Death & Fire

by King Ellie

  “I wanted to find my parents!” At that statement, he stopped in his tracks. “What kind of a Queen would I be to you if I didn’t even know who I was? People talked about me. They said I didn’t know who I truly was and that using my powers wouldn’t benefit them. I needed to find them so that I could be the queen you deserve! Dammit, Xánur! Why are you so fucking clueless!” I shouted at his back.

  He turned around with fury in his eyes.

  “I’m fucking clueless?” He marched up to me as I stood in the middle of the ballroom. “How fucking dare you? All you had to do was ask, Cin, and I would’ve sent men with you to find your parents if you wanted to do it alone. Asar could’ve protected you and our child. All I wanted was you. I didn’t care what anyone said about you because you were my mate, my everything, my goddamn reason for breathing! I would’ve found your parents for you! Did you not understand how much I loved you? How much I fucking love you?”

  Xáne and I had our fights before, but this was the first time he was ever this up close to my face and this angry, yet my body loved it. I wanted to concentrate on everything and just have him forgive me, but my eyes went to his lips. The way they moved when he talked, the vein on his neck, and the intensity of his eyes on me.

  “I’m so sorry about our child, Xáne. I am. You have to know I would never have gone had I known. I loved you way too much to have ever hurt you in that way. Shit, I still love you way too much for my own good. You are my everything, my husband, and my mate. I can never separate from you, and you have to believe me that even though I wanted to search for my parents, I would’ve left you a note or something. I can’t remember why I didn’t. Every time I try to remember, I get headaches, and something blocks it.”

  “Something like what? Headaches? How intense?” I almost broke out into a smile, this was my husband that I remembered. He cared about me in every way.

  Xáne must’ve noticed because he cleared his throat. He turned away from me as he always did so that he could collect all his emotions, but I took this opportunity to touch his back. I exhaled when he didn’t push my small hand away, so I seized this opportunity as I slipped my arms around him and hugged him like I used to. The tears that I tried my best not to let out, slipped without my consent. I couldn’t stop them as they flowed. I laid my forehead on his back, and he flexed it.

  “Lucinda… ” He called out to me, and it made me sob harder. I missed him so damn much. “Please don’t cry, love. You know I can’t handle it when you cry. I told you I would never be the reason why you cried.”

  As he said this, he removed my arms from around him and turned to face me. Xáne pulled me into his arms letting me cry not caring if I ruined his clothes. My heart ached at the first proper contact I’ve had with him since I’ve been back. I hugged him so tight while breathing him in. I never wanted to let him go.

  “I missed you so much, Xáne. So damn much, you have no idea how it was out there without you. I couldn’t even feel you, and it tore at my heart. Just forgive me, please?”

  “I missed you too, Cin. It’ll take some time, but let’s start over.” He pulled me out of his arms making me look up at him.

  I gave him a small smile as he wiped my tears out of my face. I sniffled, stretching my hand out, “Hi, my name is Lucinda Howell, and I’d like to be your friend if you’ll have me,” I boldly said, even though, that wasn’t what I wanted. I knew this was going to take time.

  Xáne smiled, and my world crashed and burned.

  “Hi, Lucinda Helson, I’m your husband, Xánur Helson, but I don’t mind being your friend… for now.”

  Only Xáne could make me feel like I was floating on a thousand clouds for granting me a smile, a handshake, and letting me know that he was my husband even if we were only friends when it came to our relationship status.

  Chapter 6

  Xánur

  My name is Lucinda Howell, and I’d like to be your friend if you’ll have me…

  She wasn’t serious. I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face after that. When we made our way back to the dinner, everyone was getting ready to eat. Not even Vali’s antics of having Cin sit by his side could take this feeling away from me. The food was served, and everyone began having conversations. I looked down at my food. It was veal, and I scowled hating the way it tasted. This was not my favorite thing to eat, I’d rather starve. Before I could complain or say anything else, one of the servers took the plate and replaced it with a well-done steak, veggies, and potatoes. Then, he filled my glass with red wine. I cocked an eyebrow and glanced at Cin who sat on the opposite end on the left side of him.

