The Flames that Bind Us Book 3

LYDIA

The three Slifers had already gathered outside at the fountain. Together, they stared at the sky in utter amazement. It was impossible!

After all these years, the four Gods of Ignolia had finally graced the world with their presence. Ellesmere was bathed in rays of light that came not from the sun, but from the sheer brilliance of the Gods themselves.

A few of the citizens ran for cover out of fear of another attack. But mostly the people were dumbstruck by the beautiful deities gliding down to their city, clad in shimmering clothes of blue, black, gold, and white.

“Is that really them?” Elise asked, awestruck.

“I believe so,” replied Redmond, mouth agape.

“Oh, it’s definitely the Gods,” Lydia said, smiling.

The four Gods stopped their ascent over the treetops of the central plaza and gazed down at the dumbstruck mortals.

“Do not fear us,” said Alizeh, the Wind God. “We are the Four Gods of Ignolia.”

“We have returned to your world to ask one final request,” said Azareth, the Earth God. “Now that darkness has been cleansed from the land, our children must return to the heavens with us.”

The Slifers gasped in unison. After all they had been through, the trials and tribulations of the past few months, was it over? Just like that?

“What do you mean?” Elise asked, confused. “We have lived here in Ignolia our entire lives.”

“Yes,” replied Lynnelle, the Water God. “In preparation to save this world. Now that your task is completed, you must return with us to your true home.”

Lydia shook her head desperately. “I don’t understand. We have family here. And friends. Entire lives that you just want us to push aside.”

“It’s what the Gods demand,” Decimus said sternly. “It may not be easy for you to understand, but there is a reason for everything.”

“Then tell us what it is!” Redmond called out.

“With the threat of Uzier gone, the balance has now shifted in the opposite direction,” Alizeh explained. “As Slifers, your power is far too remarkable to remain in this world.”

Lydia looked at Redmond and Elise.

They had already lost so much in the past few days. Lucius was gone, Ayana had sacrificed her life to stop King Morrison, King Calix was dead, and now they were to leave the only world they had ever known?

“If that is your will,” Redmond said, “then I beg of you to give us one more day here in Ignolia, so that we may say goodbye to the people we love.”

The Gods looked at one another, conferring in silence.

“Very well,” Azareth responded. “You have one more day.”

And just like that, the brilliance in the sky abated, leaving only the sun to shine down upon the land.

Lydia breathed a sigh of relief. She would have one more day! But just as quickly as her excitement came, it faded away. Only one more day to be with Gabriel, the love of her life. She wanted to protest to the gods, but they were already gone.

There’s no use in sulking, Lydia thought.

She would need to get started if she was going to make the most of her last day in this world.

***

The river was peaceful as the sunshine bounced off its softly flowing waters. A small grove of trees shielded Lydia and Gabriel from the warmth of the afternoon—and from prying eyes.

They sat on the bank of the river enjoying a picnic Gabriel had planned for their last day together. Gabriel worried that it wasn’t much, but to Lydia, it meant the world.

It was terrific, finally having her man back. The residual effects of Evine’s mind control had disappeared almost immediately after she was burned to hot ash by Lydia’s extraordinary powers.

“Another?” Gabriel asked, holding a berry.

“Yes, please,” Lydia smiled.

Gabriel fed her, then wiped the juice that dribbled down her chin. He leaned in and kissed her delicately. Lydia shivered with passion as the remaining juice of the berry mixed with the unmistakable taste of Gabriel’s tongue.

Gabriel pulled away from the kiss, staring intensely into her eyes.

“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow,” he said sadly. “After all we’ve been through. For the gods to just come and snatch you right up...”

Lydia placed her hand on his cheek and felt the warmth of his skin. His rugged good looks would always captivate her, no matter how many times she stared into his eyes.

“Forget about that,” she whispered. “I’m here now. Can’t we try and make the best of it?”

This time it was Lydia’s turn to kiss Gabriel. He closed his eyes and welcomed her tender lips with a soft moan. Her fingers entwined in his thick hair, pulling him closer.

Lydia fell back onto the blanket as Gabriel hovered over her. Her sweet lips moved down his neck, tracing the line of his collarbone. With one hand, she unbuttoned his pants and reached inside.

Gabriel moaned again as Lydia’s hand found his throbbing member. His tip was already wet, and so was she. He pulled off her undergarments and lifted her legs high in the air.

His tender tongue lapped up her juices as her legs rested on his shoulders. Lydia gasped from the overwhelming feeling of his strokes. Her fingers clenched the blanket as she let the first orgasmic waves wash over her.

Gabriel set down her trembling legs and leaned close to her ear.

“I love you, Lydia Voltaire,” he whispered, his breath warm and comforting. “And I always will.”

Lydia could wait no longer. She was already beginning to cry from the unbelievable tenderness he had shown her fleshy mound. But she wanted more...

Gabriel slid himself inside; every bit of him made her body quake. He gently pumped as Lydia cried out softly for him to go deeper. Her hands wrapped around his ass and forced every bit of his pulsating cock inside.

“I’m coming,” she said as tears fell down her cheeks. “Gods, I’m cumming!”

Gabriel pulled down the front of her dress just enough to reveal her perky nipples. He sucked on them as Lydia continued to convulse from her orgasms.

“You are my everything,” she said as her hips moved quickly back and forth.

Gabriel buried his head in her chest as Lydia’s thrusts gripped his entire being. She was still on her back but generated all the power now, and it was simply too overwhelming.

