Chapter 10: Chapter 10

Liora's POV

“What does my mother have to do with-” My words got stuck in my throat when he completely closed the distance between us. There was barely an inch separating us.

I was caught completely off guard.

My entire body froze in place and I stood rooted in absolute shock as our eyes met.

I stumbled backwards, almost falling back into the water, but he caught me just in time, his hands steadying me as they wrapped around my waist and pulled me flush against his chest.

Against my will, my eyes studied his face as the seconds dragged on.

Being this up close to him, I started seeing other features I had never noticed before.

He had freckles, light, and faint, but they were there, adorning his cheeks and scattered over his nose.

My eyes dragged along his jaw, it looked sharp enough to slice through anything. I swallowed as my gaze swept over his lips. Have they always been so pink? My hands itched to touch them.

I bit my bottom lip as my breathing grew heavy, my eyes finally meeting his.

His eyes. Those darn eyes.

Time slowed down as we stayed fixated on each other.

“What are you doing?” I whispered.

I didn't mean to whisper, but my voice failed me.

I didn’t mean to shiver, but again, my body failed me.

He didn't answer, he just stared at me with a look I couldn't quite decipher.

I felt a warm breeze wrap around me, a complete contrast to the otherwise cold air.

Where was it coming from?

The goosebumps that had sprouted on my skin slowly faded off.

Wait. I froze.

“Is that you?” I asked as I pulled back slightly and focused and pulled on my clothes that were slowly drying out.

Was this one of his powers?

“You're so beautiful” I suddenly heard and I froze in place, before looking up at him again. His eyes were focused on me, staring at me like I was the very reason for his existence.

I felt so much at that moment than I had ever felt in my whole life.

As if on cue, my heart started to race, beating so fast and threatening to burst out of its cage.

“This has to be an actual joke” Vyrmoth's voice suddenly filled my head and I felt a sudden surge of irritation through my entire system.

That snapped me back to reality.

Against my will, I glared at him.

“What do you think you're doing?” I asked as I pushed on his chest. My brain tried to ignore it, but my fingers still lingered with the feel of his toned chest beneath them.

He looked taken aback. And maybe even a little hurt?

I tried to separate my feelings from Vyrmoth's but I couldn't. I didn't even know how.

I turned to Vyrmoth, a deep frown settled in the middle of my brows.

“This is your fault. Stop being so irritated” I said to him in my head. He ignored me.

I could almost see the annoyance on his face.

“Both of you are being irritating, so really, it's your fault” he said and I bit my bottom lip.

Really though, what were we doing?

“You need to dry off, don't you?” he asked and I looked down at myself.

“Well, not really. I'm kind of dry now-” The thought barely registered, before he moved from his position.

He breathed deeply, before getting on his feet.

He then proceeded to blow a wave of hot air in our direction.

My eyes widened in realization.

The air hit us and I stumbled backwards but Kysen caught me just in time, propelling us into the air.

Phew. That was a close call. But my Green, if I wasn't dry before, I sure was now.

I stared at Vymorth on the ground as he turned his back on us and propelled himself into the air, flying away from us.

Even as he flew away, I could still feel his annoyance radiating through me.

Why was he so mad?

I sighed heavily, before my current situation dawned on me.

Wrapped tightly in his arms with my own wings tucked in, I clutched his clothes like my life depended on it.

My eyes met his and this time around, my brain was definitely working. I cleared my throat, before slowly letting my wings out.

“Let go of me” I said softly and it seemed like he also just realized what happened.

He pulled himself away from me so fast, like I was fire itself.

We descended back to the rock beneath us.

I swallowed, before looking away and straightening my clothes.

“What was that?” I asked the question that was bugging my mind, in an attempt to clear the awkward air.

“Okay Altharos, don't get too full of yourself now. I only called you beautiful because you are. I might hate you but I'm not blind” he said in a very nonchalant tone, before shrugging it off, like he didn't just admit to me being beautiful.

Me? Kysen called me every ugly thing that existed in his free time.

So yes, it was a very big deal.

“Umm… I wasn't talking about that… but, you think I'm beautiful?” I asked and he actually cursed under his breath.

“What were you talking about?” he asked, completely ignoring me.

I fought a knowing smile.

Fine. I would let it go.

“The warm air. That was you, right? Your powers?” I asked and he nodded.

“One of my powers. Amongst other powers, my drakyn gifted me with the ability to wield and create fire. And one of my fae gifts is the ability to wield air” he explained.

Of course I knew about his air power. Who didn't?

But I don't think he had ever used his fire power. There's no way the entire kingdom wouldn't freak out.

Kysen Dravon had tons of lovers. Besides, I haven't heard of any fire wielders in a long time. The last one died ages ago.

“Have you ever used it? Your fire power, I mean.” I asked.

“Only in secret. You're the only one who knows of its existence, Altharos. Oh and my drakyn, of course.” He said and I blinked in shock.

What?!

“A secret? Why?” I asked.

“It's dangerous. For Mythgaard and… myself” he explained and my head tilted to the side reflexively.

“How so?” It sounded pretty amazing to me.

“That's a secret too. I'll tell you one day” he said and I bit my lips to mask my curiosity.

“If the knowledge of your power is such a big secret, why would you tell me, your rival, of all people?” I asked. I had to ask.

It made no sense.

“Well, I- I just-” he stammered.

He stammered.

I still didn't understand what was going on with him.

I raised a brow in question.

A beat of silence passed, before he finally shook off his silence and crossed his arms.

“I don't know. I just know you won't tell anyone” he said and I frowned.

“I can,” I said.

“Yes, but you won't” he retorted.

“What makes you so sure?” I asked, suddenly feeling offended.

“I trust you” he said and I was taken aback.

“What is up with you today, Dravon?” I blurted.

No regrets there though.

I needed to know.

He regarded me with a look I couldn't quite decipher for a second, before breaking the contact.

“Let's get started,” he said, before he turned around, propelling himself off the rock.

“With what?” I asked, confused, as I followed him.

“Your mother asked me to train you” he said and I froze mid-air.

Oh for Green's sake!