  You’re welcome. She winked at me.

  I really did miss her like crazy, and my mind began pondering on what she said. Every time she tried to remember what happened to her, she got headaches, and I wanted to know about her trip. How did she survive it all out there and what made her come back?

  I want to talk to you after this. I said to her.

  What did I do this time? She rolled her eyes as she sipped her white wine.

  First, that dress… I’m burning it. I glared at her.

  Cin choked on her wine coughing as Asar, who sat by her, quietly chuckled lightly patting her on her back.

  You do know I’m not yours, right? Aww. It was cute, she was trying to establish boundaries.

  As long as I’m living and breathing, you will always be my wife, my mate, and mine all around. What did she think this was?

  Did she really think this friendship shit was going to work? I warned her not to touch me, but she made the mistake of wrapping her arms around me. She woke the devil up again, and this time, there was no taming me.

  Vali started clinking his glass wanting attention as always. I eyed him for a moment as he stood up wanting to talk, but then, I turned my focus back on Cin who shied away from my gaze.

  “So, this year’s dinner is one of importance. Our queen, Lucinda Helson is back. Although we may not know how or why you disappeared, we are glad to have you back. We will be hosting a proper welcoming party for you once you’ve settled in if that’s alright with you and the Vampire King? He’s still your husband… correct?”

  I took another sip of my drink slowly not caring about what Vali was saying. I cocked my eyebrow at Vali as he stared at me with a challenging look in his eyes.

  “Yes,” Cin responded. “I am his wife, and he is my husband. That will never change.” The challenging tone in her voice made me turn my attention on her. Cin was staring right at Jaya. She continued, “Just like how others think they’ve taken my place while I was gone…” Oh, shit. She turned her focus back on Vali with a mischievous smile, “Is the same way you, King Vali are currently abusing your title and position. Don’t question my husband or me on our status again and behave accordingly. I am your queen and he, my husband, is your true King.”

  If I could kiss this woman right now, I would.

  “Spoken like a queen,” Vali just had to have the last word as he took his seat.

  And you think we could only be friends with the way you’re ready to snap Jaya’s neck huh, baby? I bit my bottom lip as I caressed her neck through our tether.

  Cin sat up straight trying to pretend she didn’t feel a damn thing, and I knew this friendship wasn’t going to last more than two weeks whether she liked it or not.

  You keep caressing me like that, and I’ll burn you.

  This time, I laughed out loud, and I knew it shocked everyone around me. I hadn’t laughed like this in so long.

  “Xánur, are you okay?” Jaya whispered.

  I nodded. I didn’t give a damn if they all thought I was weird.

  Oh, I’d like to see you burn me Cin… You shouldn’t have worn that dress.

  I couldn’t take my eyes off her.

  We’re friends remember? She tried to remind me. Plus, you have a girlfriend. She smirked.

  I can change that in a heartbeat if you’d like. Were we flirting?

  Before she could reply, Asar inte
rrupted.

  Can you two stop flirting with me here? You could both do this on a different frequency. Fucking weirdos.

  I shook my head staring at Cin, holding her gaze.

  Now, now Asar. You know I can’t be on that frequency with her unless she submits to me again and like she said, we’re just friends. Have a good night, friend.

  I stood knowing that Jaya would follow. As I turned my back on all of them walking out, through the tether, I conjured up the sensation of me licking Cin’s clit once, twice, and then, I stopped it.

  “Shit!” I heard her cuss as I left the house. My laughter echoed through the foyer of the house traveling all the way to her ears.

  I may not have fully let it all go, but she fucked up. Cin shouldn’t have established her position in my life, it was only going to turn me on.

