Divinity: Immolation: Book Three (The Divinity Saga) by Susan Reid Page B

shifted to the fact that it did lead up to our meeting for the very first time that night too. Even though it was a planned intention on my part, I would treasure and cherish the memory of how and when w e met for as long as I existed.
    Her heart was racing wildly and her mixture of relief, fear, and slowly mounti ng anger was incredibly strong…
    Shit!
    I had no choice but to drop her, literally, like a burning hot coal.
    “Ow!” She cried out after landing hard on her ass upon the hard packed earth.
    Her body was aglow and white flames began to erupt all over her. She lit up the entire vicinity so intensely, I had to shield my eyes and turn away. Given her current condition, I instantly felt like an asshole for having dropped her the way I did. It was a reflex defensive action. Even though she was superhuman and immortal now, and her body was definitely an extremely strong fortress of protection for our growing child, I still considered her a delicate and fragile human.
    This isn’t good. She’ll draw way too much attention.
    The flames around her hands didn’t last as long, soon flickering and finally winking out. “I’m sorry,” I bit my lip and held a hand out to help her up, “ Though I’m sure that was nothing considering what kind of a splat you could have made if I didn’t make it on time.” I then reminded her.
    She grabbed my hand and yanked herself up to her feet gruffly. “Barely! And I know that you waited that long on purpose by the way.” She pointed and glared at me. Her anger was slowly subsiding.
    I laughed. “Only because it was pointless.”
    “It wasn’t pointless. See? I had complete trust in you the whole time.”
    “Says the sweat on your face and your erratically beating heart.” I commented with a single raised brow.
    She looked at me dryly. “Natural human reactions.”
    “I didn’t expect the spontaneous combustion. You really need to gain control of your fire.” I told her.
    She scowled at me as she dusted off her cloak, form fitting pants, and boots.
    “Well, since I’m not a robot or an inanimate object with no emotions, I can’t.” She replied.
    I looked at her curiously. “It’s not linked to your emotions…at least it shouldn’t be.” I told her.
    She seemed frustrated. “How would you know that?”
    “Because emotions, especially in females, can be wild and out of control. I doubt very seriously that your essence would be of any use if that were its catalyst. More so, I’m referring to the most powerful emotions of all. Love, hate, and fear.” I explained to her with a loving smirk.
    Though I instantly felt a sudden onrush of hot emotions begin to well up in her, validating what I just said, it was as if she suddenly realized exactly what I was thinking. It was apparent that she opted to bite her tongue instead. I smirked playfully as she eyed me with a slight, defiant pout.
    “Well, it’s a good thing that I don’t hate or fear you then. But I don’t like the idea of loving you enough to possibly accidentally hurt or kill you at any given moment either. It’s like a cruel twist.” Panic masked her eyes with worry and doubt as the flames all over her body finall y began to wink out bit by bit.
    The visual suddenly made me wonder about our child. Surely it wouldn’t be able to sustain itself inside of her whenever she used her fire…if it were solely or even remotely of darkness. Was it even still alive then? Wouldn’t she have felt some sort of a physical reaction if that had been the case? That was peculiar and would continue to plague my curiosity until she gave birth—if she managed to give birth. The thought began to sadden and depress me so I pushed it all away for now.
    “I know but it’s a chance that I’m willing to take. I don’t doubt that you’ll be able to master it soon.”
    A sudden shriek split the night air, commanding attention over all the other normal night creatures and sounds. Starling instantly flinched and jumped,