Amara had also heard these rumors. Do you think its Lucia?

The girl shrugged. More likely these are tall tales of villagers looking for ways to explain an errant spark from a fire lighting up their town. But, of course, I dont know for sure.

This girl had no useful information today, but Amara had enjoyed their talk. She reached forward and squeezed Nerissas hand. Thank you for speaking with me. You have certainly proven your worth to me today, and I promise I wont forget that.

In one fluid motion that was as graceful as it was bold, Nerissa entwined her fingers with Amaras. Im happy to help in any way you need me to, empress.

Amara looked down at their joined hands with shock but didnt pull away. The warmth from Nerissas skin sank into her own, and she realized how cold shed been all morning.

That is very good to know. Amara paused, considering the lovely young woman before her with growing interest. The days to come will be challenging, and its good to know I now have someone I can trust.

Yes, you do.

Finally, and a bit reluctantly, Amara slid her hand away from Nerissas and placed it lightly on her goblet. You may leave me now.

Nerissa bowed her head. Amara watched her stand up gracefully and move slowly to the door. She paused and glanced over her shoulder. I will be nearby if you need me. Whenever you need me.

Without another word, the girl left the room.

Amara sat there for some time, considering the conversations shed had with the intriguing Nerissa, as she finished the wine in her goblet.

Alone in her quarters for the first time all day, Amara stood and went to her wardrobe. She slipped her hand into the folds of her emerald-green gown and pulled from it the greatest treasure shed ever possessed. Cradling it in both hands, she stared deeply into the aquamarine orb.

The water Kindred.

An exact match for Cleos eyes, she said, realizing this about the crystals brilliant blue hue for the first time. How annoying.

She watched the black, shadowy strand of pure water magic swirl within the orb.

Does Lucia know how to release you? she whispered to her prize. Or are you nothing more than a rock, as disappointingly useless as you are tantalizing?

Something warm brushed against her shoulders. She gripped the cool crystal and scanned the room, her brows drawing together.

What was that? she said aloud.

There it was again: a warm breeze sweeping by to caress her, this time from the opposite direction.

Empress . . .

Her heart rate quickened.

With haste, she returned the orb to its hiding place. She circled the room, searching for the source of the eerie voice and the hot breeze that made the hair on her neck stand on end.

She heard a deep rumble from the fireplace in the corner of the room. Amara whirled around and gasped. The fire that the servants had lit at dawn had dwindled to embers. Now, it was once again blazing, more gloriously than shed ever seen it before. Amaras trembling gaze then drifted above the fireplace. Dancing atop the wick of each and every candle on the mantelpiece was a flame"the candles had somehow ignited themselves.

Amara sucked in one desperate gasp of air and then forgot how to breathe entirely. The vision she had on the ship that brought her here reappeared in her mind, vivid and clear and haunting. Ashur, the brother shed killed, returning from beyond death to avenge her.

Ashur . . . ? she ventured cautiously.

I am not Ashur.

Amara went as still as a corpse at the sound of the deep male voice that echoed through her mysteriously fire-licked room. It was a voice that came with no body"the one thing Amara could be sure of was that there was no one else in the room with her.

Who are you? she managed.

You possess the water Kindred.

Amaras spine froze as if pierced with a dagger of ice. Now she was sure of it: The voice, not the least bit muffled, the way it would be were someone speaking from outside her heavy steel-and-wood door, was coming from inside the room.

Pushing past the thrum of her pounding heart, Amara managed to say, I dont know what youre talking about.

Dont insult me with lies.

She wanted to cry out for help, but from what? No. First she needed to know what she was dealing with. Tell me who you are and what you want, she said, puffing out her chest. I am in command here, and I refuse to be intimidated by a bodiless voice.

Oh, my little empress, the voice taunted. Trust me, there is far more to me than a mere voice.

Without warning, the flames flared up, and Amara slammed herself against the wall. The fire blazed so brightly that she had to shield her eyes against its blinding white light.

Come and see for yourself.

Thankful for her layers of skirts, which helped hide the quivering of her knees, Amara moved closer to the flames. With more caution than shed ever applied to any task before, she peered into them. Seeing nothing but all-consuming flames, she moved closer, until she could feel the heat threatening to singe her skin. Then . . . there it was. She swore she could see something"someone"looking back at her.

A shriek escaped her throat as she scrambled back from the fire. She reached for the chair behind her to keep from toppling over.

I am Kyan, the face in the flames told her. I am the god of fire, released from my amber prison. And I can help you find what you seek.

Amaras whole body trembled. She was certain this had to be an illusion, a dream. She tentatively reached toward the flames, feeling the palpable heat, and tried to speak with the boldness she needed to shield her fear.

You . . . she began, her voice hoarse. You are the fire Kindred.

I am.

Amara felt like her entire world had shifted. You can speak, she managed to say.

I assure you, I can do much more than that. Tell me, little empress, what is it that you want?

It took her another moment to gather herself together and try to take hold of the situation. I want to find Lucia Damora, she told the face in the flames.

Because you believe she can release the magic in the crystal you currently possess. And with that magic you will be more powerful than you already are.

