Page 24 of A Requiem of Fire and Ice

“You’ll find out on the night, won’t you?” I say in a suggestive tone. It seems to have caused a red flush on his face. He pinches between his legs.

“Well, while you do that, I will give Sara and Kylie a list of places they should hit up.”

See. That wasn’t so hard. The seeds have flourished and sprouted at an alarming rate—but not so quickly as to raise suspicion. Xavier likely told them we had sex, so my suggestive, alluring words would make them believe we are caught up in our love instead of me sneaking into the castle and slaughtering the king who ordered fire elemny to…

Deep breaths.

I scan my surroundings as we head toward Xavier’s place. It might help me evade the Prince of Fire. If there’s a time when he becomes suspicious, I need to learn the locations and areas where I can hide. I jot down a few cafes and shops with entrances when I notice black smoke near the eastern walls of the Kingdom of Flesh. Pointing, I say with mild curiosity, “What’s that?”

The smoke reminds me of the smoke that engulfed Elden Keep when I was on the boat. My kingdom turned to ash so quickly. But aside from the orange flames, the flames here are darker.

A shudder creeps up my spine.

“Fire elemny often have a short fuse. A fight must have broken out somewhere over there, and some building got caught up in it,” Xavier explains. “But don’t worry. A guard nearby or one of the Knights of Eraminia will head over and sort it out.” Xavier raises his hand over his eyes and peers closely at it. “It seems to have died down.”

The Knights of Eraminia are the force and driving power. Classified as elite warriors, among them is the mutt. Each possesses perks and abilities that instil fear in anyone who dares to cross their path.

Kylie points to the elemny roaming the streets and questions why they act differently. They seem more professional, walking with a clear sense of direction. There are no beaming smiles on their faces, and most of them lack excitement.

Between the elemny who live here and us, we definitely stand out. Sara switches into tourist mode, snapping pictures of everything catching her eye. Like us, tourists gaze in wonder. A few even gesture towards the horizon, drawing my gaze to the castle. Its high walls stretch across the sky in the distance. Towering and impenetrable, the iron doors rise majestically. Dreary ash drifts onto the pointed towers, and one in particular catches my eye.

That tower houses the Queen. Even thirty minutes away, the tall tower wall displays vibrancy. Green shrubbery hangs over the railing, and Sara mentions she can smell pine from here.

I don’t want to kill the Queen, but she’s my only other option if I can’t reach the king. Staying with Xavier longer than I planned will turn me into nothing more than a shell, and the urge to hurt him will grow stronger until it becomes a bloody mess. So, if I can’t reach the king, she is my next best bet.

It’s a thirty-minute drive from where Xavier lives. I’ve mapped out the route I plan to take. There’s a taxi bay near Xavier’s place, and I’ll be heading to the Crimson Hotel. From there, I’ll walk to the castle, leaving little trace of where I’ve been.

My thoughts drift to whether King Ragan will recognise my voice when I see him. Would a fuse snap as he remembers telling the fire elemny they could⁠—

I scratch the irritable itch tingling across my waist.

Deep breaths.

“We’re here, baby,” Xavier says, tightening his hold on my hand. The tone of his voice makes me snap a look at him. He glares and tilts his head to the left. Xavier’s parents are at the door, beaming smiles on their faces.

I release my hold on Xavier’s hand and step forward. His mother pulls me into an embrace. Heat radiates from her skin and scorches my arms, leaving a streak of sweat when she finally releases her furnace-like grip.

“You’re even more stunning in real life,” Xavier’s mother—Erin Clark—says with a radiant smile. She then places her warm hands on my cheeks and leans in with curiosity. “Your eyes are dazzling! Enchanting.”

My face must be red because it throbs.

Erin Clark steps back, apologising for keeping her warm hands on me for so long, and gestures to her husband, Tyler Clark. Unlike the warmth Erin exhibited when she hugged me, Tyler seems uncomfortable with my touch, given that he’s an earth elemny.

“You’re a very cold water elemny,” Tyler Clark says, rubbing his arms after we hug.

I smile, turn to Xavier and say, “I hear that often from Xav.”

“I don’t mind,” Xavier says with a smug smile.

Of course you don’t.

“Hey, Dad,” he says as he hugs him. “How long are you in Flesh for?”

“Fifty-seven days. Your mother and I are moving to Willow Gardens soon. Be sure to sort through your belongings while you’re here. Your grandparents are planning to turn your room into a guest room.”

“Can’t we just throw it all in storage?” he says, rolling his eyes and scratching his head.

We enter the home when Sara asks for a drink. Humidifiers are placed in the hallway, kitchen, and on tables throughout the house. Sara pulls off her mask and breathes more easily. Her watery eyes dry up, and she looks much better.