Dawn of Fire Read online

  Chapter Ten

  I pace in my room contemplating my next steps. I have no option but to wait because I don't know how to get to Cal's bunk. The anxiety whirling around me is almost too much to bear. Nope, I can’t wait any longer. I unlock my door and walk out into the empty hall. I sense no one around. Not a single part of me even cares that I am still in my bathrobe. I need to get my mystic tools, and I need to talk with Trey. My heart is beating rapidly as I dart down the hall and turn the corner of the first few stairs, running into Bee.

  “Whoa, Dina, why are you in such a hurry? You shouldn’t be out of your room alone.”

  “You took forever to get here, and I spoke with Mother, and she told me I had to go get my mystic tools tonight.” It was not quite the truth, but it wasn’t a lie either.

  “Where are they?”

  “In Cal’s room. I am hoping I can also stop and talk with Trey while I am there. I think he is avoiding me.”

  “Are you coming to your senses?” Bee nudges my arm. The warmth of a blush spreads across my face.

  I shrug, “Fine, I will walk you to Cal’s, and then I will drop you off with Trey. When you're done, you can knock on the door, and I will bring you back.”

  “You act like I have made a choice when I haven’t. I only want to talk to him tonight.” She nods and sends me a wink; she knows me better than anyone. Tonight, I will talk to Trey. There is no turning back now, and if he still wants me, then count me in.

  It is unfortunate no one has ever had a sex talk with me before. I am clueless about anything beyond the basic function. All I realize is I care for Trey, and this needs to happen. I trust Trey more than Rhett. Something about Rhett has continued to nag at me.

  I worry that since Trey is ten years older than me, he might think I am a selfish child now. I've behaved poorly, and I can’t promise my behavior will improve much. You can add that to the many reasons I am not cut out to be a Queen.

  Fate has dealt me a dirty hand. I've not even trained to be a warrior yet, and in all likelihood I may suck at it. That is another possibility. I may never make a good warrior. This is a bad idea. I stop mid-walk as we enter the hall that Trey and Cal live in. I didn’t even realize how far we walked in silence. Bee will realize something is up now. I watch her raise her hand and knocked on Cal’s door. She stares with eyes daring me to back out of the plan I never told her of.

  Cal opens the door half awake but brightens the moment he sees Bee, “Can I hang out here with you? Dina needs her tools, and then she needs to talk to Trey before heading back to the tower.”

  “Yes!” Cal beams and opens the door for me to grab my things. I rush into the room and wiggle under the bottom bunk until I find the soft leather roll that holds my supplies. While I do that Bee takes it upon herself to go knock on Trey’s door. She is quick. When I exit Cal’s room, Trey is already standing in the doorway talking to Bee.

  “Hey, Bee said you wanted to talk?” He says, shirtless and leaning against the door frame. My insides fill with repeated somersaults. For the first time in my life, my voice becomes frozen in my throat. Bee sends me a wink as I walk across the hall and through the door Trey holds open for me. Once the door latches behind me, Trey puts his hand on my back directing me to a chair in the corner of the room. It is that moment I notice his bed is covered in books.

  “What are all those for?” I point to the stacks of open literature strewn across his room.

  “Research.”

  “What for, though?”

  “To learn how to better protect Aster and you.”

  “What are they about?” My curiosity peaks causing my nerves to go on hiatus.

  “History of Aster, the public information on mystics and warriors, and the how and why Aster is the way it is; things like that. I also checked out a few books on the neighboring kingdoms and politics. If I am to keep you safe, I need to learn the history and see what we are up against.”

  He seems a little embarrassed about what he is doing, but he shouldn't be because I am impressed. This guy is amazing. I never thought smart would be so sexy, but here it is right in front of my face. “You are doing this all for me? And Cal? You are training him for me, too?”

  Trey rolls his eyes, “Well, yeah. I keep worrying that Cal is a lost cause, but he serves a purpose. There are few you can trust, so Cal needs to learn and stay close to you. You may never make a harem, so you will need Cal.”