Yes. Her breath caught in her throat. Is that magic"the magic of the water Kindred"is it like you? Conscious, knowing, thinking . . . ?

Yes. Does that frighten you? There was the distinct sound of amusement in the deep voice.

She straightened her shoulders. Im not afraid. I possess the water Kindred, which means that the magic within it"

Belongs to you, Kyan finished.

She waited, barely breathing now, until he spoke again.

I can help you, little empress, attain everything youve ever desired. But first, you must help me.

How?

The very sorceress you named destroyed my physical form believing she could destroy me as well. But fire cannot be destroyed. However, I can only remain in this world as a mere whisper of my true form. With your help I will be fully restored to my previous strength, and then I will give you more than youve ever dreamed possible.

He paused, as if to let what hed said sink in.

What he spoke of was straight out of Kraeshian legend, a magical creature beyond this world who promises to grant ones wishes.

A heady mix of fear and curiosity consumed her. The thought that shed been in possession of a crystal orb that had an entity like this within it all this time boggled her mind. Elemental magic . . . but with its own consciousness. Incredible, she thought.

Still, there were doubts rising within her. You make great promises, but you show me nothing tangible.

The fire blazed higher, and she jumped back. There are others I can go to, others who would agree to whatever I ask for without hesitation. Yet I chose you because I can clearly see that you are greater than all of them combined. You have taken your power with strength and intelligence beyond that of any man whos ever existed. You are better, stronger, smarter than your enemies and more deserving of greatness than the sorceress.

Amaras cheeks flushed. His words felt like a healing balm for her bruised hope for the future. Tell me more. Tell me how to release the magical being within the water Kindred to help me solidify my reign as empress.

He didnt speak again for a moment, and she searched the flames for his face. It flickered in and out of view as the fire burned. It seemed that the fire god could appear and reappear at will. Blood and magic. That is what you need"what we both need. The blood of the sorceress and the magic of a powerful witch. When the pieces are in place, I will be restored to my former glory, and you, little empress, will become infinitely powerful.

A shiver of pleasure coursed down her spine as she stared into the flames. What do I need to do?

The correct question is: Where do you need to go?

She drew in a breath and nodded. Where?

The flames shifted, the shades of reds and oranges, whites and blues growing brighter and more vibrant as they did.

Paelsia.

CHAPTER 10.

LUCIA.

THE SANCTUARY.

Lucia learned that the tower where Timotheus resided was called the Crystal Palace. At one time it had housed all six original elders. Now he was the only one left.

It must be lonely, Lucia mused, half to herself. Being here all by yourself with the burden of all of these secrets.

It is, he replied, but when Lucia looked up to meet his gaze, he had already glanced away.

I want to see Melenias chambers.

Why?

Because . . . She thought about how to rationalize the need to see where her enemy, the woman who had plotted her death since before Lucia had even been born, had spent her existence. I just need to see it.

She thought hed argue, but instead he nodded. Very well. Follow me.

Timotheus led her to a long corridor with doors that opened on their own as they approached and shut softly behind them as they continued down the hall. Lucia traced the white walls with her fingertips. She could feel Timotheuss eyes on her as they walked.

You have questions, many questions, he said.

A lifetime of them, she agreed.

I cant tell you everything, Lucia. While its true that youve reached out a hand in friendship today"

You still dont trust me, she cut him off. I know.

Its not that. Not entirely, anyway. So many secrets have died with the other elders, and now that Im the only one remaining, these secrets are one of the few weapons I have left to protect myself.

I understand, she told him. I really do.

He frowned at her. How is it youve managed to mature so much in so little time?

She almost laughed. Dont sound so confused by that.

The new life growing within you must have made all the difference in helping to change the childish, spoiled behavior and previous tantrums Im more accustomed to with you.

Timotheus, such compliments. They will go to my head.

He let out a soft snort of amusement as they approached a set of gleaming golden doors. Timotheus pushed them open to reveal Melenias chambers.

Lucia gaped at the sight of the expansive room, the same size as the one in which shed met with Timotheus. But that room was stark and barren of any personal touches. This one was just the opposite.

It felt like walking into the chambers of a queen in the finest palace. There was a regal seating area in the center of the room with soft white velvet lounges. Overhead a crystal chandelier sparkled, catching the light streaming in from the floor-to-ceiling windows lining the room. Lucia looked down as she walked, taking in the intricate floor made of silver and inlaid jewels.

There were flowers in every color imaginable, as fresh as if they were picked that day. They peeked out from a dozen large vases placed upon glass tables throughout the room.

Lucia walked past all of this grandeur to the far wall. It was overlaid with a checkerboard pattern of silver and glass. Etched into the silver tiles were the elemental symbols"a simple spiral for air, a triangle for fire, a circle within a circle for earth, and two parallel wavy lines for water.

A shrine, Timotheus explained. Many immortals have one in their homes so they can pray to the elements.

Ive heard that some old witches do the same, Lucia mused, brushing her fingertips over the symbol for fire.

Not exactly the same, he said. But similar.

Melenia prayed here to Kyan, wanting him to return to her.