Page 38 of Fire & Ice

Slowly, agonizingly slowly, something inside of me shifted. Something powerful and primal awakened within me as if it had always been there waiting for this moment, but I was too shattered to understand. My hands sparked with flames, and I struggled to contain the fire that threatened to engulf me. I couldn't lose control, not now. I had to get away, far from anyone who might be caught in the inferno of my anguish.

Charlie

I watched as Tempest ran away from me, disappearing into the darkness of the forest. Tempest was hurting, and me waiting to ease her pain was all a part of the plan. Tempest was meant for me and now was the time for me to show her. I couldn't help but feel a sense of possessiveness over her, a fierce desire to protect her at all costs and to make her understand we were the ones actually destined for each other. She was the queen I had been searching for.

I turned to charge after her when I heard a rustle in the bushes and tensed, ready to obliterate anyone who meant to harm Tempest, as a figure emerged, their features blurred by the shadows.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my hand instinctively gathering power.

The figure stepped forward, hands raised in surrender. "Easy there, Charlie. It's just me."

I recognized the voice and lowered my hand, relaxing my stance. "Prince Gabriel? What are you doing here?"

Gabriel shrugged. "I was in the area, thought I'd check on things. What happened with Tempest?"

I sighed heavily. "Beau happened. He betrayed her."

Gabriel raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Beau? That's not like him. What did he do?"

I hesitated for a moment before deciding to reveal a part of the truth. "The halfling Sara. Beau was caught in an intimate embrace with her, when Tempest walked in on them."

Gabriel's expression darkened as he clenched his fists. "That halfling will not stop. I knew that she was up to something nefarious. I'll make her pay for whatever illusion she has placed my brother under. There is no way that Beau would willingly be with her. I'll talk to Tempest and make her see—"

I shook my head. "I don't think that's a good idea, Gabriel. Tempest needs time to heal and come to her own conclusions."

Gabriel scoffed. "And what if she decides not to forgive him? What then? Sara will just get away with whatever she has done. My parents won't stand for this."

I placed a hand on Gabriel's arm, restraining him. "Please, let me handle this. I'll make sure Tempest is safe and taken care of. I feel bad, I was the one who introduced them after all."

Gabriel's expression softened, and he nodded. "Very well then. I need to find Marcus and get to the bottom of what's going on."

I smiled and stepped away, readying myself to go after Tempest in the palace forest when I heard Gabriel's voice again. "Charlie."

I turned to look at him. "Yeah?"

Gabriel smiled warmly, a glint in his green eyes. "Thank you, Charlie. Tempest is a special girl and the queen our kingdom needs."

I smiled and nodded. "Trust me. I know just how special Tempest is. She was created to wear a crown."

Chapter 39

Sara

I watched as Tempest vanished into the night, a strange mixture of relief and unease coiling around inside my gut. I had never anticipated just how powerful Tempest's gift truly was. Sure at the mating ritual she had blended her power with Beau’s, but the quick heat blast that had just blown us back and scorched the study left me unsure and shaken. If Tempest ever discovered the truth about her betrayal...the thought chilled me to my bones… until I looked at Beau’s handsome face and saw my future and all I’d ever wanted.

Tempest and her power be damned, I would have him and if I couldn’t then… neither would she.

"What happened?" Beside me, Beau stirred interrupting my musing, rubbing the back of his head. "The last thing I remember was talking to Deakon in the study. How did I end up out here?"

I grasped his arm gently and gestured over to Deakon lying unconscious on the floor. His black suit had scorch marks along the front of it and my vines which had entangled him were dust surrounding his form. "There was an accident with one of the new Halfling's gifts," I lied smoothly. "Her fire got out of control, and she fled before she could hurt anyone else. I'm just grateful you're alright. I’ve already called the guards to come see about Councilman Lacey."

Beau frowned, glancing around, taking in Deakon’s prone form and the scorched walls and floor. "Wow a newbie did this?" He raised an eyebrow at me for confirmation.

I forced a smile and nodded, averting my gaze from his penetrating stare. If only he knew that it wasn't some run-of-the-mill Halfling that caused all this destruction, but rather a complex web of lies and deceit woven by none other than myself.

"Not intentionally," I said, running my hand up his muscular arm. "Her power is tied to her emotions. I'm worried about her, Beau. She's clearly struggling to control her gift, and she has no one to help guide her."

"We have to find her," Beau said immediately. "She could be dangerous if left on her own."

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