Page 72 of Kiss of Fire

Raya had a lump in her throat. She felt inexplicably closer to her adopted parents then at any time since the fire. She didn’t know if Shade knew what this meant to her, but it was the kindest thing anyone had ever done.

She got to her feet. The least she could do was work on her power.

“We don’t have long before the Vulcani get here,” she said.

“Aye. Let’s see what you can do.”

Not a lot, as it turned out. It was definitely getting easier to summon the flames. And this time Raya managed to create a fireball of a more respectable size. A glowing sphere the size of a grapefruit appeared between her palms. Triumphantly, she flicked it at the fountain twenty metres away.

It crawled barely half the distance and fizzled out.

“For fuck’s sake. Why is this so difficult?”

She tried again. This time the fiery globe bobbed drunkenly to within a couple of meters of the fountain before disappearing in a splutter of sparks.

Gritting her teeth, she produced another one. It sank to the floor and vanished with a sadpoof.

Frustrated, Raya threw herself into the grass.

“This is ridiculous. What am I going to do when the Vulcani get here? I may as well light a match and chuck it at them.”

“May I make a suggestion?” Tor had been watching critically. “Pardon me for saying, but I don’t think you’re fireball material.”

“But I have to be.” Stung, Raya drew herself up. “My mother threw fireballs. I have to do the same if I’m to prove myself.”

“No, you don’t.”

He spoke with such quiet assurance that Raya was brought up short.

“What do you mean?”

“Your mother was a warrior. A fighter. She threw fireballs because it was in her nature. But you, you’re not a violent person.”

“I can be if I have to.”

“But that’s the thing. Youdon’thave to. You just have to use your power in a way that’s true toyournature.”

Raya shook her head.

“I don’t understand.”

“Look, Aelah was fierce and aggressive. Her power reflects that. You, you’re different. I think you have to quit trying to make fireballs.”

“Are you saying I’m weak?”

“No!” He raised his hands immediately. “You’re far from weak. But you’re not a born fighter like Aelah. You’re…” a faint blush stained his cheeks. “You’re brave and clever and kind. You have a quiet strength about you. I think you need to manifest your power differently.”

“And make what? Flame kittens?”

He shrugged.

“If that’s what it takes.”

“I’m not making bloody flame kittens. The Vulcani will laugh me out of the castle and Shade will probably explode in embarrassment.”

“Make whatever you want. What makes you happy?”

Raya thought about it. The list was short. Not surprising, given she’d spent half her life in therapy. She could count them on the fingers of one hand.

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