Free Forged of Fire by Stacy Von Haegert Page B

are meant to lead the Fire-benders and…” She looked down to the human bender knitting her brows in concentration as she created a mild shower in the observation room. “She is supposed to be yours. You are the chosen one, Ash. I have always felt it. Your aura is too strong. It just needed its perfect match.”
     
     
    ****
     
     
    Kielyn reluctantly dragged herself from the steaming tub scented with lavender oils and wrapped a towel around her exhausted body. She walked across the cool slate to the vanity and wiped her hand across the steamed up mirror. She looked about as tired as she felt . I just have to make it through dinner. Kielyn reminded herself. Then surely she would be allowed to retire for the night. She picked up a brush on the marble sink top and ran it through her thick locks. As she stared back at her own reflection she wondered why she did not look different. After everything she had seen and learned in the last twenty four hours, surely something outwardly about her should look different. She should be mad, crouched in a corner and ready to be taken away to the loony bin after learning all that she knew now. Maybe she was mad? Perhaps the fact that she was not beating on walls and clawing at the doors was proof that she had lost her mind. All Kielyn knew was that she had not left, as offered, after watching the Fire-bender in the training room. She had chosen, of her own stupid free will, to stay. Why?
     
    Kielyn laid the brush down. Who was she kidding, there was no question as to why she had stayed. No, the reality of the situation, if she were being honest, was an undeniable and equally overwhelming sense of wonderment. After the initial shock had worn off, surprisingly, everything felt rather… normal. Yea, she was insane . More than normal she thought as she picked up a pair of jeans laid across a chair and inched them on, everything felt right. For the first time in her life Kielyn felt understood, like she belonged. What was even crazier was that she had made water move in her hands today. All by willing it to do so with her mind. The sensation was amazing!
     
    She was still not sure if they were pumping psychedelic drugs through the vents or what, but today, for the first time in forever, she felt confident. She was not the awkward girl that was confused by others and unsure of herself in this place. Today, in her training with the Water-benders, she felt excited, confident and eager, she felt comfortable. Kielyn was sure all that confidence would sail right out the door tomorrow when she began training with the much too handsome dark King, Ashdon. Something about that man unnerved her. From the way he walked into a room to the icy stare he kept seemingly trained on her every movement.
     
    She pulled an oversized cotton sweater over her head just as a knock came from her door. Kielyn looked at the clock as she crossed her room. She was sure Bane had told her dinner would be at seven. She opened the door and her pulse immediately increased. Staring down at her was the devil himself. Fucking hell! Kielyn tried to form words but none came to mind. How was she to address him? Ashdon , Ash , Lord LyGoryen, Fire King, Sexy? She mentally slapped herself for the last one. He let the silence stretch out painfully before leaning against the door frame, a small grin edging up the corner of his mouth. The man was enjoying this! “Bane said dinner was at seven.” She blurted out. “I mean…Is there something you require? I can come early.” Come? Early? She could feel a blush creeping up her neck. “To dinner that is.” Shoot me now and be done. She sighed when he still made no effort to speak. “Typically the one that knocks on a door is the one that should announce their intentions.”
     
    “Is that so?” His voice was like well-oiled leather, smooth and soft yet strong and secure. “Do you like things to be typical Kielyn?”
     
    “Yes.” She answered before her mind had fully