Dawn of Fire

by Anna LaVerne

  “Pardon me, Princess, but you need to take a man or a partner of any kind. A man is more effective in this, though,” Ayla pipes up.

  I feel my annoyance spark, and my hands emit a faint ember glow. Ayla rushes over and put her hands over my head. I panic, looking at her with wild eyes. Her hands glow a soft green as she mutters an incantation over me. My hands calm back down, and the burning dissipates with my annoyance.

  I give her a curt nod of respect. I appreciate what she did, but I do not appreciate the words she said. I know they are the truth, and I know I will never stop hearing the end of it until I take a partner.

  “Be right back,” Bee said, “Ayla, it is time for her to soak in the water, don’t you think?”

  Ayla nods and turns on the light next to my side of the bed. Only mystic node cities have electricity. It's created using a small current of energy from the node. Even if the cities have electricity, not all homes or buildings use it. Electricity is often limited to the infirmaries and other public buildings. Even the bunk room I shared with Cal only had candle lighting.

  It’s not a class thing. It is more of a ‘let us not waste energy unless it is necessary’ thing. I didn’t live on a node in Yardel, so none of us had electricity. I have a better view of Ayla now. She is not as young as I had thought.

  Ayla looks to be in her mid-thirties. She has laugh lines around her eyes, but there is also the gray shadowing of fatigue which I know is my fault. I look down at my hands as she walks over to a large bathing tub built into the floor. She turns on the water and asks how I like it.

  “Cold is best right now.”

  Dressed in a nightgown of silk, I move my legs to sit up on the edge of the bed. My body feels unsteady, and I realize that I am still exhausted. The water is something I need, but my body is begging me to lay back down.

  Someone knocks on the door, so Ayla turns off the water and goes to see who is there. She opens the door a crack and then opens it the rest of the way to let Hoda in. Hoda looks at me with her heavy brow and her mouth stretched into a thin line across her face.

  “Princess, how are you feeling?” Hoda asks.

  “As good as expected, Chief. Can you please call me Dina? I didn’t want to be a princess when I came here.”

  "I admire that about you, but now I know who you are, and I can’t in good conscience call you anything but Princess," Hoda pauses as the door closes behind her, "Cargil is in an uproar over the recent events. I have spoken with Queen Maris multiple times since everything has happened. She is concerned about your health. She also said she expects you to not listen to a word she says, therefore, I am to be the middle person. I will be firm but fair with you, Princess. If you want to stay here that is okay. I understand Trey has told you as much. He is the best man here, and I think you would do well to remember that."

  Hoda pauses again as if she is assessing my lack of response before she continues. "The Queen would like you to keep her suite through your training. She insists that once you heal, I stress the importance of finding you a partner. She also insists that you have a tutor. You will train with Trey and Rhett half a day, and then the second half of the day you will have a personal tutor come here to your room. The tutor will start tomorrow before you're healed. The Queen said since you have forgotten your mystic training, you need to go through it again from the beginning."

  I take that moment to groan out my frustration even though I know I deserve this. There is the possibility I could've killed everyone including myself, but like Ayla said, I shouldn’t have been able to tap into the node anyways. This shouldn’t have happened even if I tried, but it did, and now I will pay for it.

  “Why Rhett? Why not only Trey?”

  “Trey has to continue to train Cal, and he will be a different level with you once you are able to start again. You need to play catch up. Queen Maris wants me to surround you with options for partners since you did not take to Trey right away.”

  “I like Trey,” I snap at her. If I will pair with anyone soon, I want it to be Trey. I don't know Rhett well at all, “What I mean is Rhett is pushy, and I prefer Trey.”

  “Noted, however, the plan is already in place, so we will continue to carry it out. Ayla, keep me updated on her progress. Princess, I hope you feel better soon,” with that Hoda bows and leaves the room.

  “Will there be another shift of healers or only you?” I ask Ayla as I force myself to walk toward the bath.

  “Mostly me. I am one of the few mystics without babes. It allows me more time.”

