“This is the perfect spot for training.”
“Is it ever.” A forest of pines rose beyond the sand dunes, and dry, wilted grass edged the towering trees. My mouth watered as I ogled all that tinder-dry land. Mmm, a forest full of kindling, just waiting to be set aflame. What a sight that would be; a fire unparalleled to any other would rage. Oh yeah. Within the fire was such beauty, the stunning colors of burnt orange and sizzling red. I loved those colors, but more, I loved the heat. So warm. I wanted to feel—
“Silvie? Where are you going?”
I was off, jogging over the sandy rise.
“Hey, wait. Shoot, there’s a blast of heat coming off you.”
My fingers itched to light up, and everything within me yearned to burn.
6
At my feet the dry grass curled at the tips and blistered.
“Silvie, listen to me.” Zayn raced past and came around in front. He shoved up his hands as he hiked it backward. “You’ve seriously gotta stop.”
“No, I’ve gotta make a fire.”
“I know you do, but not like this. We’re here for training, not to ignite a forest.”
“That’s training, just on a larger scale. Why does everyone wants to stop me from having fun today?”
“There’s fun, and then there’s wiping out the home of countless animals and birds.”
“Animals?” I staggered to a stop. Birds soared above then dipped to land on the highest branches where they nested. “No, I can’t hurt them.”
“There’s also a camping ground only five miles from here. What happens if people are tramping or exploring these woods?”
I shivered and rubbed my arms, my need to blaze dying a fast death. “Zayn? Take me away from here.”
He pulled me into his arms. “You’re cool again. That’s amazing.”
“I mean it. Take me away from here. I don’t want to bring about the kind of harm you just said.”
“No, we’re staying. This is what your training is all about. Look how quickly you controlled your impulses. Come on. I have an idea.” He guided me to the beach, collecting driftwood along the way. Where the dunes provided shelter in a protected area on the sand, he hunkered down and scooped out a hole.
“A fire pit?”
“Yeah, I want to see you make a fire. A small, controlled one.” He patted the spot beside him.
“You think I can do it?” I knelt and helped him pile the wood up.
“I know you can. I’m ready whenever you are.”
Okay, I could do this. I shook out my hands. Fire. My fingertips warmed and sparked. I touched the dry stringy bark. A tendril of smoke snaked up. Ahh, now this was what I wanted.
“Great.” Zayn touched my arm. “Your skin feels warm but not hot. There’s no heat wave at all.”
“Are you sure? I’m making fire without getting hot?”
“Yes, but that could be because your flame is small, and the source of what you want to burn, minor. Extinguish your fire, and we’ll work on something bigger.”
I studied the curious seagulls hopping closer. They were beautiful, and this was their home. I wouldn’t allow my fire to harm them. The flames at my fingertips spluttered out.
“Perfect.” Zayn beamed.
“I did it.” I jumped up. “I did it.”
He joined me, swung me off my feet. “Congrats.”
“You. Did. What?”
Guy’s deep voice rumbled from along the beach. He strode toward us. He did not look happy, only, I was way too excited to worry about it.
“Hey.” I ran and danced around him. “You should have seen what I just did. I controlled my fire and not by cold thoughts, but by not wanting to bring harm. It was so much better.”
His frown deepened. “You should have waited for me when you finished school.”
“But I controlled my fire.” I grabbed his hands. “Be happy for me.”
“You’re lucky Faith told me where you were.”
“Look.” I lugged him to the fire pit and jabbed at the burning wood. “I controlled the fire within me.” Couldn’t he see what I’d achieved?
“She’s got this nailed. There wasn’t even any heat coming off her.” Zayn scooped sand and tossed it over the fire. It spat and died. “Silvie, we need to extend your training.”
“Yes. Yes. Yes.”
“She’s not doing that with you. Excuse us.” Guy held me tight as he ’ported us. We arrived in the stables, and he checked behind him. “Good. He got the point and didn’t follow.”
“That wasn’t very polite.”
“Do I look like I care? No.” He lifted my arms and wrapped them around his neck, bringing me against him. “I missed you today, and when I find you, it’s with him.”
“Did you just say you missed me?” Surely not.
“Hell, yes, I missed you.” He kissed me, a hot melding that made my temperature rise. Then he tipped me back, kissing me even deeper, until every inch of me warmed for more.
He groaned. “We’ve gotta stop doing this.”
“You started it,” I mumbled against his lips. “Although, I’m in complete agreement. We’ve gotta stop.”