Authors: Michelle Young
Rayne wasn’t
thrilled at the notion of sleeping outside, but Keegan made a comfortable camp.
At his request, she made a fire in the wood pyramid. Keegan caught a rabbit and
cooked it over the open flame.
“I
constructed a ring of ice water around our bedrolls,” he commented with a wink.
“It will keep the snakes away.”
“How do you
know I’m afraid of snakes?” They were her only phobia. She had never told
anyone.
“I noticed
whenever one crossed your path, you cringed right before you scorched it.”
By the time
they finished eating supper, evening had arrived. The soothing crackle of the
fire joined the melody of crickets and owls. Keegan stoked the fire and fed it
another log. A swarm of butterflies fluttered in her stomach as Rayne watched
him nourish the flames. His sandy-brown hair fell about his strong shoulders,
and his dark eyes gleamed in the firelight. He was a handsome, decent man who’d
make a fair husband. In addition, she’d secure the alliance between their
territories. “I will marry you.” It was as logical as accepting a land-sharing
deal or offering someone employment.
“And what
brought you to that conclusion?”
“I’ve decided
that you’re a man I could live with. Therefore, I shall marry you.”
Keegan shook
his head. “Nay. I don’t want you to marry me just because I’m a man you can
live with.” He caressed her cheek with his fingers. “I want you to marry me
because I’m the man you can’t live without.”
That hit a
nerve. “I don’t need a man to survive, especially you.” She had agreed to marry
him. Now, it appeared, he was rejecting her. She jumped up and stormed to her
bedroll.
****
The next
morning, they ate and readied to depart. Regret churned in the pit of Rayne’s
stomach. Perhaps she’d been a bit too harsh on Keegan last night. He was only
being honest.
“Leave
nothing behind. We’ll not be traveling this way again,” Keegan said, breaking
the uncomfortable silence.
“How will we
get back to the castle?”
“We’re
ultimately traveling in a large circle. Don’t worry, I’ll have you back there
in the time promised.”
She smiled to
ease the tension. “I wasn’t worried. I trust you.”
He nodded,
and they set out on their way. They rode for several hours, chatting about
everything, from their adolescent years to how they would solve some of their
nations’ biggest problems. Rayne relished his stories and found his ideas
intriguing. On occasion, they disagreed respectfully, never breaking into a
full argument.
By midday,
the scenery changed. The lush forest melted into sparse, rocky terrain. And
then the view took Rayne’s breath away. Steam rose from a small lake, ten
meters in diameter. The flat rock surrounding the lake donned brilliant colors
of red, orange, and yellow, forming an intricate, flame-like pattern. “It’s the
most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Keegan beamed
as they dismounted. “Come with me.” He took her hand and pulled her to the
lake. “Feel the water.” He knelt down, bringing her with him.
She lowered
her hand into the water. “How is this possible?” It was hot, though did not
burn.
“It’s a hot
spring. Fiery rocks deep within the earth heat the water, which flows to the
surface.” Keegan’s eyes held her gaze. “The elements cooperate here, and each
maintains its own properties. The water never cools the rocks, and the heat
never dries up the water.” He cupped her face in his hands. “When fire and
water live together in harmony, they can create something wonderful.” His lips
brushed hers until she accepted his full kiss.
A wave of
emotion consumed her, frightened her. As the kiss ended, her cheeks grew hot.
They became hotter when Keegan stood and began to strip. “What are you doing?”
“Going in.”
His tunic landed on the ground beside his boots and sword.
Rayne’s gaze
raked over his tanned, sculpted chest. With his breeches in place, Keegan
hopped in the water. Drawn to the strong fire-energy that emitted from the
water, she kicked off her riding boots and soaked her feet.
“Remove your
dress and join me,” Keegan invited, his voice husky.
Tempted,
lustful imagines filled her mind. She swallowed and shook her head.”Nay.”
“Don’t forget
who I used to be. You swam in the castle’s lake dozens of times in my presence.”
