Chapter 14 : Singed by the Fire Mage

*Ember*

With my hand over my still-flat belly, I walked the grounds of the castle a few days later, careful to steer clear of the caves. I thought one attack might be enough for all of us for a while.

I passed some lovely gardens, but was more drawn to the sounds of scuffling in the castle courtyard. Walking as quietly as I could, I peeked around an arched doorway to see what was going on.

In the courtyard, my dark prince Kieran was fighting shirtless with the odious Norse god Zephyr. I wondered, briefly, if I should go intervene, then realized they were sparring.

They circled each other, which was a shame, because really I only wanted to see Kieran. Zephyr’s tall form kept getting in the way.

When Zephyr wasn’t in the way, I managed to catch glimpses of the intricate red dragon tattoo, with gold highlights, snaking across Kieran’s back. It rippled when he moved, the gold tints in it flashing in the sunlight. It was by far the most beautiful tattoo I’d ever seen.

And Kieran