Enchanter (23 page)

“He won’t hear a thing from me.”

She sniffed and hugged him. “This means so much to me.”

Faith rubbed Hope’s back then turned her gaze on Nicolas. “I know Silvie said I need your help, but I’d never force you to give it. All I ask is that you keep our secret as Guy and Maslin do.”

He ground his heel into the hard-packed soil. “I’ll speak to Alexo and Goldie first. I’ll give you my answer once I have. If that’s all, I need to leave.” He flashed away. So fast.

“He really didn’t take that very well. I’ll just make sure he’s doing what he said.” Faith’s eyes glazed over as she activated her forethought.

Guy gripped my hand. “I didn’t want to tell you this, but your fingertips are glowing.”

“What?”
 
The tips weren’t yet alight, but close, very close. “No. No. No. I don’t have time for this right now.”

“Think cold stuff. This is the outback, Silvie. One spark can set fire to what little grass is left and race across miles within minutes.”

I conjured a snow field, one with a fresh fall, only my fingers still glowed. “Damn, I’ll think of something else.”

“You have the fire skill?” Maslin gaped. “That hasn’t been seen in generations.”

“She does, and her rising is close.” Guy clasped Maslin’s arm. “Thanks for your support just now.”

“Anytime.”

“I’ll dip my hands in water.” I leaned into the water trough. Great. Bone dry, the base caked with a layer of rock-hard dirt. “Well, that’s not very helpful.”

“There’s plenty of water at the river.” Maslin nodded at Guy. “If you take her there, I’ll keep the other station hands busy.” He flashed away.

Hope stepped forward. “I’ll come and douse her if needed.” She grabbed Faith’s hand and squeezed. “How’s it going with Nicolas?”

She blinked and cleared her sight. “He’s with them now in Dad’s study. There’s nothing more we can do.” She fanned her face and stared at me. “You’re getting hot again.”

“I can’t stop it.”

“Then let’s get to the river now.” She flashed away with Hope. I followed her airstream and Guy arrived hard on my tail.

Wow. Gone was the barren red dirt and instead fields of green surrounded a mighty river. It throbbed with life. Ducks and birds took flight along the waterway, sweeping low into the rushes either side with a cacophony. And far into the distance, thousands of head of cattle grazed. Now, this was the outback as it should be.

Hope removed her Stetson and the breeze lifted the sweaty strands of her blond hair from her face. “Here Maslin and I use our water skill. We drive the water further inland from the river during the controlled river releases. This area is alive, Silvie, so take care and don’t set fire to it.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Faith bent at the river’s edge, scooped a handful. “Let’s cool you down, Silvie.” She tossed the water over my sandaled feet. Steam gushed into the air. “Whoa, you are very, very hot.”

The lush grass at my feet curled. “Maybe this isn’t the best place for me.”

“It is.” Guy motioned toward Hope. “Let’s see you in action. More water is needed. That’s all.”

“No.” I backed away. “I can’t stand Hope’s kind of action. I’ll just dip my fingers in like Faith did.”

“You don’t have a choice. You’re getting hotter by the second and we need to cool you down.” With a sweeping motion of her hands toward the river, Hope made waves ripple. Through her skill alone, a huge mass rose, bubbling around the edges until the water poured in on itself. She drew it into a controlled orb.

A pool-full of water, and far more than she needed to cool me down, levitated over the river toward me. “Hey, that’s not even remotely funny. Stop that.”

Faith sighed. “It has to happen.”

“Let’s think of another way.” I darted further back, but the rolling sphere soared to block the sun.

“Stay still,” Hope warned.

I ducked and ran, only, Guy caught me and swung me around. “What are you doing? Let me go. You’re supposed to be on my side.”

“You have to cool down, and this is the only way. I’m going to help.” His beautiful enchanter eyes swirled. “With legs of lead, you will stand still. Let this spell take hold so no harm can be—”

I shoved a hand over his mouth. “Don’t even think about finishing that spell.”

A deluge hit me, sluicing over my head and down my body until it pooled in a hissing puddle at my feet. Guy jumped clear of the hot water with a yelp.

Uncontrollable fire flared at my fingertips. “Um, that should have stopped that.”

“You have to stop the flames, or I will,” Hope yelled. She flicked her fingers and another large pool of water rose from the river.

“Put that back. I can’t get control under this kind of duress.” I glared at Faith. “Tell her to stop.”

“Hope has a mind of her own, and you must be moving into your rising.” She jerked back. “You’ve gotta rein in your temper. Every time it flares, so does your heat. It pulses in waves.”

My anger surged and the grass around me rippled, flattened and became browned.

“I’ve got this.” Hope’s bubble of water shot at me. It knocked me onto my butt.

I spat out a mouthful of sandy yuck. “Okay, that’s enough.”

“I’ve barely started.” She collected another rolling sphere, and I so wasn’t going to stick around for that.

I ’ported, and fast. In my dressing room, I grabbed my red swimsuit and whipped it on. I’d take matters into my own hands, and if I needed water, I’d make sure it suited me.

“Silvie, I know you’re in there. The wood’s warping and the doorknob is half melted.” Guy thumped the door. “We’ve gotta get you somewhere safe.”

“I’m heading to the underground cavern. The pools are private and hot. Hot water I don’t mind. Get Faith to bring you. She has the ’porting image.” Fire sparked from my fingertips. I had to go.

Within moments I was there, my feet sinking into fine gray sand. Nice. Warm air filled the cavern, and a mist hovered over the large pool of clear water. Dark rocks lined the sides, and a small tunnel of light tracked in from one of the overhead vents. Cozy.