“You weren’t
supposed to look.” The thought made her whole body tingle.
“It was my
duty to keep a close eye on you.” Keegan smirked. He tickled her toes under the
water, and then pulled her into the spring. She yelped in protest, but her
outcry was muffled by another kiss. Keegan wrapped his arms around her. “I love
you, Rayne,” he whispered.
Rayne wanted
to reply, but the words stuck in her throat. A piece of her defenses wouldn’t
let go. Keegan didn’t seem disturbed. He kissed her neck while unlacing the
back of her dress. After removing her clothes, Keegan lowered his lips to her
breasts, which were barely above the water. His hands caressed her legs and
worked their way up to her buttocks. Rayne melted in his touch.
“I’ll stop if
you want me to,” Keegan said in a husky voice.
Rayne barely
managed to reply, “Nay, don’t stop.”
He moved his
hand between her legs. He knew exactly where and how to touch her, bringing
pleasure as she’d never known. The water somehow increased the erotic
sensations. She wondered if it was Keegan’s water-magic at work. Ecstasy
convulsed her body. Keegan parted her lips with his tongue, pressing his body
against hers. Desire coursed through her veins again. His hardness pressed into
her lower belly through his breeches. She untied his laces, wanting more of
this man.
“Well, what
do we have here?” a male voice sneered.
Rayne gasped
and Keegan moved in front of her. Three men, swords drawn, loomed a meter from
the spring. “How convenient—the two of you here, together.” He kicked Keegan’s
discarded sword out of reach.
“Who are you?”
Rayne demanded, still nestled behind Keegan.
“They’re
Raptors,” Keegan spat. “During times of war, they linger after battles,
rummaging through the dead and stealing anything of possible value.”
“Aye,” said
the leader. “And your little union is going to put a big damper on our
profitable business. But when the water-prince is found dead”—a savage smile
creased his bearded face— “it will cause a full-blown war, like the old days.”
The spring
water stirred and whirled. Dozens of droplets levitated and then shot forward.
The Raptors hollered when the droplets turned into tiny darts and attacked.
“This is not
over,” the leader cried. The three men turned and ran, pursued by hundreds of
water darts.
****
The romantic
spell broken after the encounter with the Raptors, they abruptly left the hot
spring and rode through drier grasslands. Mountains bordered them on the right.
Sporadic trees, rocks, and boulders broke up the flat landscape.
Since leaving
the stream, Keegan had constantly surveyed their surroundings. As they passed a
cluster of boulders, his hand found the hilt of his sword. “Show yourself!”
Keegan shouted at the boulders.
“Well done,
water-prince.” The leader of the Raptors came out from behind an enormous
boulder, clapping his hands. His two companions came up on horseback and
flanked Rayne and Keegan.
Cold fear
gripped Rayne when she saw what was draped over the leader’s shoulders: a large
drake. The intelligent, yet deadly, dragon-snake fed on fire and was often used
in battles against Pyros. This one stretched as long as Keegan and was as thick
as his thigh.
“I have an
early wedding gift for you both,” snarled the leader. He threw the drake to the
ground in front of their horses. Flames flew from his palm and hit the drake,
who immediately hissed as though in pain. Its scales sparked and its body
expanded. Within seconds, it had grown to four times its original size.
Rayne’s mare
bucked in fright. She lost her grip and fell to the ground, landing only a
meter from the drake. She couldn’t breathe, let alone move. In an instant,
Keegan was at her side. He kicked the drake, which merely startled the
creature, but it was enough.
Keegan tossed
Rayne onto his stallion. “Ride south. Don’t stop until you get to your father’s
castle.”
The drake
shook off its stupor. Its red eyes stared at Rayne as though searing her soul.
Cold sweat coated her neck. Her heart pounded, and all she wanted to do was get
away from this place. Time seemed to slow as the drake sprang toward her,
dodging Keegan’s blade.
“Go!” Keegan’s
yell penetrated through the blood pounding in her ears. The stallion took off
as if he’d been smacked.
