Free Fire's Ice by Brynna Curry Page A

color. Don’t you?” Her smile was confident–daring even–but her eyes were unsure, worried she’d made a mistake.
    And there he found solid ground. “You look lovely, a ghra .” He met her on the staircase, his hand steady when he reached for hers and led her across the great hall to the dining table. Waving toward the candles, Devin watched them burst into flames. “Especially in candlelight.”
    “You do that so effortlessly. I wish I could create fire.”
    “Can’t you?”
    “No. I can conjure almost anything, control air, earth and water, but fire escapes me. I can manipulate what is already in existence.” She crooked her fingers and the flame he’d created to light the candle lifted and flew toward the fireplace, catching the logs in the hearth. “Control is my one true talent, it would seem. Briella possessed more magical ability. It came so easy for her.”
    “You try too hard.” Devin glanced at the now unlit candle, the wick turned black until a small flame flickered, replacing the one Arianne had taken to start the fire. “I’ll teach you.”
    “What else would you teach me, I wonder?” She trailed a fingertip across his hand and up his bare arm.
    “Many things. Everything.” He brushed a curl out of her eyes and kissed her forehead. “Time for the horde to arrive. Allie will be flashing in soon and I’ll have to go. It takes both of us to flash so many from that far away. One or two, we can manage safely. Any more than that would be dangerous.”
    “I wondered how she would manage the task. She’s a special young lady.” She leaned in, wrapped her arms around his waist. “Everything is ready, but what if–”
    “Hey, now. Don’t worry so much. They are going to love you as much as I do.” Dipping his head to meet her lips with his, Devin tasted her mouth, savored the feel of her soft body pressed against him and regretted not being able to finish what they’d started in the training room. “I want you, Ari. Again and again. Right now. I wish we had time.”
    “We can make time. Flash us upstairs.”
    No time. Then Ari cupped him. Growling, he let his body take over and flashed them to his room. They’d make time.
    “We’re going to get caught.” She laughed softly and yanked his t-shirt out of the waistband of his jeans.
    “I don’t give a damn. We’ll lock the door.” He spun her against it now, flipped the lock, and slid his hand under the red silk. She was bare underneath. “Naughty witch.”
    Her smile was crafty, but her answer breathless. “I vanished them. Hurry. I want you inside me. Now.”
    Vanishing his own clothing, he took her hips in his hands and lifted her. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he plunged into her. Pounding his need and hers into a frenzy.
    “Oh, yes. Faster, Devin. I need you.”
    So close already. “I want you all around me. With me, Ari.” Lost completely, he leaned in and caught her cry of bliss. Exhausted, he let the door hold them up. His legs felt like jelly, but the sweet sound of her sighs washed the ache away.
    * * * *
    “Allie’s here,” Devin commented from the chair by the bed as he watched her put herself back together. Already dressed, he enjoyed the picture she made fidgeting with her clothes.
    “How do you know?” Ari straightened her dress and finger-combed her hair back into place.
    “Her magic crossed my circle.” He stood and took her hand.
    “Do you think she heard us?”
    “Soundproofed walls.” Devin turned her into his arms. “You okay? I was rough with you.”
    “We were rough with each other. I feel amazing.” She smoothed his t-shirt back into place. “One more kiss.”
    “It’s cliche, but never enough. I’ll never have my fill of you, Ari.” He heard Allie shout out for him. “We’d better go downstairs before she comes looking for us.” Taking Ari’s hand, he flashed them downstairs.
    * * * *
    Allie sat in one of the huge plush armchairs close to the hearth. Tessa lay purring in