Rhuul's Flame (7 page)

Rhuul was about to stand, his lips curled into a sneer. Avalea grabbed his wrist and locked eyes with him. “Talloc, can you give us a little privacy?”

“Okay, but call me when the fighting is over.” He started walking toward a patch of dried grass, but he paused and turned back to her. “If I was a woman, would you prefer small or large breasts?”

“Medium. I like them perky with nice nipples.” She didn’t take her eyes off Rhuul, watching his eyebrows rise.

“Gods, I think I’m in love!” Talloc dashed away, muttering something about knowing exactly which breasts he’d mimic.

When the Bruna was out of earshot, she released Rhuul’s wrist and sat up, taking care to leave Ghena undisturbed. “What’s your problem?”

“What are you talking about?”

“You came to my
rescue
against the calciphex, kissed me on the mountain, and then act like I’m invisible for hours. When you do decide to speak to me, it’s to tell me I need to eat.”

“Look…” He sucked in a deep breath and stood up straight. “I already told you, I thought that thing was going to eat you, so I reacted. I was … relieved when you were all right.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke and walked a short path in front of her bed of leaves.

“You reacted? So coming after me, kissing me, all that was the same as you swatting a bug flying by your face?”

“Yes … I mean, no, not exactly. You know what I mean.”

He was flustered, and secretly, she enjoyed seeing the overconfident Rhuul stumbling over himself. “Hmm, I think I do know what you mean.”

“You do?” He finally met her gaze with eyes a bit wider than normal.

“Yes. You’re going through what my people call
restra
. It’s the period in a male’s life when he makes the first steps toward adulthood. It lasts a few years for most. That explains the short temper and inability to control your reactions. You’re growing up! I’m glad we had this talk. Now I know—” Before she could blink, she was lifted by her upper arms.

Rhuul held her so her face was level with his, and he spoke through his teeth. “I am no juvenile, Lea. Do not test my patience.”

“Or what? Are you going to stab me like you do everything else? What’s the matter? Can’t think beyond the point of a blade?”

“You do not know me, yet you assume much.” His left eye began to twitch, and she could feel tiny tremors in his hands.

Being close to him again had an instant effect on her. The inner walls of her vagina seized, as if she wanted to reach for him. She wanted him to kiss her again, and much more, but she wouldn’t give in to those urges. “I know what you’ve shown me. You’re quick to anger, you kill without any thought, you can’t control your impulses, and you don’t know how to own up to your behavior. Now put me down, or I’ll set those wings of yours on fire.” Heat infused her blood, and her magic grew.
If he thinks he’s going to intimidate me … No, I’ve got to calm down.

“Set me on fire? What happened to the tree-hugging Omala animal lover who believes all life is sacred? Now
you’re
threatening me with your flames.”

She narrowed her eyes; a mixture of lust and anger snaked up her spine, gripping her heart like a fist. “If you would just—”

“Did you get to the makeup part yet?” Talloc called out from wherever he was. He sounded winded, as if he was running.

Rhuul lowered her to her feet and looked in the direction of Talloc’s voice. “Did you get to the part where you shut the fu—”

“Rhuul!” She sighed and waited for him to turn back to her. “Don’t you have any other emotion besides anger?”

His expression was hard, but after a few moments of silence, it softened. He held the pouch out to her again, his gaze on the ground. “Here. We’ve been traveling nonstop.”

When she took the bag from his hands, he let out a breath. He seemed more relaxed, but she could still see tiny twitches in the muscles of his jaw. She opened the small leather ties and gasped when she eyed the contents. “This … This is meat!”

And just like that, he was back to the scowling Rhuul she was growing accustomed to. “Yes, it’s meat. It’s all I have. I’m not a walking tavern.” He paused, closing his eyes and retucking his wings against his back. “What’s the problem?”

Omala had very strict rules regarding the care and preparation of their livestock. The idea that the animal could have been mistreated in any way unsettled her. She wanted to explain, but she wasn’t sure he’d understand. “It’s … fine. Thank you.”

“You’re lying. Just tell me.”

She sat down on the soft leaves of her created bed and pulled her knees up to her chest. “Omala are very … particular about the way our food is handled, that’s all.” She pulled out a strip of the dried meat and bit off a piece. It was tough, but flavorful. There was an awkward silence between them as he watched her eat, reminding her how badly she needed a bath. “Do you want me to make a bed for you?”

