Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble

by H. P. Mallory

  “Yeah…jerk…right?” I managed.

  Rand nodded and traced my hairline. “Granted, he was a jerk. Still is.”

  I couldn’t help my yawn and I couldn’t even cover my mouth.

  “You’re getting tired, Jolie,” Rand said, running his fingers through my hair.

  And just like that, the feeling of heaviness was gone, replaced with what felt like adrenaline bubbling through me. I had to restrain myself from spewing out another litany of meaningless drivel.

  “Are you glad I told you about Trent and me?” I couldn’t keep the words in—they’d mutinied and won.

  Rand was quiet for exactly four seconds. “Yes.”

  “I’m glad I told you then.”

  “You know I have deeply rooted feelings for you, Jolie.”

  Well, I’d always known we had something between us. How deeply rooted his feelings were for me, I’d never been sure. Mine, on the other hand, were as deeply rooted as a super old tree.

  “I…never really knew for sure,” I said.

  Suddenly, the bubble of anxious verbiage seemed to deflate in me and I expelled it with a sigh. I was exhausted again.

  “How could you not know?” he insisted.

  I tried to comprehend what he was saying but it was getting harder to keep my eyes open.

  “Jolie, are you listening?” Rand asked with the hint of a smile.

  I really was trying to listen but finding it near impossible. I felt my eyes close for a few seconds before I forced them open again. I’d wanted to have this conversation with Rand for a while and now that the opportunity was here, coupled with my liquid courage, I was suddenly a narcoleptic.

  “Um, what? Yeah, yeah I’m listening.”

  But I wasn’t listening, I was falling asleep.

  “We can talk soon, Jolie,” Rand whispered and ran his fingers down my cheek.

  “No, Rand…” Yawn. “We should…talk now.” Yawn.

  He chuckled and pushed up from the bed. “Jolie, you need to heal.” He grabbed hold of my hand and his warm electricity coursed through me.

  “Don’t go,” I whispered.

  “I thought I nearly lost you to Dougal,” he said gently. “It would have killed me, Jolie. I’m not going anywhere.”

  I remembered the feel of his warm and lush lips on mine before the craptastic fairy potion took me to the Land of Nod.

  #

  I woke up with a start and this time my visitor wasn’t exactly someone I was thrilled to see.

  Odran.

  Anxiety beat a path down my spine at the sight of the King of the Fae. Hopefully he wasn’t here to demand a rematch.

  “I’m still not feeling good. Can’t this wait until some other time?” I pleaded while attempting to wiggle my toe. No feeling…Nothing. Maybe I needed more of that god-awful fairy potion because I didn’t feel a damned bit better.

  Odran shook his mane of hair and like a great lion, lumbered over to my bed and sat down, uninvited. Tendrils of his incredibly long and beautiful golden hair splayed over his naked shoulders like a cresting wave. Like Rand, Odran too wore a kilt but his was purple and blue, colors of fae royalty. But, unlike Rand, I couldn’t say I was much interested in what Odran wore beneath his kilt. Gorgeous though the King of the Fairies was, fending off his sexual advances was in a word…exhausting. And I so didn’t have the time nor the interest for it now. Well, I guess I had the time…

  “Nay, Lass, I doona want to trouble ye with talk ah war.”

  The spectrum of Odran’s conversation vacillated between war talk or sex talk and I could definitely say I preferred the previous. I frowned but didn’t say anything. I’m sure he wanted to trouble me with talk of less noble subjects such as the carnal interests of the Little King.

  “I doona want,” he started and then stopped, fisting his hands in a great show of frustration.

  “Out with it,” I prompted impatiently.

  He faced me in surprise, like most people wouldn’t dare talk to him like that. Well, screw it, he wasn’t my King. I didn’t vote for him, as Monty Python would say.

  “I hope ta change yer mind regardin’ this war, Lass.”

  I started to shake my head but he interrupted me.

  “Nay, please listen.”

  I attempted to cross my arms against my chest in the universal sign of “I’m not amused” but forgot my arms weren’t working. “Go on,” I muttered, although I regretted the words as soon as they escaped. Odran should not be encouraged.

