The Queen of Elysium

Chapter 37 - A long night

Elissa's head feels fuzzy, as though stuffed with cotton wool and she can't understand why there are roses sprouting up from her dress. Putting a hand to her forehead, she disturbs blue butterflies which flutter up, circle and land back to form a living crown.

She takes a few steps, wobbly as a newborn foal. Kai leaps forward and steadies her with a girder-like arm. He stares down intently with a knotted brow. "Are you alright?"

Overcome with weariness, she responds without thinking, "I want to go to bed."

The lustful flickering of flames in his eyes is hot enough to burn away what remains of her clothes by looks alone. It triggers a memory of him looking down at her in the same way, while desire coursed like white fire through her veins.

Unnerved, she pushes away from him. "What did you do to me?"

He doesn't answer, just stands there silently brooding.

Leaning against a tree for support, she closes her eyes and tries to sift through the fog clouding her mind. Hazy memories surface; first searing pain and then the electrifying power of the earth flowing through her.

Her friends, she is sure, were here. An uneasy feeling sits in the pit of her stomach that she did something to them, yet for all her probing she can't remember what.

"Where are the others?"

Kai's jaw clenches and his tone bridles with irritation. "Quenching our fire. I kindled your fire."

You did what? Anger flares to life, sending her hair flowing about her and scattering rose petals. She jabs a finger at his chest, almost hurting herself on his unyielding body.

"Just because you won the championship doesn't mean you get to claim me as a prize."

"We are meant to be together." His stance is as intransigent as a stone wall. He places a reverential hand on her stomach and his voice softens. "Ishtar has already blessed our union."

Beneath his fingers fire roils inside her belly and dozens of rose buds bloom, saturating the air with their seductive scent.  No, I refuse to give in to temptation.

"You may follow Ishtar, but that doesn't mean that I have to bow to her will. Just for the record; if, and that is a big if, we ever get together, then I like to be wooed. Now I bid you goodnight."

Spinning around, she walks away from a man far too dangerous to be alone with and winds through the trees in search of Aren. Earlier she managed to smooth things over with him, but it is a fragile peace and this latest incident has left her feeling jittery.

.....

Lady Belinda

Elissa discovers Aren along with Drake, Tabbi and Belinda on the jetty. They are stood together with their backs to her and seem to be in high spirits, their voices louder than normal.