Page 27 of A Fate in Flames

I clicked my tongue in irritation, poking the fire with a stick.The flames crackled and shifted.“Unless you have a better idea, I suggest you shut up.”

Quiet stretched between us, only the distant hum of owls breaking the night.

Theo jerked upright.“I know!”

“No,” I snapped before he could even voice his idea.

I knew Theo too well.His plans tended to be overly dramatic and unbelievable.

Ignoring him, I lay down on the hard, uneven ground.The dirt was uncomfortable, the night air still far too cold.I wanted to weep at the state of it all.

As if things weren’t bad enough, Theo pressed up against my back.

“Theo!”

“I’m cold, Elira,” he mumbled.“Body heat will keep us warm through the night.”

Before I could protest, he threw a heavy arm over me, securing me against him.I let out a long sigh, too exhausted to fight him off.

“I swear to the Heavens, Theo, if I feel anything remotely stiff, I will kill you.”

He chuckled, his breath tickling the back of my neck.“I can’t control it, Elira,” he teased, lowering his voice to a drawn-out whisper.“Sometimes… it just happens.”

I groaned and shoved back hard into his stomach, hoping to hurt him.

“Yeah… just like that.”

I thrashed, my fists itching to punch him, but his arm tightened around me, trapping me in place.He burst into laughter, the carefree sound shaking against my back.

A reluctant smile tugged at my lips, though I refused to let him see it.No matter how much he annoyed me, he was the only person who could make me laugh in moments like this.The truth came to me like a quiet confession.

I couldn’t live without him.

“I’m scared, Theo,” I admitted.

He tightened his hold around me, his warmth a comforting blanket.“I know, but I’m here with you.Every step of the way.”

His words soothed me, easing some of the constricting fear.

“I love you, El.”

“I love you too.”

“Iknewit!”he gloated.

I jabbed my elbow into his ribs.He grunted and squeezed me tighter.I didn’t need to look at him to know he was smiling.

My heart thrummed a wild rhythm against my ribs.I was burning from the inside out, flames scorching through my veins.I tried to breathe, but the air was too thick with ash.Clogging my lungs, choking me.

“Elira!”

The voice was distant, nearly drowned out by the thunderous pounding in my ears.

“Elira!Wake up!”

Through the haze of it all, I still saw his eyes.Watching me.Relishing in my torment.

“ELIRA!”