Page 20 of A Blaze of Fire
Don’t be reckless and avoid getting emotions involved. When emotions get involved, that’s when you’ve lost control.
Even though I remembered his warning, here I was falling into Kazimir’s trap. I was so stupid.
But … it got me to finally produce fire. Shouldn’t that count for something? Maybe getting my emotions involved was just what I needed to dig into my elemental magic.
* * *
I spentmost of the day training with Kazimir and let me tell you, it was no walk in the park. The King’s enforcer was intimidating, but that fear helped produce the strong emotions I needed to bring my fire to the surface. Even if it was just a little spark, it was still something and I was proud of it.
Rosemary handed me a canteen of water and I gulped as we walked away from the courtyard, Rook following closely behind.
“The King has requested your presence in the throne room,” Rosemary said as she led the way.
I guzzled half the canteen before the words trickled into my brain. Surprised, I called out, “What? Why?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. We received a message a short time ago that you were to report straight there after your training with Kazimir concluded.”
I sniffed under my arm and grimaced. “Can’t I even take a shower?”
Rosemary shook her head. “No, sorry.”
I followed her to the throne room and tried to fan the sweat off my body on the way. Rook opened the doors for me and dutifully stepped to the side as I entered. Alec was standing before the King with his hands clasped in front of him, beside another person I couldn’t see. I approached and the King motioned me forward to stand beside Alec.
“Violet, I’m glad you made it in time. How was training?” the King asked.
“It went well. We’re making progress,” I replied with a stiff smile.
The Unseelie King’s eyes were bright as they widened in unbridled delight. “Magnificent!” He clapped. “You’ve really brought us a gem here, Alec.”
Alec bowed slightly. “I’m here to serve, Your Highness.”
Seeing Alec so …submissiveseemed weird enough to set alarm bells ringing in my head. He didn’t seem like the type to bow and scrape, but I guess we all had our roles to play.
“Which brings me to my next bit of news. We have a new guest in the Unseelie Court,” the King revealed.
My stomach tightened. Was it possible …? I was too scared to turn my head to get a better glimpse of the dark-haired stranger standing on the other side of Alec.
“Ansel, welcome to the Unseelie Court,” the King greeted. I watched woodenly as Ansel bowed from the corner of my eye.
“Thank you, Your Highness.”
Thatwas Ansel? I didn’t even recognize him in fae clothing! I tried to school my expression before the King noticed my pleasure in seeing him, but felt the corner of my lip twitch. I wanted to run to him, but knew if I did it would seal both our fates.
“I understand you’re here as the new representative of the Seelie Court. Am I right?” the King asked.
“Yes,” Ansel answered politely. The King was obviously digging for information, but he didn’t volunteer anything else.
“Well, as you might already know, we have another special guest here. I hope it’s not in the Queen’s plans to steal her away.” The King’s voice, which started out cheerful and jovial, quickly turned deadly.
Ansel cleared his throat. “I can assure you, Your Highness, that is not the Queen’s plan.”
But it might be his.
“I certainly hope not,” the King threatened. “I don’t take kindly to those touching what’s rightfully mine.”
I gritted my teeth but held in the frustrated growl that threatened to come out. I wasn’t his. I wasn’t anyone’s. But it wasn’t the time to interrupt while these three were having some sort of weird staring contest with one another.
Ansel nodded his head. “Of course.” I peered over at him and noticed his hands were clenched tightly behind his back, the knuckles blanched white. He was barely keeping it together.
