by Jade Royal
“I sent word out to Firya and I knew she would meet me here to take you the rest of the way,” Lyon explained.
“When did you do this?”
“Do you remember the black bird of flames that flew from my hands? That’s how me and Firya communicate. We use our magic to create those birds that carry messages back and forth. When the bird reaches its occupant it relays to message in our own voice so we know that it’s not a trap or the messages have been configured by someone else to try and intercept our plans.”
“I—I had no idea,” Kapono whispered.
“It is alright son,” Lyon waved him off.
“Now. You said you were tired of waiting. Let’s go Kapono. I couldn’t bring her with me because she can’t be seen right now. The king is on the hunt for her,” Firya said.
“Let’s go. Thank you, Sir Lyon. Send word if you need anything,” Firya waved at the elder before she was rushing out of the shop. Kapono bowed at the older man, showing his appreciation.
“We need to move! More guards will come, especially because of what happened to the other two guards,” Firya stated. Kapono left the shop with haste. His heart was fluttering.
“I’m coming Ashbel. I’m coming,” he whispered.
“Are you alright child?” Bea asked, touching Ashbel’s forehead. “You feel feverish. You are not with a babe, are you?” Bea leaned forward and inhaled Ashbel’s scent.
“Bea, stop. I am not with child. I have not taken a man into my body. I am a married woman and my husband has not been at my side,” Ashbel snapped.
“No need to be testy child. It was only a joke,” Bea patted her head. “But you do feel warm. Almost too warm. Is anything the matter.”
“I feel fine. I just haven’t released any fire power recently. Keeping it bottled inside me throws off my temperature.”
“I know this is a difficult time. Especially because the king is especially on the hunt for you,” Bea sighed.
“It will be alright. I have faith that the tides will change. We won’t be forced to live like this forever,” Ashbel sighed.
In what looked like an old warehouse, Firya with the help of carpenters and steelworkers created the underground bunker where Ashbel and the other Drakaina’s now resided. The royal guards had raided the warehouse several times, but they would never find the opening to the underground bunker. It was the perfect place to hide because the steel around them helped to extinguish the sense of their dragon power. At night, under the blanket of the dark sky, they were free to roam around. Out in this part of Fireland, the only thing around them was red clay soil in dips and rises of small valleys. Their nearest neighbor was yards away, also living in seclusion. Behind the warehouse, Firya had cultivated a plot of land that served as a garden to grow food and herbs. With the carpenter’s help, she created a back porch to the warehouse and also a bath house that stood behind the warehouse.
For the short time they’ve been there, the women grew accustomed to their new living situation. In fact, it was the most comfortable any of them had been for years.
“I’ll be back inside soon. I need some fresh air,” Ashbel said, still lost in thought. She stood from the long wooden table set up near the side wall where the women ate their meals together. During the day, most of the females did their own thing, but if they left the warehouse, they always gave the exact location of where they were headed, and sent message birds of fire back to the warehouse so everyone knew they were safe. Ashbel almost never left the warehouse because it as just too dangerous. The other females could fly under the radar, but Ashbel was a specific target for the king. If anything, he didn’t care about catching anyone but her. The garden behind the warehouse was the only freedom Ashbel could get at the moment.
As she walked towards the cultivated land, Ashbel looked up at the slowly setting sun. Firya had really gone all out, cultivating the crops by importing dirt from inland. With the clay soil, not much could grow but Firya had changed that in the plot she’d created. Firya was the most active of all the women, coming and going from the bunker freely. She was the one that bought all the supplies, collected goods for everyone and even scouted the town for gossip and news so everyone was up to date. She’d been gone all day, and since that was her daily task, Ashbel had taken over the crops, tending to it while Firya scouted the town for them.