Terrified,
she kicked the horse, imagining the drake chasing her, his venomous fangs ready
to penetrate her back. She risked a backward glance. The drake wasn’t there.
Rayne slowed her horse and realized the drake had remained by its master. Her
relief was short-lived. She looked past the drake and reality struck.
Keegan
clashed swords with the three Raptors, but was soon overpowered and battered to
the ground. Even from a distance, she could tell they were beating him
mercilessly. It felt like an iron fist hit her in the chest.
She turned
the stallion. The Raptors didn’t notice her. They backed away from Keegan,
allowing the drake full access to his defeated, motionless body. The fear of
losing Keegan crushed her fear of the drake. Rayne leapt off the horse while
still several meters away and called, “Come and get me, drake.”
The drake
whipped around and darted toward Rayne. Steeling her courage, she produced a
flame in her open palm and forced serenity into her voice. “I won’t hurt you.”
The drake stopped and cocked its head. Rayne held out the flame as if offering
it a treat. Her heart hammered against her chest as the drake slithered closer
and gingerly sucked the flame into its mouth. She produced another, which it
ate, this time without hesitation. The drake had accepted her as its new
master.
The Raptor
leader cursed and drew his sword. Before Rayne could react, he stabbed Keegan
in the gut.
She screamed,
“Nay!”
The Raptors
laughed.
Rayne pointed
to them. “Attack.”
Obediently,
the drake raced toward the men, chasing them beyond Rayne’s sight. “Keegan!”
Rayne dropped to his side. His brown eyes were weary but awake. “I’m sorry…”
She choked on her tears. “I tried to stop them.” She lifted his blood-soaked
tunic, revealing the wound. Her stomach churned with fear and panic.
“It’s all
right, Rayne.” Keegan’s voice was weak, though calm. “Send four fireballs
through the sky, seconds apart.” He took a labored breath, “Your father knows
our route. His scouts will spot the signal and come.”
“I need to
tend to you first.” She’d seen enough wounded men in the castle to know,
without treatment, Keegan didn’t have much time. She put the waterskin to his
lips, insisting he take small sips. “This is going to hurt,” she said, and
placed her hand over his wound. She summoned just enough heat to cauterize his
wound and slow the bleeding. Keegan slipped out of consciousness. Rayne
expelled four separate balls of fire into the air. She repeated the signal
every few minutes until she saw a reply signal shot from several kilometers
away.
Rayne placed
a tender kiss on his lips. “Someone will be here soon.” She only hoped it
wouldn’t be too late. Keegan’s eyes stayed closed this time, and tears streamed
down Rayne’s cheeks. “Nay, you can’t die on me,” she whispered, not knowing if
he was conscious. “I love you.”
****
Marcus and
Rayne entered the castle’s infirmary as Keegan finished dressing.
“I leave your
side for a short while and you’re already escaping,” Rayne teased and kissed
Keegan on the cheek.
His body
ached, but his wound was well tended and healing nicely. “I’m fine.” Two pairs
of eyes held him in feigned contempt. “What? Why are you both looking at me
like that?”
“Considering
your history with the Raptors,” Marcus asked, rubbing his chin, “why did you
ride straight into their territory?”
“Momentary
lapse of judgment.” Keegan shrugged.
Rayne
continued the mock interrogation. “I know your skills. Your sword alone can
take on three men.”
“And,” Marcus
chimed in, “I’ve seen you find and manipulate water in the middle of a blasted
desert.”
“So, we’re
wondering,” Rayne said, circling Keegan, “how they got the better of you.”
“It all
happened so fast. I didn’t have time to think,” Keegan said half-heartedly. He
knew they had figured it out.
Rayne shook
her head. “It was a huge risk, Keegan.”
“One that I
promise never to take again.” Keegan wrapped his arm around her waist and
lowered his eyes. “Forgive me?”
Rayne smiled.
“Aye, I forgive you.”
“I don’t
understand.” Marcus’s brows wrinkled in confusion. “Why take the risk?”