Embers of Passion

by Genna Love

  She hadn’t met any Monks that she could remember. And definitely not the man in her dream. “Will I find him?”

  Thirty seconds passed before Madam Briar answered. “No, if it’s to be, he will find you.” She pulled her hands back from Zarah’s and opened her eyes. “But you must find the fourth.”

  “Fourth?” Was she linked to four other men? Surely, that wasn’t possible. Feeling such a connection to both Taariq and Eli already pushed the boundaries of her mind.

  “Each will bring you the power of their element.”As her lips curved upward, wrinkles pressed into the skin around her eyes and mouth. “I never thought I’d meet one of you.”

  “A princess?” Zarah hated to break it to the woman, but she had no such title anymore. That life had been destroyed the moment Taariq saved her. Maybe even sooner.

  “An Aether mage.” More energy pulsed around the madame. “You have been chosen.”

  “I’m afraid I don’t know what that is.” She’d come here for answers, not to be more confused than ever. And what did she mean by chosen? As in some sort of Divine intervention?

  “The myths state that there is always one Aether mage with the ability to harness all four elements. The mage can upturn kingdoms and free slaves, end wars or start new ones. You’re destined to change the world, Princess.”

  “How can I change the world when I’m running for my life?” Zarah retracted her hands. “Why would anyone choose me?”

  Had the madam given so many ridiculous predictions to children she started to believe her own stories? Surely, her prophecy was madness. Zarah, destined to change the world? She had the chance to protect her people and bring peace to the kingdom and she’d managed to mess that up.

  Madame Briar only smiled. “I don’t know the answers, child. But you must press forward. The power in you is already strong, but it will take practice and training for you to reach your potential.”

  Zarah glanced at the men, neither of which had said a word. Taariq shrugged at her. Eli gazed at the madame, but it was as if his unfocused eyes were looking at nothing at all.

  “When is this Monk supposed to find me?” There had to be something better for her to go off of.

  Madame Briar shook her head. “I’m afraid I’ve told you all I know. He hasn’t made his choice yet. The future is murky.”

  Zarah tightened her jaw. She didn’t want more uncertainty. She needed direction. Where should she go once she escaped the city walls? What if the Monk never found her? Who was this mysterious fourth man she must find? Wasn’t there any clue to his location? Questions appeared faster than she could process.

  But if Madame Briar would say no more, then there was no point in wasting any more of their day.

  “I’m grateful you took the time to meet with us.” She rose, ready to get back to Eli’s and plan her escape. She wanted real answers, not a frivolous dream of the future. “We should be heading back.”

  “Facing your future is always frightful, child. But you are braver than you think.” The woman dipped her chin.

  Eli bowed as Taariq and Zarah walked toward the door. “Thank you, madame.”

  “Of course. She will need you,” Madame Briar said. “All of you.”

  Without looking back, Zarah headed back into the bright daylight.

  “Clearly, the woman has gone mad,” she blurted once they were on their way back. “All four elements? Destined to change the world? Inhaling incense all day must have messed with her brain.”

  Taariq laughed. “That was a strange combination of some strong scents.”

  “Madame Briar isn’t crazy,” Eli said. “Though, I must agree her predictions were different than I expected.”

  “Have either of you even heard of an Aether mage?” She’d read all of the magic books she’d brought from the castle many times. None ever mentioned anyone who could use all four elements.

  “Once,” Eli said. “I was in one of the Eastern Kingdoms trading fur pelts. A three-day storm hit, so my crew and I spent some time in the city. We found a strange inn that seemed to attract a lot of mages. I overheard some earth wielders talking about a woman they met who they swore used water and fire. Their friends didn’t believe them and accused them of having too much mead, but I remember thinking how certain they both sounded, but even I thought they must have been mistaken.”

  “An inn for mages?” Zarah had heard that magic was more accepted in the eastern part of the continent, but she hadn’t believed it. “Does your crew know about your water gift?”

  “They do,” Eli said. “At first, I’d kept it a secret. But I found it too useful to help guide Trinity on the sea. I tried to be subtle, but some of the crew caught me parting the waves in a strong headwind to beat a storm, and I eventually revealed my secret to everyone.”

  “What about you?” she asked Taariq. “Did you share your fire with anyone?”

  He shook his head. “I’d never used it when someone else could see until the night I saved you.” His finger brushed against hers as he grinned. “Worst mistake I’ve ever made.”

  She elbowed his side. “So rude.”

  Zarah never imagined she could trust any man, let alone two, so quickly.

  What if Madame Briar was right and two others fit into her future just as the two walking by her side?

  Zarah

  Three days had passed since meeting Madame Briar and hearing her predictions for Zarah’s future. Three days and no sign of this mysterious Monk who was supposed to find them.

  And time was almost out.

  Tomorrow was the day they made their escape on Eli’s ship. According to him, the docks had been thoroughly guarded since she’d fled the castle. Getting her aboard would be tricky, but with the distraction of a royal wedding, they would have to take their chance.

