Jasin placed his hand on the door by my head, leaning close. “I want to know you. In every sense of the word.”
I sucked in a breath, overwhelmed by the rush of desire that flared inside me at his words. He caged me against the wall, and though I could easily step away from him, I didn’t dare move. “Me and every other woman, it seems.”
“Not anymore. The moment I met you I knew the Fire God had chosen me for a reason, and that reason is you.” He used his free hand to cup my face, and I sucked in a breath at his warm touch. “The only woman I want is right in front of me.”
“And I’m supposed to believe you’ll be loyal? Or happy with one woman for the rest of your life?” I gazed up at him defiantly, even though he was making me melt. “You admitted you’ve slept with lots of women.”
“I have, yes. But that’s all in the past.” He arched an eyebrow. “You don’t honestly believe the other guys have all been waiting for you to come along, do you? I doubt any of them are strangers to a woman’s bed either.”
My cheeks flushed. “No, of course not, but you’re the one I have to bond with first. And I’ve never…ah…” I tried to duck my head, embarrassed as soon as the words slipped from my mouth, but he caught my chin and made me look up at him.
“Never?” His eyes flared with obvious desire, and then his gaze dropped to my lips. “Then it’s a good thing I’m well versed in the arts of pleasing a woman.”
His mouth captured mine, while his strong body pushed me back against the door he leaned against. With dominant hands he tilted my head up to his and gave me the most sensual kiss of my life, teasing a soft moan from my lips. His naked chest pressed against my breasts, and even through my dress I felt how firm his body was. I was suddenly overcome with the need to touch him and placed my hands on his waist, pulling him closer. I needed to claim him as my own in the same way he was claiming me.
His mouth moved to my neck, leaving a trail of light kisses that made me moan again, while my hands smoothed across his hard chest and strong arms. His powerful fighter’s body was solid under my fingers, and as his lips skimmed across my collarbone, all I wanted was to feel more of it. Forget the Fire Temple, I was ready to bond with him right now. Or at least get some of that practice in.
But then he straightened up and stepped back, making me instantly miss his warmth. I nearly pulled him back to me, but somehow regained control of myself. Except there was no denying I’d kissed him back as hard as he’d kissed me. And if he kissed me again? I wouldn’t stop him.
He ran his thumb slowly along my lower lip. “That’s only a taste of what’s to come. But first, I’m going to convince you that the only woman I want is you.”
Without another word, he grabbed his clothes off the bed and walked out of the room, still shirtless. Leaving me breathless and dazed and wondering what exactly just happened.
23
Kira
Another day of travel passed by without incident, except that I was forced to ride with Slade and Reven for long hours while trying to ignore the feel of their strong bodies against mine as they pointedly did not make conversation. I loved my sword, but I really should have asked Auric for my own horse.
At least I wasn’t sore anymore. Like my head injury from Roark, my body had recovered quickly from the aches and pains of riding. It made me wonder if my new healing powers were working on myself as well.
After so many days on the road, we were all exhausted by the time we stopped to make camp in the forest. I set my bedroll as far from the fire as possible like I did every night, and both Jasin and Auric rushed to put theirs on either side of mine. Not that Slade or Reven seemed to care about being close to me anyway. Reven was brooding in the shadows as far away from me as possible, and Slade turned away from me when I glanced at him. How was I ever supposed to get close to them if they kept their distance like this?
On the other hand, maybe Slade and Reven were the least of my problems. Jasin and Auric had been glowering at each other all day, and as Jasin walked past me, he bumped into Auric hard and obviously on purpose. Auric muttered a word under his breath that sounded a lot like, “Barbarian.”
I couldn’t take it anymore. I got to my feet and glared at all of them. "I need a few minutes alone. Don’t follow me.”
"Stay close," Jasin said.
“I'll be fine,” I snapped.
I headed into the dark forest, shoving branches out of my way and kicking at rocks under my boots. But even once I was out of sight, I could still hear their low male voices behind me, though I couldn't make out the words. I moved deeper into the woods, with the bright moon guiding my steps, until I found a large rock to sit upon. I listened carefully. Silence. Blissful, sweet silence.
It was the first time I’d been truly alone with my thoughts for days and I relished it. I'd gotten used to being in solitude for most of my life, and it was hard to adjust to suddenly being around four men all day every day. Even if I enjoyed their presence—when they weren’t being obnoxious males, that was. It felt right with all of them at my side, but I realized I still needed some alone time now and then too.
The male voices grew louder, intruding on my quiet moment. Arguing about something, it sounded like. Probably related to me. Maybe I should feel honored they were fighting over me, but I had a feeling it would only get worse as I got closer to each man. Would any of them ever be comfortable sharing me with the others?
Would I?
The idea of sleeping with Jasin didn't make me as nervous as it once did, not after his mind-blowing kiss. But I had also kissed Auric only hours before and enjoyed it just as much. And then there was Slade, who I'd nearly kissed. Not to mention Reven, who I’d definitely wanted to kiss, if only because he was so gorgeous in his deadly, dangerous way.
