Death & Fire

by King Ellie

  “If you want to end me now, father, do it yourself and stop letting others do your dirty work. However, think about it, had it been me that was missing, and you found me, what would you do? Would you fight your father like you did the first time he wanted to kill me too? Loki was his name, wasn’t it? And you think that it’s okay, right? That you could protect me from him, yet you can’t let me protect my own son? He NEEDS me!”

  I saw the hesitance in my father’s eyes, even though, they were all black. I knew every movement he made even when he completely disappeared and appeared in front of me.

  “If you want to save your son, then I suggest you calm your ass down, right the fuck now, Xánur, and I mean it.”

  He raised his hand placing it on my shoulder. I flinched hard as the lava burned through the flesh. It was worse that my flesh was healing at the same time that it was burning. I took a breath in and breathed out through the pain that he knew he was causing, “Cin knows where our son is.” I concentrated on the room searching for Cin who was in the corner not wanting any part of this. She looked on the verge of tears at my declaration. “He said it’s the only orphanage that would protect them, and you know where it is.”

  Cin gasped, “It’s the orphanage I grew up in. It has to be. Xáne…” I told her never to cry. I can’t handle it when she does.

  I didn’t even realize I shifted, and the room smelled like burned skin as my father let me go. I stopped in front of her, cupping her face in my hands.

  “Let’s go get our baby boy and kill all those who’ve caused you to cry. I think it’s about that time, don’t you think so?”

  She nodded, agreeing with me.

  ****

  Lucinda

  I was jittery and couldn’t calm my nerves as we drove out to the orphanage. It was weird. I didn’t remember the last time I’d gone there, but I had this deep feeling inside of me that made me want to go there. However, I kept putting it off ever since I came back to this side. This was it! Xáne and my son, Exra, were the pull that made me come back. I had to meet them two again and reunite with them. When I was making my way back to this side of the world, the pull was so strong that I felt it wrapping its imaginary collar around my throat and pulling me hard.

  Xáne’s hand covered mine as we stopped in front of the orphanage. That same pull was so strong that I couldn’t properly breathe. His hand squeezed mine hard, and I knew Xáne was just as nervous as I was. Our son was literally twenty minutes away from us, and we both didn’t know this. How is it that we lived in the same city as him, yet we never encountered each other? There were so many questions swimming through my mind right now, and I couldn’t shut them out until I turned. The moment I did that, my eyes landed on the most precious little boy who I knew was mine. I choked on my own breath as those pale eyes gazed into mine. He knew who I was, and I knew who he was.

  I shook harder. I wasn’t a crier but ever since I’ve been back, all I did was cry, and at this moment, these tears were worth it. The son that I carried in my womb was standing a couple of steps away from me. He was alive, and he survived. My door opened. I knew it was Asar who opened it, yet I couldn’t look away from my son. He was bigger and taller than I expected it. He was beautiful, and I was so in love. This was the first time I met him, yet it didn’t change anything nor did I waiver in my steps toward him. The blonde hair that was up in a ponytail showcased his father’s features, and then, as I got closer, my features appeared. He had my nose.

  I stopped in front of him just staring down at what was mine, and he looked up at me. I was too scared not sure on what I should be doing in this moment, but before I could make a decision, Exra’s little arms came around my waist, and he hugged me. I broke down as I hugged him back. I was terrified that he would hate me for not being there for him, for not searching for him until now, but this was my child. He forgave me just as I forgave my mother when I found out it wasn’t her fault.

  The instant I felt Xáne’s arms come around covering mine over Exra, I felt my entire body come alive. This moment, this tether between us three was never going to break. Each tether was different; the one I had with Xáne was because we were bound to each other forever, and the one each of us shared with our son was on its own magnitude. I knew Exra felt it too.

  “I knew you would find me, Father,” Exra said, and I knew he was crying too.

  This was a chance we all needed even before we realized we wanted it. I would never trade this for anything else.

  “I will always find you, Exra,” Xáne said.