Since she’d already watered the plants earlier, Ashbel just walked around the plot, seeing what crops would be ready to be picked soon. Sighing deeply, she plopped down onto the ground, the crops no longer keeping her interest. In moments like these, even surrounded by the support and love of the other Drakaina’s, Ashbel felt alone. She would think about what her future could have been. She would have had a toddler by now, running around recklessly with just as much fire in his veins as his father’s. That’s what probably made her saddest the most. Thinking about her child and not having him. What Bea said, even though it was a joke kept panging her in the chest. She wanted a babe, badly. So damned bad. At her age, a female of dragon blood always yearned to procreate. It was just something about carrying a babe and continuing the growth of their clan that meant the world to them. Maybe Ashbel wouldn’t feel so desperate if she hadn’t lost her babe in the first place.
“Firya’s back!” one of the women shouted out from the back porch. Ashbel just waved at her, acknowledging what she said, but not in the mood to be around anyone just yet. She enjoyed the reports Firya brought back from town, but sometimes it was underwhelming. She just wanted a sense of escape. Only thing was, Ashbel wasn’t sure how she was ever going to get it. Even being out from under Mage’s thumb, his hunt would never cease.
“Ashbel?”
“Let’s talk later Firya, I just need some time alone,” Ashbel called back, without looking at her friend.
“Yes but—” Ashbel clamped her eyes shut and placed her hands over her ears. It was the childish thing to do, but she literally couldn’t handle any more of this drama. She couldn’t take any more of the plotting, and the sneaking around town, even the further corruption of the crown. She’d been everyone’s rock and inspiration. Who was she to turn to when it was all too much for her? When she was over her head in emotions and desperation, who was her relief? She felt trapped. Her patience and her hope were beginning to dwindle and she was fighting hard to keep up the act. If her friends ever knew she was starting to lose hope, they would in turn start to panic.
“Li—little flame?”
The voice was rough and pained, as if it hurt to speak. Ashbel’s keen hearing picked up on the voice, despite her covering her ears. The rise and fall of each syllable echoed off her eardrums. The timbre of the voice was one she could recognize out of millions. That name. It felt like she hadn’t heard it in decades. Ashbel couldn’t bear to turn around. She moved her hands from her ears and slowly clasped them at her chest; right over her heart. Tears began to sprinkle from her eyes.
As the sun took its last look over the land, a soft breeze danced around them signaling the final setting of the sun. They were washed in soft darkness, the moon taking over for the sun. In that soft breeze, Ashbel scented Firya and something else. The scent had changed dramatically but Ashbel could smell deeper than the surface. She followed that scent deep down to his core, straight through to his soul. This wasn’t her imagination. This was real.
Kapono’s knees slowly began to give way. They were shaking so badly; he could no longer hold his own weight. The moment he’d stepped into the clearing behind the warehouse, his breathing had been cut short as his body weakened. Ashbel’s orange hair was wild and bright against the setting sun. Sitting on the ground with her back towards him, Kapono could tell the past few years had been rough on her. Her skin didn’t glow as it used to, and her weight had decreased. Was that damn king starving her in the castle?
The breeze that came with the night, pushed her fiery orange hair across her shoulders. It was the most beautiful thing he’d ever seen. Slowly, Ashbel started to turn around. When her ora
nge eyes pierced through him, his blackened heart beat hard, echoing through his whole body. Kapono fell to his knees, losing the ability to stand. Her orange eyes widened as they looked at him. He tore away the cloth that covered is face just in case she couldn’t recognize him. He realized that was unnecessary as tears were already wetting her cheeks.
“Plum dragon,” she gasped out. The both of them, overwhelmed with emotion couldn’t stand. Instead, they began to crawl. The red soiled dirt stained their hands and knees as they skidded across the earth moving as quickly as they could to get to each other. What was only a few feet, seemed like thousands of miles apart as they scampered towards each other.
The heat from the fire in their veins began to combust at their nearness. It was the flame of two souls finally uniting as one.
Who is this woman? Wrath’s irritated voice panged across Kapono’s head. The sound of the demon was the slash back to reality. He was only inches away from his beloved when the voice sounded, the effect of hearing him making Kapono feel as if he’d slammed into a stone wall. Frozen in spot and on his knees, Kapono could only stare at Ashbel, feeling as if she was still miles away. If he touched her, Wrath would force him to cause her harm. That’s what he did for everyone that touched them.