How could I have feelings for all four men? It didn't make sense. Lust, I could understand. Friendship as well. But I felt more than that for all of them. Not love, not yet, but the potential that I could love each of them someday. It had to be the magical bond pulling us together and nothing more, right?
I covered my face in my hands, feeling overwhelmed by it all. That's when I heard something moving in the bushes near me.
I jumped to my feet and rested my hand on the hilt of my sword as I scanned the woods. Something was out there.
I was about to call the guys, when the leaves swept aside and the old woman I'd met on my birthday stepped forward.
"Hello there," she said, as if it was perfectly normal for her to run into me in the middle of the nowhere. "Kira, isn't it?"
"You," I said, my mouth hanging open. "Are you the Spirit Goddess?"
She let out a low laugh. "Gods, no. Why would you think that?"
My heart sank and I sighed. "You were outside Stoneham on my birthday, and now you're here. How?"
The old woman shrugged. "I get around."
"Are you following me?" I asked, my eyes narrowing.
"Not exactly."
She settled in on a rock opposite mine and I slowly sat back down since I sensed she wasn’t a threat. She looked exactly as I'd seen her before, down to the same hooded robe. How had she wound up here, in the middle of the woods? We weren't anywhere near a town this time and she was alone, without even a horse.
"You can call me Enva," she said, as she folded her hands in her lap. "Let's just say I have a special interest in you."
“Do you know who—what—I am?”
"I do, and I might be able to help you.” She cocked her head. “I'm sure you have some questions."
"Hundreds of them," I said. "Is it true? Am I the next Black Dragon?"
"Yes, you are. Assuming you live long enough to claim that title.” She shrugged. “None of the others have ever made it that far."
My mouth dropped open. "There were others?"
"Of course,” she said, as if it were obvious. “You didn’t think you and Nysa were the only ones, did you?"
Nysa, the Black Dragon. Even hearing her name sent shivers down m
y spine. "I wasn't sure. I've never heard of any others."
"Because she kills them all before they become a threat."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. "But not me."
"She doesn't know about you. Yet. Best thing to do is to keep it that way as long as you can."
I nodded slowly. "We'll do our best."
"See that you do." Enva examined her fingernails on one of her wrinkled hands. "Any other questions? I don't have all evening."
She was mighty pushy, considering she was the one who’d visited me. "Why did the Gods choose me?"
She let out a sharp laugh. "They didn't."
I blinked at her. "I…I don't understand."
"The others were chosen. You were born."
My mouth fell open as I absorbed this bit of information. "How?"
She gave me a sardonic look. "I'm pretty sure you know how that happens. I should hope so, or you're going to be in for a big surprise when you reach the Fire Temple."
I bit back a frustrated response and asked, "Did my parents know about what I was?"
"Yes."
I nodded slowly as everything I knew about my past realigned. The Dragons had been looking for me all along. My parents really were killed because of me. "But there was never anything special about me. I never had any powers or anything. Not until now.”
"Animals have always been drawn to you. You've always had a way with plants and herbs as well. Those are all gifts from the Spirit Goddess.”
"What about the healing? That only started recently."
She nodded. "You came into your powers on your twentieth birthday, although you still have a long way to go. After you bond with your mates you’ll be able to take on their powers as well.” With those words she stood up. "I think that's enough for one night. I'm sure we'll meet again. If you live that long."
She gave me a short nod before stepping back into the forest. I called out, “Wait!" but she had already disappeared. Literally. Leaving me with a few answers, and even more questions than before.
24
Kira
When I returned to camp I told the guys about my strange visit from Enva, but none of them had any further insight into what she'd said or who she was. For now, she remained a mystery.
And thanks to her, I was stuck with four overprotective men who kept telling me not to wander off by myself again. The tension between them was still there, but they were united under a new purpose: keeping an eye on me at all times. Needless to say, I wasn’t thrilled.
“Where are you going?” Slade asked me the next morning, as I walked toward the forest. He was already jumping to his feet and grabbing his axe as if to follow me.
I gave him an exasperated look. “I need to relieve myself. Could I get a tiny bit of privacy?”
Jasin looked up from where he was sharpening his sword. “You shouldn’t go anywhere alone.”
“For once I agree with Jasin,” Auric said. He was jotting notes down in his journal, likely recording everything that had happened yesterday. “One of us should be with you at all times.”
I propped my hands on my hips. “Seriously, I’m fine. First of all, I wasn’t even in any danger last night, and second of all, I can protect myself.”
“We know you can, but it’s our duty to protect you,” Slade said, his brow furrowing.
Auric nodded. “Exactly. We don’t know who or what Enva was. Your encounter with her proves there are forces at work we don’t understand, whose interests might not be aligned with ours. We won’t know until we learn more.”
“Don’t follow me. I mean it!” I snapped, before storming into the forest without looking back to see if they listened. If my infuriating men wanted to chase after me, that was their problem. I couldn’t live my entire life making sure one of them was guarding me at all times.
I took care of my business quickly, just in case they were watching, then headed back toward camp. I caught sight of Reven standing in front of a stream, making the water rise and fall in front of him, almost like it was dancing.
