Embers to Flames (Fates Entwined #1)

Chapter Fourteen

In the morning, the memory of our tender kiss is still fresh in my mind—it plays out in vivid detail. The taste of his lips, the warmth of his touch, and the intensity of his gaze. It’s enough to set my heart aflutter. My mind flows back to the night when he pushed me over the edge of ecstasy. His mouth on me—like that. It was… exhilarating. How did he do that?

Why did I let him do that?

I rise from the plush bed; my reflection greets me from the tall mirror across the room. There’s a new vitality glinting in my eyes—one that wasn’t there before. One I hadn’t seen in a very long time. A soft smile tugs at my lips at the mere thought of Theo and his lips, his touch, his soft-spoken words that made me feel as cherished as an ancient relic.

A gentle knocking on the door brings me out of my reverie. Surprised, I hurry to the door and open it to find a palace servant—human—standing there. Her gaze skims over my rumpled attire and rosy cheeks. In her hands, she holds a tray carrying a steaming cup of coffee and some freshly baked bread.

“Breakfast, Milady,” she says politely, curtsying before stepping aside for me to take the tray.

“Thank you,” I reply softly, careful not to meet her keen gaze. As she walks away, I close the door and place the tray on a small table near the window.

I pick up the cup, allowing myself to take in its comforting fragrance before taking slow sips. It coats my tongue and I find it perfectly sweetened, but it’s not enough to wash away the lingering taste of Theo. My body yearns for more than just a mere kiss to my lips. It wants them, everywhere—my lips, my neck, my belly, between my thighs… I groan softly in frustration and abandon my breakfast.

I dress myself in an ivory gown, adorned with intricate lace and tiny pearls, a reflection of my dilemma—pure yet complicated. The elegance of it takes my mind aback to a time when life was simpler—back to Mikyl. It feels strange to be encased in such finery when my heart is a frayed knot of confusion.

I remember Mikyl’s hands—calloused yet gentle as they traced paths down a dress similar to this one on our wedding night. His brown eyes taking me in with love and something—deeper. I also remember how they changed, cooled over time until the man I fell in love with disappeared right before my own eyes.

Another knock at the door—harder than the last—shakes me free from my trance. Setting aside my thoughts, I compose myself quickly before opening it. There stands Theo, his tall figure filling up the entranceway completely.

“Ready for breakfast?” he asks with a charming smile.

“I already had mine,” I tell him briskly, desperate not to get pulled back into his orbit again. But his smile doesn’t waver.

“Good,” he replies smoothly, “because I wasn’t really asking about breakfast.”

The edge of his voice, the intensity of his gaze, they make me swallow hard. This man is dangerous in ways Mikyl never was. His touch is like fire, sparking a hunger within me that I’d forgotten I could feel.

But as I look into his eyes, I can’t help but wonder—could he also be carrying a taste of the man I once loved? Hidden beneath his fiery exterior? Is it possible that I could find in him what I lost in Mikyl? Is it possible to love again, after all?

Theo moves closer, slowly, as if he is aware of the storm of questions whirling through my mind. His fingers reach out to touch the delicate lace at my shoulder, a gesture that feels both intimate and terrifying all at once .

“Shall we?” He motions toward the corridor with his head, his fingers still lingering on my gown before they withdraw, leaving behind a distinct absence of warmth.

I nod in agreement, unable to form words for a moment. We walk side by side in silence, our footfalls echoing off the cold stone walls of the castle corridors. I feel an undeniable pull towards him; a magnetic force that I am sure he feels too, given his proximity.

We arrive at a small private courtyard bathed in the soft morning light. It’s filled with fragrant flowers and dew-kissed leaves, their vibrant colors painting a beautiful contrast against the monotone walls of stone.

Theo guides me toward a marble bench nestled among the blooms. We sit side by side, close enough that I can feel the heat radiating from him.

“There is something I want to say,” he begins, his voice husky and low. His golden eyes meet mine and I see something different in them—a vulnerability that echoes my own uncertainties. His intense gaze holds mine captive as he continues to speak.

“Rose… I know what you lost with Mikyl… and trust me when I say it’s not my intention to replace him.” His words are heavy and my heart clenches at them. He understands. He knows he isn’t Mikyl—and doesn’t intend to be. Yet there’s something unspoken between us, a connection that Mikyl and I never quite had. A passion that scalds and frightens, intrigues and invites .