  I hadn’t ever met a married mystic who didn’t have children, “Why not?”

  “Because I was one of twelve children, and life was hard. I am your fourth cousin,” Ayla smiles at me. “Benefit of working in Cargil is a never-ending supply of barren tea.”

  “Are your men upset about not having children?”

  “They are all warriors who keep their focus on training and their stations. They have no time for children, either.”

  That gave me a small bit of hope I wouldn’t have to have any, either. I lower myself into the cold bath and sigh as the water works its magic on my body. The node thrumming beneath Cargil pulses constantly now adding a rhythm to life I’ve never experienced before. I lift one of my long legs out of the water to feel the change in body temperature. It is astounding.

  I haven’t given my magic much consideration since I came into my power. I was always able to do small tricks with fire, reading people’s emotions, and performing small spells. When I was being educated, I did all they asked of me with little or no studying. I always did the bare minimum. That attitude towards life is what has gotten me into this mess.

  My spirit never desired to be confined to the walls of a classroom or a caste of birth. I have a whole new respect for my power, but do I want to be tied to one man or an entire harem? No, I am not sure that is where I want to be. Do I have an obligation to gain control over the power now activated within me? Yes, I suppose I do. I roll my eyes, take a breath, and allowed myself to sink beneath the surface of the water.

  Underwater, I hear the node Thrum… thrum…... thrum... I give into it for a brief second, allowing my body to warm. It feels so good and so easy. I rise out of the water to take a breath and see nothing but steam and bubbling water. I brought the water to a boil! Screaming, I jump from the water and see my skin is glowing again. Next thing I know, there is a flash of green and everything goes black.

  I awake naked on the bed. There is a light sheet covering my privates, but that is it. I see Bee and Ayla standing at the foot of the bed glaring at me. There are three carts full of food along the wall. I don’t even want to ask how long I was out, but I know I needed to.

  “How long was I out this time?”

  “Not long,” Ayla responds giving me her disapproving glare. I roll my eyes and stretch the sheet out over the rest of my naked form.

  “How did I get in the bed, and can someone bring me one of those carts?”

  “Rhett. He was lurking in the hallway when you screamed. He rushed in and picked you up without reasoning.”

  “Ugh, why Rhett?” I ask.

  “‘Why Rhett’? ‘Why Rhett’? Way to be grateful, Dina. He is now in the infirmary having his burns treated.” Bee is being rude, but she has a point.

  “I didn’t realize I burned him.” I looked down at my sheet feeling guilty.

  “Don’t let your handmaiden make you feel bad. Rhett was lurking. He has been hard to keep away, even more so now that he knows who and what you are.”

  “I didn't choose him.”

  “Princess, he has chosen you,” Ayla responds.

  I take a deep breath as I grab a bowl of soup off of the cart Bee brought me, “That isn’t how it works. That isn’t how any of this works, Ayla.”

  “So, Dina, while you were out, Ayla and I were talking, and we agree Trey or Rhett needs to stay in here with you at night,” Bee interjects.

  I drop my spoon back into the bowl and set it down
on the cart. I work hard to control the anger I have bubbling up under my skin as I grab a loaf of bread and rip off the heel to eat it. Everyone is trying to push Trey and Rhett on me. Everyone! What am I other than a Princess that needs taming to any of them? All logic is going out the window. I take a bite of the bread, chewing it as loudly as I can. It is my way of silently protesting.

  “Dina, please stop with the anger before you burn Cargil down and hurt someone.” That is when I sense the green energy pushing into my space again. I take a deep breath as the anger washes away. Now I am left annoyed.

  “Whatever everyone thinks is best for Dina is what I will do. Announce to all of Aster I am in search of men for my harem. To be full power, I will need at least twelve men. Ayla, be a doll and make me some barrels of barren tea. I need to make sure I am good and barren with as much sex as I will be having. I can't be getting pregnant. It is the one thing in my life I can control.” I lose it.

  I get up and walk to my mother’s large wardrobe grabbing the first dress I find in a rich blue color. Not bothering with undergarments or shoes I throw it over my head and head for the door. Ayla stands trying to block my path.

