Chapter 7 : Burn Me

Chapter 7: Burn Me

*Ember*

I tossed and turned all night thinking about Kieran and his offer. Looking around my suite of rooms I knew without a doubt that he could protect me from all harm and danger that was out there to get me.

But having his child in return?

I pushed my blankets aside and wrapped myself up in my robe. My ankle was still a little sore. I still had a slight limp as I made my way to the balcony to think and look out into the vastness of the starry sky.

A long time ago I had come to terms with not having children. Being on the run and constantly looking over my shoulder was one reason not to even consider it.

No child deserves to live like that. And then there was the issue of my hands. I could never get close enough to anyone in order to have a boyfriend. I had never taken on a lover, not even a one-night stand for fear of hurting them with my touch.

The thought of hurting my own child that way was also too much to bear.

I shook my head. It was too much to think about.

“Just forget it,” I told myself.

I let my eyes travel from the stars down to the castle grounds and the garden illuminated in the moonlight.

I needed some fresh air to clear my head. I slowly made my way to the door, putting on my gloves as I slipped out into the dark hallway. I had enjoyed my time in the castle, even if much of it was spent resting my ankle in bed.

I couldn’t help feeling sad as I walked the halls to the doors leading to the castle gardens. As I reached them I could feel someone's eyes on me. I turned around and saw Kieran leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

"You shouldn't be walking around by yourself," he said.

I shrugged. "I needed some air."

“Do you mind if I join you?” he asked and I realized I had wanted him to stay and maybe hoped to run into him before I left.

“It is your castle.” I gave a half-hearted smile.

He nodded and I continued on my way into the garden taking a seat on a stone bench as I wondered how many people before me had sat in that very spot.

Kieran joined me on the bench, his eyes scanning the garden. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I nodded. “Yes, it is.”

The night was cool but not uncomfortably so, and the stars shone brightly above us. We sat in silence for a few moments, the only sound coming from the gentle rustling of leaves in the night breeze. Kieran turned to me.

"I know my offer was a lot to take in," Kieran finally said, breaking the silence. "But I meant every word. I will protect you, Ember. And our child will want for nothing."

I turned to him, studying his handsome face in the moonlight. "I believe you," I said softly. "But it's not just about protection, Kieran. It's about the child. I can only imagine that for royalty, producing an heir is a practical business decision, but for someone like me… Family is more precious than any amount of money.”

"I understand," he said. "But think about it. I could give that child a life of luxury and safety that you've never had. And who knows? Maybe you'll find that being a mother is something you truly want."

“I never said I didn’t want to be a mother…” I could feel the tears sting the back of my eyes. Kieran reached out to touch my gloved hands but I pulled them back.

“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said soothingly.

“Don’t you get it yet?” I snapped. “I’m not worried about you hurting me.”

“Ember… I don’t think your hands will affect me.”

“You don't know that for sure.”

“Neither of us knows anything for sure, Ember,” he grumbled. “It’s not a strategic business move. It’s the future of my people. My heir ensures their survival should anything happen to me.”

“Then you can choose someone else.” I stood up to leave but his hand clamped on my arm and spun me around to face him. His eyes blazed fire in the moonlight and his smokey breath escaped his nostrils.

“I don’t want someone else. Having an heir isn’t business as usual for me. Otherwise, I would have sired one already.”

“Let me go,” I said through gritted teeth and he pulled me closer.

“Make me…” His smoldering breath fanned over me and I was at a loss for words about what to do next.

I swallowed as my knees became weak, and I couldn’t help but lean into him.

“Take off those damned gloves and burn me into oblivion.”

I hesitated breathing heavily as he brought his lips close to my ear.

“Tomorrow you go back to your room above the bookstore and I go back to my everyday existence.”

He pressed my body closer to his and I felt the arousal he had pressed into my hip.

“Tell me that you want me to stop.”

His hands roamed my body and he kissed a trail down my throat to my chest.

His hands were reaching inside my robe, trailing over the skin of my belly before pulling on the waistband of my pajamas. I bit my lip, knowing that I should tell him to stop and push him away.

But all I could do was enjoy the delicious feel of his hands on my body and the dizzying effect of his sweet smokey scent. I swallowed into a tight throat as my heart rate quickened and his fingers found their way into my panties.

I clung to him as he worked my silky lips apart and massaged my sensitive nub.

“Kieran…” I gasped as I panted in his arms, feeling my wetness drench his fingers.