“No, I can’t sleep on flat surfaces like that.” He opened his wings wide, calling attention to them. “I’ll have to conjure something so my wings will be comfortable.”

“Oh.” She looked at the long appendages, both smooth and powerful. “How about this?” She reached into the magic of the earth beneath her, bringing forth a large bed of leaves. She created a line of supple vines down the center, covered in a thick moss. She grew this area above the leaves, making them several inches higher.

“That’s…” He stared at the creation, a small smile curving his lips. “That’s perfect.” She watched him lay atop the plants, and took pride in his sigh of relaxation.

“Sleep well, Rhuul.”

“You too.”

“What the hell is this?” Talloc returned, completely naked and extremely aroused.

“Sorry.” She yawned and lay down next to Ghena, snuggling close. “We’re going to bed. Do you want me to make one for you?”

“No, I do not want you to make a bed for me. I want the two of you
in
bed with me. I thought I was clear about this.” He sucked his teeth and changed into a golden-maned
frana
wolf, where he swiftly curled up on the ground, lifted his leg, and shamelessly licked his genitals.

Avalea shut her eyes tight before turning over. “I did not need to see that.”

* * * *

It took three more days of travel before the sprawling farmlands of Avalea’s village came into view. These lands sat in stark contrast to the arid wastes they’d trekked through. Every area was teeming with life. Flourishing crops and healthy livestock surrounded a town made up of buildings that were a mixture of earth and greenery. The materials were simple, but the designs were intricate. Each building had its own unique pattern of plants and flowers growing up the walls, creating individual mosaics.

As they got closer, Rhuul observed the Omala as they worked in the fields. They looked similar to Avalea, with varying shades of brown skin, long hair, and tall stature, but that’s where the likenesses ended. Many of the Omala had green tresses, the rest had brown, but none of them had the flame of her eyes and hair.
She’s just like me. Similar, to her people, but not quite the same.

“Avalea?” One of the Omala stood up, squinting at them as they made their way down the road toward town. “It’s Avalea! Quick, alert the elders.”

Rhuul watched three Omala rush into town, running as if their lives depended on it.

“Kerran, it’s so good to see you. I missed you!” She lowered Ghena to the ground, rushed over to the farmer, and threw her arms around him. In turn, he wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close, tilting his head to avoid the flames on her head.

Rhuul felt heat prickling inside the skin of his wings. He spread them wide and gave them a few flaps to shake the feeling. He wanted to rush over and punch the Omala’s face in for holding her with such familiarity, his fists already clenched.
This is why I need to leave.

“When the elders returned and told the story, we didn’t know what to think. We sent scouts along the route, but they found no sign of you or the others.” Kerran sounded worried. The look on his face could only be described as utterly sad. Deep wrinkles bracketed his mouth and furrowed his brow as he held her tight, and his voice cracked when he spoke.

Some of the anger Rhuul felt diminished at the sight of the Omala’s sorrow. There was a sense of loss hanging around him, as if a fog of melancholy pulled any joy from the air.

Avalea pulled back, her expression matching Kerran’s. “The others haven’t come back? But … but we never saw them. We have to go back. I need to f—”

“Hell no! I don’t need you coming to me in my dreams again.” Rhuul narrowed his eyes at her and blew out a breath.

“In his dreams?” Kerran raised both green eyebrows and stared at Avalea with a look of surprise.

A small smile spread his lips and she shook her head before she spoke. “Sorry, Kerran. Let me introduce Talloc; he’s a Bruna, and the loud, angry, winged guy is Rhuul. They helped me escape. Rhuul took care of Ghena too.”

“Speaking of which, I’m out of
haraka
berries.” Ghena turned to Rhuul, held up his empty sack, and smiled.

“Nice to meet you, Kerran. Have
you
ever met you?” Talloc took Kerran’s form and chuckled when the Omala was rendered momentarily speechless.

“I am Rhuul, and I will be lea—” A strange light caught his eye, and he turned in time to see a man of flames charge forward. In his wake were a female Omala and several children with Avalea’s flaming hair and eyes.