  “What am I prisoner now, too?” I ask.

  “The Queen said you can not leave your room for at least two full days,” Ayla reminds me.

  “And you and Bee can stop me?” Ayla gathers her green energy again, but before she has a chance to knock me out, I push past her and run down the hall. I have no clue where in Cargil this tower is. I leave in a hurry, needing a break from all the pressure. I run down the stairs and out a door.

  It is still daylight, and people are everywhere I move. I see nothing familiar until I come to the gate I entered on the first day. It is open, so I rush through it out into the city.

  The power of the node is thrumming into my feet and echoing through my bones. It prevents me from being able to focus on my surroundings. I come to an iron staircase on the side of a building I decided to climb. Maybe the breeze on the roof would help calm my burning body. The staircase is cold to my touch. I notice at best it is the temperature of the sun outside, which means I am burning hotter than I should be.

  At the top of the building, I find a rooftop park with a working fountain. It is nothing more than a small decoration in between two benches surrounded by potted plants. I waste no time and climb into the fountain. The water sizzles as it touches my skin.

  The water is a temporary relief, causing some of my senses to return. I want to blame it on the node power making my rebellious nature explode all over everyone, but I know that is not entirely true. Why am I fighting taking a partner so hard? I never saw my mother love anyone. My entire life I was raised to believe only women and mystics matter.

  Warriors are different. The women and men are equals. I always hated being a princess because I hated thinking I was better than any of those around me. Bee was always there to remind me how awesome regular people are. She doesn’t have a lick of magic, but she is twice the person I will ever be. Intelligent, wise, and mothering. If anyone deserves a harem and a gaggle of children, it is that woman. With the return of reason I note my body heat as also returned to a tolerable level.

  I climb out of the fountain, my dress heavy with water. I have no choice but to wear it back to my room, wherever that is. Walking down the stairs into the small alley, I take notice of the change in lighting. I stayed in the fountain longer than I thought and am surprised no one has found me yet.

  Cargil has to be full of trackers, it shouldn't have taken them long. When my bare foot leaves the last step, I feel a sudden onslaught of magic. I whirl around to see two women standing beneath the stairs. My body reacts as my fire comes forth, and in panic I turn to run away when something cracks over my skull, and the world goes dark again. Why does this keep happening?

  Chapter Seven

  I wake up wrapped tight within a roll of wet fabric. My arms and feet are constrained, and there is a thin cloth bag over my head. I realize I am in a wagon. I open my ears and hear the muffled voices of two women talking.

  “How much farther do you think we need to go?”

  “To the edges of the node. Celeste said she will burn up once the node isn't supporting her awakened energy. She is still a virgin. We only need to get her far enough away. It is a shame we couldn’t off her in Cargil; she is just too volatile while attached to the node.”

  Celeste? My Celeste? Why would she do this? I am her sister! Why would she want me dead? My anger causes my body to heat. There are blankets wet with water keeping me cool for the time being. I am aware I can boil water, but could I light it on fire? Doubtful.

  “I can’t sense the node here. Why isn’t she burning up yet?”

  “Tally, come on, she is powerful enough that Celeste's threatened. We need to be miles from the node before it works.”

  “Trackers may find us by then.”

  “They won’t even know where to look for her. There are only two trackers in Cargil right now, and I put a clouding spell over both yesterday.”

  “Spells only last so long.” That one is unsure of her decision. I sense she was bullied into this by her friend. Celeste promised them something. I want to reach out my energy to read them better, but they will feel it. There has to be a way to get out of this situation before they get to the edge of the node.

  Shutting my eyes, I focus on the thrum of power. It is still there, but it's faint. We are a long ways away from Cargil. I'm trying to focus on survival, but truth is the betrayal of Celeste hurts my heart and dampens my resolve. The burst of anger I have is already giving way to self-pity and lack of love from family.