  “Wow, well thank you. I came because I am worried you were avoiding me. I didn’t realize you were so busy. Do you think we should study this together?” I motion to the books on the bed. Trey runs his hand through his brown hair and sighs a sound of relief.

  “That is a good idea.” He looks to the books and up at me with a half smile that makes me melt. I still am crushing on Trey. That much I am certain is true. I like Rhett, too, but Trey is my first crush. I need to get back to my plan. Ugh, this will be hard. I stand up and pace, wringing my hands together.

  “Dina, what’s wrong?”

  “I spoke with my Mother tonight. It didn’t go as expected.”

  “You're going to Lorcan? I expected that. Don’t worry I will go with you.” Trey doesn’t even hesitate. Unlike Rhett, he isn’t even trying to flirt with me. I can tell he still cares though, otherwise why travel across Aster with me?

  “No, I told her I wouldn’t go. My brothers are coming here to assist me, and Cargil will turn into central operations. Bee isn't even aware yet, it’s not something my mind has wrapped around.” Trey’s room is so much smaller than mine. The walls are closing in, I need to get this news off my chest once and for all. Trey walks up and grabs me by my shoulders to hold me still.

  “Look at me, Dina. You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. You can save it for Bee.”

  “I wanted to tell you first. Well, because I choose you. I mean... I've known since before I was aware of the betrothal that I wanted you. Although it is immature of me, I often react before I think things through. I realize I am a spoiled Princess, but yeah, I choose you.” I continue to ramble until Trey stops me by pulling me into the tightest of hugs. My muscles tense, so he rubs his hands down my back urging me to relax. I mumble into his shoulder, “It's possible you may not want me anymore.”

  Trey pulls back to study me. His comforting brown eyes are confused, “I told you I wanted you the moment I caught you running away. It is still true. Do you think I would read these books here if I didn’t want you? I thought you were more interested in Rhett, and I didn’t want you to prolong your choice.”

  “Well, I told my Mother tonight I chose you,” I pause, looking at my feet, “I am not good at this. I always wanted it all to happen naturally, but… um, things have changed a little.”

  “Is that what you kept from Bee?”

  I nod. “There is more. Trey, my mother has chosen me to be her heir.” The words rush out of me, giving me instant relief. Vex and Hoda may not even know yet, but, at least, Trey does. Even though his response is to stare at me wide-eyed like even he didn't believe the Queen would pick a screw-up like me.

  “Did you choose me because of that?” Trey asks looking a little hurt.

  “Oh no! I told her I chose you before she dropped that bombshell on me. I only came tonight because of that news, and I created a plan. It kind of requires us to… be together.” My face warms. This is horrible. It shouldn’t happen like this. This isn’t how one waltzes in and asks a guy she likes to take her virginity. “I will head back to my room. I only wanted to be clear and honest with you. I'm sorry I bothered you tonight. I… Yeah… I will see you later.”

  Before I turned toward the door, Trey reaches out and grabs my arm, pulling me back into him, “Give me a second, and I will walk you back. Let me gather some of these books and get a shirt. It is late, we shouldn’t see anyone on our way.”

  “You want to come back with me?”

  “Someone has to walk you back to your room, and what good would Bee be in a bad situation?”
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br />   He has a solid point. Bee is not a fighter at all. I nod and give him a small okay. Rhett had wanted to stay with me and protect me tonight. A small part of me is guilty that I rushed off to Trey instead.

  “We should go as quietly as possible. We won’t even knock for Bee. She knows I am with you. I can’t afford for anyone to see us together outside of a room or training. I will tell you more when we get to my rooms, but my plan will take secrecy. Not even Bee can know about us yet.” Trey had put on a shirt and was gathering his books into a bag. I pick up my mystic tools from the chair.

  “Okay, but that will be hard to do.”

  “Why? What do you mean?” I ask Trey, confused, before he opened the door.

  “You're not aware you change afterward? You appear the same, but every mystic will see the change. I've known several mystics go through healer training here. I can always tell the moment a trainee starts a harem. With you, I expect it to be more obvious.”

