“You should join us then,” a hint of excitement creeping into his voice. He looks over his shoulder to Niko whose eyebrows have raised in response.
“Is there an issue with her coming along?” He asks the Lord Commander.
“Current protocol in place states the Princess should remain in the castle at all times unless…” Niko’s eyes jump between the two of us, unsure.
“Join you where?” I interject looking between the two of them, a crease between my brows. The thought of being outside of these walls is very appealing.
“We are visiting the elemental lands,” Cillian says, still facing Niko. “As the future Queen it would be beneficial for her to see the damages,” there is an edge to Cillian’s voice. Niko seems unconvinced, his jaw clenching but he doesn’t question the prince. Giving a slight nod.
Cillian’s eyes return to me, a light to them that is nothing short of nourishing. My withering energy blooms back to life, a bud of interest growing. The only time I have seen the damage first hand was in Terrania after the Memorial. It would get me out of this castle for a little while. And maybe Niko would slip up and tell me more than he shared when I moved in.
And it couldn’t hurt to see the portal again. Maybe do a little planning.
“I would love to see them,” I state a little too enthusiastically.
While Niko goes to file the record of my departure, I change into something less formal. The dress I slip into is hemmed to mid calf with a slit to make it easier to move around. The shortened length showing off my brown leather boots. I feel more natural in this than I have in the two weeks since I’ve been here. Heels and dainty flats aren’t functional on the Homestead.
We meet back in Cillian’s study to leave, “Where to first? Shall we save the lingering scent of smoke for the journey home?” Niko asks.
Before I can respond, I feel Cillian step up behind me. My breath hitches as he slowly runs his hand down the front of my arm, intertwining his fingers between mine, his palm covering the top of my hand. Instinctually I close my fingers around his, lacing us together. Stepping flush against my back, he lifts our hands, placing our stacked hands to my stomach, his arm wrapping protectively across me.
The air stills in my chest. “What doyouwant?” His voice rumbles next to my ear sending bumps across my skin.
“What?” I whisper out, breathy, lifting my chin to look up at him over my shoulder. His blue eyes shine down at me. A smile pulling at his lips as he tugs me tighter to him.
“Where would you like to start, Lila?” He says, a heat filling his eyes that never existed before. We were just younglings learning what love was but this-
My magic becomes hard to contain, the rest of the world falling away. This is the second time we have found ourselves in this position and my magic seems to be building when I’m around him. A storm of its own raging to be let out. Heat fills my stomach where our hands meet, a tightness coiling deep in me. I’ve had years to practice hiding my powers. I never wanted to show Nova up.
Or have the Vaylor’s attention on me. But it is becoming harder and harder around Cillian.
It must be the heightened emotions, wreaking havoc on my elemental system. Grief because of Nova, anger at Gaia, frustration at all the dead ends, annoyance with Isolde and her lessons.And Cillian’s hands on me…
“Cillian-” Niko’s voice snaps both of us out of the haze we were lost in. We followed his line of sight to the desk. The fish inhis desk are frantic, trapped in the churning waters that now fill their glass enclosure.
My attention returns to him, watching the confusion wash over his face. Is he doing that? How long has his magic been manifesting? I’m guessing not long based on the shocked energy buzzing through the room.
Dazed and distracted Cillian says, “Let’s save it to the end.”
We both just stare at him for a moment, still in shock. “The sooner we can wash the smell of smoke out upon our return, the less likely it is to cling to the clothes." He says looking back at us with clearer eyes.
Niko nods hesitantly. “See you in Ignaria.” he says, taking his cue from Cillian, ignoring what just happened. .
“Wait, I thought you said-” but before I can finish asking my question we all disappear from the room. Heat blooms across my face the moment we materialize but a cool steady rain drips from the clouds. I expected the area to be unbreathable but instead only one area in the distance has smoke billowing straight up into the grey skies.
While the air is sweltering there is little fire to note surrounding us. The veins of molten lava that used to pulse through the land are nothing more than obsidian scars now.
I drop to my haunches and reach out to run my fingers over the black glass but am jerked back to my feet before I can make contact.
“Lava still runs deep below. The rain is cooling the top too quickly to remain molten but the heat is real. As an earth fae, I would avoid touching it.” Niko chides as Cillian releases me.
If possible, my cheeks warm even further as I look back at the shining rock- steam rising with each droplet that hits it.Of course it is hot.I scold myself.
We follow one of the fissures towards the crater at the center of the fire land, ash coating the soles of our boots with each step.
When the ground opens up in front of us, I gap at the boiling fire below. Even with the water keeping the intensity subdued, it is nearly unbearably hot. I never came here before the storms so I can only imagine how consuming the heat would be at full flame.
It is a sober moment for me. Opening my eyes to what is happening in our world.
