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  I shrugged. “I don’t want to embarrass you again.”

  “No one is going to touch you, Fin. A mortal would never do such a thing when the shifter’s master is watching.” He dropped his hand. “You saw how they acted before.”

  “I can’t do anything,” I muttered, motioning to the scening going on below. “I’m not as good as them.”

  “They’ve been alive for thousands of years.”

  “It’s embarrassing.” I sucked in my cheek. “I’m a firebird that can barely make fire.”

  “I’m not going to force you, but if you’d like to come, don’t hesitate.” He disappeared into a cloud of smoke. I looked outside to see him reform in his own section away from his brothers. He glowed a steady, soothing blue, unlike his brothers’ raging red and orange flames.

  The feeling was different as the people paid their respects on their faces. The other mortals seemed so peaceful, but Zoran’s group had looks of overwhelming happiness on their faces. Many people were crying and reaching out to the god.

  Aedus waved off his girls and they took flight. They created dragons out of fire that flew over the crowd. The people were in awe at the sight.

  Amber landed at Zoran’s side and pressed into his side. Her hand landed on his shoulder as she shot fire into the sky. The god’s expression didn’t change, but I saw the slow movement of his hand going to her lower back.

  Turning sharply, I clenched my jaw. How could I ever compete with that? A woman against a man. Zoran should just trade me for her. I marched to the center of the tower and found a place where I couldn’t see them or any of the gods. I didn’t belong here. I didn’t belong with Zoran. I’d find my own volcano away from everyone where I could be alone.

  I held out my hands and studied my palms. I was a danger to everyone. All I could do was hurt things. Bowing my head, I clenched my fists. If only I could’ve flown, then I would have left that place while they were all distracted by the stupid celebration.

  A light flickered near my head, and I looked up to see Iri standing in an archway.

  “Fin,” she called with a giggle, “Aedus says it’s not very nice to hide up here when these people have traveled so far to see the baby bird.”

  “Go to hell, Iri,” I snapped.

  She laughed and walked over to me. “I plan to.”

  I glared at her.

  “Oh, come on, Finny. Zoran wasn’t that mean. He was just trying to help you earlier.” She played with a piece of her hair. “You would have killed so many people if he hadn’t shown up.”

  “Shut up.” I knocked her hand away. “I’m not going so you can leave. I want to be alone.”

  “Such a moody little thing.” Iri shook her head. “Aedus would be mad if I left you here.” She circled around a pillar.

  “That man is not my master. He’s not yours, either.”

  “Aedus, Masou,” she breathed. “Doesn’t matter who gives the order, I’m still going to follow it. Except when it’s Zoran,” she laughed. “No point in following the orders of such a lowly god.”

  I narrowed my eyes at her. “You’re deranged.”

  Leaning against a pillar, she cocked her head to the side. “I’m bored with life, Fin. You’re the most interesting thing that’s happened in centuries. I’m going to have my fun before the newness wears off and you become as boring and dull as Ashleen.”

  I stood and faced the woman. “I prefer her over you.”

  She scoffed at me, pressing her hand to her chest. “She’s barely said a word to you, while I’ve shown you such kindness.” Iri moved closer. “I did bring you here.” She motioned around us. “You never would have gotten to see all this if we had let Zoran decide.”

  “I could’ve done without it,” I replied. “I never want to come back.”

  Iri groaned. “Well, aren’t you and Zoran a perfect pair. Dull and boring as everyone else around here.” With a rush of air, she appeared in front of me. “The people are waiting, Fin.” She grabbed my wrist.

  I jerked back, but she didn’t let go.

  “Iri, I said no.”

  “What Aedus wants, he gets.” She dragged me over to the edge.

  “Stop it, Iri!” I struggled to get free. “Stop it! I said no.”

  The woman smiled. “It’ll be fun. I promise.

  “I’ll explode.” Swallowing hard, I glanced over the side. “I’ll hurt someone. You need to stop.”

  She swung me around, so I was standing on the ledge.

  “Don’t,” I breathed. “Please don’t. I’m not like you. I can’t fly.”

