Page 58 of Embers to Flames

We open the large tome and start flipping through its pages, our fingers tracing the detailed illustrations of both extravagant castles and simple cottages. We skim through page after page, quickly looking over the words for any potentially important details.

“Wait, I’ve found it!” I exclaim, pointing at an intricate drawing in the center of the page. My eyes scan the book, and a surge of resolve and hope fills me. The drawing reveals a map with winding paths leading up to the fortress. “According to this, the structure we seek is located in the heart of the volcano, Mt. Ero,” I say, my voice steady with new-found determination.

“You need to get back to Theo and fill him in.” Alyndra says with urgency in her tone. “Can you translocate back to Endia?”

“I… I don’t know,” I stammer. “I’m not even sure how I did it the first time.”

Alyndra offers me a hand, “Come on stand up. I think I can help you with this. It can’t be any different than our elven magic.”

I accept her offer and rise to my feet, turning to face her. Alyndra’s eyes drop to peaked nipples under my thin nightgown, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. “You know, it’s a shame you’re destined for tall, brooding, and scaly… I might have to fight a Dragon for you.” She winks, and I feel my cheeks burning hotter than Theo’s fire breath.

Switching to a more serious tone, Alyndra continues, “I think your powers are tied to your emotions. Let’s go through your greatest hits, shall we?”

I nod, trying to recall my most recent magical moments. “Well, when I went all ‘explody’ on those swords, I was pretty ticked off. Partly because Theo and I were rudely interrupted, if you catch my drift.” I can feel my face turning even redder. “But mostly because they were threatening us.”

“Anger, got it,” Alyndra nods. “What about when you froze Theo? What were you feeling then?”

I close my eyes, reliving the moment. “Terrified. I’d already lost Meemaw, then Eulee, and I thought I was going to lose Theo too. I was scared of being alone.”

“So, fear triggers your time-freezing party trick,” Alyndra says, squeezing my hand. “Now, what about your impromptu visit here?”

I try to remember my thoughts from earlier. “It was a jumble. Mikyl, the Witches’ cryptic nonsense, the library, you. I just knew you’d have the answers.”

“Sounds like you were feeling pretty cozy,” Alyndra muses. “Maybe it was love? Love for the library, the books, the sanctuary they’ve always given you?”

“Yeah, I guess that could be it,” I agree.

“Then that’s your ticket back to Theo,” Alyndra says. “Just picture your Dragon boy in all his scaly glory. And hey, if you happen to materialize on top of him, I’m sure he won’t be complaining. Might even spice up your night.”

I roll my eyes but can’t help grinning. Closing them, I focus on Theo. His warmth enveloping me, his gentle snores tickling my ear, the rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek. My heart does a little flip, and suddenly I’m filled with an overwhelming desire to be back in his arms.

That is where I belong, with him.

As I concentrate on this powerful emotion, I feel a faint tingling in my fingertips. It spreads up my arm, pulsing like a rhythmic heartbeat. I try to hold onto this sensation, to let it grow, to summon my powers. With a deep breath, I focus on the feeling of safety and warmth that I associate with Theo. I imagine the love and devotion I have for him, and how desperately I want to be back beside him again.

Suddenly, the world around me seems to bend and shift, bending to my will. I can feel the power coursing through me, a force born from love and faith. The air around me shimmers once more as I’m surrounded by light. My eyes snap open, and I look directly at Alyndra, my gaze determined. She nods in encouragement, and I close my eyes once more. This time, when I open them, I’m back in my bed.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

I sit up, wiping away the tears of relief that sting my eyes. Theo’s still sleeping, his gentle breaths rising and falling. As I look at him, my heart swells with gratitude and happiness. I can’t believe it worked. I slowly reach out and lay my hand on his warm skin, the sensation sending a jolt of pleasure through me.

“Theo,” I whisper, my voice barely above a breath. He stirs, opening his eyes to meet mine. His face softens with recognition and love. I lean forward and press my lips to his, feeling the power of our love radiate between us. It’s like nothing has ever felt truer or more real.

Theo opens his eyes and stares into mine. “Rose? What is it? What has happened?”

“Nothing… well… something. But can we please just have this for a moment longer?”

With gentle motion, I place my hands on either side of his face holding the world at bay. “Just this,” I murmur. “This perfect pause where it is only us.”

His warm hands cradle my face, and he kisses me with a passion that leaves me breathless. I’m beginning to realize that all of this power… this magic… itreallyturns me on.

Gently, I trace my fingertips over the planes and contours of Theo’s strong chest, letting them dip into the grooves of his muscular abdomen. I feel the scar from where the ice spear had punctured him before. The rippling muscles beneath the skin jump in response to my touch, eliciting a gasp from him. His hands find their way to my waist, pulling me onto him until every inch of our bodies are entwined.

“Dang it, Rose,” he breathes out, his voice laden with desire. “I’m going to need you to stop teasing.”

I raise an eyebrow at him coyly. “Who said anything about teasing?” I retort, my fingers slipping lower, brushing against the thick length of his arousal. He lets out a low growl, his fingers digging deeper into the soft flesh of my hips.

His hand slides up my nightgown, stroking the bareness of my supple breasts. His thumb teases over a puckered nipple, sending bouts of pleasure coursing through me that pools down between my legs.

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