“Ember,” he murmured my name sweetly and I felt my body convulse in pleasure followed by the heat of my hands lighting up with the excitement of being at the mercy of his touch.

I completely came back to my senses.

“Stop,” I squeaked and stood back on shaky legs, pushing him away as I balled my hands into fists and held them close to my chest. “Let me go.”

He took a step back and released me, slipping his hands from my underwear. The cold gush of air that rushed between us chilled me to the bone. I immediately wanted to be back in his arms.

But I hurried back inside and made it back to my room without running into anyone. I went back to the balcony and looked out at the garden but I could no longer see Kieran.

I sighed, fighting the urge to go find him.

Tomorrow I would be back in my world and if all went well, I wouldn’t have to see him again. I blinked away the tears stinging my eyes and took off my gloves, tossing them onto the bed.

My hands still glowed hot and my body was aching with the need to release.

Damn it!

I hopped in the shower to cool myself off and swore never to talk to that dragon ever again.

The next morning Nola arrived with a stack of books she thought I might enjoy reading.

“It’s all the truth about dragons and possibilities of fire mages,” she explained. “His Majesty wanted you to have them as… mementos from his collection.”

She gave a small pout.

“What’s wrong?” I asked her.

“I’m sorry we brought you here under false pretenses… and even worse, you got hurt and we couldn’t see about your hands. Complete tragedy.”

“No, it’s okay. I am glad I came here and got a little break from my life. Whatever is going on with my hands, maybe we can keep in touch and figure it out?”

Her expression brightened up. “I would love that!”

“Does everyone here know about my hands?” I asked warily.

“Just four of us, his majesty and his most trusted advisors. But, don’t worry, your secret's safe with us. Just like our secrets are safe with you, right?”

“Absolutely,” I assured her, and she gave me a spontaneous hug.

As I sat on the plane, I couldn't help but think about Kieran and our heated encounter. I tried to push the thoughts from my mind, focusing instead on the book in my lap. It was a thick tome filled with information on dragon anatomy and behavior. I skimmed through the pages, fascinated by the intricate details of their scales and the way they breathed fire.

The second book I opened was even more fascinating, filled with stories about dragon riders and their elemental powers. In another book I read, the world of dragons and fire mages unfolded before me. Fire mages could be friends, lovers, and even mates of their chosen dragons. Because they were considered just as strong as dragons?

I couldn't help but feel intrigued as I read about the deep bond between fire mages and their dragons. It was a relationship that went beyond just companionship or ownership. It was a deep connection that allowed them to work together in harmony, using their strengths to protect each other and their world.

Was that true?

I thought about Kieran as I read about the strong bond between a dragon and a fire mage. I wondered what it would be like to have a connection like that with someone, to be able to communicate without words and feel their emotions as if they were your own.

But then I shook my head, reminding myself that it was just a book and that I was heading back to my normal life. I closed the book and leaned back in my seat as I watched the clouds pass by outside my window. I couldn't help but feel a sense of longing for the world I had just left behind.

I had to keep reminding myself that it was just a brief escape from reality and that I had responsibilities waiting for me back home. Despite what she thought Rowena needed me, the bookstore was my home and where I belonged.

I took a deep breath and continued reading.

I was so engrossed in the book that I barely noticed when the flight attendant came by to offer me some refreshments.

She handed me a cup of coffee and as I sipped on my mug, my thoughts drifted back to Kieran. I couldn't help but wonder if he was thinking of me too. I shook my head, trying to clear it of any thoughts of him.

I couldn't stop myself from thinking about the way Kieran had touched me. It had been so wrong, yet so right at the same time. My body still ached with the memory of his touch and I wondered what it would be like to explore that side of myself more.

No, I reminded myself once again. No more Kieran.

As the plane landed and I made my way back to my small apartment, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was different.

Over the next few days, I tried my best to distract myself from thinking about Kieran. I went to work at the bookstore, went for long walks in the park, and even signed up for an online yoga class to stay away from the forums. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't shake the feeling that something had changed within me.

One evening, as I was sitting on my couch, I noticed a small flame flickering on my fingertips. At first, I thought it was just a trick of the light, but as I stared at my hands, the flame grew bigger and more intense.

For a moment, I panicked. But as I calmed down, I realized that the flame was under my control. I could make it dance and twirl on my fingertips with ease. I concentrated hard, closing my hands and the flame extinguished.

“What could this mean?”