I could do this. I walked in, and even though hot, the water still bubbled. The mist thickened as steam continued to rise. I moved deeper. The water rose to my hips, my chest, and then flowed over my shoulders.

“Silvie? Are you in here? Damn it, I can’t see a thing.”

“Don’t come in, Guy.” Bubbles burst all around as I dove under, and the water, so hot, soothed my skin. I broke the surface.

“Air so thick, disperse and spread,” Guy chanted. “Let me see my mate, the one whose fire flares red.” The air cleared and his gaze locked on mine. Faith and Hope, having changed into their swimsuits, stood with him. “There you are. I’ll spell the water and try and cool it.”
 

“I like it like this.”

“And I can’t get in. I’m spelling it.”

 
“You okay, Silvie?” Hope peered at me. “I ’pathed Silas. He and Davio are on their way. They won’t let you go through your rising alone. None of us will.”

“I’m coming in.” Guy stripped off his shirt and tossed it behind him. “Where there’s heat, let it fade. Allow more than one to bathe.” His gaze bored into mine as he shucked off his boots and black jeans.

Left in cotton shorts, the blazing color of the sun, my temperature hurtled upward again. Bubbles burst to the surface in a gurgling riot. “You’re going to have to spell stronger than that, or else stay out.”

“Where my mate heats, counteract with cool. Diffuse and chill, within a moment’s pull.” He dove in and emerged nose to nose before wrapping his arms around me. “Don’t ever run like that from me again.”

“Then don’t spell me when you know I won’t like it.”

“I have to keep you safe.”

“That doesn’t mean getting me wet.”

“You’re wet now.” He kissed me, and every cell in my body reared for more. Oh, sweet heaven. His mouth was hot, and his body pressed against mine even hotter.

Such scalding heat.

“Whoa.” He jerked back, swinging his hand back and forth through the water. “Hold on. Another flare-up.”

“Of course she’ll have flare-ups if you’re that close.” Hope swam in beside him. “Emotions run at three-times the strength as well. You two shouldn’t touch during her rising. It’ll only make things harder for her.”

Silas shimmered into the room in his trunks. “Hey, sis. I got the call. Your rising’s here?”

“Yep, and about time you showed up.” I didn’t want to do this without my brother. He’d always been there for the big stuff, and this was considered big stuff.

Silas swam out and caught Hope around the waist. “Not too close to the hot-headed one, love.” His gaze veered to Guy. “I didn’t expect to see you here, Moyer. Last I heard, Silvie was after a final farewell.”

“It didn’t happen, and it never will. Where she is, will be where you’ll find me.”

“Damn, it was the meal, wasn’t it? I should have spiked the food before she took it.”

Guy’s gaze lit on mine. “As my father’s spell said, I’ll never go hungry before her.”

Silas coughed. “Ah, excuse me, that’ll do.”

I laughed as Guy circled in behind me. “I take it you want to get burnt again?”

“I can’t help myself. It’s just as well I fast-heal.” He slid his hands over my hips, nestled his chin on my shoulder. “Look ahead. It looks like Loveria is here too, and ready for a swim,” he whispered in my ear.

“Moyer,” Davio gritted out, having ’ported in. “What are you doing here?”

Faith grabbed his hand. “Hey, don’t get upset, but they’re staying together.”

“What happened to their release?”

“They took it back.”

“Silvie, is he truly the one you want?
 
Feel free to say no.”

Poor Davio. “Yep, without a doubt he’s the one I want.”

“Great,” he sighed as he eyed Silas. “Sorry I’m late, but when you said it was Silvie’s rising, I dropped by the stockpile of logs in the forest. It’s all set to burn if she needs it.”

Oooh, he had a stockpile of logs? Yay. “I love you, cousin.”

“Only use it if necessary, Silvie.” Davio met Guy’s gaze. “Every time my cousin’s needed you, you’ve been there. In my opinion that’s what counts, whether you’re a warrior or not.”

Faith flung water as she wrapped her arms around Davio’s neck. “Now, that’s why I love you. Your heart is open to change.”

He cupped her cheek. “I’m learning my enemy isn’t exactly the enemy anymore, and it’s because of you. Times are a-changing.”

Silas inclined his red-gold head toward Guy. “There are warriors in our midst as never before, as there are protectors in yours. Can you handle it, Moyer?”

“In the past we’ve battled, and I don’t deny the hate which festers within the hearts of Dralion’s people, but it is a hate which must go.” His gaze flicked to Davio’s. “Because of Silvie, I understand this war needs to come to an end. She’s loyal to you and your people, and I would never compromise that loyalty, not when it makes her who she is. A nurturer, even with the greatest of the battle skills.”

“How do you believe this war should come to an end, Moyer?” Davio joined Silas, and the two stood united as water lapped at their chests, the girls digging their heels in beside them.

“I’m loyal to Donaldo, but I also understand we must work together. One warrior and one protector at a time. We have to see peace prevail.”

My heart pounded. His loyalty was strong, and one warrior and one protector at a time sounded like a good strategy to me. “Guy, I like what you just said. It sounds like a plan.”

“It does, and we certainly need one.” He pressed my hands to his chest. “Together we’re stronger as one.”

“We always will be.” I glanced at Davio. “What do you think? We have to try and make this work.”

“It’s good. Working together, one warrior and one protector at a time. I like it. We could turn the tide and make a change.”

“I love it.” Faith almost bowled him over as she hugged him. “This is exactly what Hope and I have wanted. For peace to prevail between our nations. Having a plan like this is a start.”