“Father! Mother!” She ran to close the distance between them and held her family close.

An emptiness all but consumed him. Bursts of pain swarmed through his heart as he watched the scene, but he couldn’t look away. It wasn’t the first time Rhuul found the scene of a loving family painful, but it had never been as difficult as this. It was one thing to imagine Lea’s parents together; seeing them, their love, their concern for her well-being, along with the other children hammered home an important point.
I will never have this.
He took a step away from them and shook his head, biting back the emotions roiling within him.
I don’t need this. I need a realm; nothing else matters.
He turned around and stared at the road they’d traveled to arrive at the village.

Ghena ambled over and tugged on his wing. “Don’t be too hasty, Rhuul.” He scratched his furry belly and looked over his shoulder at the family reunion. “You rescued Ava. At least stay for a meal.” He paused, pulling his small face into a frown. “If you’re going to leave, at least say good-bye to her.” As quickly as he arrived, he bounded away.

His stomach rumbled, the sound causing visions of roasted meat to enter his head. Food was as good a distraction as any in that moment.
I suppose I could have a proper meal, but that’s it.
When he turned around, Lea and her parents were walking toward him.

“Rhuul, this is my father, Embral, and my mother, Renna.”

“Thank you so much for saving her!” Renna didn’t delay and wrapped her arms around his waist, squeezing tight.

“I … You’re welcome.” He rested a hand on her shoulder and held her gently as he took a step back. Renna had tears in her eyes, her bottom lip trembling like a sheet in a windstorm. He’d never seen anyone show such genuine emotion. In Karn, every conversation was calculated to produce a desired result. It was rare for him to see such honesty in expression, and he wasn’t quite sure how to react. For the first time in his life, a scathing remark seemed out of place. He turned his gaze to Lea. Her smile was wide and bright, as though she’d never been happier.

The fire elemental intertwined fiery fingers in Lea’s hand, the yellow and orange flames of his body flickering much like her hair.

“My father also extends his gratitude to both you and Talloc. He wants you to know you are welcome in our home.” After she spoke the words, she blushed and cast her eyes to the ground for an instant. Whatever her father shared in that moment, she kept to herself, making him all the more curious about the words that produced that adorable effect in her.

More Omala gathered, and to his shock, none of them looked at Embral with disdain. There were no angry glances, no sneers, no whispers, no judgment. Even Rhuul was looked upon with friendly smiles.
Can’t they see what I am? Don’t they know he and I don’t belong here among them?

“Please, Rhuul, be our guest for dinner. We have plenty of room for you to relax and unwind while we prepare the food.” Renna wiped her tears and took the hands of the two small children on either side of her.

“Very well.” When he agreed, Lea smiled at her father and pointed her hooked thumb toward town.

“Are you going to lead the way again?”

“Don’t make me change my mind.” He wanted to remain solemn, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t keep a small chuckle from breaking free of his chest.

* * * *

Home at last, Avalea showed Talloc and Rhuul around her family’s large house. Talloc was soon lost in taking the form of everything in sight, including the toys of her siblings. With the Bruna entertained, she turned to Rhuul. “I’m dying to take a hot bath. Would you like one?” He stiffened, his jaw tight. “What’s the matter?”

“I don’t take baths.” His voice was lower, as if he didn’t want anyone else to hear.

“You what? Why not?”

He spread his wings and lifted them. “Hard to fit these into a tub.”

“They aren’t a problem.” She beckoned him to followand led him down the long hall toward the bathrooms.

“Your father, is he allowed to see his people? Do the other elementals know he is with your mother?”

“What do you mean, allowed? Of course they know. We visit them often. I’m able to communicate with my grandparents easily enough, but it’s not the same with my other relatives. It takes more concentration for me to hear them. Why?” She stopped in front of one of the bathrooms and searched his face. He looked wistful, and his eyes seemed to stare off into the distance. “Rhuul?”

“I was just curious.”

“Curious. Right.” Something was bothering him. It was clear from the way he rolled his shoulders and pressed his lips together in a tight line. She led him inside the room and stopped next to the tub. The long green basin was formed by two large, overlapping leaves. She looked him up and down before she squatted and placed her hands on the ground. “There are towels on that table over there and I can bring you some clothes too.”