Page 151 of A Dance With Fire
But it was embracing a life of fighting and war. It was their bond. It was taking back her power and strength, taking in pride in who and what she was.
It was the freedom of finally being herself.
Unwavering, she tilted up her chin. “I’m sure.”
“Then brace yourself, Fire Dancer.” His hands cupped the sides of her head, fingers pressing against the tips of her ears. “Because this is going to hurt.”
And the first surge of his magic zapped through her.
And Shula screamed.
And screamed.
49
To Teg
An opulent, rich feast awaited them in King Ashera’s royal meeting room. His circle of trusted Fae stood along the shadows of the walls, alert and staring curiously as Shula and Ryker made their way inside.
Valerio, Uric, Clay, and Julius were seated around the table while Weylyn was standing behind the king’s shoulder, looking alert and like a feline ready to pounce.
“Good of you to finally join us,” King Asher purred, his eyes going over Shula and Ryker, paying extra attention to the marks along their necks, stopping on Shula’s now pointed ears, which she displayed with pride, hair knotted on top of her head so everyone could see who she had chosen. “We could hear the screaming from here.”
Ryker dropped into a deep bow that Shula mimicked a moment too late.
Even if she’d chosen the side of the Fae, she felt uneasy about the Seelie King.
“I believe congratulations are in order,” the king went on. “It is not every day a male finds his mate.” Shula swore she could hear his envy as he stared at Ryker. At his own ears that he displayed just like she did and the scars behind them, the proof of her twelve-year-old decision of survival. “Let alone one as powerful as her. If Weylyn is to be believed…”
“Thank you, your Majesty,” Shula murmured. She didn’t like to think that they’d all been talking about her, but she supposed she had to get used to it.
She was an Elemental, after all.
“Now, we can commence our meeting. As I understand it, two of our safe houses have fallen?”
“Both in Orknie,” Valerio supplied with a nod of his head while Shula and Ryker took their seats at the table.
“It stands to reason the humans Imogen and Filomena were tortured for information on the second safe house,” the king said, stroking his bearded chin. “As Imogen only knew the location to the ones in Orknie, I think it’s safe to say the rest of them are safe. Still, I will dispatch troops to quickly move everyone here within the week.”
Thoughts of Imogen and Filomena made Shula’s throat tighten up, but she tamped emotion down. They’d known what they were getting into. Now, all that was left was to avenge them. Make the soldiers pay.
“Now, let’s move on to the Elementals. We need to find them before the human emperor can.” King Ashera’s eyes snagged on hers. “How do you plan on finding them?”
Shula felt her heart pound. She hadn’t thought about it, didn’t knowhow.The Seer said she could, but her magic was the magic of fire. She wasn’t a tracker.
She must have given something away on her face, because King Ashera pushed back in his chair, expression darkening.
“I may have an idea on how to track the Elementals, Your Majesty.” It always felt so odd to hear Weylyn’s voice since he spoke so little. But when he did, it held a note of superiority in it. Like he wasn’t the king’s lackey.
“I’m listening.”
“I’ll need a map and stones. Six stones, to be exact.” Weylyn snapped his fingers and someone rushed to get what he ordered, coming back as quickly as they’d left to spread the map out on the center of the table. “Give the stones to Shula.” She held her hands out as the stones were placed in her palms.
They were unimpressive, gray, and smooth.
“Now what?” She looked up at the eerie Fae.
“Stand over the map.” She did what he asked and only then, did he speak again. “Now, close your eyes and take deep breaths. Channel Mana, call it to you while thinking about that special link, thatbondyou have with the other Elementals. Picture it, give it form, and then open your hands and let the stones fall on the map.”