  ****

  The reunion didn’t last too long in front of the orphanage as we took both Hina and Exra out of there before anyone knew we were there. Now, here we were all staring at each other as Exra sat next to Hina as though he was her protector. I didn’t feel bad or anything because he reminded me so much of Xáne as he watched all of us. He was on alert, even though, we were his parents, he needed to be sure that we were not his enemy. I saw the look in his eyes as he took in all the giants in the room.

  I turned facing Asar who hadn’t stopped staring at Hina. I spoke to him telepathically.

  Stop staring at her dude! You’re being a fucking creep!

  He didn’t even care as he continued to do it.

  She’s so damn beautiful, I can’t look away. Now, I know how Xáne felt the moment he saw you. I can’t control my eyes, no matter how hard I try to turn away, they come back to her. Fuck, she’s gorgeous.

  I almost rolled my eyes but stopped the action as Xáne interrupted us as he spoke to Asar.

  Well, keep your dick in your pants. She’s like family technically.

  Asar laughed not caring how everyone eyed him suspiciously.

  I’ve never been happier to say that; you and I are not related by blood. I could kiss our grandparents Thor and Loki for never being related…It was all for this moment because, she is mine. I can feel it in my bones and yes, my dick is included.

  Before either of us could reply, Asar stood making his way to where Hina sat on the couch. He stretched his hand out, and she reciprocated. He smiled like a territorial maniac and his mouth opened, “Let me introduce myself. I am Asar Ragna, your mate, your husband, and the only man that you will love for the rest of your life.”

  My eyes widened at this declaration.

  What the hell just happened?

  Chapter 15

  Xánur

  In less than six months, my life had transformed from being an angry individual who carried his hurt everywhere and lashed out at whoever I could. It felt weird but right, especially, at this moment as I walked into Vali’s welcoming party for both my queen and my father. The moment the big, double doors opened to the grand hall, all those who were speaking had stopped as they gawked at my entire family coming in as a unit. Today wasn’t going to be just a party. No, it was going to be a blood bath. I could’ve waited to analyze the situation at hand, but when it came to my gut feeling, I followed it.

  I know most of the supes and royals in attendance were in awe of my father and my uncle. They were legends that never bothered to show their faces unless a war broke out, yet here they were… a war was brewing. Vali’s face was priceless as he sat on his throne in an all-black suit with the crown on his head. I tilted my head watching him as he just sat there with a smug expression on his face, but the moment I bared my fangs, it disappeared off his face. I shouldn’t have laughed the moment my eyes landed on Jaya as she sat in the queen’s chair, yet that was the first thing that came out of my mouth. She stared wide eyed at me as though she thought I was going to have her a different reaction, but I smiled wickedly at her.

  Her eyes moved from mine to Cin as she had her hand in mine and to my son as he stood on the opposite side of me. She took everyone in from Asar who stood behind me with Hina by his side and then last but not least, my father and uncle. Her breath hitched and her heartbeat sped up when she looked back at Hina, there was recognition in her eyes. I didn’t turn around to see Hina’s reacti
on, but I felt the sharp intake from her, and I knew something was off. I lightly chuckled, I knew Jaya had something to do with this. There was always a feeling that she never wanted me just because and that she was right in front of me all the time that she became familiar.

  “I guess Jaya chose a side,” Cin said to me as we stood in the center of the room.

  I looked down at Cin smiling as though it was my birthday. She was fucking beautiful, and I couldn’t believe that she was here with me today. I was and will always be the luckiest man, vamp, and creature alive. She was stunning. I couldn’t take my eyes off her when I set them there.

  “My queen, please go take your rightful place,” my own voice deepened as she smirked.

  “Thank you, my King. I’ll go prepare the throne for you to sit on.”

