Page 12 of Embers to Flames

Bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, the chandeliers above sparkle like stars, casting a romantic haze over the enchanting ballroom.

Where am I?

As I stand there, a sense ofexpectation hangs in the air, like the sweet pause before a symphony begins. From across the room, I see a man. He’s moving toward me with an effortless grace. It’s… not just any man… it’s not a man at all… it’s an Elf. Theo.

His eyes hold a depth that whispers secrets of a thousand stories. His bare chest shows a trilogy of endless markings across his upper torso and down both his arms. They… they look like flames. He approaches me, and with gentle confidence, offers his hand. His touch is exhilarating. He spins me around the ballroom so naturally. With such ease. He shifts his hands down to the backs of my upper thighs and lifts me up. Instinctively I wrap my legs around his waist.

“That’s my good girl.” He says with a growl.

I take his face in my hands. There is nothing but breath between our lips. He tightens his grip on the cheeks of my ass and pulls me into him, closer. I can feel my pelvic muscles tighten and pulse with wanting. I lean in further… closing my eyes softly…

I wake up to the sound of… singing.

“In the twilight under the stars… A melody of ancient wars…”

I put a hand to my forehead. No bumps, no bruises. I twist my torso, and my spine cracks. No pain though.

Wow… fully healed.

I’m so happy to be back to normal that I almost forget why I’m back to normal to begin with. Then I hear the singing again. I’m still dreaming. I must be.

“Through the mists of time they call… to hearts that listen, one and all…”

Theo.

What is he doing in there?

I creep out of bed and make my way over to the wardrobe and open the cabinet door. I pull out my blue dress, along with a white lace up bodice. My boots still sit on the floor at the end of the bed. As I’m slipping the dress over my head, I take notice that Eulee is not in here with me. I slip my feet into my brown leather boots and tie them up the side. I open the door just enough so I can get a peek into the other room. There is Theo. Standing over the hearth… cooking. Still singing…

“A timeless song, both bold and free… A gift to you, from me!”

I’m enthralled by his voice. So sweet, so humble. So… mesmerizing.

“I know you are listening, Rose. Come on out for some breakfast.” He purrs out the words without even turning from the pan he has over the fire.

“I was trying not to interrupt… what is that you’re cooking? It smells delicious.”

I step out into the main room and take a seat at the table.

“You’ll see,” he says, turning his face towards me and giving me a toothy grin.

He already has a kettle of coffee piping hot on the table and I pour myself a cup, he watches me as I mix a splash of cream into the piping hot liquid.

On the table there is a spread of toast and jar of apple butter, along with a small bowl of—those—red berries. I feel my cheeks flush just thinking of the first time he’d given me a taste of those berries. I look up from my cup of coffee and he sets a plate in front of me. Eggs, salted pork, and little roasted potatoes.

“I’m impressed. How do you know how to make all this?” I say, stuffing a bite-full of eggs and potatoes into my mouth. I really should be more lady-like. I’m just so incredibly hungry.

“My mother taught me when I was younger. Elves didn’t always have humans to serve them… remember?”

“Mm-hmm…I f’rgot,”I muffled with a full mouth. Theo chuckles and again bares a grin that spreads from ear to ear.

“Slow-down love. I knew you would be hungry. It’s the healing process. Your body used a lot of energy last night to heal so quickly. The food will replenish that energy.” He goes back to sipping his tea.

“What song were you singing earlier?” I ask as I finish my plate and wipe my mouth with a rag.

“Just an old Elvish hymn. Nothing too interesting. Maybe I’ll teach it to you one day.”

“Well, it was beautiful. Your voice is very calming.”

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