Hi Everyone! Another post coming at ya and the heat is turning up in Wren's world. Hope you like it!

"Ladies, you'll have to wait to catch up with Wren," Kellan said, intertwining his fingers with mine.

The brunette girl's shoulders slumped, then Elena sighed and said with her voice laced with disappointment, "We know, the dinner is about to start."

No sooner than we had the chance to make a few paces toward the head table, a man resembling Kellan and his sister approached us.

"Kellan, you're back," the man said, stating the obvious.

Kellan slipped his fingers free of mine, then shook the man's hand. "Seems so," he said in a flat rigid tone.

"I got back just now from the meeting of circles, or I would have insisted on a reception for you yesterday."

Their exchange was oddly formal, and lacking in the warmth Kellan usually displayed. It was evident there was more to their conversation than I could make out.

"Ah, Wren, you're looking more beautiful than ever." The man bowed and lifted my hand to his lips. "After witnessing your grand entrance, I can see why my brother has been gone so long."

Of course he'd think that. Kellan growled in my thoughts. When I glanced over, his teeth were clenched and looked like he wanted to punch Stephan.

Think what? I asked, feeling totally clueless. I resisted the urged to scrub the back of my hand against my dress.

Stephan, my not so charming older brother, might be the most power hungry person in this room. He's also our second.

I glanced back at Stephan in time to catch him drag his eyes over my frame like he was evaluating Kellan's choice to take me for a partner.

He thinks you went after me to gain power?

Yes. Kellan's anger soared through me as he watched Stephan's eyes creep over me. Stephan's so power blind. He wouldn't know what love was even if Cupid bit him.

"My dear," Stephan said pausing in thought, "you may change my mind about Weavers yet."

I knew I didn't want to know what that meant when I saw the corners of his lips turned up. Then he gave Kellan a curt nod and walked off.

"What the hell was that about?" I asked when Stephan was out of range.

Let just say, he doesn't think very highly of Weavers.

"Oh—?" I looked over my shoulder and watched him saunter back to his table. "Then I'm surprised he'd consider lowering himself to say hello."

"After witnessing you travel without portals?" Kellan said as we walked toward our table. "If I know Stephan, and I do, I'm sure he's more than curious about your abilities."

You mean my ability test score.

He brushed his hair from his eyes, nodded and pulled a chair out for me to sit next to Nebula. Rygar was already sitting on the other side of her.

Then I remembered the maid's comments about Stephan from the night Kellan stuffed me under his bed.

He wants to be First, doesn't he?

Always has. Kellan pulled a napkin from a crystal plate that looked like a circular pool of rippling water. He was second to my father until I completed my testing. Since then, Stephan and I, well—I guess our relationship hasn't been the same.

And I thought my family history was messed up. I took a sip of water from my glass.

Welcome to court. He chuckled and placed the napkin over his lap. Speaking of family, here comes Tia.

"Kellan!" said a woman coming to a halt before the head table, then dropping into a quick curtsey. "I had to hear from a servant you were home."

"Don't worry Mother. I'm not avoiding you." He removed his napkin, placed it on the plate and stood up.

"Oh really?" Tia said, raising an eyebrow like she didn't believe him.

Well, maybe a little, he voiced in my thoughts. Kellan bowed, then offered me a hand to stand next to him.

"It wasn't as if we left on the best of terms," Kellan said, threading his fingers through mine.

"What mother wants to see her baby leave, not knowing when she might see them again? Of course, I wanted you to stay."

Yeah, right. She demanded I reconsider Jessica as my partner. Me staying was just a result if I gave in.

Oh, Kellan— 

I didn't know what to say. Even though my family had been absent, they still did everything they could to support me. Here he was with loads of family around with no one to turn to, except for Elena. Sadness swept over me with the thought of what he'd been through to find me. I squeezed his hand and leaned over and kissed his cheek.

He stopped me from pulling away and cupped my face in his hands.

