A Valkyrie's Apprentice: Book Two

A Consuming Thing

–  K Á R A  –

The fire elemental always did feel hungry.

I sensed it as Tayah drew her palm upward and watched trees become consumed by the energy's wrath. Odin could replenish the nature in Valhalla with the flick of a hand but watching this was... interesting.

Her power was still raw. Untrained and sloppy. I often saw the traits of her losing control of it only to hold it in place once more.

After some time I closed my fist and the flames ceased like a put out candle.

Tayah whirled on me with a brow raised and her eyes bright silver.

"Am I deflating your ego?" She probed with a slow smirk.

I snorted. "Lets not get ahead of ourselves just yet."

This only made her eyes spark in challenge. She flung a quick ember at my head and I let it come close to heat me before dismissing it with a wave. I took a step towards her leisurely and she rose both hands to draw a ring of flames around me.

"Now you are starting to shape it. Good." I noted, unbothered by the heat.

I continued watching her as the flames closed in around me. Untouched and unconcerned. I parted them before her and took a charge into my own hands. She watched it anxiously and I smiled now.

"Don't even think about it–" She growled.

I pounced and she rolled away. I sometimes forgot her speed now matched my own... Now it was about skill and smarts.

"Come immortal, I won't bite." I murmured as I drew slowly to full height and she tried to draw a weapon only to forget that she had none on this realm. Only a black tunic.

She let out a puff of frustration.

"I'll be borrowing your weapons soon enough–"

"You shall be earning them." I corrected her calmly.

She threw two quick balls of fire at my head and I absorbed them into my own hands before converting them into Odin's lightening and throwing it back. She tried to mirror the move but was knocked off her feet by the force.

She groaned in a mess of ferns and twigs and rolled onto her side.

I was slightly shocked. I drew out of my aggressive stance and jogged over to her quickly.

"Tayah, I'm sorry I did not mean–"

Then she moved far too quickly and kicked my legs away from me and rolled on top of me to pin her forearm against my neck and bring a burning hand inches from my face. The shear shock on my face made her killer instinct melt away and she laughed, dipping her face into my chest.

I frowned and claimed her shoulders drawing her back.

"Do not deceive me like that." I hissed as she grinned down at me beautifully. "I thought I had truly hurt you, Tayah."

She controlled her breathing and shook her head slowly. "Merely using your weakness for me against you."

This made me pause.

"Smart girl indeed." I grumbled.

This made her close the distance I held her at and capture my lips with her own. I forgot the reason I even felt betrayed and kissed her back. My hands fell to her waist and drew her closer. That was when I noticed a lack of weight at my hip a second too late once again.