ELYSTIA

I left heaven: I left Zairo's tent and his wonderful presence, only to step right into hell. My world is on fire. I was only asleep for a few minutes before thick smoke snared into my lungs. I woke up coughing to find that half of my tent is on fire, and it's quickly spreading.

I sit up, but my arm yanks backward and. I remember that I'm tied to my bed. I bound myself tightly to stop myself from sleepwalking right back into the arms of the man I would dream of. But instead of protecting myself, I locked myself in my own coffin.

I quickly work on the tight knots on my wrist, my fingers fidgeting as the growing fire eats my composure.

"Help!" I yell as my sweaty fingertips lose grip on the rope.

I gasp for air, my frantic eyes looking for a way out. But there is only death. My bow is burning by the end of the bed, and memories of my family flash before my eyes. I knew I would never see them once I left Terra, but this fire will seal the deal. I'm going to die. I won't see them in my memories. Won't see Sidra or explore any more of this wonderful world.

Won't see Zairo.

As the smoke gets thicker, I think of his scent which engulfed me as he kissed me in his tent. And as deranged as it is, I crave his scent more than oxygen right now.

I keep yelling for help, but my throat is becoming drier by the second. I'm coughing and trying to rub the burning sensation from my eyes. Pulling my knees to my chest to escape the growing flames.

I hear people clambering outside. My heart races with fear and desperation. In my distraught state, I can't focus on the tight knots.

The chatter outside becomes louder, more frantic, and I realize why when a figure bursts through the curtain of flames. Sweeping in like a breath of fresh air.

Zairo.

A whimper is ripped from my throat. A sound of relief.

He jumps forward, ripping the rope in half and hauling me into his arms. It all happens so quickly that I can't focus on his expression. But I can hear his heart racing in his chest.

He jumps out of the tent, angling me so I'm tucked in his arms, protected.

I keep coughing even as he sets me on the ground. Just then, masters surge forward with buckets of water, dousing a section of the fire.

Sidra and others surround Zairo and I, peering down at us. My burning eyes can't focus on any faces. I struggle to suck in air, feeling like the shadows casted over me are suffocating me like the smoke.

"Stand back!" Shouts Zairo, dispersing the curious crowd.

He strokes my back. "Breathe. Breathe!"

His words are harsh—a command for me to listen and do as he says. He's rattled. Doesn't know what to do as I fall apart.

An older man in a long white robe falls to his knees beside us. A healer. He reaches out, and when Zairo jerks away, I notice that the healer is reaching for him.

"No. Treat her!"

As I cough, I strain my neck to get a better look at his arm. His rich, red akin is marred black. He's burned.

With weak, nimble fingers, I grab the healer's wrist. I wheeze as I lead the healer's hand to Zairo's elbow, encouraging him to treat our captain.

Zairo is more important than me. Thousands of lives depend on his well being.

My chest constricts as panic fills my lungs. I feel like I can't breathe, like there's not enough air.

My eyes find Sidra's and the fear in her eyes makes my heart skip a beat. With a final rasp for air, I embrace the darkness. It's not hot like the hell I just escaped. It's ice-cold.

— —

When I awaken, the first thing I notice is how light the air is. I open my eyes and find a white mist evaporating from a plant on the ground near my bed. I recognize the mushroom. It exists on Terra.

I inhale deeply, absorbing the light, refreshing mist. The bed below me is so familiar that I don't even need to glance up to know that I'm back in Zairo's tent.

"If you wanted me back on your bed, you didn't have to set my tent on fire, greedy Captain." I cringe when my voice comes out raspy.

Zairo shoots up from his chair, walking around his desk to kneel on the carpet. "You're awake. Stay still. I'll fetch the healer."

"I'm fine!" I blurt. "The smoke just overwhelmed me." My eyes fall to his arm, there's a fresh bandage wrapped around his bicep, covering his burn. The bandage is loose, and I'm sure that's because a begrudging Zairo tugged on it many times.

"What happened, Elystia?" His brows is furrowed and his fists are clenched. He's unamused by my joke.

"I must have forgotten to douse a candle," I reply. "I'm sorry."

"A candle wouldn't do so much damage. The tent hides are made of fire-resistant material."

I frown, displeased by what he's insinuating. He thinks that someone set my tent on fire? That's madness.

"It was definitely an accident of some sort. Don't worry." I glance at the tent flaps. It's pitch black outside.

"Is Sidra okay?"

"Yes, she's staying with a friend as your tent gets replaced. Most of your belongings were destroyed, but I will replace them."

"Thank you." I set my hand over his clenched fist and squeeze it.

"You are welcome. Just make a list of what you need."

"I'm not thanking you for repairing my tent. I'm thanking you for bursting into the fire and saving me."

He frowns as if I'm not making sense. As if there was no other outcome to the accident.

"Of course I came," he says. "I always will."

My heart jolts, and for the first time, I realize that Zairo is more dangerous than I thought, because he's stealing my heart.

"How is your burn? Does your arm hurt?"

"Zairo, what's this I hear about a fire?" A man ducks inside the tent, and I stare at him in horror because Zairo will certainly decapitate him for barging in. But then I notice his features. His eyes, nose, and the way he stands with legs parted and fists clenched. So familiar. So...Zairo.

The man is older, his black hair streaked with stray red hairs. His clothes are simple and he carries a case. He has no weapons.

Zairo stands as his father walks deeper, stopping before the bed. His eyes narrow on me, and he frowns. "Get dressed, girl. You are dismissed."

Dressed? He thinks I'm here to warm Zairo's furs?

I push the furs aside, revealing that I'm fully dressed. When I try to stand, Zairo sets a hand on my shoulder.

"Now is not a good time, father."

"I traveled for weeks to visit my son, and this is how he receives me?" His father drops his case on the carpet and sighs. "You have not changed much, Zairo. Still as dismissive as ever."

"This is Elystia," Zairo introduces me.

I smile politely.

"Yes, pleasure," his father says. "You may go. Fetch me tea."

"She's not a servant," Zairo says, his voice clipped like he's losing patience. "She's not here to serve tea."

His father sighs. "I'm not interested in fucking after my long travels. So if that's all this entertainer can offer, then she should leave for now until she's needed."

"You're in my camp, not the palace! Mind your tongue."

Palace? Why would his father be coming from there?

"I'll go. I have to check what can be salvaged for tomorrow's archery class." I look at his father when I say this. "I welcome you to my class, sir. I have no interest in spreading my legs for you, but we can spread some arrows across the forest if you'd like."

He looked baffled by this. Zairo chuckles, his demeanor relaxing.

"Go settle in a tent, father. You're welcome into any that's empty. I'll see you at first light. There was a fire in the camp today and I have to secure it."

His father lingers for a few more moments, looking confused. His gaze flickers from Zairo to me. "Is she pregnant?"

My jaw drops.

Zairo claps a hand on his father's back, turns him around, and escorts him out of the tent.

"I apologize," Zairo says as he returns to my side.

"It's alright." I clear my sore throat. "He must have come from a long ways. What does he do at the palace?"

Zairo freezes, staring at me with surprise. After a few seconds, he answers, "he is a healer."

"I see."

"Lay down and get more rest. We have plenty to discuss in the morning."

"About what?"

"You'll see."

A/N: his father came from the palace because he's a royal, and so is Zairo although he rejects his ties