets onto her lap, and leaned her head against my chest.

  I ran my fingers through her hair.

  “How did Lumi do today?”

  “Good, but I think it surprised her how much there is to deal with on a daily basis.”

  “But she’s not overwhelmed?”

  “No, she’s doing just fine.” My hand drifted to the middle of her back, just under her neck, where I started to slowly trace circles until her breathing turned slow. “How did your training go?”

  “Good?”

  “Just good?”

  I waited for an answer, but none came. I looked down at Aurora—she was fast asleep. She looked so beautiful and peaceful. I thought about the two years I was apart from her. I tried not to be angry or disappointed, but sometimes it got to me. If we had been allowed to be together, we would have been married already.

  I glanced to the other side where Skye and Neige were fast asleep and then back to Aurora. In that moment, I couldn’t help but feel extremely blessed. The love of my life was curled up next to me, and our siblings were asleep on the other side of me.

  I carefully reached over and turned off the lantern next to Aurora’s bed. I scooted down so I was lying next to her. In her sleep, she nuzzled closer to me then put her hand on my chest. I wrapped my arm around her so my hand rested on her hip and once again thought about how blessed I was right now before drifting off to sleep.