Flames

CHAPTER ONE

I hadn’t been invited to many weddings in my life. That was basically because I lived a pretty unconventional life all told. My parents died when I was a kid, and my sister and I were shuffled around in foster care until she became a drake (which is a sort of dragon/human hybrid condition caused by dying after eating dragon meat) and then we ran away to Sea City. It was a place where magical creatures, which my sister now was, were more welcome than in a lot of other parts of the country.

So, being teenage runaways and all, we didn’t have a lot of friends who were tying the knot in big cathedrals or even in the back yard at their parents’ house. Most of what I knew about weddings came from seeing them on TV. I had been to maybe… two in my life, and one of them was just two fellow slayers signing papers at the justice of the peace. The other had a pirate theme. They walked the plank together. It was a little weird.

I was a dragon slayer, even though there were fewer rogue dragons in the world now due to the actions of my friends Penny Caspian and Lachlan Flint. Or I guess just Penny and Lachlan Flint now.

And the reason I’m going on and on about weddings is that they got married, and I was at their wedding.

Just recently, Naelen Spencer and I had been helping them fight a horrible ancient water monster called the Green King. He was out of the picture now, but so were a lot of rogue dragons, because they’d been killed fighting the Green King.

I was employed by Naelen as his sort of monster-killing assistant. Naelen was a rich playboy type who’d decided to stop spending time running his multi-billion-dollar corporations and travel around the world helping people. We were like the Ghostbusters, but with a private jet.

But, anyway, the wedding.

Penny and Lachlan got married on the beach outside the hotel they owned, the Purple Dolphin Hotel and Suites. It was a small, intimate wedding with a guest list under fifteen. Penny wore a casual white dress, but she looked beautiful. She was practically glowing, and she glided up to meet her husband and little boy. She and Lachlan already had a kid together, and they held the little boy during the entire ceremony. Admittedly, it was probably the shortest wedding ceremony I’d ever seen.

And I don’t know much about weddings, considering this was basically only the third I’d ever been to.

But watching it all was like a knife in my gut, taunting me with all the things that I had hoped for in my future, things that were cut off to me now.

Sure, maybe someday, I’d meet someone else or whatever, but right now, I couldn’t think about that. And I couldn’t believe that there would be anyone in my life who could hold a candle to Naelen Spencer.

Or Logan Gray.

But that was a whole nother kettle of fish.

I wanted what Penny had. I wanted it bad. I wanted a husband and a kid. Maybe two kids. Not anytime soon. I was young. I wasn’t even into my mid-twenties. So, I could wait a few years for kids, but I wanted them someday. And watching her up there, watching the love that was written all over her face as she wrapped her arms around her family, well, it made my heart break all over again.

I just wanted to go home.

But that would have been rude. And besides, my new swanky apartment only reminded me of Naelen. Hell, everything reminded me of Naelen. Especially Naelen himself, who was standing right next to me.

We weren’t really close to Penny’s other friends. Sure, we’d all gotten drunk together at Christmas, and we’d spent a little time with them what with fighting the water monsters, but we didn’t spend time with them often. So, I kept wishing that Naelen would go mingle with other people, but he stuck close to my side, because he didn’t really know anyone else. And I didn’t go off on my own for the same reason.

We were attached at the hip, and every time I glanced at him—at his hauntingly blue eyes and his beautiful body—I felt like I was going to throw up.

It was so bad that I couldn’t stand to eat any of the food at the reception, which was held around the pool behind the hotel. The food smelled really good, but Naelen’s presence made me nauseous. It was because I kept picturing him naked with that Juliet Ellis woman.

His destined mate. The woman chosen for him by fate and biology for him to marry and make baby dragons with. The way it had been explained to me was that dragons had a hard time conceiving, so to ensure that they kept trying and kept up the species, they had evolved to have a tight bond with their mates, so tight that they were obsessed with each other and they wanted to have sex with each other constantly.