  “Ye have ah gift, Lass. Ah gift that all the creatures ah the Underworld would fight ta ‘ave. Yer gift is too precious ta risk in ah war.”

  My gift was my ability to bring the dead back to life. How I gained this ability, I have no clue. It just sort of happened one day and ever since then, my life had changed dramatically. I’d been the victim of kidnapping and attempted homicide. Great gift, huh?

  “I want ye ta reconsider ma offer.”

  His offer was to abandon my life with Rand and Christa and join the fairies whereby they could exploit my mad skills and let the rest of the otherworld creatures destroy themselves.

  “I won’t reconsider, Odran,” I said and then eyed him. “I hope you aren’t breaking your word?”

  Suddenly, the King’s somewhat docile manner was thrown out with the kitchen trash. He stood up so fast, he nearly fell over and proceeded to bash his fist into the wall, the plaster powdering the ground below him.

  “I am King o’ the Fae!” he roared. “I doona break mah word!”

  “Hot damn, Odran,” I started, only slightly freaked out. His bark was worse than his bite. “Calm down. I believe you, jeez.”

  The blood in his face seemed to fade a bit but he didn’t make any motion to sit down. Instead, he started pacing the room, arms crossed against his impressive expanse of chest. He was the epitome of some mythological being. But, his wealth of muscles, immense height and unappeasable sexual drive was lost on me.

  “Ye ‘ave ah way boot ye, Lass. Ye are difficult.”

  Wasn’t that the pot calling the kettle black? “You aren’t much fun yourself.”

  “I will not offer again, Lass.”

  What was he offering again? Ah, yes, the chance to live with him in fairyland with unlimited access to my bed until he tired of me. And then I’d keep the homefires burning while he proceeded to fornicate with the willing female population.

  “I think I’ll pass.” I paused. “But, thanks for the offer.”

  I was spared Odran’s response when the door thrust open, and Rand, who could also be compared to a mythological being in his own right, appeared.

  “What the bloody hell was that noise?” His gaze settled on Odran as he took the few steps separating him from the King. “And what the hell are you doing in here?”

  Odran frowned, his hands on his hips. “The lass shows no respect.”

  A crimson wash stole over Rand’s cheeks and his jaw was tight. “What did you do to her?” he demanded as his eyes found the remnants of plaster on the floor. “Are you alright, Jolie?”

  I nodded. “I’m fine. Odran had a little temper tantrum but he’s calmed down now.”

  “Temper tantrum?” Rand repeated. “I don’t appreciate you scaring Jolie, Odran, especially when she’s trying to recover!”

  “He didn’t scare me,” I mumbled, though neither paid me any attention.

  Odran dropped his hands from his hips and his face flushed like he was going to explode again. Before this became warlock vs. fairy, I thought I should intervene.

  “We were just discussing our plans to move forward,” I said and gave Odran an encouraging glance. “Weren’t we, Odran?”

  His eyes narrowed but he succumbed by nodding. “Aye.”

  Rand wasn’t fooled but chose not to comment, instead saying “Jolie is tired.”

  Odran didn’t say a word and without even a glance in my direction, lumbered out. Rand watched him and didn’t turn to face me until Odran disappeared.

 
“What did you do to make him so upset?”

  “He tried to persuade me to leave you and Christa.”

  Rand shook his head. “Well, I suppose that’s preferable to what I assumed he was doing here.”

  “And what would that be?” I asked even though I knew the answer.

  “Chatting you up again.”

  “And if I’d been into it, you certainly have a way of ruining any chance I get of hooking up with anyone,” I said with a smile.

  Rand looked entirely uncomfortable and started to say something but then stopped.

  “I’m kidding, Rand.”

  He nodded and took a few steps closer to the door before turning to face me. “Yes, well, good. That’s good.”

  He took another two steps and turned around again, running his hands down the front of his shirt nervously. “Well, rest and I’ll come and check on you in a bit.”

  Then he turned and walked out.

  Interview with Rand and Sinjin!

