A LAND OF FIRE AND DARKNESS

Chapter 7

I looked straight into his healthy eye. It narrowed as he continued to read me. His fingers began to tap on the arm of his throne.

Did he expect me to apologize? I was not going to.

His eye narrowed more and he released a heavy sigh, "You are my fellow Highvarion, Alinta." I winced when he used my name. He said it so smoothly and calmly, like silk on the tongue. "We can choose to be Allies," He stood up slowly, "Or we can choose to be enemies."

He took one step down his dais and stopped, "I do not want to be enemies."

No... I knew what he wanted. "I do not want to be Intwined to you," I stated firmly through gritted teeth.

I could not read what his expression was. I did not know if what I said hurt him, angered him, or if he was relieved that he would not have to be Intwined to a monster.

"Okay." He said softly as he bobbed his head. He was probably relieved.

I did shoot him. Unless he had an odd Kink, that would usually scare off most men.

If he was listening to my thoughts, he did not let on, "What do you want, Alinta." His hands slipped into the pockets of his black pants. His eye traced my face again.

I creased my face in confusion at the question but decided to take the opportunity while it was there. "I want you to send me back to Utohia."

He bobbed his throat, "Alright." He began to pace in front of the steps of the dais now. "Before I send you back, I just want to make sure you understand what you are risking."

I rolled my eyes in frustration. I knew Eskar was still after me, and whoever was in charge of Eskar was probably still after me too. I understood the risks.

"The other day," Delcallon began as he snapped towards me, "When you burnt Laveen." His head tilted to the side. "We both know that was an accident."

I felt confused as to why he was bringing up the incident now. I knew there was no denying that it had been an accident, Delcallon would just read my mind.

"You will get stronger Alinta." He took one step forward, "What happens when you get angry, and you will." He continued as he took another step towards me. "That you explode out in flames and kill dozens, if not hundreds of innocents around you?"

He stopped a few feet from now, which I appreciated. I stared up at him and thought about his words. Was I going to explode out in flames?

"What happens," He continued, "When you wake up completely engulfed in your element with no anchor to bring you back." He began to fiddle with the black ring that sat on his left ring finger. The ring I thought meant he was married when I first met him in the bar.

When he took it off, he transformed into a vibrating shadow of darkness itself. Was that why he wore it?

"The Ring is your anchor?" I asked with curiosity while remaining calm.

He lifted the hand to show me the black ring. "Obsidion. Magically created to anchor my physical form to the ground." He looked at the ring and faintly smiled with pride.

My heart began to race in my chest, "I will need that?" I tried to sound as placid as possible, but the idea of waking up engulfed in flames was both thrilling and terrifying. I did not want to hurt more innocent people.

"Eventually, yes." He answered with a shrug, "Especially with such a wild Element like fire."

Fire had never been tamed before. Eskar had told me that... Was that true?