Fated Mate

A Spark of Control

The morning was cold and clear, and the air was filled with the smell of pine and dirt. Emily was barefoot in Eleanor's garden, her feet resting on the cool ground, she was also standing with eyes shut. They'd been there two weeks, and today was different. Important.

"Center yourself," Eleanor said from her position on a nearby rock. "That warmth we've been building."

Emily exhaled deeply, looking within. It was simpler now than when she started. She went into her core for the solid warmth-no longer scary, no longer strange. Just a part of her, she was there.

"Good," Eleanor said. "Now, I want you to call it forward without emotion, without fear or anger. Gently. Like coaxing a flame from embers."

Concentrating, Emily's brow furrowed. Before, her fire had always blown up-brutal, reactive, driven by terror or rage. But this was different. That took will, power and trust.

She imagined the heat gliding through her body as it made its way down each of her arms to her hands. Not forcing it, just... inviting it.

For a long moment, nothing happened. Then she felt it-a tingling in her fingertips, a gentle heat building. Emily's eyes flew open, and there just above her right palm, there was a small flame. It was no larger than a candle's light flickering softly in the morning breeze.

But it was steady. Controlled. Hers.

"I did it," Emily breathed, a little shy about uttering the words out loud for fear of ruining the moment. "Eleanor, I-"

"Keep your eyes on the ball," Eleanor said evenly, but Emily caught the note of approval in her voice. "Keep it. Put your hand on it, and feel your will do to it."

Emily's heart racing with anticipation, she looked at the flame. She made it bigger-it grew. Smaller-it shrank. She lifted her hand, and the flame followed, never adrift, never in danger of running wild.

Arthur, who had been collecting logs nearby, came out of the woods just at that moment to see the sight. Pride glowed unmistakably on his face.

"Emily," he said, exhaling as he laid down the logs. "That's incredible."

Her focus snapped and the little flame danced. But Emily didn't mind. She was smiling so wide, her cheeks hurt.

"Do you believe what I did?" she said again, this time with nothing but joy. "I had it under control! I really had it under control!"

Eleanor rose, and dusted her robes. "You summoned fire through intention rather than reaction. "That's what we're building on top of."

She came closer, looking at Emily with the penetrating violet eyes. "How are you feeling?"

"Powerful," Emily said truthfully. "But not out of control. I'm not scared."

"It's fine," Eleanor righted herself and reached out. Eleanor placed a hand on Emily's shoulder, a rare show of affection from a witch. "You've earned this. You should be proud."

Arthur came across to them, and Emily turned to him, full still of excitement and satisfaction.

"Did you see?" she asked unnecessarily.

"I saw it." Arthur's smile was warm and his eyes shone. "You were magnificent."

Emily felt heat rise to her cheeks-not from her power this time, but because of the way he was looking at her. Like she'd hung the moon and stars.

Eleanor cleared her throat delicately. "I think that's enough for today. You've worked hard and now you can rest." She threw a knowing look between them. "I have some herbs to pick in the far woods. I'll be gone for a few hours."

And as the witch slipped away into the trees, Emily laughed. "Was that her way of giving us privacy?"

"I think so," Arthur said, amusement dancing in his eyes. Eleanor might be severe but she's not blind."

-----

They had passed a quiet companionable afternoon. Arthur had brought in some fish from a nearby stream, and Emily assisted him in preparing them for the meal.

They talked about everything and nothing - childhood pleasures, favorite times of year, modest hopes for what lies ahead. After the sun turned everything orange and pink, they sat by the fire pit.

Emily had called forth the flame once more, only to prove to herself she still had the power, and it burned constantly between them.

Arthur said, "I'm proud of you. Not just for today, but for the whole thing. For confronting your suffering, and for holding on to yourself."

Emily looked at him, really looked at him. The sharp angles of his jaw, the warmth in his green eyes, how he'd stood beside her through every challenging moment without ever making her feel weak.

"I couldn't have done any of this without you," she said. "You believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. You waited when I was leaving. You-"

Her voice caught. "You made me feel like I was worth saving."

"Emily." Arthur shifted closer, his hand reaching up to cup her cheek. "You've always been worth saving. I was just helping you see what was already there."

The gap between them seemed charged, electric. Emily's heart was pounding in her chest, but not with fear. From want. From that desperate need to bridge the distance between them.

"Arthur," she whispered. "I-"

He leaned in slowly, bracing her with enough time for her to pull away according to her wishes. But Emily didn't want to pull away. She'd never wanted anything less.

When their lips met, it was gentle - is it trying to shatter? as though they were both scared the moment might shatter. Arthur's thumb stroking lightly while the other hand holds hers, and his hand is still on her cheek.

Emily melted into the kiss, her free hand rising to lay on his chest. She could hear his heartbeat, solid and rhythmic, keeping pace with the quickened pace of her own.

The kiss unfolded slowly and naturally. There was no urgency, no frantic rush. It was just two people at long last letting themselves experience what they had been denying for weeks on end.

When they at long last break apart, Arthur rests his forehead against hers and they share a breath. Both were panting when they finally pulled apart, Arthur resting his forehead against hers.

"I've wanted to do that for a long time," he admitted.

Emily smiled, still with her eyes shut. "Why didn't you?"

"Because you needed time. Space to heal, to find yourself." He drew back enough to get a good look at her. "I didn't want to pressure or hurry you. You'd been through so much-"

Emily shushed him with another kiss, this one more sure-footed. She was smiling when she pulled away. "I appreciate that. But as of late I don't know if I want to open up or not. I need you."

Arthur's face softened into something so tender it made Emily's chest ache. "You have me. You've had me from the moment I found you in that valley."

"I think I've loved you since you carried me off from there," Emily confessed, the words tumbling out before she could stop them. "You were the first person who made me feel safe."

"Emily." Arthur's voice was hoarse with feeling. He kissed her again, deeper this time, his arms encircling her and drawing her close.

Emily went willingly, nestling herself against him, feeling treasured and desired and complete. With her lips planted against his in a kiss they had both longed for.