Born of Flames

Chapter 33 ~ The First Flames

Morana stepped out of her father's embrace as Tarion and Gaelen's footsteps approached. Lonan peered past her shoulder and gave a tight nod, acknowledging them. "Where's Rehema?" Arlon asked, drawing his attention.

"She's on her way. I expect she'll arrive within the hour."

Arlon's jaw tightened and Morana watched as Neeri rested her fingers on his elbow, the touch brief and light, but the meaning clear enough. "We need to start making our plans," Tarion said, stepping up to Morana's side. "Astaroth has likely moved to a new location but he was in the Donoa Mountains when they found him."

Lonan sighed and turned on his heel, beckoning for them to follow. Morana furrowed her brows, now noticing the signs of exhaustion etched across the male's features. Dark shadows encompassed his eyes and tension pulled at the corners of his mouth. Whatever her father had to say to them, it wasn't good.

Morana fell in step with him but remained silent while they hurried through the training grounds of the Cahirim. Several warriors paused at the sight of them. Many straightened and clamped a fist over their hearts. Others dropped into low bows.

Murmured words reached her ears. Words that had astonished her from the first time she heard them, and held the same gravity even now. Hail the Phoenix Queen. A lump formed in her throat and no matter how many times she tried, she couldn't swallow it.

"If I weren't so proud of you," Tarion whispered, bending his head towards her ear, "I'd almost be jealous." A smile twitched across her lips. "If we're ever coronated, I think I'll be your King, instead of you being my Queen."

"Can't it be both?" Morana retorted, though her smile grew. Tarion shrugged, mirroring her smile enough to fully reveal his fanged canines.

They both jumped as Neeri squealed and took off running towards one of the rings. Two familiar figures caught her into a tight embrace and all three females clung to each other for several long moments, their sparrow, ebony, and snowy heads bent together.

When they finally released each other, Neeri turned and waved Morana over. She slipped through the rails of the training ring and joined the trio, offering Neoma and Astrelle a warm smile.

"It's good to see you both again," Morana said.

"You as well," Astrelle replied.

"How is Laria?"

"Rambunctious as always. She's around here somewhere, following Vardan around no doubt."

"And Wenn and Laina? How are they?"

Neoma and Astrelle shared knowing looks, then beamed. "Well, Laina finally got tired of waiting and asked Wenn to marry her. Not even two days after you left," Neoma added to Neeri.

"And another two days after that, they held their ceremony," Astrelle continued. "It was lovely. They mixed the Human and Fae traditions into one. Laina wore a white dress and the opaque veil Humans typically wear. Neoma was one of the females chosen to help lead her to the ceremony site. She read her vows in poem form."

"And someone convinced Wenn to wear a dress too," Neoma added. "She was just going to wear a white tunic. She did leave her hair down and it was lovely when Drenusha's Boons ornamented it. She made her blood vows to Laina, even vowing to never love another after Laina is gone."

"It could be a lonely life for her when that time comes," Morana noted softly. She couldn't even imagine trying to continue on without Tarion, as her father had without his mate. She cleared her throat and shook her head, dispelling the dark thoughts. "It was nice to see you both again but I need to go. Neeri?"