  JoAnne McLeary, from Strange Candy Reviews hosted an interview with Rand and Sinjin recently…

  JoAnne: Welcome to Strange Candy Reviews, gentlemen. How are you both?

  (Sinjin sits on the couch and Rand takes a seat in a chair across from JoAnne and Sinjin)

  Rand: Very well, thank you and thank you for having us.

  Sinjin: (offering JoAnne a flirtatious smile) I am well, Ms. McLeary, thank you.

  JoAnne: You've known each other for a while. How did you meet?

  (Sinjin glances at Rand but Rand stares straight ahead and his jaw is tight).

  Sinjin: That is a bit of a loaded question, Love. We started off on quite the wrong foot, so to speak.

  Rand: Sinjin seduced my best mate's sister.

  (Sinjin just smiles guiltily)

  JoAnne: Okay....What was your impression when you first met Jolie?

  (Rand’s anger softens and the tightness in his jaw relaxes)

  Rand: Jolie is a very gifted witch and when we first met, I knew she would not disappoint me. I’d come very far to find her, not even then realizing exactly how powerful she is.

  Sinjin: Lovely story, Randall, but that was not the question.

  (Rand looks uncomfortable)

  Sinjin: What did you think of Jolie’s physical attributes?

  (Rand narrows his eyes)

  Rand: Jolie is beautiful.

  Sinjin: Yes, quite so. And when dressed in fairy garb, she’s even more intoxicating…lovely legs and a small waist with ample…

  Rand: Sinjin!

  JoAnne: So, um, Rand, what do you wear when you sleep?

  (Rand drops his attention to his hands, crimson overtaking his cheeks)

  Sinjin: I believe that is answer enough.

  (JoAnne clears her throat, also blushing)

  JoAnne: I kinda had that one coming. Sinjin, in your opinion, what's your best feature?

  Sinjin: Personality or physically speaking, Love? If physically speaking, I believe Jolie quite appreciated my eyes. (Throws Rand a knowing smile) and personality wise, why my winning sense of humor.

  JoAnne: You do have very nice eyes, among other things. Oh my God. Did I say that out loud?

  (Sinjin just laughs and offers her a knowing smile)

  JoAnne: Ah, next question. You both have been around for a while, what's the most interesting thing you've seen and/or done?

  Rand: The last time I was rendered speechless was when Jolie managed to reanimate a ghost and brought him back to life. I’d merely hired her to find out who killed him. That was quite a surprise!

  Sinjin: Yawn.

  (Rand faces him with a perturbed expression)

  Rand: And what, Sinjin, is the most interesting situation you’ve encountered recently? Please enlighten us.

  Sinjin: No need to be a todger, Randall. The most enjoyable situation of late was drinking Jolie’s blood.

  (Rand looks like he’s about to explode).

  Rand: Did you have to bring that up? You know how…

  Sinjin: Yes, Randall, I was merely answering the question posed to me. (He faces JoAnne with a big smile, revealing the points of his fangs). But I am afraid, Love, your readers will have to wait until the release of Toil and Trouble to learn the specifics.

  JoAnne: You're both um, pretty attractive guys, what's your best line to pick up a woman?

  Rand: I don’t believe I’ve ever used a pick up line on any woman.

  Sinjin: Thank you for the compliment, Pet. As to, what do you call them, one lines?

  Rand: One liners

  Sinjin: Ah yes, one liners, I must agree with the warlock. I have not ever required the need for a pick up line. But, if I had to think of one…hmmm…is that a stake in my pocket or am I just happy to see you?

  JoAnne: Right, stupid question. Don't know why I thought you'd need a line. It seems I have an uncanny knack for embarrassing myself. Thanks for bearing with me. So Sinjin, what's it like being a vampire? The biggest perk? And Rand, what's it like being a warlock?

  (Sinjin steeples his fingers and appears thoughtful)

  Sinjin: Depending upon your persuasion, the ability to live forever could be considered the biggest perk, as you say. I, myself, believe it to be as such. I also quite enjoy your human fascination with the vampire. And, of course, there is always the perk of tasting the blood of a beautiful woman.

