A Savior of Flames

Chapter 18

Well, I'm not the first one to wake up this morning, but I'm dragged from my slumber as I hear a noise of terror, and then feel a body crash into mine. My eyes fly open, and I find Cael backed against me, Rhiannon leaned over his bed with that feline smile of hers. Abraxis stands a step behind, that calm amusement as he rests a hand on his sword.

I decide I hate being woken up by my Knights. Rowan stirs, for once he wasn't wrapped around me completely while we were sleeping. I think we may have actually been too warm, shockingly. He sits up on his elbows, a second of assessing the situation, and pushes Cael off me, who hits the floor at Rhiannon's feet. Cael moves with a speed I didn't know he possessed, and jumps behind Abraxis, and I hold back a roaring laugh. This is most likely Abraxis's doing, so I doubt there will be any protection there.

"Abraxis, must you traumatize my Knights?" Cael lets out a tremor of relief as Rhiannon leaves the room, but not before she traced a finger along his jaw, and he'd turned as white as death.

"As long as they continue to tease you, I shall do as I please." My retort dies on my tongue. That's why he's doing this? Instead, I just pull the blanket around me a bit tighter. My skin is no longer flickering with the soul flames, I'm not as warm, and I'm dressed far too inappropriate for my liking. Abraxis is going to get angry as soon as the blanket is off me, so the men should be gone before he has a chance to threaten them.

"Knights, you're running late. And I'm afraid dear Erista has work to do as well. Dragon, get that hand above the blanket or I'll cut it off." I look down at the blanket, to see that Rowan's hand had been creeping towards me, aimed for the waistband of my undershorts. What's his obsession with them?

"General, you've got to stop threatening to cut off my appendages, they don't make knives big enough." My eyes go wide and I smack a hand over my mouth, holding back a laugh. But Rowan's hand does move from under the blanket, as does he, leaving even more cool air to seep in. My eyes wander over his muscled back as he walks to the dresser and readies himself for training today. I drop my hand from my mouth, and I feel the need to kiss him rising up hot inside me, fire igniting. As he buckles on his sword, I suppress a groan, and then pause. When did weapons start being a delight for me?

"Erista, I'm going to throw you in a river." I forcibly drag my eyes away from Rowan's back, but my mind is still wandering over his muscles. Abraxis is breathing through his mouth, looking absolutely, well, horrified. It starts to rise up inside me as well, as I realize my desire for Rowan had absolutely unleashed itself for a moment, and had I not been distracted things probably would have only proceeded to get much, much worse. Horror absolutely takes over me as I see Rowan's grin of male pride, and I realize he can scent the same things Abraxis can, most likely feel them with our connection. Rowan hadn't even said a damn word to me this morning and I was ready to fall at his feet.

I have got to get control of myself. I stuff down all of those feelings and I feel better once I see Abraxis start breathing through his nose again. Cael, thankfully stays quiet and just puts on his training gear in silence. I think Rhiannon scared him enough this morning that he'll stay in line for weeks. Abraxis just stands there, arms crossed waiting for the Knights to leave, neither of them daring to look at him. I think Cael might be waiting so Rowan can walk with him, some form of protection against my fearsome sister. I honestly don't blame him.

Once the door is closed behind them, Abraxis just stares at me from the end of the bed, his hands braced on the wood. I hold his stare with as much fury as I dare, all a mask though. "Are you going to get out of bed, or do I have to drag you?"

"I'm giving Rowan a head start."

"What does that mean?" His fury is real, that dark cloud of magic ripping free.