Naelen was supposed to be mine. He had chased me hard, eroded my defenses, and after a long time, I had given my heart to him.

And now he had a stupid mate.

I mean, there were other wrinkles, like Logan and our brief experimentation with being polyamorous and the fact that I had technically given Naelen permission to sleep with other women, but…

Well, it still made me sick to my stomach thinking about him being with someone else.

So, I sat next to him at a table by the pool, with my untouched food on my plate, and with the lights from the wedding strung up and reflecting off the pool and the music swelling in the background, and Penny and Lachlan dancing and gazing into each other’s eyes like lovesick teenagers.

And Naelen and I didn’t say anything to each other at all.

I endured it all as long as I could. But after a few hours, I’d had enough. I got up from the table and walked over to interrupt Penny and Lachlan’s umpteenth dance together.

Clarke, said Penny, breaking away from Lachlan to throw her arms around me. I’m so glad you guys are here.

Yeah, thanks for inviting me, I said. Then I made a show of yawning. But I’m, um, really tired. I think I’m going to head out.

Oh, okay, she said. Hey, let’s hook up tomorrow to talk about the Order, okay? That was our deal, after all.

Tomorrow? I said. Aren’t you guys going on a honeymoon or something?

No way, she said. It’s high season, and I need this hotel back up and running. It had been destroyed by an attack by the aforementioned Green King. We just did this wedding spur of the moment. We’ll go on a honeymoon later on, when it slows down around here.

Lachlan grinned at me. Every day is a honeymoon with Penny.

She grinned at him.

They kissed.

I was going to vomit. I was really going to actually, literally vomit. I knew it was a cliche, but this was a serious physical sensation I was fighting. Maybe it wasn’t all about Naelen after all. Maybe I was coming down with a stomach bug. I backed away. Uh, see you guys later.

Penny broke the kiss. Call me tomorrow. We’ll get together and I’ll tell you everything I know.

Sure, I said. And then I walked as quickly as I could away from the reception, around the hotel, and out towards the street. I got out my phone to call a cab. I didn’t have a car, which was maybe something I needed to remedy.

Hey, said Naelen’s voice behind me. Where are you going?

I dropped the phone back into my pocket and turned to him. Now we were both standing on the sidewalk in front of the hotel. It wasn’t a big building. It was only two stories, and it looked more like an oversized house than anything else. It was one of the older hotels from the early twentieth century as opposed to the big high-rises that had been put up more recently. The hotel looked homey and quaint. I can’t be here anymore, I said. I think I’m coming down with something.

His brow creased in concern. You feel sick?

Yeah, like I might vomit, I said. I didn’t mention that the sensation had started to ease when I thought I was away from him. Maybe not a stomach bug after all. I’d been right the first time. It was Naelen’s fault.

He made a face. Oh. Sorry. Um, well, you should have said something. Let’s go home, and I’ll make you some chamomile tea. My nanny always gave that to me when I had an upset stomach.

Let’s go home? As if we live together or something? Because we don’t. We very much don’t. I have my own place.

He took a step back. He was hurt. Then he squared his shoulders. Okay, fine. I’ll give you a lift back to your apartment, then. Michael can be here in ten minutes. He took his own phone out of his pocket, ready to call his driver, Michael.

I don’t need you fussing over me, I said.

I know you don’t need that, but it’ll put my mind at ease, he said. If you’re really not feeling well—

I don’t want to be crammed into a car with you, I blurted.

His lips parted. What?

You’ve been hovering over me for days now. I just… I need you not to be close, okay?

He didn’t say anything for several seconds.

I walked away from him, taking my phone out again and dialing the cab company.

His hand on my arm, stopping me. His voice was quiet, but there was steel beneath it. Clarke, look at me.

No. I didn’t look at him. I shook him off. "You’re what’s making me ill."

Me?

I can’t stop thinking about you with her, I said. Every time I’m near you, it’s all I think about, and it’s turning my stomach.