I sighed. “Did they send you to keep an eye on me?”
“Hardly.” The water stopped moving immediately as he turned toward me with a scowl.
I gestured toward the stream. “Good to see you’re practicing. You should train with the others too sometime.”
He gave me a scathing look. “No thanks. I have no interest in keeping these powers.”
I blinked at him. “Are you still planning to leave?”
“I am.”
I’d thought he had changed his mind after all we’d been through. And with everything else already frustrating me, this was the last straw. I gestured into the forest angrily. “Why don’t you go then? No one’s stopping you.”
“None of you would survive a day without me.” He shook his head with disdain. “Besides, I can’t leave. The Gods saw to that. But I’ll find a way.”
“Good luck with that,” I tossed over my shoulder as I stomped off through the woods, even more annoyed than I’d been before. I didn’t even glance at the other men when I entered camp again, just grabbed my bow and quiver and stalked back into the forest. Target practice. That’s what I needed.
Once I was in place, I pulled the bow taut and released an arrow. It flew true and struck the tree in exactly the spot I’d intended, a little round knot in the trunk. As the arrow vibrated against the wood, I drew another one and prepared to shoot again.
"Not bad," Jasin said, as he approached me through the trees.
I arched an eyebrow at him, then released my arrow without even looking at my target. It stuck the tree in nearly the same spot. "Not bad?"
"You're definitely good, I'll give you that."
"You think you can do better?" I asked.
With a cocky smile, he pulled his own bow off his back and drew an arrow. With lightning fast movements, he fired into the tree, his own red-tipped arrow nearly on top of mine. As I watched, he fired three more times, forming a circle around my own arrows. What a show off.
Not to be outdone, I released my own volley, splitting each one of his arrows in half with my own. I turned to him with a wry smile.
"Let's call it a draw," he said, with a wink.
"If you insist,” I said, shaking my head.
He gestured at my waist. "How's that new sword? You any good with it?"
"Getting there." I put my bow down on a tall rock and drew my blade. It fit perfectly in my hand and the weight was ideal for my size, although it was much smaller than Jasin's.
He drew his own sword. "Let's see what you've got.”
I lunged for him, but he was fast, even with his heavier weapon. Our blades clashed, the ringing of metal echoing through the forest as we exchanged blows. I was sure he was holding back, especially knowing how strong he was, but it was good practice for me anyway. And as we fought, my tension and frustration slowly melted away.
"You favor your right side," he said. "Be careful of that."
I nodded and made a mental adjustment, then slashed out at him. He did a quick swirling maneuver and the next thing I knew my sword was sticking out of the ground a few feet away. Then he grabbed me from behind, his free arm across my chest, holding me tight against him. I nearly fought back, but then his lips were on my neck, and all the fight left me.
"So easy to let down your guard?" he asked, as his teeth nipped at my earlobe. "Or maybe you wanted me to catch you?"
I stomped on his foot and pushed away from him, but all he did was laugh. Breathing heavily, I used his moment of distraction to knock his sword away. Then we were fighting hand to hand, blocking each other’s blows, although he was so much more experienced than I was that it was hardly a fair fight.
He knocked me off my feet, but I brought him down with me onto the forest floor. We tumbled over until I found myself on top of him, staring down at him as he laughed again.
"If you wanted to get on top of me, there are easier ways," he said, as his hands rested on my waist.
; I gazed into his eyes, my heart beating fast, and not just from our fight. "Don't read too much into this."
"No? This is the second time we've been on the ground together. Although last time I was on top. You'll have to tell me which position you prefer."
I pushed on his chest to stand up, but he caught my wrists and pulled me back to him. The anger from before quickly turned to passion as our mouths found each other for a smoldering kiss. All I could think about was his firm body beneath mine and the way his arms circled my back to hold me against him like he never wanted to let go.
"Kira?" Auric called out from somewhere in the distance.
Jasin broke off our kiss and released me. "As much as I'd like to continue this, I think our companions are calling us.”
Reality came crashing back in and I sat up, feeling dazed. I brushed leaves off myself. "Right. We should get going."
Jasin rose to his feet and offered me a hand, then pulled me close for one more kiss. "We'll continue this later."
The other three men were already on their horses and gave us looks that showed they knew exactly what we were doing. I tried not to let it get to me. Jasin would be the first to have me, and there was nothing I could do about that. Only Auric was even trying to stake his claim, so what did Slade and Reven have to be upset about?
I decided to ride with Slade, hoping it would stop some of the jealous looks. As usual, his quiet, calm strength made me feel better, as if just being near him soothed all the anxious thoughts swirling in my mind. I also found it easy to talk to him, much more so than any of the others.
“Slade, is there a magical bond tying you to me now? Or could you leave if you wanted?” I asked, as I remembered Reven’s words.
“I don’t know,” he said, in that low, grumbly voice I found so sexy. “Originally, we had this overwhelming urge to find you, but that passed once we met. I suspect any of us could leave now, but maybe not after we’re officially bound together.”
Stroke The Flame Page 10