“Ka—Kapono?” Ashbel cried. She reached her hand out to touch his face. Kapono would have naturally leaned out of the way to keep himself from having to harm someone innocent who touched him but this was his heart; his little flame. Her touch was one he longed to have for too long. The last time he’d touched her body, she was lifeless. He would be in pain for denying his sin once more but the thing was; Kapono would bear any pain for the pleasure he would get deep in his heart from his little’s flame’s touch.
When she placed her palm against his cheek, his body jolted. Her touch was warm and electric. It was as if he could feel the flames of her dragon blood directly through her palm. He closed his eyes, ready for the slices of pain that would assault his brain once Wrath bared its teeth and dug in. There was silence. Kapono could feel Wrath inside of him, lurking around his body like a dark shadow. Yet; the demon was quiet inside of him. Ashbel was touching him and the demon had nothing to say. Kapono also didn’t feel any pain from the oncoming of Wrath’s negative feelings. There was nothing but euphoria. A lone tear rolled down his face from his closed eyes. That tear wasn’t from sadness however. It was pure happiness. He’d been held back from having joy in his life since Ashbel’s death. Now, that joy had come back to him full circle and there was nothing that was holding him back. Nothing that was denying him the simple pleasures in life that every being was entitled to.
Kapono found himself chuckling. He couldn’t believe this. He held the sides of Ashbel’s face, pulling her close to his body. Inhaling deeply, he clutched onto his wife. Her scent was just the same as when he’d first met her. The same citrusy scent that captivated him in the first place. The one that signified her fieriness, yet her ability to be sweet. Ashbel clutched at his face as well, looking into his eyes.
“How beautiful you are,” Kapono said. “Hey, you know I still require a kiss every time we come together after being apart. Don’t tell me you have forgotten the rules,” Kapono scolded her. Ashbel blew fire onto his beard as she always did when he annoyed her. She laughed as he patted his beard to put out the fire. It was as if she was living déjà vu. Only, this was truly real. The only difference between now and then was Kapono’s growing beard.
Once the fire was patted out from his beard, Ashbel caressed it. Even if it was longer, it still didn’t take from his handsomeness. Damn, he was so sexy. So tangible. So hers. With fire raging in her gut, Ashbel leaned forward. Their lips fell against each other with such natural ease as if they’ve never spent any time apart. Even though their lips united as if they hadn’t experienced any separation, their kiss was feeble and like a newborn calf learning to walk for the first time. Ashbel could tell immediately that he was afraid to kiss her as if he couldn’t believe she was real, or he had been withdrawn from people for so long he didn’t know how to get back into a smooth groove. Ashbel took control of the kiss then, knowing that he needed help. She licked across his lips, easing him into the feel of her mouth. When she pressed her lips against his mouth again, his muscles melted like butter. She slipped her tongue into his mouth, longing to taste him. His taste was just as smokey and delightful as it always was, sending heat shooting straight to her core that pumped with arousal.
Their kiss turned from soft pecks and tender licks to fevered sucking and desperate moans. Ashbel fell back, naturally pulling him on top of her. They rolled around in the red clay dirt, kissing so passionately flames began to lick at both of their bodies. The orange flames that she’d been keeping locked away in her body burst to the surface, unable to be held as bay the looser her control became. The violet flames that began to spark against his body sparked in a way as if he was still trying to reign in his control.
“It’s okay. Let it go,” Ashbel breathed, pulling her lips from his. He was nestled between her legs comfortably. Ashbel wrapped her legs around her waist, still holding onto him. Her lips were pulsing and throbbing from the fevered nature of their kiss.
“I can’t let it go,” Kapono replied. He wasn’t sure why Wrath hadn’t said a word, and why the demon wasn’t forcing him to stay away from Ashbel, but he wouldn’t push his luck when it came to his fire. The fire would most likely amp the demon up and Kapono didn’t want that to happen. He speared his hands through Ashbel’s soft orange hair.