  “What changes?” I can taste panic rising into my throat like heartburn.

  “Skin looks clearer, hair more full, subtle stuff like that. Their touch also zings. From a book I read this morning, it is because they are creating their own energy with their partner. So, instead of having to reach for the energy it is just there.” He smiles at me, and I curse under my breath. We will need to figure out a fix for that.

  “Okay, let’s go. We can talk about it more in the safety of my room.”

  I let Trey lead the way. He is right, we pass no one along the way. It's a good thing it is the middle of the week, or there might be a few people about enjoying their day off from practice or training. We don’t talk, and we walk fast. We take no time to enter my tower and make it to my big door. I say a little enchantment I use to keep my door locked while I am away. The door opens after that, and I catch Trey staring at me, “I had never seen that done before.” He looks amazed.

  “You're impressed by a door enchantment when you have seen healers heal every injury under the sun?”

  “Healers don’t mutter a few words and make things happen.”

  “Every mystic can lock a door. You know me, I learned nothing extra,” I counter him again.

  “You're uncertain of that, though, aren’t you?” I look the other way. He is right, I am not.

  I climb into my bed, crossing my legs, then unrolling the soft leather of my mystic toolkit, and ignoring Trey. Everything seems in place. My athame, bundles of various herbs needed for spells, crystals, salt, and various small pinches of minerals. I wasn’t able to bring my full workstation, so I packed a little of everything in pinches. I only brought what I might need at a moment’s notice. Nothing more. The crystals can work again as long as I recharge them. I touch each item, making sure no one else had touched them. Our tools are precious, and only one person should ever use them. I'm no longer certain that the things I remember are things taught to everyone.

  “So, what is your grand plan?” Trey has kicked off his boots and is leaning back in the chair Ayla likes to sit in. His feet are up on a velvet ottoman.

  “I would like to interrogate my inner circle. Mother got into my head about who I can trust. I wish I was able interrogate everyone, but that level of lie detecting is beyond me. I would like to do it when they announce I am the heir. Make a public show of it.

  I am an enchantress, fire starter, and Empath. As an Empath, I am a walking lie detector when I want to be. However, I am aware I will be more accurate if I have access to more power. My mother believes that Celeste may coerce some to her cause. She said I will see no ill will from someone because it is not their true intention. Intent is everything to mystics.” I sigh.

  “Does the Queen have knowledge of this plan?”

  I shake my head no, "I mentioned it to her, and she said it wasn’t possible. She is right, my original plan was to interrogate everyone. I realize now that isn't possible, but I would like to check those I should trust most. I hope you're not offended by that."

  He shakes his head, "No, I agree it is a necessity, but you need me to create more energy to execute the plan? You won’t need Rhett, too?"

  “Um no, because I hate to say it, but I don’t trust Rhett. Sure, he makes me laugh, but he has been persistent, and something seems off. I want to like him. I'm not comforted by his presence like I am by yours. We will need to include Vex because he can help set up the event. Bee and Cal will need to stay in the dark.”

  Relief passes over Trey’s face as he leans forward in his chair and then gets up. He walks over to the bath and turns it on. I am not sure what he is up to, “You want to take a bath now?”

  “No, I thought we would take a bath together. Ease the tension in the room. I hate that it seems like we are doing this out of necessity.”

  I shake my head, “I keep telling myself we would do this, regardless. The timing is the only thing out of necessity. You're right, though. The bath is big, we will both fit, and it will calm my nerves. Can you make sure the water is warm?”

  Trey sends me a comforting smile as he pours fragrant soap into the water. Once the bath is full enough, he turns his back and takes off his clothes. First is the shirt. I have seen him without one several times, but I always forced myself to not stare. He has broad strong shoulders with well-defined muscles from training daily. His skin glistens with a golden tan from the sun. He looks over his shoulder and sends me a wink as he takes off his pants revealing a nice firm ass and long strong legs. Everything about him oozes sex. I notice a gruesome scar that runs down his hip and circles around the inside of his thigh.

