Fire On Fire

Slowly I stood up, realizing that I wasn't being burnt, not even a sting, just warmth. I slowly extended my hand out toward the flames, feeling a rush of warmth race through my entire body. That's when I noticed a tall figure standing in the flames a few feet away.

I squinted my eyes trying to look past the flames.

Ace...?

"Ace...?" I breathed out my voice croaking, I coughed, the smoke was getting to me and I put my arm over my mouth and nose.

"ACE!" I called out.

It didn't look like him, but I knew it was him.

His eyes were now two different shades, one a glowing orange, the other a deep red. I sucked in a deep breath as he took a few steps closer. So THIS is him...

Big black powerful wings rested on either side of him. The fire was coming from him.

I should've been afraid, but I wasn't.

In fact, my heart swelled and I took a step toward him.

He took a small step back, looking distressed. I stopped. A small frown creasing my brows. I took another step closer.

He held up his hand to keep me away, I ignored it and just walked toward him faster. Now sprinting, he was a lot further away than I thought.

When I reached him, I stood on my toes and threw my arms around his broad shoulders. My fingers brushed against the soft majestic wings.

I held him tight pressing myself as close to him as possible, trying to get a touch from him I didn't know I so desperately wanted.

He wrapped his strong arms around my waist, pulling me even closer against him. I clutched his shirt and sighed. He squeezed me tighter and a small flame ignited inside me. He rested his head in the crook of my neck.

He is your fuel.

The moment was ruined when I started coughing from all the smoke.

My eyes were tearing up and my lungs were burning. He held me tighter and lifted me up bridal style, heading for the door.

My arms remained slung over his neck.

He lifted up his wing protectively over me as we got away from the chaos surprisingly unnoticed.

By the time the elves had gotten to the disaster we were already in the woods. We stood staring up at the treacherous flames we watched as they engulfed that part of the palace mercilessly.

I held on tighter and Ace pulled me closer. There was something different about him...I mean despite the wings and the bad-ass eye color.

Something about the way he looked at me.

We made our way back to what I assumed was the cabin as dawn broke. Pink and purple clouds painted the sky and the sun was peeking up from behind the trees and hills.

All the while, Ace walked at a normal pace, hopping over streams and rocks whilst carrying me.

He hadn't said a word since the whole fire incident. Shouldn't we talk about the hug...? Agh seriously Ava ? it was a hug. Stop overthinking it! But I mean...it was kind of a hectic scene.

Jesus Ava you almost died!

How had he known I was in trouble...?

We reached the cabin and he kicked the door open, although, this time with a little more anger.

"Its okay I can walk in myself..." I croaked out. He ignored me.

I'm not sure...can he even hear me?

He walked over to the creaky bed and placed me down gently.

He faltered for a moment, staring into my eyes.

A string of unfamiliar emotions rippled through me. Fear, Relief and a longing for him. I could tell that he felt the same. His eyes told me everything.

But it was more than that. It was like we were linked...like I could feel his every emotion, hear his every thought.

He shook his head and started moving away. A flare of courage surged through me.

I whipped out my hand and wrapped it around his wrist. He stopped.

"It wont help anything if you run away" I said softly, he hesitated. I tugged at his arm and he moved closer toward me. He could've pulled away, but he didn't. He didn't want to.

I stood up slowly, my head spun a little and my balance wavered.

He quickly put his hand on my waist to steady me. There's that heat. It spread through my entire body again, lighting up my skin.

He growled and that sparked a flame in me. A tiny moan escaped my lips.

He put both his hands on my hips and tugged me closer. I breathed out. Our foreheads were touching, our breathes was heavy and our lips; inches away from each other.

"I don't wanna hurt you" He said, swallowing hard. I breathed out.

"You'd never" I said softly. He growled.

"You don't know that" He replied, his voice shaky.

"Yes I do Ace, I know you wouldn't" I said, sliding my hands up and down his arms.

"I'm a literal monster, I'm dangerous Ava, you're better off" My heart sank.

"I don't think so, I don't think I'm better off Ace" He growled again and tried to move away but I kept my grip firm.

"I've never felt this way about anyone before and I know you feel it too. I know you do. There's a connection between us Ace" I said breathing out heavily.

I looked up into his eyes as their flaming colors shifted to their usual grey ones. His big Black wings disappeared into his back and I noticed a tattoo on his forearm disappearing along with them.

"Your wings are gorgeous" I mumbled, he chuckled softly, there was still a hint of wariness at the end.