  “I know, so I’ll help you.”

  Chapter 41: A Sparrow’s First Wings

  Shoving me back, she toppled over the edge along with me. The fear surged to my chest, and I didn’t have time to even try and stop it before I erupted. I felt her presence leave my side as I reformed. My vision was hazy as my eyes tried to adjust.

  “Fin,” laughed Iri.

  I swung my arm at her voice and felt fire explode from my fingers. That devil woman wasn’t getting anywhere near me again. A giggle sounded behind me. I sent another wave of fire at her, hoping this one would burn her alive.

  Her voice swirled around me, and I reacted every time I heard it. I had to kill her, I need to kill her before she attacked me again.

  “Fin,” she sang.

  I threw everything I could into the blast and gasped when I felt black vines twist around my body. I fought for a moment until I felt that comforting warmth. Zoran pulled me to his chest and pressed my head to his shoulder.

  “Breathe, Fin,” he whispered. “Don’t let that vixen play with you.”

  My mind settled, and I looked around. Iri was tucked under Masou’s arm. She smiled at me and peered up at her god. He whispered something to her, and she seemed rather content with her actions of sending me into a near panic attack.

  “I hate her,” I whispered. “I hate that woman.”

  “Just breathe.”

  I did so and leaned into his warmth. “I’m sorry. I lost control. Iri—she’s a horrid woman. I’m sorry.”

  “We’re supposed to show them our power, Fin,” he whispered in my ear as he rubbed circle on my back. “It’s to remind the mortals that we are gods. Something to be feared.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Enough,” he said firmly. “It’s done. No one was harmed, and you simply showed the people the capabilities of a young bird.”

  I breathed deeply and felt my nerves settle. Glancing at my arm, I saw the black marks had turned blue and were glowing. “What’s happening?”

  “They’re feeding off my energy.” He nodded toward his brothers.

  The girls’ markings on their bodies had also turned shades of red and orange.

  “You’re different from your brothers.”

  Zoran brushed back my hair and appeared to be examining my face. “I’m the fire of the mortal realm. I didn’t create the depths of hell, nor cause the cosmos to explode. Or even the sun to warm and scar the earth. I bring value to the people. My fire is simply a tool to be used or misused.”

  His hand slid down to my cheek, and I felt the warmth from his touch increase.

  “Would you like to see something, Fin?”

  “What?” I replied.

  “What your wings will look like when you learn to control your powers.”

  I nodded. “Okay.”

  I glanced around. The people were far enough away they should be safe.

  “Close your eyes.”

  I did so and felt his lips press against mine. Fire traveled from his body to mine. I tried to pull away, but what little control I had started to weaken. Zoran didn’t release his hold, but only tightened it. It broke down my barrier. I threw back my head and felt an immense heat being released into my back.

  Zoran pulled me to him. I felt drained, and my legs were shaking.

  “Look, Fin.”

  I glanced over my shoulder to see the black wings that slowly turned blue the
farther the flames reached out.

  “They’re stunning,” he whispered in my ears. “You should work hard to learn how to create them yourself.”

  I nodded and fell against his chest, breathing deeply. I glanced around at our audience. They just stared, and I felt embarrassed about having to cling to Zoran to remain on my feet. Amber was also watching. Her lips were pursed, but when she noticed me looking her way, her expression softened and she quickly turned toward the crowd.

  “I don’t feel good.” I rubbed my face. “This is really hard,” I tried to laugh off.

  “Now you understand. It not because you’re failing at being a firebird, Fin.” He glanced at his brothers and their girls. “It because it truly is a difficult task, and it took them all decades to master. Amber is still discovering new things about her powers.”

  “I’ll work harder at it.”

  “That’s all I’m asking.” He pulled away from me.

  The fire around me diminished, and I dropped to my knees. Zoran faced the crowd. “My sparrow’s first wings,” he announced.

  The people clapped and cheered for me.

  “Give him time, and he will fly with the others.”

  They continued to applaud.