  Thoughts of the wedding brought tension to her jaw. Clenching her teeth so much had given her a headache that worsened everyday. As hard as she tried to come up with another plan—anything that could save her younger sister from the horrible fate of marrying Prince Marius—she’d come up blank.

  Zarah carefully folded all the dresses Eli had bought her and put them into the small luggage chest he’d brought her yesterday. He was doing everything he could to get her out of Penrith City, but not once had he mentioned staying with her afterward. She couldn’t blame him. He hadn’t asked for her sudden arrival in his life. Sure, they had some sort of magical connection. But even so, he had no obligation to follow the link. He had built an entire successful life.

  Still, she couldn’t help but want him to continue on with her and Taariq. It was selfish, of course. Expecting someone to give up everything he’d worked for was greedy. So, she would just have to be thankful for everything he was doing for her already and let any other hopes go.

  “Looks like you’re nearly packed,” Taariq said as he entered her room.

  Zarah finished rolling up the last of the dresses and placed it with the others. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”

  He crossed his arms and gave her a half-hearted smile. “I’m sorry you have to leave your family. I can’t imagine how that must feel.”

  No, he couldn’t. But only because his parents had left him.

  “Leaving them is only part of what hurts. Knowing that my sister is marrying a monster because of me is something I will never forgive myself for.”

  “It’s easy to predict that her future would have been all roses and daisies if you were the one marrying the bastard, but the truth is, her future could have been a million different things, some of them even worse.”

  Zarah sat on the edge of her bed and sighed. “True, but it also could have been a fairytale.”

  He plopped next to her, the bed sinking beneath their weight. “How are you feeling after the meeting with Madame Briar?”

  “Hearing that I’m destined to save the world? No pressure, right?” She laughed.

  Madame Briar’s prediction sounded like a page from one of the fantasy novels Zarah h
ad read. It was big, epic, with stakes as high as you could get.

  “Technically, she said you could change the world. Not that you would make it better.” He elbowed her playfully.

  “You’re right.” Her stomach dropped. “What if I’m destined to make everything worse like I already have?”

  “There you go with that doom and gloom attitude again, Princess.” Taariq placed his hand on her thigh. “You aren’t going to ruin anything. If her prediction is right, and you have the chance to become the most powerful mage, then it will be up to you whether you fix the world or break it.”

  She wanted to believe him, but all the elaborate predictions only drowned her in uncertainty. “I hope you’re right.”

  “I’m going to leave for a little bit, but I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said.

  “Where are you going?”

  “I need to grab something from my room and leave a note for Viktor. He might as well sell all of my stuff and rent the room to someone else. I won’t be back.”

  She hadn’t asked Taariq to leave with her. Or to vow to follow her wherever she would go. But knowing that she wouldn’t be alone on this journey was the only thing still keeping her together.

  “Be careful. I need you.”

  He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her into him. “I’ll be back before you know it. And tomorrow, our new adventure begins.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder and nodded.

  Once he’d left the house, Zarah found Eli out in the garden.

  He sat on the bench underneath one of the willow trees as he stared blankly ahead.

  “Are you all right?” she asked as she approached.

  He blinked. “Yes, just lost in thought.”

  “Good thought, I hope.” She brushed leaves off the empty spot next to him before sitting.

  “I keep thinking about what Madame Briar said. If it’s true, you can harness all the elements. Then you’ll be the most powerful mage in existence.”

  “If it’s true, I might be able to be the strongest mage. But just because I can access them all, doesn’t mean I’ll be any good at it.” Zarah should have been excited at the prospect of being an aether mage like the madame said, but all it did was place a thousand bricks worth of pressure onto her. Whenever she thought about the possibility, her chest tightened and breathing grew difficult.

  If there really only ever was one aether mage at a time, then how did she end up being it? She was a princess, sure. Which might have sounded like something special, but it only meant the noose of expectations around her neck was tighter. If she was from a kingdom that allowed magic, maybe it would be a blessing. But as it was, nothing about it made sense.

  “What’s on your mind?” Eli asked, pulling her from her thoughts.

  “It’s just a lot of burden. If I’m really supposed to be the most powerful mage, what if I fail? What if whoever or whatever gave me this power made a mistake?”

  Eli brushed his finger against her chin and tilted her face toward his. “You are one of the bravest people I’ve ever met. Someone who is fully capable of doing whatever you set your mind to.”

  Heat rose to her cheeks. “I made a mistake and then, instead of facing it, I ran away, scared. I hardly call that bravery.”

  “How many princesses sneak out of their castle to drink at a tavern?”

  “That’s exactly what got me into this whole mess. Which is far more foolish than courageous.”

  “I’ll admit, you aren’t the most careful person I’ve ever met, but that’s because you’re so fearless.” The adamance in his tone made her want to believe him.

  She wanted to think of herself as brave, not stupid. But it wasn’t true. “I might be willing to take risks when it comes to my own well-being, but knowing that my sister will pay for my mistakes has me trembling with fear.” Letting the truth roll of her tongue brought her the slightest relief.

  “Which is why you’re destined for so much more than rotting in a castle. Being brave all the time isn’t a good thing. You need to care about something, or you’ll be reckless.”

