Page 16 of Bound By Fire and Magic
“Then I’ll pay the price.”
“Be very clear upfront what that price is.”
“Definitely.”
She walked toward the ash circle.
“How does this work?”
His regular voice. She turned to find him in human form again. Now the orb’s light cast a blue glow on his golden skin, washing over his shoulders and the contours of his pecs.
She focused on the branches. “We go into the circle, and I summon Goron. The circle should protect us from the tulpa.”
She shuddered at the memory of that wet whisper in her ear. She let the orb float and snapped her fingers, creating a flame that lit the branches.
He gestured to his naked body, which made her gaze follow his hand and take in his glorious male form. “I suppose I should wear something, out of respect. I’ll put on my briefs. That way I can Catalyze without taking time to strip or shredding my clothes.” He nodded toward the front office. “Come with. I don’t want you here by yourself.”
She turned away as he pulled on his black briefs a minute later, listening to the slide of fabric against skin, fully able to imagine it. Not that she was imagining it. No, not at all.
Back inside the circle, she said, “We must kneel. Deities demand submission.” She glanced at Kirin, who, no surprise, had a stubborn frown. “If you’re going to do this with me, you have to submit. On your knees.”
“Well, when you put it that way…”
“Kirin!” she whispered.
“Yeah, yeah.”
Once they were in position, she raised her arms. “Goron, my revered ancestor, I beg your audience.”
Nothing.
“Goron, please come to aid your progeny.”
Still nothing but the wild crackle of the wood.
“Goron!”
She jerked at Kirin’s harsh order. Before she could reprimand him, an image appeared in the smoke above the flames, an old man with long white hair and beard.
“Who dare—” Bushy eyebrows arched above swirling black eyes that shot an angry glare at Kirin. “A Dragon?” But his expression morphed to one of interest. “A Dragon on his knees. How interesting.”
Kirin bristled beside her, and she hoped he would check his temper and pride. He looked regal, back straight, arms at his sides with hands fisted. Behaving himself for her.
“We require your assistance,” he said, looking at her to handle the request.
Elle nodded in thanks. “I am your ancestor.” She hadn’t even realized she’d created a small orb in her right hand which she rolled between her fingers.
“Hmph.” Goron sized her up. “I consider none of you my family. The human female who seduced me, she is your ancestor.”
“It takes two to tango,” Kirin said. “Your godship.”
Those bushy eyebrows furrowed in irritation.
“Excuse him, please,” she said, shooting Kirin a quelling look. “He is simply here to protect me.”
“From me?” Mirth saturated Goron’s words.
“No.” She met his gaze. “I’m not afraid of you.” Before he could get too put off by that, she added, “From the tulpa my father created. My father came to you, didn’t he? Huff Becker asked for your help to create a tulpa.”