  Rand (rolling his eyes): I quite enjoy the responsibility involved in possessing extraordinary powers—how important it is to protect those who are less able to protect themselves.

  Sinjin: Really, Randall, you aren’t running for public office.

  (Rand frowns)

  (JoAnne hides a smile behind her hand)

  Rand: It is increasingly difficult to have a discussion with you, Ms. McLeary, with this bloody bastard’s comments at every turn.

  (Sinjin laughs)

  Sinjin: Astonishing Ms. McLeary, it appears your warlock guest does have a bit of life within him aer all.

  JoAnne: It would appear so, yes. But it would help if you didn't keep pushing his buttons, Sinjin. Don't worry, Rand, the interview is almost over. I just have a few more questions...Chocolate or vanilla?

  Rand: Chocolate

  Sinjin: Neither. I do not recall what either tastes like.

  JoAnne: Boxers or briefs?

  Rand: Boxers

  Sinjin (with a lascivious smile): Neither.

  JoAnne: Summer or winter?

  Rand: I quite love an English summer and summer at Pelham Manor is even more lovely.

  Sinjin: I prefer winter. Summer is an unpleasant reminder I will never see the sun.

  JoAnne: Do either of you have a favourite band/musician?

  Rand: I go through phases with regard to my musical interests but seem to always return to classical music. I find myself repeatedly listening to Smetana of late, specifically Die Moldau.

  Sinjin: Unlike Randall who reveals his advanced age not only by his musical tastes but also by his choice of clothing, my musical interests lean more toward the eclectic. Most recently, I have been listening to indie music. In fact, Jolie and I discuss my musical interests in Toil and Trouble.

  JoAnne: Sinjin, are there any ladies on your radar? Besides Jolie.

  (Sinjin glances at Rand with a twinkle in his eye)

  Sinjin: No. I find myself quite smitten with the witch.

  (Rand pretends extreme interest in his feet while his face flushes and his ears go red).

  JoAnne: Rand, do you enjoy having Jolie live with you?

  (Rand releases the clench of his fists)

  Rand: Yes, though it can be frustrating at times. I constantly have to battle between knowing I should maintain my distance due to our employer/employee circumstance and acting on my more primitive emotional notions.

  Sinjin: Interesting, Randall. I was not aware you had primitive emotions, or emotions at all for that matter. And what, pray tell, would those emotions be?

  Rand: Sinjin, I’ve had about all I can stomach of you.

  Sinjin:
You have a tendency to avoid direct questions.

  (Rand throws Sinjin a glare)

  Rand: Jolie and I are much closer than you and she will ever be. Is that direct enough for you?

  JoAnne: Thank you for joining me gentlemen. It has been an, uh, interesting experience. I'm looking forwar

  (Sinjin seems unfazed but Rand looks like he’s about to explode).

  Sinjin: Thank you, Ms. McLeary, I look forward to when next we meet.

  (Rand stands up and offers JoAnne a curt nod and a quick handshake, refusing to glance at Sinjin).

  Rand: Thank you for the interview and I hope your readers enjoy it. I’m terribly sorry but I simply can’t stand Sinjin any longer.

  (Sinjin and JoAnne watch Rand leave. Sinjin turns a big grin on her, standing up).

  Sinjin: I suppose we cannot please them all, Love.

  For more fun facts from Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble, such as pictures of Pelham Manor, visit my website: www.hpmallory.com

  H.P. Mallory lives in California with her husband and son, although she’s also lived abroad in the U.K.

  She enjoys traveling, snorkeling, antiquing and being a mom.

  If you are interested in receiving emails when she releases new books, please sign up for her distro list by visiting her website and clicking the “contact” tab:

  www.hpmallory.com

  Discover other titles from H.P. Mallory:

  Toil and Trouble (Book 2 of the Jolie Wilkins Series)

  To Kill A Warlock

  Find H.P. Mallory Online:

  www.hpmallory.com

  Blog: www.urbanfantasyauthor.blogspot.com

  http://twitter.com/hpmallory

  http://www.facebook.com/people/Hp-Mallory/10000124964376

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