“Sorry.” Yeah, I had to get busy and swim. I had to move and get the energy out that way. Kicking, I swam length after length as Hope dipped in and around, remaining solidly at my side.
She was fast, sleeker than a seal in her element and clearly having a world of fun, yet no matter how hard I kicked, my energy grew. It surged, and I battled my natural response to keep it in check.
Still, I did what I could, but as the hours passed, my fire bubbled and brewed, stewing beyond my control.
“You’re getting worse,” Guy called out. “I can barely keep up with your demand. The ice is melting from your heat alone.”
Energy rippled through me, only seconds after the last flare. I had no time to warn him and sent the explosive fireball upward. Fire lit the craggy ceiling. Sharp black rock sheared off and shot in all directions.
I couldn’t keep doing this. Someone would get hurt. I swam toward Davio. “It’s time for the bonfire. I’ll trail your airstream.”
“Done.” He nodded and flashed away.
I followed, fast.
12
Pine needles stuck to the wet soles of my feet. The clearing in the forest was dark, the sun having dipped below the horizon hours ago. A stockpile of logs awaited its fate. Beautiful. My kind of kindling.
“You’re glowing, Silvie.” Davio hunkered down, one hand pressed to the damp soil. Faith flashed in beside him and knelt with one hand on his back. Silas blinked in with Hope.
“Where’s Guy?”
He shimmered in. “I barely caught the others’ airstream.”
“No, stay back, okay? I don’t want you getting hurt.” Fire pulsed from my raised fingertips. It vaulted right over his shoulder.
He ducked. “Hell, the flames are moving up your arms. Your fire is spreading.”
Flames raced to my shoulders and across my chest. The fire swept down, around my hips, thighs and legs. My toes tingled as fire flared from the tips. I was ablaze, every inch of me. Sooo mesmerizing.
“Everyone, back to the tree line,” Davio yelled. The others sought the shelter they needed, all except Guy. He remained crouched, and close.
“You can’t handle this kind of heat. Go. I’ll be fine, Guy.”
“No. I’m not leaving your side. You’re my mate. You need me.”
“I’ve never lit up like this.”
“Send the fire from you. You have to release this excess energy. Aim it at the stockpile.”
My blood fairly sang as I zeroed in on it. It was all for me.
Oh yeah, this was what I wanted. To burn.
In anticipation, I stamped my feet, only, a ripple of fire flared out from my toes. It sent an undulating wave of heat across the ground. Smoke puffed and clouded around.
Guy fanned the air. “Don’t set fire to the ground. The stockpile.”
My heart burst with a hunger for more. “This is amazing.”
He edged closer, almost touching my flames. “Keep your focus, and your sight on the prize.”
“The prize. Yes.” Arms raised, I spread my palms toward the tower of logs. My blood exploded with heat, and fire crackled and popped in a sizzling rampage. My flames lit the night sky. Wow, this was one seriously hot skill.
“Let the heat go!” Guy bellowed.
Go. Yes. I drew every last ounce of energy and brought it forth. The flames pulsing from me grew thicker, stronger, and brighter. The red flickered with blue then a cold, dark thing shoved all my feelings aside. Burn. I had to burn and devour.
“Silvie, no!” Someone slammed into me, only, I was rooted to the ground by the sheer force of the energy bound within. “I’ve got you. Now, damn it, send the fire from you.”
Guy. I couldn’t harm him. My mate. With my last reserves, I thrust the build-up to my hands. I shot the fire like an arrow into the heart of the logs. It hit with a thunderous roar and flames soared into the sky, spearing out in a deadly array.
“Don’t let me go.” My energy drained from one heartbeat to the next. My limbs went rubbery and my body became a dead weight.
“Never. We stick together.” He scooped me up before I sank to the ground. “You did it. You managed not to burn me and your fire is out. Your rising is done.”
My vision swam, and I dropped my head onto his shoulder. My energy was completely gone, every last ounce sapped. Had I really done it? “Is everyone all right?”
“After that show, just.” Faith bounded in.
“It was spectacular.” Davio grinned. “There’re a few fires flaring up of course, but with Hope’s help we’ll deal with them.”
“Way to go, sis.” Silas kissed my cheek.
“I’m needed out there to bring water in, but congratulations.” Hope rubbed my back.
“Be careful. No one’s allowed to get burnt while they put my fires out.”
“We’ll get onto it now.” Silas pulled Hope into his arms and flashed away with her. Davio and Faith followed in their airstream.
I looked deep into Guy’s eyes. My enchanter who would forever enchant me. “Thank you for staying. You were amazing.”
He pressed his lips to mine, his kiss filled with more emotion than I could grapple. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else. You’re my world, my heart and my soul.”