  Celeste is the only sister that ever gave me a moment of attention. My brothers never acknowledged my existence. I have no father and a mother who doesn't even live in Yardel. All I have ever had is Bee, and these two bitches took me from her. There it is. There is the spark of anger I need to get out of this mess alive.

  “Tally, stop looking so glum. The Princess deserves this. She is the one dumb enough to not take a harem, and is Celeste’s number one competition. The only way to get change is for Celeste to rule. I am tired of always getting the royal's leftover men. I am angry I can only keep three. Imagine how much more I would be able to do with a bigger harem?”

  “You could have twenty men, and you still wouldn’t have what's needed for the council. You are letting Celeste get in your head,” Tally retorts.

  “Either way, with Celeste, Aster will be bigger. She is leaving Aster soon to complete her wedding vows with King Maddox of Cavet. It will give mystics freedom to travel and see the world. We shouldn’t be stuck in Aster forever.”

  Celeste marrying King Maddox? If I am a threat to her, then Claire is, too. My other sisters are mostly minor mystics. She wouldn't bother with them. I need to survive this, so I can warn her.

  “I always thought we stayed in Aster for protection from the rest of the world. Even the mystics who leave need a small army to go with them,” the timid one, Tally, says.

  I tell myself to stop listening. I need to focus. They want me to die. They can’t kill me themselves, so they are using my connection to the node to kill me. Celeste is trying to take over Aster and wants me dead to do it. That makes me furious.

  Celeste is the one behind all of this! My blood boils with hurt and betrayal. The ropes beneath the fabric begin to smolder, but I know they are too wet to light on fire. However, my hood isn’t. I haven’t blown fire since connecting to the node. It was always my favorite little parlor trick.

  I take a deep breath blowing the fire out slow and steady. The perfect stream of fire erupts gently from my lips. The hood takes to the flame. Soon, they will notice the smoke. I shake the burning burlap from my face and notice I am in a covered wagon. They are in the front seat driving. Only their backs and long hair are visible to me.

  I have to move quickly, so I take a much bigger breath, pulling from the energy within my veins. I close my eyes and blow it out hard. The fi
re roars forth from my mouth. It only lasts as long as it takes to free my lungs of air.

  My kidnappers scream, and I open my eyes. Ha! I did it! The canopy of the wagon is on fire. The horses have taken off running. We are getting farther from the node every second. I take another breath blow fire onto the floors and everything around me.

  Everything around me is burning with an unnatural ferocity. All I hear is the roar of the surrounding flames. The blankets dry and burn away with the heat from my flames. I am free. Not a stitch of clothing left on me, but I am free.

  I am utterly spent. All I have left in me is the pure energy of adrenaline pushing me to survive. Something cool is touching my hands, earth. I exit the fire by grabbing at the cool dirt to pull my body and legs free of the flames. I pull myself up on all fours gasping for air and coughing from the smoke.

  Now I am free from the roar of the flames, I hear someone yell to my right. I turn my head and see two blurry figures running towards me. Still in survival mode, I use the last of my energy to attack first. With my last breath, they will burn for supporting Celeste. I fill my lungs and release a stream of fire greater than all I have released to that point.

  I notice I hit them both when the screams began. They are close, and I am unable to control my empathy in my moment of weakness. I experience every ounce of their pain. My screams join theirs as my body withers on the cool earth. I am a monster, no wonder Celeste wants to kill me.

  I deserve to die here on the edge of the node, but something within me will not allow the darkness to claim me. Something within the pit of my soul that burns as hot as the sun urges me on. It both pushes me and calls me; it’s the node. It’s a part of me right now. The energy is pulling me home.

  I force myself to move with each thrum that pulses through my body. Thrum. I am back on all fours. Thrum. One arm in front of the other to move. Thrum... Crawl... Thrum... Crawl. Over and over and over. Thrum... Female. The node is a woman. Thrum... Move... Thrum... Move. I am losing my mind. The world is dark, yet the power continues to urge me on. Thrum... And on... Thrum... There is no time as I crawl in the dirt. There is no one to save me but me, and the node power that continues to push me. Thrum... Thrum... Thrum...