  My eyes followed Cin as she strutted toward the throne seats. Her rose gold dress shimmered down the black carpeted aisle. Cin stopped walking turning to face, and I took her in as she winked at me. I’d fuck her right here if we didn’t need to do this first. Her smile awakened every part of me that I was trying my best to suppress. Her dress licked every part of her; my eyes traveled from the deep V-Neck, then it held tight around her waist, and she had those double splits she loved so much. The fact that it was long sleeved was hilarious to me because Cin was always full of surprises. She turned back around, and her hair in its natural glory of coils made me want to run my fingers through it. I hadn’t seen it in that state in so long. She always wore it straight.

  Cin turned back around with an outstretched arm. The flame started from her elbow as it traveled to her palm and licked her fingers, too. When she finally got in front of Vali and Jaya, she began to speak. She turned first to Jaya, “Didn’t you always want this position, dear Jaya? You know I wondered what it was that caused me to keep going further and further away, although, I had so much more in store for me here with my husband,” Cin turned back to look at me and gave me a pouty expression, “Baby… did you know that she was the woman’s voice that I could never place?”

  I was shocked by this statement and wasn’t even sure what to say. This took even me by surprise. She took my girl away from me and decided to ride my dick like that shit was all good? I shook my head ready to step in, but my father’s hand landed on my shoulder. I turned to look at him, and he had that wicked smile I sported not too long ago.

  “Let your queen show these people why she is a Helson, my son. She is much more than any of them will ever be.”

  I nodded and turned back to watch what she was going to do next. Cin sighed as she cracked her neck, and Jaya was being pulled out of her seat. I wanted to clap at my powers that Cin absorbed.

  “Kneel,” Cin barked the command at Jaya. She was a small little thing but as she stood there in all of who she was, I was in awe.

  Jaya’s eyes showed such anger towards Cin, and she even took a daring step closer, but Cin laughed like it was amusing to her. She threw her head back as she shifted. This was the second time I saw her shift and still, my heart beat for her in a crazy way. She wasn’t a full dragon. No, she was better; Wings that were twice her size made of flames, the essence of the dragon hovering over body showing who she was and then the icing on the cake, the crown made of flames on her head showcasing that she was in fact the true queen.

  The growling came from her and the scent of brimstone mixed with cinnamon filled my nose. I inhaled deeply, so deeply that I instantly became high off it.

  “Kneel.” She said once more to Jaya.

  Now, Jaya, she was a warrior through and through, yet at this moment, she was terrified. She gritted her teeth as she kneeled before Cin. This was amusing to Cin as she laughed harder causing the whole place to shake.

  She faced Vali who stood without being told as he kept a watchful eye on both my father and my uncle. He knew what went down when these two were involved, but then, every second his eyes kept going towards Hina. He watched her intently as though he were in love with her, but she never looked his way. I cocked my eyebrow when his eyes landed on mine. He didn’t say anything as he removed the crown from his head making his way towards me. When Vali stood in front of me, I bowed my head ready to get the crown on my head, but Exra screamed out.

  “No!”

  Before I could know what was going on, Exra, my son, shifted before my eyes. I had never seen anything like it. His essence was triple his size showing more of a dragon as his flames burned pale blue, orange, and violet. His eyes were not all black like mine. Instead, they matched the violet of the flames. He had the talons though, and his fangs came out. We all just stared at him as he threw the crown on the floor roaring loudly at Vali.

  All hell was about to break loose.

  ****

  Lucinda

  My son, our son was something that I had never had the chance of setting my eyes on, and it made me proud when he shifted. I never knew he could do that, yet he had. He was the most terrifying being in there besides his grandfather, his uncle, his great uncle and none other than his father. I shifted back to my human self as I went towards the queen’s seat that Jaya thought was hers and sat in making sure to place one leg over the other. The entire seat was set ablaze by me sitting in it, and I felt like I was home.

  I watched as my son reached for Vali’s neck quicker than anyone else, and I was in shock. He growled like everything else in the world was going to die in his hands. Just as he squeezed, there was this feeling, a tugging as I had felt it the very first time. I turned towards the left, and there a man, the same man that I once saw who blew some weird substance in my face watched me as I watched him. Nothing else mattered as time slowed down for me, I deeply breathed in and out, not able to control myself. The moment I stood to go toward him and kill him, Jaya’s fist connected with my face. In this instance, I saw red as I attacked Jaya with all my might.

