Page 20 of Property of Fire

“Know this, my sons, you are my children. Immortal, and the mates you take once bonded shall be as well. I’ve loved you, my children, watched you as you’ve grown, been there in the shadows.” Freyja’s eyes shimmer. “You both have done me proud. Now, live as you should and know I’m here. With Fire’s power now released, you both shall be able to call upon me at any given time you like.”

Her eyes come to me. “You’ve questioned for years why Herja adopted you, why she became your mother. I wanted the woman who would be for my Brandr to grow strong at the hands of a woman who would not only cherish her as a child but teach her to be the woman you are now. You’re Brandr’s mate. When you two connected, you unlocked the parts of him that were locked away. Trust him, and he’ll do for you what no other could.”

Suddenly, just as she came, she vanished.

I find myself twisting in Fire’s arms and looking up at him. His eyes locked on me.

Everyone else around ceases to exist for the both of us.

Words aren’t needed right now. The two of us stare at each other while letting what we’ve just learned sink in. Neither of us knew what it meant with all that happened just now. What I knew, though, was that Freyja said that I was chosen for Fire. All my life, I’ve loved this man, crushed on him since I was a little girl. Now, I was his and all of this was just so surreal.

“Brother,” Heat says, breaking the moment between Fire and myself.

“Heat, leave them be for now,” my mom states.

“We’ve got to talk about this.” Heat grunts.

“Yes, you do, but I believe Dexter and Fire both need time to let this all sink in. However, more importantly, one of them needs to leave. They can’t be this close right now. Not until the prophecy has been completed.”

“Evelin and me, we’ll head back to the clubhouse,” Fire speaks up, breaking eye contact with me.

“Brother, you can’t?—”

“This shit is a lot for me right now. I’ve got to get my mind wrapped around it. I’ll head back to the clubhouse.”

Heat stares, jaw ticking, but finally nods. “Fine, but Brimstone and Flame will go with you.”

“That’s not necessary,” Fire grunts, shifting me in his arms.

“Brother, you aren’t going without me,” Brimstone states sternly. “Don’t even try to fight us on it.”

“Whatever.” I hear Fire grumble under his breath and look toward Dexter. “Don’t know you but seems we’re brothers. Give me your number, and when I find Kara, I’ll let you know.”

Dexter nods and rattles off his number while Fire sets it in his phone and says, “I find Jordi, I’ll do the same.” Turning away, he walks without looking back. I’m sure what he’s found out just now was a lot to take in.

I feel for both Fire and Dexter. So much has just happened, and they still can’t be near each other to get to know one another as siblings should do.

It’s not right, and it’s not fair in the least.

Fire gives me a squeeze, and I lift my gaze back to him just as he asks, “Think you’ll be able to ride out in fifteen?”

Groaning, I nod.

“We’ll take our time going back,” he says reassuringly.

“Okay,” I mumble and step away from him. “I’ll go get my stuff ready. It’s not like I brought a lot of stuff with me. I just need to stuff it all back in the bag.”

“Sweetheart,” Mom says, getting my attention, “I’ll help you.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I smile in her direction.

“It’s not a problem, gives me a chance to lecture you on keeping things like you have from your brother and me,” she states with her matter-of-fact tone.

Groaning, I shoot my brother a glare, knowing he told on me, and head into the RV to gather my stuff up.

“Mom,” I drawl, moving to the bed.

How is it that just a little while ago, Fire and I had laid in this very bed, and he’d taken my virginity?

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