Light the Fire

9

I nodded. As she said, Valefire wasn't far—only about a two day walk or so—but the journey up the volcano wouldn't be easy, especially when it was active. I'd have to trust that the Fire God was not sending me to my death and that he would protect me and my men.

Emotion made my throat tight as I glanced between my sisters and my mother. "I'm going to miss you all so much though. And the bakery—will you be okay without me?"

"Of course we will." Mom wiped at her eyes and then gathered me in a hug. "We'll miss you too, but this is your calling. I'm so proud of you, dear."

I hugged my mother back, my eyes filling with tears. I'd wanted guidance, but I hadn't expected my entire life to change this night—or that I’d have to say goodbye to the people I loved.

"We'll take care of Mom," Krea said, as she and Loka hugged me next.

"Don't worry about us. When are you leaving?" Loka asked.

Another small quake rippled under our feet, reminding us of my duty. "Tomorrow. Assuming I can convince the four men to come with me."

Mom jumped to her feet. "I'll start preparing some food for you to take.”

"I'll help you pack,” Krea said.

I rose in a daze to begin preparations, but then a knock sounded on the door. Mom rushed over to answer it and smiled when she saw it was Derel. "What a lovely surprise.”

"Mother wanted me to check on all of you." His dark eyes found me behind the rest of my family, almost like he was seeking me out, but then he turned back to my mother. "Are you well?"

"Yes, thank you. But Calla has something she must speak to you about."

"Is that so?" Derel asked, raising an eyebrow.

I took Derel's arm, leading him outside, away from my nosy family. I closed the door behind me and spoke in hushed tones. "Can you get the others and meet me on the beach in a few minutes? It's important."

His face changed from intrigued to worried. "Is something wrong?"

"No, but I need to ask all of you something. Tonight."

He nodded. "I'll get them."

Chapter Six

I

sat on the rock where Blane had hid the fireworks earlier and adjusted my ruined dress, wishing I’d spared a moment to change into a new one. I’d been too busy packing my things and debating how to explain all of this to the four men I hoped would come with me to the temple. If I couldn’t convince them, what then?

The volcano had calmed now, perhaps because I’d accepted the Fire God’s offer and was doing what he wanted. The four men stood in front of me on the sand, the moonlight illuminating their handsome features. I’d agonized for so long over which man I would marry and how I would ever choose, but now I wouldn’t have to—assuming they said yes.

“Is everything all right?” Falon asked.

“When I said we should meet later, I didn’t mean with these other guys,” Blane muttered.

Roth crossed his arms, looking surly. “Why have you brought us out here in the middle of the night?”

I drew in a deep breath. "There’s something I need to tell you. And more importantly, something I need to ask you. All of you.”

“What is it?” Derel asked.

There was no easy way to say this, so I got right to it. “After the volcano awakened I went looking for my sister on the beach to the north. There I met the Fire God.”

Falon’s brow furrowed. “I don’t understand.”

“What do you mean, you met the Fire God?” Blane asked.

“He came to me looking like a giant flaming man. He said he’s chosen me to be his High Priestess and that I need to go to the Fire Temple to serve him.” I glanced at the volcano, which still had a plume of smoke rising from it. “Only then will Valefire return to sleep.”

The four men gave each other confused and skeptical looks, probably wondering if they should be worried for my sanity or if I was trying to play some kind of prank on them, like we did when we were kids. I sighed and held out my hand, hoping the magic would come to me again this time. A spark flashed and then flickered into a small flame dancing in my palm. Oddly enough, it didn’t burn me at all.

“I know this is hard to believe,” I said, as they all gasped and stared at the fire. “But it’s the truth. I’m leaving tomorrow for the Fire Temple, and I’m here to ask if you will go with me and become my priests.” I swallowed and lowered my eyes. “And my mates.”

Blane raised an eyebrow. “Your mates?”

“You want us to become priests?” Falon asked, looking more baffled than ever. “And…share you?”

“How would that even work?” Derel asked.

“And how did you summon fire?” Roth added.

“I don’t know,” I admitted. “I’m still figuring all of this out myself.”

“Did he tell you anything else?” Falon asked. “No, but he said we would learn more once we arrived at the temple. All I know is that the Fire God chose me and he told me to bring four men with me.” I closed my palm over the fire, snuffing it out. “I know this is a lot to ask of you, but I can’t imagine choosing any other men as my mates.”

“And if we say no?” Roth asked.

“I…suppose I’ll have to find others. The Fire God demanded four.” I shuddered at the thought of taking strangers as my mates.