He looked as though I’d slapped him. That’s not fair, he finally said.

Because you’ve seen me with another man? I said. Because of Logan? Naelen, Logan, and I had been held captive by a nasty vampire named Ronan Cunningham, who’d used powerful magical objects to compel us to amuse him. What he found more amusing than anything was making us all have sex together. Well, them have sex with me. I guess Cunningham wasn’t much into the guy-on-guy stuff. Anyway, it had been awful, and we were all screwed up in the head about it.

Partly, he said, but that’s not what I was going to say.

You told me that you were never going to sleep with another woman, I said. You said that even though I was with Logan, you were going to be monogamous to me.

And then you told me it was okay if I had another girlfriend, he said.

I only said that because I felt pressure from the Hudsons, I said. The Hudsons were a family of polyamorous people that we knew. They had advocated allowing everyone in the group access to as many partners as we wanted. I’d felt guilty, because, at the time, I had two boyfriends, and I thought that I should allow the guys to have girlfriends too. But I didn’t like the idea one bit when it came to Naelen, and I’d wished to take it back almost immediately.

Okay, well, you never told me that, he said. You said it was okay, and I thought you were going to be with Logan still, so I thought that it would be fine. You’d have him. I’d have her. We’d be even.

"I know this, I said. You told me your stupid plan already. And I told you that I’m not interested. That you’ll just have to choose. Her or me. And you said that it would drive you mad not to have her—"

I did not say that.

You said something like that, I said.

He balled his hands up into fists. Well… it won’t. He pointed at the hotel. Penny left her destined mate, you know that?

That was a different situation, I said.

I know it was, he said, but it’s possible. I don’t have to be with Juliet. I can fight this.

I chewed on my lip. Well, all this time, I’d been operating under the assumption that there was no hope for Naelen and me. But now, he was offering me a little glimmer. But I didn’t want to believe him if it was false hope. Can you?

"Yes."

So… I twisted my fingers together. You want me, then? You’re choosing me?

Of course I’m choosing you, Clarke. Are you insane? Together, we’ve been through some things that were, well, ghastly. I’m not giving up on us because I meet some woman that I have a desperate urge to screw. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s all biological. He tapped his temple. "Real intimacy is up here, Clarke. We’re real."

I felt a sob rising up in my throat, and I wanted what he was saying to be true so badly. Before he’d met Juliet, he’d always been confident that he could fight the mating bond, and I’d believed it, because he’d believed it.

But after seeing the way his face changed when he looked at her…

Well, I wasn’t so sure he could fight it like he was saying. But I wanted to think he could. I really wanted to.

He closed the distance between us and he ran his knuckles over my cheek. Come home with me. Let me take care of you. Please, Clarke, I want to be near you. I basically always want to be near you.

I swallowed the sob. I gave him a wavery smile. Not tonight, okay? We can… we can try this. But not tonight. I couldn’t help but picture the two of them together. The images kept assailing me. Maybe if I could just get away from him, I could get a little peace.

CHAPTER TWO

Oh my God, I love your couches, said Penny, running her fingers over the butterscotch-colored leather in the living room in Naelen’s house. The bottom floor of his house had huge glass walls that showed off a view of the sand and surf. Naelen’s house was right up on the water. Inside, the couches all sat facing the view, so that all socializing took place with the ocean on display. Thanks for not minding that I didn’t want to meet at my hotel, she continued. They’re doing some cleaning right now, and the place is a madhouse. I’ve got reservations for the weekend already. Gotta be ready.

Not a problem, said Naelen. I’ve got room. He settled on a leather easy chair.

I would have had them both come over to my place, but I found I didn’t want Naelen in the space. I’d form memories of him there if he did show up, and right now, it was one place that was clear of his presence, a safe zone, a haven.

