Burning Hearts

Chapter Thirty-Two

Tana

Robyn, Chase, and I ate a lot. Orien took over feeding Chase for Adrian. He kept kissing at Robyn’s mark and Casen was doing the same for me. I knew what was going to happen, as I called my flame, so soon after expelling Elle. It took all the energy I had to destroy them.

Drew had put me on his back to protect me, but I knew they would have overpowered him and killed him to get to me. Everything went black until I was standing in front of Casen on flame and naked. Which technically I am right now if it weren’t for his shirt covering me.

I honestly was surprised I would be turned to ash so soon after discovering I was a phoenix dragon. I’m still wondering how Elle or Syndra plan to turn me into ash. I turned myself to ash, but I have what I realize now is a flame that has both my phoenix and light witch side at my disposal. Do Elle and Syndra know what they are dealing with? I know Elle has seen my flame and use it, but she has never seen my dragon. Maybe they intend to burn me in dragon form? I’m stressing myself out trying to riddle this out.

I finished chewing my piece of chicken. I wiped my mouth. “I need to learn to control my light magic. I told Casen already, but my mum visited me while I was unconscious. She was queen of the White Flame coven. My flame that I can call upon in human form is because of her she could do the same thing. I guess my father was attracted to her flame. He introduced himself as Grayer. She quickly learned they were true mates. I can’t ask you, but I want to free my father from his ashes.”

“We need to discuss this with everyone. We don’t even know where Syndra is, let alone where she is keeping his ashes.” Adrian replied. “Fair enough, but I will be training as much as possible. I need to get my magic under control. I can’t be laid out, especially if it comes to a fight.”

“We don’t want Syndra getting your ashes. This is going to be delicate,” Robyn said. “I honestly don’t think she can turn me to ash. Unless I can be turned to ash in dragon form. I’m uncertain, but the only reason I turned to ash today is because I did it, calling my flame so soon after forcing Elle out of Callum’s mind. Is he alright?”

“He got burned when he held you up as you burned the dark witches. I healed him as your body was reborn from the ashes. Is that what happened the first time?” Robyn asked. “Yes, that was why I couldn’t cry when she turned to ash. I heard the crack of thunder and I knew what would happen.” “I wish I could see what happened.” I mumbled.

Orien placed his phone on the table next to me. The screen was paused on a video. I touched to play it. I was stunned at what happened. “My flame consumes my ashes before I reform?” I asked no one in particular. Orien cut the video as soon as the ashes had fallen down my body before it revealed my nakedness. I appreciate that. “Will you send the video to me and delete it? I don’t want anyone possibly gaining access to it that may be human. I just want a copy I can keep on my laptop for reference.”

Orien picked his phone up and pressed a few things as he held Chase and Chase was reaching for the phone. I had to chuckle. “Done and deleted.” “Thank you.” “Anytime." I smiled.

~~~

It has been two weeks. I stepped out of the shower. We have classes starting back up today. I had just finished training with Lyrai and a fae witch named Aletta. I guess Robyn contacted her to see about my lineage. Aletta is a distant cousin of my mum’s and now mine. Very distant, but the relations are there. She knew of my mum. I guess my mum was the most powerful light witch queen on Earth.

She was blessed with the ability to call upon a white flame. No other light witch can do anything more than conjure fire in their hands. Aletta said that most of the light witches left on Earth are hiding or very well defending their covens. She is going to leave soon for the covens. She knows where they are to ask them to join me in my fight against Elle and Syndra.

Lyrai and Rhistal have the light elves training daily. Everyone is training. I gave control of the European kingdom to Callum. I stripped Corbin of his title permanently. He still has royal blood, but he is no better than a common dragon now. I decreed it across all dragons’ minds when I changed the power to Callum.

Casen and I agreed that we don’t need to worry about ruling Europe when we have all of the dragons to rule. Callum knows what he’s doing, and he can continue to run the family business as well. Callum began changing the staff at the estate to staff that are of magical, or supernatural beings. He offered retirement to the elderly and compensation for the others, with glowing recommendations to boost their future placement.

Corbin was furious about all of this, but I changed his tune quickly with a command. Callum set him up in a house in Alpha Landen’s clan. That way he could be kept an eye on. We moved back to the estate with Callum because it is much bigger, and the training room is larger and has more.

In what little down time, we’ve had Orien and I have been teaching Casen how to drive my car. Sadly, he burned my clutch out and other serious things got damaged in the process. I couldn’t be mad at him. My car wasn’t new. I only had so long before I would have had to find another I could afford. I’m searching for another one with my savings I have. I have access to the vehicles in the garage here and at Okan’s estate at my disposal, so I can wait until I find the right car.

I made my way into our closet. I left the brothers sparring in hand to hand while I came to take my shower. I need to eat my fill before class. Collin helped to warm me with heated blankets kept to the side along with his body heat. It takes less time each day to warm me up enough, but I still need it. The men take turns. Drew is still the fastest at warming me and Casen is the best at replenishing my energy levels.

I chose my outfit for class and dropped my towel, pulling my clothes on. I looked in the mirror and held my hand to my belly. I know you can’t see any real change in my stomach, but I swear my belly has rounded more. I know my brea.sts have been growing. My sports bra is getting snug. I may have to get bigger ones. I do feel bad because my morning sickness likes to wake me in the middle of the night, and I always seem to wake Casen even though I try not to wake him.

He is really sweet and caring about it though. He tends to me and tucks me back into bed when I’m done. I always use him as a bed lately, especially after I get sick. His smell soothes me. It drives me wild with lust too, but we haven’t been able to have much time together lately for that, because we are both busy and exhausted at the end of the day.

I pulled one of his t-shirts over me. I want to have something with his scent on it to calm me in class in case we don’t dance together. I honestly have been stealing his shirts a lot. “Another one.” I turned to his voice. I grinned and blushed a little. “I like that they smell like you and if we don’t dance together in class, I want your smell on me.” He arched his brow with a lustful smirk on his face.

“I’m sorry. There is no time for that. I need to eat before class, or I won’t make it through.” “I can make it quick.” He closed the gap between us. He reached out and caressed my face before moving his hand into my hair and cupping my head to look up at him. I felt myself get wet. He smells so delicious.

I ripped his shirt off his body even though it smelled amazing, especially where he had sweat through it. I flicked my tongue out to taste his nip*.le. He groaned. He lifted me in a flash and had me sitting on the shelf. He tugged my leggings and panties down. I wasn’t sure how we could do anything like this. He lunged for my lips and swept me away in his dominating and desperate kiss. My hand thrust into his hair.

He broke the kiss and pushed his sweats and boxers down. I waited for him to turn me over, but instead he lifted my legs trapped by my leggings and panties and rested on his shoulder. He pressed into me, and I gasped deeply to feel him held so tightly in my body. My hands were bracing myself, so I didn’t slide off the shelf as Casen gave me everything we both had wanted for these two weeks.

I felt like I was in bliss when my orgasm consumed me. I screamed and he roared. “Now you will smell like me all day.” He panted out. I smacked his lower arm and he chuckled. He held my legs as he leaned down and grabbed my discarded towel. He brought it to my core and wiped the mess we had just made.

My stomach decided to protest then and I had to pull my panties and leggings up quickly. I ran for the bathroom. I emptied my belly. I really hope this doesn’t hit when we're in class. He was rubbing my back. I finished and flushed the toilet. I washed my face and rinsed my mouth. He turned me to him and held me in a tight hug. We stood there for a few minutes as I just breathed him in and let it calm me.

“I’m going to go and get started on my lunch while you shower. I need the food.” “Do you want me to walk you to the dining room?” “No, Lyrai or Rhistal are probably outside our door, right?” He nodded. “I’ll be good then.” He kissed me softly before walking me to the door.