  ****

  Lucinda

  As we left a little while after Xáne and Jaya, I couldn’t regulate my body from what Xáne did. I didn’t have his abilities, so I couldn’t do what he did to me, but lord did I miss this. Xáne never had to physically touch me to get my entire body to feel like it was on fire and every time he did, I knew how everyone felt when they experienced being close to my flames. I shut my eyes as Asar drove us back home, but that didn’t work as Xáne rich laughter filled my mind.

  “I need you to turn it down a notch there Cin. You know I can smell your arousal. I’m not trying to get into an accident.”

  I shook my head.

  “I can’t. Your stupid ass cousin has no shame doing this to me.”

  Asar laughed, “It’s like you forgot how he was. He’s always been like this, Cin,” then Asar stopped in front of Xáne’s house. “Cin, what the hell is going on with you? It’s like you remember things but then don’t.”

  I sighed. “I seriously don’t know Asar. There are things that I know either I used to do or that Xáne did, but then, it’s like every time he does them, it’s a new experience for me. I feel like being out there made me forget some things. I saw so much out there, man. I don’t even know how I survived.”

  Asar turned the ignition off.

  “Come on, let’s go inside and talk. I think it’s time you tell both Xáne and me what you saw out there, and we get you checked.”

  “You think Xáne already knows something is off?” I asked.

  “Yeah, when you guys came down the stairs from your talk, he told me that something was off about you. He mentioned the headaches. I already contacted the one doctor him and I trust.”

  Okay, was all I could say. I was exhausted. We exited out the car and went towards the house. Life, as I knew, was changing faster than it did the first time I met Xáne.

  ****

  The smell of smoke filled my room. I woke up in shock hoping that I didn’t set anything on fire. Asar’s place wasn’t damaged, but he had a lot of repairs to do so here him, and I were in Xáne’s house. We each had our own room, and even though I craved to sleep in Xáne’s arms, I wanted to give him some time to let the hate that he felt towards me dissipate.

  When I opened my eyes, there wasn’t a thing burning in my room. I sniffed the air again, turning towards the open window that the smoke was coming from. I jumped out of bed pulling back the covers to see what was going on and there Xáne’s back profile was as he stood in front of a fire. I narrowed my eyes trying to see what it was, and then, it clicked. He was burning my DAMN dress! I didn’t even think about a thing as I ran out of the room, turning left and heading down the stairs not stopping at all to see who was in the house. Had I stopped, I would’ve noticed Jaya who was sitting on the couch, but I didn’t as I yanked the back door open.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing? Xáne?” I didn’t care that I was barefoot on the grass.

  I stopped in front of the metal trashcan as I gasped out loud. My dress was burning, all of it. This wasn’t normal fire, I knew it because the diamonds seemed to burn with the rest of the dress.

  “I told you never to wear this dress, didn’t I? And I told you I’d burn it the moment it caressed your body as my hands did. Did you think I forgot what I said to you before?” Xáne was insane.

  I glared up at him as he eyed me. He was staring again, doing that thing where he doesn’t take his eyes off me until I turn away, but today, I was pissed. I would keep eyeing him until he submitted to me.

  Xáne smiled as he stepped closer to me,

  “You want to fight me, don’t you? Mmmm, swing, Cin.” I wasn’t even thinking as I formed a fist and swung.

  Xáne could’ve ducked, yet he didn’t. He let me punch him in the face, and all he did was grin like a madman as he checked his jaw.

  “Fuck! You could’ve ducked!” I exclaimed.

  “I know, but you wanted to hit me, so I let you. It’ll never happen again but know this, if you wear another dress like this one, I’ll burn that too with no problem at all.”

  “You’re crazy! Dude, that was uncalled for. I could’ve just admired it from afar. You psycho!” I shrieked like a damn banshee.

  All Xáne did was laugh further proving my point. He waited until I calmed down before he lowered his body picking me up and placing me over his shoulder. Oh, hell no!

  “I swear on everything I love, Xáne, if you don’t put me down, I’ll really burn you,” and I was serious.

  Xáne continued to laugh as he walked into the house not heeding my words.

  “You’ll just go back for that dress, and we have to talk anyway. I made coffee, you still like that, right?”

