I was dreaming of fire, until the voice of a goddess called to me, demanding my attention. I awaken to the vision of a delectable female. My primal response is to call an all body flame, however, even though my fire screams for release, something is holding it back. Undeterred, I box her against the wall, one hand slipping behind her head as my mouth possesses hers.

In the background, a sound is niggling at my brain like an annoying fly. I try to ignore it, but the buzzing slowly forms into words, Kai! You must stop. You cannot let the fire control you. You cannot take the girl.

She is mine! I snarl at the intrusion.

You would ravish an innocent? An innocent whom you have been entrusted to protect?

Recognition flickers and the voice starts to bring me back to sanity. Antares?

Ah, my friend. You are back. Good. Now I suggest that you release the princess.

Princess? Reality settling in, I manage to disentangle my lips, although it takes a monumental effort to physically push myself away from Elissa. She looks up at me with wide eyes, her lips swollen and her nightdress plastered to her body like a second skin.

I look away before I do something I will regret and get a face full of water. As soon as I stop the downpour, my flames demand to blaze. I cannot stay in this small space with her. It is just not safe.

Irritated, both with myself and the situation, I storm out. A young Dragonite might occasionally lose control of their fire during their first battles or early intimacies, but I am a seasoned warrior.

That was rude, Kai, Antares admonishes.

It was that or risk throwing her onto the bed and not leaving the room for several days. I cannot understand what is wrong with me.

My friend, your fire has been kindled.

Do not be ridiculous. A coupling between an elf and a Dragonite is an impossibility.

Antares responds with a touch of offence in his voice, You doubt me? I am your dragon.

This is just a momentary madness. I have a mission to complete. I force down the misplaced feelings of lust, cage my fire and return to my room.

With each step away, my limbs protest. I fall on to my bed. Everything hurts, it is as if corrosive acid is pumping through my veins. I feel as weak as a newborn.

I told you that your fire has been kindled. Fighting it is painful. Perhaps we should delay our departure.

No. I push myself off the bed and wrestle into riding leathers. Falling into the methodical task of strapping all of my weapons in place brings a modicum of relief.

Outside, I stagger to Antares, gritting my teeth against the agony. Damned be to Ishtar. Is this some cruel joke of hers?

The sky darkens and my flames surge within. I turn and there is Elissa, approaching like a brewing storm, with wild eyes and windswept hair. She is glorious and I want to bask in her wrath.

Just behind her are Cain and Cade. Perhaps they can save me. "Stop her."

Cade grabs Elissa. Blue sparks, like miniature lightning, flash around her. Cade yelps and now unhindered, Elissa strides towards me.

"I do not understand what your problem is. First you practically kiss me into next week, now you don't want me anywhere near you! Talk about whiplash."

I admit that my behaviour has been questionable at times, but I would never whip her. I attempt to take a step backward and falter. Antares manoeuvres to steady me.

Elissa shakes her head. "I should let you suffer, but you can barely stand."

Her hand moves faster than my eyes can track, merely a pale blur, and grabs my hand. She is ice to my fire, yet there is no melting her. There is no stopping the floodwaters of her power. They sweep unhindered through my being, extinguishing the inferno and leaving behind smouldering embers.

The desire is still there, but it is bearable now. Still, I do not dare risk her travelling on Antares with me. She is dangerous and the proximity could reignite this madness. Cade is glowering, while Cain is smirking, evidently amused by this charade.

"I think it best that you ride with Cain, today."

Her eyes are so expressive. The depths of disappointment and hurt reflecting back at me make me regret my curtness. However, I would rather that she hates me than the alternative. If I lost control for even a moment, I could scar her in more ways than one. The poor girl already has nightmares about fire. She would think me a monster.

......

The sight of Babylon signals that my mission is almost at an end. It is for the best. The words sound hollow in my head. At least I am, for the most part recovered. That was some potent magic of hers. By rights I should either be in agony or laid up in bed.

It is no good. I have to check on her. Cain is sat far too close to Elissa for my liking, though she seems at ease in his company. Her hands move animatedly as she talks and even from this distance her eyes sparkle. I follow the direction of her gaze and stare at the Red Palace.

The huge edifice in red stone is indeed an impressive sight, particularly the way the large central dome of burnished copper glows in the late afternoon sunlight. The whole structure sits like an eyrie, built into the side of a mountain, accessible only by flight. Jagged snow-capped peaks tower above, while there is a sheer, deathly drop of several hundred feet beneath.

The dragon sentinels strategically placed along the battlements, turn to watch our approach and the twin metal doors yawn open. The aperture is large enough to allow passage for a dragon even as mighty as Antares. We swoop through and land in a cavernous, vaulted courtyard.

Cain holds out a hand to Elissa and helps her down. Retaining his hold for a little longer than he should, he kisses her knuckles. "My princess."

"Thank you, Cain."

"You can ride with me any time, sweet thing." Cain seems completely incapable of resisting flirting.

She laughs and shakes her head. "You are incorrigible. Remember, I am taken."

He shrugs, a grin plastered across his face. "Too bad. You cannot blame me for trying."

My stomach twists. It is none of my business, yet for some reason the thought of her having a suitor is unpalatable. She is very beautiful so it should not come as a surprise. I wonder who he is.

Prince Aren of the Animages, Antares responds.

The name curdles in my stomach and I snap, How do you know?

Well, Cain actually took the time to ask her about herself and my ears are better than yours.

Done with this tomfoolery, I call out, "Princess."

Cain seems ready to linger until his eyes meet mine. He flinches slightly and quickly makes himself scarce. Elissa waves him goodbye and walks over to me.

"I will escort you to Seraphina, our queen."

"Alright." Elissa nods and pats Antares. "Thank you, Antares. Did you know that you have the same name as my uncle? Only you are far nicer."

"Where did you hear that name from?" I demand in a tone rougher than I intended.

"You told me yesterday," she responds and rolls her eyes.

I do not care for her disrespect and my lip curls in response. "I certainly did not."

"When we were flying..." she falters, blushing and her gaze falls to my lips and then away. "Forgive me, it was just a dream."

I am now immensely curious. "What did you dream?"

"You will think it odd. You were going on about kindling fires and then we were surrounded by flames that didn't burn." She gives a nervous little laugh, flushing bright red this time. "I forgot about it because you were ... were unwell."

I stare at her, unable to respond. How could she know? Are her dreams portentous?

Backing away, she huddles against Antares. "He really needs to chill!"

Though muttered under her breath, I hear it. Antares's amusement vibrates through our bond and he makes a noise, which I recognise as a dragon's equivalent of sniggering. He nuzzles her with an affection I have not seen him bestow upon a stranger before.

"At least someone likes me." She kisses the dragon's snout and falls into a faint.

Heart in my mouth, I move faster than I thought myself capable of and manage to catch her before she can crack her head upon the flagstones. I cradle her limp body against my chest. She feels too good in my arms.

.........

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