Theo takes my hand, his large fingers enveloping my smaller ones comfortably, I find myself wondering if this is what it feels like to awaken from a long sleep. The pain of the past is still there, shadowy and lingering, but the present moment pulses with life and promise.

“I know,” I whisper softly, “and I believe you, I just need time to let things settle.”

Slowly, his hand drifts from my skin, his fingers closing around the air. Beneath his brow, there’s a flicker of concentration, his golden eyes closing as he focuses all his energy. Subtly, I feel a cool brush of magic swirl around us. The scent of roses fills my senses and when he opens his eyes again, a single red rose is in his hand.

It’s breathtakingly beautiful, each petal intricately unique and flawlessly formed. Its rich color is deep and saturated, the hue of the ripest cherries or the blood of a heart in love. The bloom is full and voluptuous, dew drops clinging to its velvety surface as if it had been freshly plucked at dawn.

He offers it to me with a tender smile, “A rose, for my Rose.” His voice is hushed as if he were revealing a secret that only the two of us were privy to.

I take the rose gently from him, marveling at its perfection. “It’s beautiful,” I breathe out, running my fingers over the soft petals. It was so real. “You did this?”

His arm snakes around me pulling me closer into his warmth as he nods affirmatively. “For you,” he reiterates, pressing a soft kiss on my temple, “anything. ”

“One of these days, you are going to have to explain to me all these—abilities you have.” I say with a smirk.

“Yes, and one day I might. But for now, I kind of enjoy surprising you with them.” He lets out a chuckle as he stands up from the bench. “You should go and pack. We’ll have to be leaving for Dragon’s Edge soon.”

“What is the big deal with this Fire Ritual anyways?”

“They are called the Fire Rites.” He delicately corrects me. “And it is just a part of the Elven culture. There have been High Elves performing this ceremony every fifty years. And it will continue to be performed, until we receive the chosen one’s prophecy.” Theo’s face turns serious. “Rose, I know you don’t understand the importance of this ritual, but it is crucial to our people. The chosen one will bring about a new era of peace and prosperity for the Elven kingdom.”

“And what about Humans? Will we ever see peace and prosperity?”

He walks over to me, cupping my chin in his hand, forcing me to look up at him. “I believe that with the chosen one’s guidance, both Elves and Humans can find peace. But there is an evil in this world, one which you have already had to experience. And one that I believe has much to do with Prince Ruvyn and his need for Obscuro Elves. I can feel this evil moving in closer. I don’t think we will last another fifty years waiting for the prophecy. If we do not receive one from the Gods tonight, then I’m not sure either of our people are meant for this world. ”

Theo’s words hang heavy, casting a shadow over us. I can’t help but feel a sense of unease settle in my stomach. The idea of impending doom is never a comfortable thought.

“Has it always been performed here? How did the humans not notice a bunch of Elves traipsing through our realm to go perform some magical ceremony up on Dragon’s Edge?” I ask.

“High Elves have more abilities than common elves. They simply performed a glamouring effect on themselves.”

“So, they made themselves invisible to Humans?” I ask, my eyebrows knitting in curiosity.

“Well, not exactly invisible. Glamour is more about making oneself unnoticeable or appearing differently.” He explains patiently. “It’s not that humans don’t see us, it’s that they don’t remember seeing us.”

“So, the inn from Hogsden? That’s how Erhorn talked the keeper into letting us stay.” I say. It’s all starting to make sense now.

He chuckles, tracing a line down my cheek with his gloved finger. “Yes, Erhorn has many talents.”

I clutch the rose to my chest, looking up at him. “And you? What else can you do?”

“I suppose that’s for me to know and for you to find out,” he replies, his eyes gleaming with mischief. He then steps back, taking a deep bow as if we’re actors on a stage. “But now, I really must go and prepare for our journey. Will you be okay here alone? ”

“I’ll be fine,” I assure him.

“Good.” He straightens up, giving me a last lingering look before turning away. As he strides towards the door of the garden pavilion, he pauses and turns back around. “Rose?”

“Yes?”

“Try not to worry about tonight. Whatever happens, I’ll be by your side.”

His words echo in my ears long after he’s disappeared from sight. I gaze down at the rose in my hand, its petals soft against my skin. It’s strange how such a simple thing can hold so much meaning.