Light the Fire

4

"This morning," Blane said, with a roguish grin. "Falon took pity on me. He didn't want me to miss the Fire Festival, after all."

"What was it this time?"

He lifted one shoulder in a casual shrug. "I appropriated some wine from that grumpy old merchant Carik. He had plenty, trust me."

I sighed. Carik was known to cheat people out of their money, but that didn’t excuse Blane’s theft. "I shouldn't even be dancing with you."

"Why not? Embarrassed to be seen in my arms?"

"Something like that."

"Too bad you like it so much." His lips brushed against my neck and sent shivers down my spine. The worst part was, he was right. Blane was the village bad boy, always getting into trouble, but for some reason I couldn't resist him even though I knew it was wrong. My family would never let me be with him, and Blane wasn't the type who'd want to get married anyway. But I couldn’t stay away.

Blane was the one of the two men I'd kissed in my life, and I knew he wanted more from me too, but I'd held myself back so far. It was difficult though because the man practically oozed sexuality. Just being around him made me damp between my legs. And his touch? It made me crave more every time.

“You wore this dress for me, didn’t you?” he asked, his lips trailing down to the spot next to my pendant, dangerously close to my breasts. I gasped, worried about people watching us, though I was finding it hard to care at the moment.

“Don’t be silly,” I said, though my breathless voice gave me away.

“You look so very tempting in it. The only way you’d look better is with it pooled at your feet.” His hand ran down my back to rest on my bottom possessively. "Will you meet me later tonight?"

"I can't."

"That's too bad." He took my earlobe between his teeth and I let out a gasp. "I can't stop thinking about you."

"Well, you should. Stop, I mean." Gods, Blane made me flustered in a way no one else did. "We both know we don't have a future together. My mother is pushing for me to marry soon, after all, and—”

He pulled back, his eyebrows darting up. "Why don't we have a future? Because I'm not good enough for you?"

"No! I just.... I mean... I didn't think you were the kind to settle down.”

"I might surprise you. I could be convinced to settle down…with the right woman." He gave me a look that made me melt, and I thought for sure he would kiss me right there in front of everyone, and I imagined all the things my mother would say afterward and how we'd be gossiped about for weeks or even months, and I decided at that moment I didn't care one bit because it would be worth it for another kiss from Blane. But then he released me. "I've got something to do, but I'll find you later. I promise."

I nodded and swallowed, unable to speak. As he left, I told myself it was for the best that he’d walked away. I could never truly be with Blane, and I didn’t believe he really wanted a serious relationship. Best to put him out of my mind entirely from now on.

But who was I kidding? I’d be counting down the minutes until he returned.

Chapter Three

I

looked for Falon again, but he was dancing with one of his sister's friends, and then my eyes caught sight of a dark man standing in the corner with his arms crossed. My mouth fell open at the sight. Roth was here! I didn’t think he would come. How long had he been standing there? Had he seen me dance with the others? Was he jealous? Or did he no longer care?

I approached Roth in the shadows with a tentative smile. From this angle I could only see one side of his face, which was devastatingly handsome, as if he’d been sculpted by the Gods themselves. High cheekbones. A perfect masculine nose. A strong jaw. And the rich, auburn hair that was so highly prized in the Fire Realm, which I desperately wanted to run my hands through again.

But when he turned toward me the rest of him became visible under the torchlight, revealing a horrible burn scar that ran down the other side of his face. I knew it bothered him, but to me it only highlighted how beautiful he was. If anything, the imperfection only made him look better to me. Especially since I’d been there when he’d gotten it.

“Calla,” he said in a tone that made it clear he wasn’t happy to see me. “Why aren’t you dancing?”

“I was hoping you’d dance with me.”

“You know I don’t dance.”

“You used to.”

“I did.” He look away with a scowl. “Before.”

Roth had always been rather serious and quiet, but after the accident he’d turned downright brooding. Now I barely ever saw him, and when I did, he tried to push me away. The only times I ever spoke with him was when I found him working on the docks or on the rare occasions he brought crab to the bakery. I was tired of him avoiding me.

I gave him a hesitant smile. “Everyone is dancing. No one will stare, I promise.”

“No.”

I sighed. “All right. Then why don’t we get something to eat? It’s been ages since we talked.” My voice dropped into nearly a whisper. “I miss you, Roth.”

He ran a hand over his face, hiding his scars, a sure sign he was dismayed. “You’re very kind, Calla, but I shouldn’t have come tonight. I think I’ll just go.”

“No, please.” I took his hand and sparks danced under my skin. Once I’d thought Roth and I might marry. We’d always been close, and two years ago it had flared into more. He’d confessed his love for me at that Fire Festival, and then invited me out onto his family’s boat the next night.