Just to have you stand by my side and hold my hand, I'd do it all over again too. Kellan's eyes glowed softly in the dim light. But to kiss you and call you mine? Oh for that privilege, I'd do so much more.

He lowered his lips and brushed a kiss so tender against mine it made my heart race and my breath hitch. The room around us erupted into a jubilee of noise. Metal spoons clanged against glasses. Fists thudded on the tables, and people whistled high pitched squeals.

Kellan, ever the diplomat, smiled, bowed his head and waved to everyone. I stood there dumbfounded and blushing with my fingers touching my lips.

His mother's mouth hung open like she couldn't believe she had just witnessed him kiss me. Then I realized she wasn't staring at me, but at my plate. There sat a frozen Creststar blossom nestled in my napkin.

Kellan plucked the bloom from my plate and handed it to me. "This is for you."

The delicate bloom started to melt the moment it touched my hands, so I picked up my napkin and wrapped it around the frozen flower.

Tia lifted her eyes from the flower to meet mine. "Wren," she said with her voice barely above a whisper. "Warmest wishes to you both."

She pivoted, and strode off to a table only three to the left of ours. A faded ring of water and a band of flames marked her ankle. A fire talent. Well, that gives new meaning to warmest wishes.

Doesn't it? Kellan replied, putting a hand on my shoulder.

Nebula tugged on my dress. "You need to watch out for her." She's not very happy about..." She gestured to Kellan and me, then rubbed her temples. "Her whole vibe is giving me a headache."

Kellan's chair scraped against the floor as he tucked in his seat. Nebula furrowed her bow at the noise, then winced closing her eyes. When she opened them, her eyes glowed a bright blue and faded to pale blue before going white.

"Nebula—" I jumped in my chair making it screech.

Her head jerked in my direction and she clasped my arm with her fingers. A moment later the two of us stood in the shadows of the Fire throne's great hall. Dignitaries and guards filled the room. The regal surroundings didn't feel real but felt more visionary in nature to me.

We watched Otis pace the front of the room, while a single guard with a black eye stood at attention at the foot of the throne. Several logs burned in the fireplaces on either side of the throne, lighting the room.

Standing toe to toe with the officer, Otis cracked his knuckles. "Let me get this straight. You let her get away."

"Sire?" the guard responded. "Two of my men are in the infirmary with multiple fractures. We didn't exactly let her get away."

"You had one job." Otis grabbed the man by the throat and lifted him off the ground. "And since I don't see her here—I guess you failed it." The guard's head angled to the right when Otis tightened his grip. 

I gasped. It was Zac, the guard who tried to take Sage and me. This guy's having a crappy day. He's already gone one round with Kellan and now Otis? I almost felt sorry for him.

"Do you know what happens when someone fails to do what I ask?"

"I can find Wren! Please, Sire—"

Otis' hand glowed like hot embers. A solitary brown stone pulsed around his neck as he lowered his hand to the man's face.

Zac screamed and kicked like a madman trying to free himself. When Otis released his grip, Zac crumpled to the ground moaning.

"Take him to confinement."

Two guards hauled him upright, and Zac wobbled on his feet for a moment, then collapsed into the guards' arms. They dragged him out with his head hanging limp, swaying with their efforts of moving him.

"You don't think he's—" my words caught in my throat.

"Dead?" She turned her gaze from me to Zac. "Not yet—"

I expected her to say more, but she'd turned her attention back to Otis, who was sitting on his throne, talking to a man dressed in a sooty gray uniform with a red sash tied around his waist.

"Tomorrow morning?" The man looked up from the journal he was scribbling in. " But sire, the terms of the Delacroix sentence stipulates—"

"She's going to die." Otis' eyes glowed, and he clenched his fist. "I'm just changing when."

I felt like all of the air had been sucked out of the room with his words. He is going to kill my mother.

Looking forward to hearing your comments. Hugs all! I'll post again soon. :)