  I needed to get closer to this man and end his life for taking my daughter from me, but Jaya wanted a fight, one that she thought she would win. I didn’t even know where I began or where she ended. She must’ve thought that being tall as hell gave her the advantage, but she forgot that I learned from the best, my husband. I wanted to fight her with just my strength, but I had to kill that man. He took everything from me; my mother, my daughter, and my sister. I never got to grow up with Hina. She was quiet, timid, and she didn’t speak unless she had to. This angered me; the fear in her eyes as any and every man approached her. I felt every bit of her strength, yet she didn’t display it. My vision cleared for a moment as I found myself on top of Jaya, my small fists raining blow after blow. I was so angry that I had a sister out there that I never looked for. She suffered while I lived protected on the other side of the world. My daughter, oh my poor daughter lost her life, all for what? He was a nobody, and he had people like this helping him.

  I unleashed the cry that I was holding in as I shifted. I didn’t think about my actions as I wrapped my hands around Jaya’s throat not holding back and increased my flames. I heard her cries as I submerged her in my fire, and I didn’t care because all that she did wasn’t worth saving her life. I didn’t stop until I heard a strained cry from far away in the room, that was the only sound that caused me to stop. I looked in the corner where my so-called father was a moment ago, and I saw a little girl who was a human flame like me crying as she stared at me. I stumbled back as I recognized that flame color. It was the violet that was in Exra’s eyes and flames. This was his twin, and I couldn’t breathe. There was no way… my daughter was dead and before I could think, my body led me toward her.

  I couldn’t stop until I kneeled in front of her. Was she real or was this part of my imagination? I inhaled and exhaled.

  “Please…” I cried, “Please, let this be real.” I whispered not sure who I was talking to.

  “You can see me?” The little girl’s sweet voice filled my ears and I just stared.

  “Yes,” I cried again. “I can see you. Can you see me?” She nodded.

  As she was
about to say something, it occurred to me that everything had gone to hell. The noise flooded in now, and it was mayhem in the ballroom. As I was about to turn, my son appeared in front of me and his sister. They didn’t say anything but as they stared at each other, they merged into one being. I’d say that it was the creepiest yet most fascinating thing alive. I dropped from my knees to my ass. What the hell had Xáne and I birthed? I didn’t get a chance to ask as they disappeared from in front of me.

  I turned to see where they had gone, and I scrambled to my feet to get to Xáne. Something was wrong with him as he was on his knees kneeling in front of my father as though he had admitted defeat. He couldn’t see as my father raised his hand with a sword in his hand but before he could strike, my children appeared behind him and stuck their right hand in his back pulling it back as they ripped his heart out of his chest. It was as if reality set in, and I ran toward all of them.

  “Xánur!” I yelled out his name as I finally made it to him just realizing now that I must’ve looked insane.

  I lifted his head, yet there was this fog in his eyes.

  “Fuck! Xáne! Shit…” I cupped his face in my hands, yet it was as if he couldn’t see me.

  Then, Xáne began to cry as though he was seeing a different reality.

  “Cin… my poor love, Lucinda, how could you just off and die on me? How could you leave me like this HUH!” He screamed out with so much anger, he caused all the lights to shut off in the ballroom and all that was left was our children’s flames.

  I slapped Xáne yet nothing. It wasn’t working and even the fighting around us stopped. I heard as his father, his uncle, Asar and Hina ran to us, but there was nothing I needed from them. I needed Xáne. I didn’t care that I never got to ask my father about why he did it nor did I care about Jaya’s crisped body or why Vali was ripped in half… All I cared about was this man right in front of me. The man that I would move the entire earth for and without him, I would die. Nothing would ever make sense again if he didn’t love me as hard as he did.