Page 3 of A Requiem of Fire and Ice

We stop at the traffic lights. Unclasping his grip on my hand, he pushes the button while I wipe the sweat from my palms on my skirt.

“I’m a little nervous,” he admits. “Awakening is a scary thing. My dad told me he engulfed the stadium in flames. What if I do the same? I don’t want you to get hurt, Panda.”

I grab his hand and lace my fingers with his. “Don’t worry. Didn’t they put protective glass so the viewers don’t get hurt? I’m sure I’ll be fine, Xav.” Besides, I won’t be there. I have other plans to attend to, not that Xavier will know about them. Guards who monitor the Awakening Amphitheatre take the awakening elemny away twelve hours before their transformation to avoid any unnecessary incidents. If my plan goes off without a hitch, I may return when he awakens. If not, I can come up with an excuse filled with sexual desires.

It’s disgusting, I know. But I will do anything to gain entry into the Kingdom of Flesh.

He smiles at me, unaware of my intent.

The red pedestrian light turns green shortly after, and we walk across the street. The academy isn’t far from home. I doubt we’ll be late at all.

I look to him. Xavier will look different after he awakens. His light brown hair will take on a shade of red or orange, and his brown eyes will swirl with hues of red or orange.

But that’s not all that will change. His elemny fire powers will be stronger. Instead of that feeling, he could produce flames if he had a match to ignite them. He could, if he wanted to, burn Eraminia to the ground.

Still, there are also the knights of Eraminia. Before he could set more than a city on fire, they would appear. I need to be cautious of them when I enter the Kingdom of Flesh.

“You turn twenty-one three months after my birthday, right?” Xavier asks.

I smile, but my eyes narrow for a moment while I wonder where he’s heading with this. “Yes,” I say.

“Perhaps we could organise a trip to the Kingdom of Storm. I know you say your parents are strict, but I can…I don’t know…book a motel for a few nights to witness your awakening.”

Ah, he’s sly, isn’t he? In thinking that, I should have known this conversation would be inevitable. We’ve been dating for eight months (I think), and at a certain point in our relationship, Xavier asked me about my parents and why he hasn’t spoken to them yet, while I have had countless conversations with his.

I believed having “strict parents” was acceptable. Kylie has strict parents, and they don’t question her. But is it because no one has ever met mine?

“Uh…” I feign contemplation, biting my lip as if torn between acceptance and fear. “As long as my parents don’t see you.”

His smile widens, and his eyes shine with brimming lust.

We arrive at the academy ten minutes later. Sara and Kylie wait by the entrance.

Sara has long, silky brown hair, chestnut-brown eyes, and brown skin. She is shorter and more delicate compared to her girlfriend, who has shoulder-length blonde hair and blue eyes. Rather than wearing long dresses like her girlfriend, she opts for jeans and long tees.

“Shit, I forgot to tell you, Panda!” he says as if he just remembered something crucial he should have mentioned to me days ago. “Kylie and Sara are coming with us to my awakening.”

The surprise is evident on my face, but at least it’s surprise and not complete frustration. There’s no way he’s doing this to me now!

I stop and let the blush spread across my face. Yet it could also be the sweltering heat hitting my face like a furnace. “I thought that…”

“What’s wrong, Panda?” he says.

“Well,”—taking his hands in mine, I lean in, my lips brushing against his earlobe—“how are we going to, you know, if Sara and Kylie come with us?”

I'll leave it hanging. It doesn’t take Xavier long to grasp what I’m suggesting. His face flushes a bashful red, and I know he’s imagining having sex with me. It’s likely the only thing on his mind, and that’s the reaction I’m after as I plead with him to reconsider bringing Sara and Kylie. They will be nothing but babysitters. How am I supposed to get close to the King with them nearby?

“Don’t worry.” Xavier kisses me. “I’ll ensure we have separate rooms.”

I am so fucking screwed.

Chapter 2

King of Disappointment [Echos]

Reen Kyong

I’ve never liked the Kingdom of Flesh. Decayed and charcoal coloured walls struggle to sustain life. Burnt homes with their gloomy smoke envelop the city of fire, and it doesn’t appeal to me. But it’s the only place I can genuinely call home.