  He gestures to the other side of the bath and then lays his head back, closing his eyes. It's obvious he is enjoying the warmth on his muscles. He has a private shower, but if he were to need a bath, he would need to go to the bathhouse with all the other warriors. I have always wanted to go in one. I hear the men and women share it. Well, here goes nothing. I roll up my toolkit and placed it beneath the bed.

  “This may sound silly to you, but can you keep your eyes closed this round?”

  “Only until you are in the water, deal?”

  “Deal.” I take off the robe letting it and my nightdress drop to the floor. Part of me wants to rush into the bathroom to make sure I look okay. The other part of me thinks I needed to get my ass in the water before I chicken out. I choose the water because if I don’t, I may end up locking myself in the bathroom all night.

  I'm not ashamed of my body, in all reality, I am only nervous due to my inexperience. It only takes one glance at Trey for me to see he is peeking. I smile with that knowledge and lower myself into the warm water. Our legs entwine the moment I enter. It is, after all, a bath and not a pool. However, it still fits two tall people well.

  “Everything about you is beautiful.”

  “Even though I don’t have a clue what I am doing?”

  “Don’t worry, I will teach you. I am a little surprised you didn't discuss it with Bee.”

  “Bee is like me. What would she know?”

  Trey let out a laugh, “Ha, no she isn’t.”

  “Yes, she is. She would have told me.”

  “No, I have heard her and Cal, she is not as innocent as you think. I put my money she didn’t want to add to your plate in Cargil.” He is outright smiling now, “You can tell her tomorrow after we reveal everything. You can go to your best friend and tell her how amazing I am.”

  I laugh and use my foot to splash water on him. Instead of deflecting it, he reaches down, grabs my foot and massages it. The soapy water makes it easy. I have never had a foot massage before. His hand presses deep in all the right spots. It is glorious, everyone should get foot massages. My eyes close as I wonder if there is a way to make money setting up massage parlors all over Aster, but then I don’t need to make money. I am an heir. The realization hit me again, causing me to sit up and pull my foot away.

  “What? I thought you were enjoying it.”

  “I was, I let my mind wander again and remembered I am an heir now.
The heir, I guess.”

  “You need to not stress about that right now. Right now, you need to focus on us. Come here.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Come over here and lean on me and I will massage your shoulders. Let me relieve you of your stress and relax.”

  He spreads his legs as I wiggle myself back up between them. My nerves surface because although I am naïve, I still have a good understanding of anatomy, and I know what I will lean against. I move closer, and his arms encircle my stomach pulling me in.

  I notice his hardened staff against my back and will myself to not focus on it. Trey's big hands push into my tense shoulders. I can't resist the effect it has on me, making my muscles melt into him like putty. My body is going on instinct and right now, that instinct wants every inch of me to touch Trey. I tilt my head back, leaning on his chest as my breasts bob just above the water.

  I tensed for a short moment as his hands work their way from my shoulders, down my arms, and then back up to my breasts. His fingers circle around them, sending little goosebumps throughout my body. Heat pooles between my legs when his hands tighten, pulling me even closer.

  I hear myself moan, causing me to flush in embarrassment and spring forward in the bath away from him. Water sloshes out of the sides in response to my movement. Trey responds to my reaction by climbing out of the bath and drying off with a towel. He extends a hand to help me out of the bath. His towel rests on the bones of his hips. Trey is incredible, my eyes followed a thin sexy line of hair from his navel down to his arousal poorly hidden by his towel.

  I take his hand, stepping out of the bath splashing water all over the floor. He steps closer and gives me a look asking if it is okay. When I don’t pull away he bends in, kissing my lips. Trey's free hand comes to the small of my back, pulling me closer to him. As his kiss deepens, I sense the energy forming. Suddenly, I am no longer scared. Instead, the energy calles me like a moth to the flame. I can't turn away even if I want to, so I push myself closer. He releases my lips to catch a breath for a moment before his mouth comes down, ravishing my neck.