  “What the hell have you done with angry Xáne and who the hell are you?”

  “Oh darling, I’m still mad, but I chose to go about it differently. You see, me being angry at you isn’t going to make this friendship work, now will it?”

  I rolled my eyes ready to knock his ass out, and then, I spotted Jaya as Xáne turned the corner towards the kitchen.

  Your girlfriend is here… put me down! I communicated telepathically.

  She’s not my girlfriend. Xáne responded. She’s here as one of the sentinels. I need her to check something.

  So, what? You just broke up with her? Why? I was nosey.

  Because you asked me to. Xáne answered nonchalantly.

  No, I didn’t.

  Xáne didn’t answer. Instead, I felt the tip of one of his talons as it left a trail of goosebumps down the back of my right thigh.

  You’re going to wish you didn’t ask that of me. You wanted your husband back, and you’ve got him, Mrs. Helson.

  What the hell had happened to the Xáne I left and who the hell was this dude?

  Chapter 7

  Xánur

  When I got out of the shower, there Asar was sitting on my bed as if he was my woman. I narrowed my eyes,

  “Now, why the hell are you in here like this?”

  “I needed to speak to you in a sealed room. No one can hear this, and I need you to block out Cin, too.”

  “Uhm, okay?”

  I took me only a second to block her. She wouldn’t notice right away, but the longer I blocked her, she’d start to feel it.

  “What is it?” I asked Asar.

  “It’s father, he’s taking a trip here with Uncle.”

  I shuddered. “Now, why the hell do our fathers want to make an appearance all of a sudden? We haven’t seen them in eons.”

  “You know why they’re coming, don’t you?” Asar eyed me, and I turned away from him, walking towards my walk-in closet. He was still talking as I looked for something simple to put on. “The prophecy bro.”

  I rolled my eyes, “How could I ever forget?”

  That prophecy haunted me much more when Cin came back.

  Sons of brothers who aren’t related by blood yet are closer than blood. One who can transform into another being… flames will consume you from head to toe bringing forth all parts of your lineage. Vampire Nephilims, twins but not by birth with wings and talons are altered into the biggest creature ever to rule. Fangs along with sh
arp teeth and paws with talons, each part of them shall be one.

  The prophecy came true the night I made love to Cin, and she burned me inside out. As I was healing, she left me and as I healed, something happened.

  I was in bed trying to force myself to heal as my mind woke up before I could open my eyes. I couldn’t tell whether Cin was there with me or not because everything in me hurt. I didn’t even know I was screaming my head off until I heard Asar yelling my name out, but by then, something was going on with my body.

  The first cracking of my bones almost caused me to pass out, yet the healing reduced the pain. This happened to every bone in my body, and for the first time in my life, I wished that I was dead. After what felt like an eternity, I opened my eyes. I looked around, my vision was clearer than it had ever been before. Something else was going on, and I could feel it in the triple heartbeats in my chest. I went to touch my chest, but I rolled off the bed. I looked down at the floor, my gasp coming out as a whimper. I had fucking paws, I blinked a couple of times wishing that I was dreaming instead of whatever the fuck was happening.

  “Xánur!” I heard Asar’s voice, had he been calling me?

  When I turned his way, I knew for a fact the prophecy came true because the moment, our eyes made contact, I knew that Asar was my twin and not by birth. He didn’t even get a chance to speak as the transformation hit him too. I would have never believed it had I not witnessed it with my own two eyes. We were something the kingdom had never seen before, and we knew it.

  It should’ve clicked that moment for me that something happened with Cin but as I recovered nothing made sense not even the fact that she was the flames that consumed me and triggered Asar and I’s transformation.

  I slipped on some black sweats, a black tee shirt and walked out to meet Asar. He was pacing back and forth, only he would be this worried,

  “You know why they are coming. They want to make sure you haven’t transformed, but we both know you have. It happened that night Cin burned you from head to toe, that’s why it took you so long to go after her.”