To Burn For

Chapter 1

The building shuddered as it felt her presence. Footsteps neared, the white marble groaning against the power that released from her blood-crusted fingertips as she sauntered her way down the clouded path and across to the entrance of Galenia Palace; the Kingdom of Vita et Mort. Galenia, derived from Galena, was anointed by predecessors to bring great calm to the sky island; the true origin of all things quiet and peaceful. The entrance made an impression that was for sure and it was exactly like mortal humans imagined. Golden gates towered towards the boundless, permanent dawn painted sky. Sky that wrapped completely around an entire otherworld. The polished metal was embellished with intricate designs created with the finest of pearls. An awe in itself. She could understand why mortals forced this vision of what lay ahead of them after their inevitable demise. Surrounding the castle, sheets of blush tinted white gracefully lap against the palace perimeters. If she didn't know any better she would describe this as heaven. But she did know better and despite its looks, this wasn't heaven. But for the Realm Shifters who adorned white, butterfly-delicate wings, pale-transulscent skin and a soul almost completely pure, living here was absolution. A destiny fulfilled. Yet for her, it was a stark contrast.

She glanced behind her at the trail of burnt ash footprints and raging flickers of ember left sparking in her wake. As quick as the soot had landed, wisps of sunrise-orange curled around the path and removed any trace of the events she had just faced; they had learnt to come no closer. She craned her aching neck towards the stunning piece of architecture that was her home and home to many other Realm Shifters, their ranking officers and the Overseer of All Realms, Oar was their preferred title.

The palace stood in the center of an unearthly and seraphic advancement where all matter of beast and celestial body lived in the form of Realm Shifters; magical beings, sorcerers and powerful creatures of all different varieties built as warriors, saviors and guides. Together they lived harmoniously to accomplish the same aspiration; to spread goodness in other realms and to remove things that inhibited this. And like the Kingdom's name suggests, to provide, vita, life and mort, death, is the only objective. She sighed, If only it was that simple.

A rush of cool air caressed her heated skin and she took a moment to enjoy it as her wings stretched to their full breadth before collapsing away completely until they were needed again. Now that her skin had returned to its usual temperature, she continued her stroll through the pearly gates and towards the solid oak doors. They opened upon her arrival, like they always did despite Caedan's annoyance, they never did open on command for him and she would never tire of his vulgar gesture. The image of this alone made her laugh, though she wouldn't give him the pleasure of knowing that.

She cursed herself as she narrowed on his dark shadows. They sinfully covered the cumulus mountains. He descended with a tumultuous thump, no doubt he reveled in her dissatisfaction. His devilish laughter confirmed as much. The orange cloud tendrils appeared again, wrapping and twisting around every inch of the six foot seven Realm Shifter. Any traces of dirt, blood or evil remnants were removed. Caedan was a brutally beautiful brute, rugged and flawed. Most of his skin was marked by black tattoos, curved flicks of black defining each muscle, decorating his arms and legs alike and marks that encased his neck and face. His dark ebony hair was twisted in a braid upon his head and settled down the nape of his head. On either side of his head the hair was shaved and the skin was marked like the rest of his body. He flexed his muscles under the gaze of her blue eyes.

"Long time no see Trailblazer," his wink almost ignited her again. She bit back her venom and decided upon her middle finger before tucking her arms across her chest. "Home, sweet, home," he chuckled as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and forced her to step along with him. Had it been anyone else, they would have been dead. Despite her reluctance, she allowed Caeden to take the lead.