“The Darklands can never return back to the land it once was with the darklings. The lava that courses through the lands must be destroyed.” - Book of Azure
THE FLAMES AROUND THE FIRENINZE’S body slowly flicker and die down, leaving a faint glow as the embers around us crumble into ash.
The fire from the logs begin to crackle and pop.
A sound so loud, yet so far, as the only thing I can hear is my heart pounding against my heaving chest.
The Fireninze backs up, her gaze fixed intently on mine. However, her eyes no longer swirl with the tempestuous fury that once threatened to consume her. It's as if her bonding to me,accepting me,has calmed the burning desire to kill me.
And nothing around us burns.
I understand that fire. I understand that storm inside that is on the brink of combustion. I feel thiseveryday.
I know I should avert my eyes, yet they remain locked on hers, unable to break free from the silent understanding that passes between us. As if I can hear her heart. Her thoughts. Her feelings.
Her power.
The rhythmic thud of boots pounding against the dirt echoes around us, but I am too stunned to react, my body frozen in place.
The Gods cursed me to burn. Scorching any man or woman who dares touches me. And now, I bond with the horse from the God of fire, who burns those who try to ride her.
Except me.
It's as if our torment of never coming in contact with another being makes us the perfect pair. Two lost souls, lonely, broken, but now broken together.
“Time is running out.”
A deep, breathy grumble vibrates from the Fireninze, steam curling from her flared nostrils. Her hooves strike the ground with urgency. My breath hitches with the sound of her voice.
Is the horse of fire communicating with me?
“I don’t understand?”My heart beats faster, pounding not only against my chest but also my head.
“You must remember it all.”The Fireninze’s hooves kick up dirt as she walks towards me, her head tilting to the side. “We have all waited for you.”
My brows pull together. “How can I remember when my sister won’t allow me to?”
“The stones. You must get the stones.”
My breath catches violently in my throat as a sudden grip clamps around my shoulder, yanking me backward with brutal force.
I let out a gut-wrenching cry. “Are you serious? That’s my broken shoulder!”
Florian's eyes are wide with shock, his fingers digging into the leather of my suit. “You could have died!”
I lift my chin defiantly, glaring up at the storm clouds swirling overhead. “I had a feeling I wouldn’t burn.”
My gaze trickles down towards the horse, watching as she trots purposefully back to the metal gate that is being cranked open for her.
“The mare must stay inside, or her flames will burn out.” Florian lets go of my shoulders, crossing his arms. “Her only weakness.”
“Then I must have a weakness.”
“You have just proven to the Realms you are more powerful than they could have ever imagined. No one has ever bonded with the horse from the God of Fire. Everyone who tries either burns, or they flee to their death.” His voice drops to a whisper. “This is your time to take the throne.”
“I am not ready.” My eyes meet his. “Not yet. There is more I need to understand.”
A raindrop hits my cheek, sliding down my chin before I whip it off and then I see him, Koen. He sits on the wall, knee bent up, staring directly at me.
