Page 11 of Shrine of Fire

“Welcome to your Shrine, Nova,” Stefan said. The other alpha was still looking a little green, but he barreled ahead. “Shall we see what provisions need to be made? We can put in the requests when we reach the Ember Palace.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” I started for the stairs, but Aki beat me there, pushing forward up the winding basalt staircase leading up into the volcanic mountain. His shoulders were tense, and he was in full-on guard mode.

I didn’t want to find it such a turn-on that he was so serious about protecting me, but warmth I couldn’t blame on the balmy air prickled my skin.

“Can we go outside first?” I asked as we reached the top of the stairs. “I want to see what it would have been like a thousand years ago, when this way was used to approach the Shrine.”

“Of course.”

The long, winding hallway led us to fresh air. We passed many rooms and part of me wanted to linger, but the silly notion that I wanted to walk in as a pilgrim first wouldn’t leave me. We reached the massive double doors and went outside.

I’d been here before, first to stop Yvenna and then to tell the Ember King I would pick up the long dormant position of Shrine Omega.

The island never failed to take my breath away. The rocky ground was solid, smooth black. I turned around and looked up at the massive mountain of the volcano.

Beautiful, gnarled trees grew out of the fertile ground, and colorful birds sang in the trees. White sand beaches wrapped around the tiny island.

Zara probably sensed spirit magic when she came to the Shrines, perhaps the low vibration of energy or maybe tingling. Only having fire magic, I felt nothing but the soft breeze on my face and the heat of the day.

That would change, when I was bonded to the Shrine. Nerves fluttered through me, but I pushed them away.

I wanted to help, and I would be a liar if I didn’t enjoy the idea of being able to have control over the changing world. It was terrifying, knowing how close we had been to the world being destroyed. If Yvenna hadn’t been instrumental in breaking open the Shrines, forcing us to deal with the buildup of spirit magic, that was what would have happened.

Although Yvenna shouldn’t have been so destructive, the reality was that the world had been on a ticking time bomb, as spirit magic built up in the spirit world. It had only been a matter of time before it burst over to the mortal realm.

That was why I was going to bond with the Shrine. Once I was connected, I would be able to control the flow of magic back and forth.

If the world was going to change, I wanted to be right here, helping it along.

Stefan brushed his hands down his red robes. Somehow, he looked like he belonged here as much as he did in the ballroom. “Shrine Omegas lived in their Shrines, but we’ll be expected to maintain a…presence at the palace as well.”

“Presence?” Hashir smirked. “Is that what you call bedrooms here?”

Stefan turned red. “No, uhh, the suites are quite extensive…”

Hashir patted him on the shoulder. “I’m giving you a hard time. We should set up a residence here. It will give us a place to speak freely.”

Stefan glanced at the three of us. “The palace has many spies, unfortunately.”

“Which is why we wanted to ask you about your love life, before we go make nice with the king.” Hashir winked and gestured at the beach around us. “I’m going to walk around the perimeter with Aki.”

Traitor. He was leaving me on my own to muddle through the most awkward conversation I’d ever had.

Hashir all but skipped off with Aki, and I was left staring at my feet.

“Perhaps, after we get settled, we can go island hopping?” Stefan walked toward the dock on the beach.

A small boat was tied off there, and that was how we planned to leave when the time came. There was a gnarled driftwood bench near the dock, where Stefan took a seat.

I sat down next to him, folding my hands in my lap, trying to think of how to start the conversation. When had my life got so complicated?

I gestured at the small dots on the horizon, evidence of the other islands nearby. “I don’t know how ship captains navigate around so many different places.”

“They use maps and instruments.” Stefan’s soft cotton and lemon scent was stronger outside, as if the sunlight and sea calmed him. “Or they sail by the stars.”

“That makes sense.” I smoothed my dress out and brushed away imaginary pieces of dirt, then took a deep breath as I stole a glance at him. “Did I ruin any of your relationships? When I told your father I would marry you.”

Stefan stared at me for a minute, before asking, hesitantly, “What relationships?”

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