“How are you here?” Kapono whispered.
“I’m—you wouldn’t even believe it. My orange hair is a trait of my Phoenix blood. I was dead. They told me my body was cold and gone for a long while and then all of a sudden, I burst into flames and my heart started beating. Only, I was asleep for a long while after that before I actually opened my eyes. That’s when the nightmare began. That’s when I learned my babe was truly gone. That you—you were cast out and lonely and I—I was so lost without you.” Ashbel closed her eyes tight, trying not to burst into tears.
“Everything you’ve heard about me. It’s true,” Kapono mumbled. “I don’t deserve you.”
“I don’t care about any of that Kapono. I just want you—desperately. I need you.” Ashbel dug her hands between their bodies, fumbling at the dark pants he was wearing.
“And don’t tell me that you don’t want me, that you don’t need me either,” she whispered.
“From the moment you took my heart I’ve always wanted you Ashbel Crimson,” Kapono stated, gulping as his arousal began to pulse fire through his veins. Their bodies were in synch, her hands working at his pants and his hands, pushing away the thin fabric of underwear she was wearing. The heat that burst from between her legs reminded him of the pure bliss and euphoria that came over him when he made love to her. As if time and cruelty hadn’t drove them apart, Kapono settled between her legs to join them as one. His penetration was slow and deliberate the proof of their time apart evident in her tightened body. But with care, he fitted his way into her body. Her body began to relax around him, giving to muscle recognition and allowing him to fit perfectly inside of her. Ashbel’s head was craned back, her mouth slightly open. As she gasped and tried to keep her breathing steady, she lifted her head and looked at him. She clutched onto his shirt, holding him close to her body.
“My name isn’t Crimson, Kapono,” she rasped. Unable to be still, Kapono eased out of her body and plummeted back in, rocking her against the ground. His eyes were closed as the feel of her tightness clutched at his life.
“It’s Ashbel Thorn,” she moaned, tossing her head back as his steady thrusts rocked at her core.
“And I’m your wife,” she added. Kapono’s head fell forward. He kissed and pecked and her exposed neck.
“You’re my wife,” he groaned, thrusting inside of her.
“I’m your wife,” she breathed.
“You’re my wife.”
“I’m your wife.�
�� They kept sharing the repeated statement as their pleasure climbed the mountains of ecstasy. As their climax’s reared upon them, Kapono remembered the vow he had made to himself. The vow that he never thought he could commit to because he was never supposed to be sharing this moment with her again. Now that he was, Kapono’s mind was running on all the things he’d said he would do if he had another chance. This was his second chance.
Kapono tilted Ashbel’s hips from the ground slightly. With a palm scorched with the heat from his violet flame, he pressed against Ashbel’s bottom. Her left cheek was supple in his grip, spilling out of his hands but he was still holding onto enough.
In both ecstasy and pain, Ashbel screamed out. His heat was burning her flesh while his thick erection was jack hammering at her sensitive insides. It was a combination that provided an eruption of both pleasure and pain. He was leaving behind a firebrand in an intimate place that only they would know existed. It was something sacred between couples. It made Ashbel feel at one with not only his mind, but his soul as his mark took root and found its place settled against her flesh. The release of his own pleasure scalded her insides, burning her womb. Ashbel’s body was stiff with pleasure as his lava like orgasm, poured into her body. She had forgotten how hot his release was. It was pure nostalgia. Not only did it offer her pleasure, but it offered her the hope that she would be united forever with him.
Grinding himself to a slow stop, Kapono pressed his head into her neck. His body was trembling from his release. They laid on the clay dirt for a moment, nothing but their breathing filling the space between them. Ashbel was going to speak when she felt Kapono’s shoulder’s beginning to shake. They weren’t from trembles or his release. They were from the cries he was stifling against her neck as he held onto her. Ashbel kept quiet and wrapped her arms around him. Knowing the pain he must have been through, all she could do for him in that moment was hold her husband close to his heart and hope that she could eventually heal all his pain.