“I’m almost there,” he whimpered.

Gabriel kissed Lydia hard as he released his seed inside her. For the next several minutes, they kissed in blissful silence...

***

Gabriel snored softly as Lydia held him. After the events of the afternoon, they had gone back to her quarters to simply bask in each other’s presence. They refused to speak about tomorrow. Lydia wouldn’t let them.

Instead, they kissed and smiled, talked and laughed, as the sun slowly gave way to the darkness of night.

They had said I love you so many times in the last few hours that it almost made up for all the times in the past they hadn’t. It was beautiful and heartbreaking all at once.

Gabriel awoke with a soft jolt and turned over, his eyes falling on Lydia.

“You’re still awake,” he said sleepily.

“I can’t sleep,” she admitted.

His hand stroked her hair as his eyes looked deeply into hers.

“Good. Then maybe we can keep staring at each other until the sun comes up,” he said, smiling.

“Such a romantic,” she joked.

“I love you,” he said sweetly.

“And I love you,” she replied, tears once again forming in her eyes.

***

They had all agreed to meet at the fountain first thing in the morning. Lydia and Gabriel made it there first, followed shortly after by Elise. But Redmond was nowhere to be found.

“Maybe he overslept,” Lydia guessed. “I’m sure Queen Adria kept him up all night.”

But as she said this, Queen Adria made her way down the spacious streets, accompanied only by General Malla.

“Where’s Redmond?” Elise called out.

The look of sadness on Adria’s face made them all pause.

What had happened?

“Follow me and I’ll show you,” Adria said sadly.

The group walked a short distance to the walls of the city. As Lydia looked over the edge, her heart leapt in her chest.

Overnight a massive forest had grown around the outer walls of Ellesmere. Its colors were vibrant and teemed with all manner of fauna.

“Did he…” Lydia’s words trailed off as she looked at Adria’s face.

“He always wanted to gift the world something special,” General Malla said.

“So, he sacrificed his life to make the world a better place,” Adria replied.

Elise wrapped an arm around Lydia as tears streamed down their faces.

Suddenly a burst of light erupted onto Ellesmere from the clouds above.

The Gods had returned.

“We see that the Earth Slifer has made his choice,” Azareth said.

“Now, it is time to make yours,” Lynnelle added.

Lydia bowed her head in contemplation. If Redmond could choose a different path, did that mean she could too?

To go with the Gods meant never seeing Gabriel or Imarnia again. But to follow Redmond’s route and sacrifice herself for something more would lead to a similar end.

Could there be some other choice that gave her what she truly desired—a life with Gabriel?

Elise looked at the small group around her. She shrugged her shoulders and stepped forward.

“I don’t have anyone left in this world,” she said. “And I can’t go on pretending that I do.”

Lydia rushed forward and wrapped Elise in the tightest hug she’d ever given.

“No matter what happens after this,” Lydia said, “I’ll never forget how great of a friend you’ve become.”

“You won’t have to forget if you don’t give me a chance to breathe,” Elise said in her usual straightforward way.

Lydia pulled back, and the two Slifers smiled at one another.

“I’ll see you soon,” Elise replied.

And just like that, she began to ascend into the sky. Her body soared past the Gods and kept climbing until the clouds seemed to swallow her whole.

“One more Slifer,” said Decimus, looking at his daughter.

Lydia turned to Gabriel and, for the first time, saw tears streaming from his eyes. It was gut-wrenching seeing her lover like this. At the same time, he had finally shown his genuine emotions…even if it was too late.

“I love you so much, Lydia Voltaire,” Gabriel said one last time.

“And I love you,” she replied.

It was true. She did love the King of Imarnia more than words could ever explain. So, why not ask the Gods for one last crazy favor?

Pulling away from Gabriel, she looked at her father hovering in the sky.

“Before you take me back, I ask one favor,” she said. “If it is your will… I want to be stripped of my Slifer powers and remain on this earth as a mortal.”

The crowd around her gasped in unison. Did she dare go against the Gods’ wishes and take her life into her own hands?

“This is a heavy favor,” Decimus replied. “Do you know what you are truly asking?”

Lydia looked hard at the Fire God and nodded her head. “I am your child. You know me better than most.”

Decimus nodded his head and turned to the other Gods. Once again, they conferred in silence as the city of Ellesmere held its collective breath.

Lydia could feel the beating of her heart quicken. Every second that ticked away pounded inside her chest like a drum.

Finally, Decimus returned his gaze to Lydia.

“Very well,” he said. “Your wish has been granted. All powers previously held are yours no longer. Welcome to your new life, mortal.”

The crowd cheered as Lydia threw herself into the open arms of Gabriel. The feeling was unbelievable! Her body didn’t seem weak or tired or changed in any way.

But she knew it was true. She no longer had power coursing through her veins. It was an innate understanding that only she could possess. The magic she had known ever since she was a little girl had left her body for good.

She was mortal! But as she looked into Gabriel’s vibrant eyes, a sense of dread began to weigh down on her shoulders.

If she was no longer a Fire Slifer, could their relationship still work?

Gabriel gave her a kiss that sent jolts of electricity through her limbs. If this were any indication, then she would have nothing to worry about.

It was time to start a new chapter in her life. And she was excited to see just how much she could accomplish as Lydia Voltaire: one-time Fire Slifer, now full-time human!