Page 45 of Fated for Flames

“Our history seems pretty gruesome; rituals, witch burnings, and all… What was the real purpose behind these burnings?” I paused, choosing my next words with care. “Aside from the obvious extermination, was there ever a ritual for…perhaps, consuming another’s power or something along those lines?”

Lucien took a moment before answering, his voice heavy. “The burnings weren’t just about eliminating witches. To humans, witches were seen as malevolent entities that needed to be purged by fire.” He let that sink in before continuing, “Within the witch community, however, sacrifices were carried out for various reasons. The practice of burning witches hasbeen long outlawed in our society. It’s unnatural and against our principles. These rituals often involved dark magic.”

“But could a sacrifice be performed to harness another’s magic?” I pressed.

“Yes, it’s possible with the right ritual and spells, but remember, we’re talking about dark magic here, an area I’m not an expert in. Why are you asking about this?”

“Just curious,” I lied smoothly, dodging his inquisitive gaze.

“You know you can trust us, right?” he added earnestly.

I nodded, managing a small smile. “I know. Thank you.”

* * *

“Follow me,” Rafe beckoned, leading me upstairs.

We reached the second floor, and he pushed open a door, revealing an art studio that was every bit as breathtaking as the male himself. Sunlight poured in from floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating a myriad of colors splattered across canvases, palette knives, and paint tubes scattered around.

Stepping further in, I noticed the windows opened up to a spacious balcony. “This is incredible, Rafe,” I murmured, unable to hide my awe.

Rafe shrugged, a faint blush dusting his cheeks. “The balcony is extra convenient for when I need to stretch my wings.”

My heart skipped a beat. I vaguely remembered how he’d flown me back to my dorm room after that incident at Lucien’s office. “You fly every day?”

Rafe nodded shyly. “Every night.”

I was about to respond when my gaze landed on an array of paintings arranged on one side of the room. They were magnificent, each piece telling its own story through vibrant colors and expressive brushstrokes.

I moved closer, captivated by each artwork until my eyes fell on a familiar face. My breath hitched as I realized it was a portrait of me. But not as I saw myself—this was different.

In the painting, I stood tall and strong like a warrior, eyes ablaze with determination. The brushstrokes highlighted my features with an intensity that made me seem powerful yet delicate.

I turned to Rafe, speechless.

“This is how I see you,” he said softly, his eyes luminous. “Strong. Courageous. Beautiful. A warrior.”

An electrifying tension ignited the air between us as our eyes met. His gaze flickered to my lips, and a silent wave of excitement and desire washed over me. Time itself seemed to pause, the world around us fading into a blur of insignificance. My breath and every heartbeat felt amplified, echoing the tumultuous storm of emotions brewing within me.

The question flew out of my mouth before I could stop it. “Are you and Lucien a couple?”

Rafe’s eyebrows shot up to his hairline, a look of genuine surprise flickering across his face. “No,” he replied with a small chuckle, shaking his head. “We are not a couple.”

A flush of embarrassment washed over me. “I’m sorry, it’s just that you live together, and I…”

Rafe held up a hand, cutting me off with a warm smile. “It’s okay, Evelyn. It’s a fair question.”

He moved to lean against the edge of a worktable littered with paint tubes and brushes.

“When I showed up at the academy over a year ago, the faculty persuaded me to stay. My healing abilities outmatched the best teacher here, and they wanted to learn more. Also,” he added with a wry grin, “the fact that a celestial, even a hybrid like me, is good PR for the academy didn’t hurt.”

He chuckled lightly at his own joke before continuing. “They offered me this larger cottage with a balcony and space for my art. As for Lucien…”

His expression softened as he mentioned his roommate. “Lucien was provided as my roommate since they needed his smaller cottage for another professor. He accepted given that he spends most of his time at his office anyway.”

Rafe paused then, glancing toward the door as if expecting the potion master to walk in at any moment.

“It took a while to get past his tough exterior,” he admitted, “but I believe we are friends now.”

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