Penny sat down too. Lachlan was going to come, but then he thought he better go and check in at work. He took a lot of time off recently, and he wants to get back at it. Lachlan was a police officer here in Sea City.

Also not a problem, said Naelen. You sure you don’t want anything to drink?

I’m fine, said Penny. You’re quite the gracious host, however. She turned to me. You’re quiet, Clarke. You doing all right?

She said she wasn’t feeling well last night, said Naelen. I think she looks pale, but she claims she’s fine.

I glared at him. I can answer for myself, you know.

He looked hurt again. He snatched up a glass of sparkling water with lemon that he was drinking and nursed it, sulking.

Penny glanced back and forth between us. You two doing okay?

I studied my knuckles.

We’re… hanging in there as best we can, said Naelen.

She turned back to him. It’s about finding your mate, right? Who is it, anyway?

One of the Ellis girls, said Naelen. The Manhattan Ellises.

I don’t know them, said Penny. I think my grandparents went to one of their parties when I was a little girl, though. Dragons were all rich, and they all traveled in similar social circles. Due to the fact that they didn’t have many children, there weren’t a lot of them. It was easy for most dragons to know most other dragons. I found it all a bit intimidating, I had to admit.

Well, her name’s Juliet, said Naelen. Not that it matters, because I’m going to do my best not to see her.

Penny nodded. It is easier when you’re not in each other’s presence. Then she looked down at her knees. But it’s still very hard.

No one said anything.

Penny looked up. She turned to Naelen and then to me. Look, I’m pulling for you guys, I really am, but I think you both need to realize that what you’re attempting to do… no one does it.

I know, said Naelen in a tight voice. Let’s talk about the Order.

No one? I said.

She ran her fingers over the arm of the couch. Well, I mean, I’ve known gay dragons who meet their mate, and then do end up with a gay lover on the side, because the bond doesn’t completely fulfill them, but it’s still so powerful that they don’t try to live without their mate.

I’m not going to be the lover on the side, I said.

Of course not, said Naelen. Seriously, Penny, the Order?

Uh, right. She took a deep breath. What do you guys want to know?

What are they? I said.

The Order of Rasmossen and Wolffe, she said. They are basically a traveling magical jail. They lock up very powerful, very destructive magical creatures, and then they are able to siphon that power away from the prisoners and into the members of the Order. That makes them insanely powerful. They’ve got all this stolen magic at their fingertips.

Wow, I said sarcastically. So, nothing like dealing with something easy for once.

Why are you guys trying to tangle with them? said Penny.

They have one of the magical objects, I said. They want the rest of them. They say that they want to take them away and lock them up for safekeeping, but they sound a little sketchy to us. Maybe it would be better for them to have the objects than it would for Cunningham to have them. Or maybe it would be worse. They compelled our friend Eden to give them the object against her will.

Which doesn’t exactly inspire confidence in them, if you know what I mean, said Naelen.

Well, when I worked with them, there was a woman in charge named Darla Tell, said Penny. But she was ultimately corrupted by the power of one particular prisoner that was in the Order, and we had to fight her. She’s currently locked up in Roxbone. Roxbone was a prison for magical creatures.

Yeah, Eden said something like that, said Naelen. She said that there was a management change.

Actually, I said, she said that the replacement for Darla Tell had been more of the same, so they’d cleaned house.

Hmm, said Penny. Well, it could be a completely different group of people in there now. For what it’s worth, I think they mean well, but I don’t think concentrating all the power in one place is a good idea.

Too dangerous, said Naelen. That was our thought. We don’t think the objects should be with a group of already-powerful beings. Powerful people need to be kept in check by other powerful beings, not given the keys to the kingdom so that they can run roughshod over everyone else.

Oh, I agree, said Penny.

So, how do we find the Order? I said.

Um… Penny considered. Well, we didn’t go looking for them before. They came looking for us.

Maybe Eden knows where they are, said Naelen. We’ll have to check with her.

"How did you end up beating Darla Tell when she had