It does not sit easy with me to merely observe from the viewing gallery. It was bad enough when Cain was sparring with Elissa, spending half the time flirting, but now that Cade has taken over, my inner fire spits and crackles beneath my skin.

When Cade crashes into the wall, the look he gives her promises pain. Well I can promise him that too and we shall certainly be having words later. Instinctively, the muscles in my legs tense, however, Seraphina places a restraining hand upon my thigh, stopping me from springing out of my seat.

"Kai, let this play out."

"No. It has gone too far already. What has gotten into him?"

"I wagered him that he could not get the princess to submit," Seraphina admits, without an ounce of shame.

A low growl rumbles from me. Queen or no, I am not impressed and hope that my glare conveys the depths of my displeasure.

"Shhh," she hushes me and her lip curls with amusement. "I have my reasons. Look to the princess."

Trying to contain the violent thoughts towards Cade, I watch as Elissa valiantly defends against his vicious blows. I am transfixed by her movements, which are as graceful and fluid as silk billowing in the breeze.

When Cade taunts Elissa with her own blood, I am like a river that cannot be stopped, surging forward to the balustrade. I pause, witnessing first the way the ground undulates as if a wave has passed through the wood and then a six-foot torrent of fire pouring from the palm of her hand. Even for a Dragonite, that is a formidable show of power.

"I'm on fire!" Shock and alarm sound in her voice.

The stairs are too far off, so I vault over the railing and jump down into the arena below, the impact of my boots shaking the wooden floorboards.

Everything fades into the background as she turns to face me. Flames are flickering provocatively all over her body. My own fire sings to blaze free. Instincts override rational thought and demand that I scoop her up into my arms and carry her to my chambers where we can burn long into the night.

I step forward, only to find the way is suddenly blocked by Seraphina. She pacifies my immediate ire with an unusually gentle tone. "Kai, she is not one of us and she is not ready."

The sage words cool my ardour and I blink away the flames of desire from my eyes. This is ridiculous. I am behaving like a hormonal adolescent.

Antares links through. Your inner fire recognises the match with Elissa. However, she is not a Dragonite, so you will have to rely on more traditional methods of courtship if you wish to woo her.

I groan. I do not need this. Do you think Ishtar is displeased with me?

The rich sound of Antares's laughter echoes in my mind. I think the goddess has been most benevolent.

Elissa shakes her arm and blows on her flaming fingertips. "Er, how do I stop being on fire?"

Thankfully Seraphina takes on the task of talking Elissa through the process of recalling her fire. Just the thought of her flames licking against my skin has my own body heating up to dangerous levels. Slowly, her flames recede, starting from the tip of the blazing sword and when the last one flickers out, it becomes a little easier for me to breathe.

Elissa tries to hand back the sword to Seraphina, who shakes her head, insisting, "It has chosen you and will not blaze for another. It was my grandmother's. She would be pleased that it has a new mistress."

I did not think that Elissa could wield a queen's sword and not for the first, nor probably the last time, she has proved me wrong.

.....

Wisely, Cain and Cade make themselves scarce, while Seraphina, Elissa and I retire to the queen's private rooms to confer. As is her wont, Seraphina sprawls out, while Elissa sits primly and I quietly loom, for there is too much pent-up energy in me to relax.

Elissa stares into the cup of mint tea in her hands, while her fingers trace the metal filigree around the glass vessel.

"Darling, what is on your mind?" Seraphina asks.

Elissa puts down her untouched drink. "I could have hurt someone."

Seraphina's laughter is like a tinkling bell. "Dragonites are impervious to fire."

"Still." Elissa stares at her hand as if it might explode and shudders.

Seraphina leans forward. "I have to ask. Who are you? Such a powerful Elemental suggests royalty."

Elissa bites her lip and I hold my breath, awaiting her answer. "I'm Sirius's granddaughter. Princess Isabella is...", she swallows, "... was my mother."

That does not make sense unless the princess lied about her age. If she truly is Isabella's daughter then she was born many solars before me.

Seraphina's brow crinkles, evidently as confused as me. "Remind me how old you are."

"Well." Elissa takes a deep breath. "I was born eighty solars ago, but my family feared for my life. Cosmos sent me away to a place where time seems to pass at a different rate. So, when I returned only twenty solars had passed for me. Does that make sense?"

"Indeed. So, you are an Elemental princess, with the power of fire!" Seraphina gives me a wicked grin before the amusement literally drains from her face and she whips back to face Elissa. "Wait, then you have a claim to the Elemental throne. Is this why Lucifer wants you?"

"I have no desire to be the Elemental Queen, although I have been told that I am the rightful heir."

My fingers curl into fists. Is this why she was running? I cannot see that power-hungry despot taking a threat to his crown very well.

"There is more." Elissa bites her lip. "I was brought back to Elysium to undertake a quest, a quest to find the Light of Elysium. I understand he is very keen to get hold of the Light."

Seraphina slams her fist upon the table, rocking the glass cups. "May Ishtar curse him! As if he needs any more power." She leaps up and starts pacing. "I am so very sorry, Elissa. Lucifer has already sent troops to retrieve you."

Elissa gasps and the colour drains from her face. "H-how long do I have?"

Deflated, Seraphina sinks back onto the sofa and grabs Elissa's hand. "The Watcher informs me that they will be here in a few days. Please believe me, it goes against everything I am to think of relinquishing you to him, but I have little choice. He stole Azora's egg. She and I are bonded by magic and until the egg is returned we are both barren. We are the last of our lines."

Pain lances both of their features. Hatred for the king roils inside of me for bringing such distress to two women I care so strongly for.

Elissa squeezes Seraphina's hand. "I understand. I have been running from the spectre of the High King for moons now and it seems like I can run no more. Perhaps if I am to return to Avalon, then I can persuade him to return the egg to you."

"Why would you do that, when I mean to hand you over like a coward?" asks Seraphina, her eyes glassy with the threat of tears.

"Neither you, nor your people deserve that fate." Elissa's words reflect one with great honour.

Seraphina gives a tight smile. "Azora is not happy with me. She thinks that we should set you free."

"I need to get back to my room." Elissa rises.

I agree with Azora, Elissa does not deserve this fate. Wishing to speak with her in confidence, I insist on escorting her.

"Don't worry, it's not as if I can escape." Though in jest, her words wound me.

We walk in silence to her door, all the while my mind is plotting. I have a sizeable army and a defensible position. If we leave soon, then we could be holed up before the king's troops even reach Babylon.

"Elissa, you do not have to go to Avalon. Antares can fly us away to my home. You will be safe there. I can defend you from the king's forces. " Once again my hands clench to fists at the thought of Lucifer.

"You would defy your queen?" She frowns as if not believing my sincerity.

"Seraphina does not wish to hand you over to him. He has her over a barrel, however, if I were to steal you away, then she could not be held responsible."

"Why would you do that?"

This one small female could so easily bring me to my knees, yet seems to have no comprehension of the power that she wields over me.

"I would do anything for you."

"Oh, Kai. I-I can't. I wish I could, but I have a boyfriend. I mean, I'm courting."

I had conveniently forgotten about her mentioning the young prince. He is over a thousand miles away and unable to protect her, whereas I am right here. Furthermore, the memory of that kiss last night still burns in my mind. Her response gives me hope that I have a chance.

"You have a boy. Perhaps you need a man instead."

...............

🧚‍♀️