Free Eternal Flame (Guardians, Book One) by Valerie Twombly by Valerie Twombly Page B

from a pool in the center of the cave, sending droplets of water scattering on the rocks. At one time, the water was used to birth their children. The mother would sit in the shallows and birth the child into its warmth. He stared at his reflection, there hadn’t been any children born since the war. The thought of his mate’s belly swollen with his child caused him to smile. Would this be the fresh start the guardians needed? He shook his head—not with the curse looming over them. A cure had to be found.
    He moved to a large, flat rock along the edge of the pool and knelt on both knees. Removing the amulet from around his neck, he placed it on the rock in front of him. His fangs extended, and he bit into his wrist, blood splattered on the amulet. His sacrifice complete.
    Marcus chanted, speaking the traditional draconic language, a language humans had forgotten long ago. For centuries, it was the only language immortals used until the English language was born.
    “Zarek, ithquent di haurach , god of fate. Vi vrak di ithquent lasauic , a child of god summons thee.”
    “What do you wish, my son?” a stern voice called from behind.
    Marcus spun around on his knees and looked up at the god who towered over him. He never knew what to expect, this time Zarek wore a pair of faded jeans nestled low on his hips. His jet black hair was pulled into a single braid— were those leaves and a stick poking out of his hair? Oops. He feared he might have interrupted the god's playtime. Too fucking bad. A god could choose to ignore a summons, except when summoned to this place. They were bound by their own laws to appear.
    Zarek glared, his gaze burning a hole in him. “Well?”
    He hid a smile. “Father, I have come seeking knowledge. You’ve blessed me with a mate, but she is human and I don’t know what to do.”
    “Ah yes, Cassandra. She is a beautiful woman and will make a suitable mate,” Zarek said.
    He bowed his head. “Thank you, Father, for giving me another chance.”
    “Eliza’s death was not your doing. Some things are beyond your control.”
    His jaw clenched. “Why? Why did you not save her or any of the others?”
    Zarek’s nostrils flared, and he bared his teeth. “It is not for you to question what I do, Marcus.”
    “Yes, my lord.” He lowered his eyes and awaited his fate. He expected the god to strike him down and wondered if his death would be swift and painless or if Zarek would torture him for days until he begged for mercy.
    He would not beg.
    “You think you could withstand my punishment and not beg for mercy?”
    “Yes, my lord.” This time his gaze met the god's swirling silver eyes, and he showed no fear. If he was struck down, then so be it.
    Zarek’s laugh echoed through the cave. It bounced off the walls and slapped Marcus in the face. “There is a reason you are the king's second-in-command. You are stubborn to the core, a true warrior of the gods. You live for the fight, Marcus, and you have no fear, well, except for one.”
    He raised a dark brow, waiting for Zarek to finish. He scoffed; he had no fears.
    “You are afraid of one small human female.”
    Ok, so he did have one fear. “I don’t fear her, I fear the curse and what it will bring upon her should I succumb.” He tilted his head. “Why a human mate?” If the gods wanted to play matchmaker, there were other immortals who would have been more compatible.
    Zarek crossed his arms over his chest. “Long ago, humans often mated with immortals. It was not uncommon for the Draki or even the demons to take a human mate.”
    “What happened?” He sat back on his ankles, since he was about to get a history lesson.
    “Humans began to forsake their gods, wars started over whose god was better, blah, blah.” He waved his hand. “Basically, it was a pissing contest. In the end, the dragons and demons went into hiding, and humans forgot they existed. They became myths.
    “It was then I decided to create my warriors, guardians