  “I was reckless.”

  “But you can grow from it. And you will learn when to take chances and when not to.” Something in his gaze shifted.

  As he looked into her eyes, time slowed. Something in his stare caused a wave of yearning to crash into her. She didn’t want to worry about the future or the past. Her mistakes had eaten away too much of her already, and she was drowning in the dread of tomorrow. Talking about it only made her feel worse.

  Zarah straightened her back and lifted her lips to Eli’s. She brushed her mouth against his and waited. She’d made the first move. Now it was up to him.

  He hesitated, his mouth so close to hers she could taste his breath. Slowly, his mouth pressed into hers as his hand cupped the back of her head.

  Their kisses were slow and methodical as they pushed the boundary between them.

  Her hands found his chest and rested on the hardness of his pecs. She pulled her mouth away, teasing him in between their kisses. When she leaned back further this time, they both opened their eyes and locked gazes. Then, Eli pulled her mouth to his again.

  Their lips danced together stronger this time. His fingers tangled in her hair as her hands roamed his abdomen. As she explored a little lower, he tensed.

  As quickly as it had all started, he pulled away. “That was…unexpected.”

  They both sat there, silent as they caught their breath.

  “I’m sorry if I…” she began, but he lifted two fingers to her mouth.

  “You did nothing wrong,” he said. “That was amazing, but you’re in a fragile state right now. I couldn’t live with myself if I took advantage.”

  She hadn’t wanted to stop, but she couldn’t blame him for his chivalry. “I should go inside.” Staying out there with him and not finishing what they had started was too much for her.

  “I’ll be in shortly,” he said.

  Before she could change her mind and convince him not to be careful with her, she stood and walked away.

  She touched her mouth as she sat on the couch. A tickle lingered on her lips, and her body urged her to go back to the garden and continue what she’d started.

  The line between her and Eli was so different than the one she shared with Taariq. At first, she’d thought her connection to the fire mage was stronger, but now, she knew that wasn’t true.

  She’d met Taariq first. He’d been the one to ignite not just the magic within her, but also her passion. He understood her in a way she thought no one could.

  But Eli was her protector. He’d witnessed her help Taariq steal something and still, he’d stepped in and helped her escape the guards in the gambling pub. His presence made her feel safe, and as they’d allowed the desire between them to burn, she trusted him more than ever. He would never bring her harm.

  Both of her men were a part of her now, and as scandalous as it was to be drawn to them both, she couldn’t imagine her life without them.

  Kailas

  The morning bells chimed, jolting Kailas awake.

  He hadn’t slept so deeply in a very long time, but last night was the first night in quite a while that he didn’t dream of the woman in some form. Usually, the dreams were surreal and distorted, bits and pieces of images, flashes of her face, sometimes her voice. The only one that had felt whole was the one where he saw her fall to the knees in a crowd.

  While it was possible the dream was nothing more than a figment of his mind, something rooted itself deep within him, convincing him that that vision was a prophecy. And not just a typical one, but one more powerful than he’d ever experienced.

  And if his prediction was true, today would be the day he finally saw her in real life.

  Once he had made his bed, Kailas found his usual spot on the floor in the center of the room. Still naked, he crossed his legs and rested his forearms on his thighs. With a deep breath, he fell into his first meditation of the day.
>
  Reflecting first thing in the morning always set the tone of his day. Usually, he’d focus on his breath, releasing all the worries and images from the dreams of the night before, centering his mind for a focused day.

  But today, as he pushed away his thoughts, his mind wandered to new ones.

  So much of his life had been spent in the Monastery. He’d sworn himself to the Divine, a promise that couldn’t be unmade. Yet his mother’s prophecy, combined with the woman’s appearance in his dreamscape, convinced him that he would soon need to make an important choice.

  One he’d tried so desperately to run from.

  He’d spent all this time in the Monastery, and for what? Despite following all the rules, and dedicating his mind, body, and soul to the Divine each and every day, he couldn’t free himself from his magic or the destiny his mother had prophesied.

  At first, he’d grown angry. If the Divine hadn’t stepped in and helped him after all the effort he’d put in, then fine. He’d save the girl as his dream instructed and run away from the Monastery, never looking back. But when his rage subsided, another thought had come into his mind.

  What if this were all a test?

  If he was devoted to the Divine and everything it stood for, then he would leave the girl to her fate and stay right where he was.

  But even the thought of ignoring the call to save her tightened his throat.

  Kailas tore his eyes open, realizing he’d gotten so lost in thought he was going to be late for breakfast.

  As was customary, he pulled his navy robe from his closet and slipped it on. The dark blue color was only worn for special occasions. Monks weren’t supposed to be attached to appearance, so brown robes sufficed for day-to-day wear. Color and frills would lead to vanity. But today was about honoring the royal wedding, and on occasions such as this, they dressed in nicer attire in respect of the crown.

  Kailas barely made it to breakfast by the chiming of the second bells.

  At first, he was confused to see the entire room full of his brothers but not a single bowl of porridge. But then he remembered that the day’s event required them to fast.