~~~

I drove us back from class. I partially wished Lyrai and Rhistal weren’t with us because I couldn’t keep my eyes off from Casen all class long. It didn’t help that when neither of us were dancing during class he was telling me everything he wanted to do with my body tonight in mind link. I almost let a moan slip out.

I reminded him I may not be able to. I have to work on my dance after air training and more training with Aletta and Lyrai. The break we took watching the other classmates dance was probably the most of my downtime today.

As soon as I turned into the long driveway, I felt better. I always feel better when I pass through the barriers as well as know that there are warriors surrounding us at all times to keep me safe. I pulled into the main garage and parked the car. Orien parked next to me. He likes driving his car even though I said we could all go together. He reasoned that sometimes his classes may extend because he has a lot to still catch up on.

He came to stay with us to be with his brothers. His parents remained in their home and housed the extra warriors there. Oisin went back to China to handle some issues there a couple of days ago and will return if I call upon him. Alexander, Alandar, and Roslynne returned to America with the same statement. If I need them, they will be here immediately. Solay remained with Collin here.

“Casen, Tana, I need to see you in my office immediately.” Callum commanded us. We made our way towards his office. He held the door open for us. “What is the matter?” Casen asked. Callum closed the door and moved around to his chair. “I thought you should hear that we were able to find Elle’s estate where she was holding up.” I smiled. “That’s great.” I said. “We didn’t capture her. It looks as if she may have abandoned it a week or so ago. I’m not giving up. I’ll find her. I have a little score to settle with her.”

I couldn’t blame him. “Callum don’t stress about it. Elle and Syndra can’t hide from us for long. They’ll be found.” I tried to assure him. “Save a bit of that score for me brother.” Casen said. Callum nodded. “Is there anything else?” I asked. “As a matter of fact, there is. I was able to track information on a Grayer Kingsley. I tracked him around his last known whereabouts. Aletta said the White Flame coven lived and thrived. Apparently, a lawyer has important documents for you. I am having him brought here tomorrow morning.” My stomach flipped out of nerves, and I wished it hadn’t. I raced for Callum’s adjoining bathroom and emptied my belly.

After a few minutes, I had myself under control again. “I’m sorry.” I apologized. “Don’t apologize. Are you okay?” “Yeah, I just got nervous, and the nerves activated my morning sickness.” Callum nodded his understanding as Casen was holding me from behind trying to let his scent soothe me. “If there is nothing else, I’m going to go get ready for training.” “No, you are going to go and rest in your quarters.” Callum ordered me. “But I need to train.” “You trained this morning. You need to rest. You haven’t stopped for weeks. I know I can’t command you, but as the king here please rest. Your body and baby need it.”

I started to tear up. “But…” “Casen, take your mate to your quarters and keep her there. Dinner will be brought to you both. I refuse to have our queen drained to exhaustion and you have been doing it daily several times a day for weeks. I understand your need to learn your light magic, but your body needs rest too. So go get some.”

A tear slipped down my cheek. He came around his desk and brushed at my tear. He wrapped his arms around my shoulders, pulling me in to rest my head on his shoulder. “You are too valuable. I only want what’s best for you, as we all do. It’s not a punishment.” I nodded against his shoulder. “Good.” He let me go and kissed my forehead before he took a step away from me.

He's right. Everyone cares a lot about me here. Callum, even though not old enough to be my father, clearly still gives off some fatherly energy like he did just now. Casen turned me and lifted me. I wrapped myself around his front and he held my thi.ghs. Callum opened the door for us as we left his office. I do feel loved and cared for.