  My body was shutting down. I fell forward and braced my arms against the ground. I was shaking as sweat dripped from my face. The whole process was draining. I was nowhere near being able to complete the feat by myself.

  “Seems I’ve overdone it.” Zoran knelt down and helped me stand. “Close your eyes, Fin. I’ll take care of things from here.”

  I just nodded and did as he said. They had been right, though. The day had been one that I wouldn’t be soon to forget.

  Chapter 42: A Trade

  I felt the bed shift and scrunched my face as I woke up. I still didn’t feel that great. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up. “Amber?” I muttered.

  She sat back, leaning on her arm. Her gaze never left the corner of the room.

  I rubbed the stiffness out of my shoulders. “Where’s Zoran?”

  Her eyebrows pressed together, but she didn’t reply.

  “Do you need something?” I rolled my neck from side to side to loosen up my back. That wing trick Zoran had done had really taken a toll on my body.

  She didn’t say anything. I swung my legs out of bed. My skin was still stained with the black designs. Examining my arms, I tried to rub it off. Nothing. I was going to be stuck with these tattoos until Zoran decided to remove them himself.

  “Why you?” she stated.

  “What?”

  “A plain, disgusting boy.” She pursed her lips and glared at me. “You, a firebird that can’t even fly. You’re no better than a mortal.” She stood. “You can’t have him, Fin. I’m the eldest. I’ll always be more powerful than you, even if you do learn to fly.” Whipping around, she marched out of the room.

  I sat there, a little taken back. What had I done to deserve that outburst? We both knew that we didn’t have any say when it came to anything regarding the gods. I guess this was Amber showing her true self. I had a feeling it had all been an act. Chewing on my fingernails, I wandered to the window and sat on the bench beneath it. But what did she mean by all that? Did she want Zoran? Aedus would never allow that. He wasn’t going to give up his firebird, especially to his younger brother. Pulling my knees up, I rested my head on them. Based on the way she had been acting at the festival, Amber seemed to have feelings for Zoran.

  Tugging at my hair, I groaned. Great. My competition was a beautiful woman and the most powerful firebird. I peered out the window at the lanterns scattered throughout the city. It had to still be the middle of the night. No one was out on the streets.

  The door creak open.

  I turned around and froze. “Aedus?”

  The god took a sip from the golden cup he was holding. “You were a near disaster.” He tipped his glass toward me. “Until the end. Blue,” he laughed. “You have a similar aura to Zoran.” Sitting down on the bed, he finished off his drink and tossed the cup across the room.

  I flinched when it hit the tile floor.

  “I think that’s why the people liked you.” Aedus leaned back on his elbows. “You don’t scare them like girls.” He glanced over at me with a raised eyebrow. “Blue is very soothing.” The god smiled. “But I’m not here to soothe mortals. I’m here to use them, and in return, I’ll let them borrow my cosmos. Let’s see Zoran create something of that magnitude.” With a sigh, he pushed off the bed and stood.

  “But that stupid brother of mine is very clever.” He shook his fist in the air. “He decided to share fire with the mortals and gain their favor that way.” The god wandered about the room. “‘Give them some of our power to use and misuse,’” he recited with amusement. “The world would be a lot simpler with one less fire god, but unfortunately,” he breathed, “I’m not the great creator. So I’m stuck with two brothers when I would have been satisfied with one.”

  Going to a dresser, he picked up a trinket and examined it. “Though, without him, my birds never would have existed, so I’ll admit Zoran does have one purpose.” He came toward me.

  I stared at his hands and realized the object was a small, sheathed dagger. Wide-eyed, I pressed up against the window. The god pulled off the casing and used the blade to lift my chin.

  “Your powers are very dull, except when you’re excited.” He slammed the tip of the knife down into the bench between my legs.

  I held my breath until he touched my cheek. I exhaled sharply but was afraid to move.

  “Relax, little bird.” He smiled at me. “Create me a fire. Let’s see what you can do.”

  Swallowing hard, I sucked in my lips. “I’m not good at it.”

  “Try,” he ordered.

  My hand was shaking as I held it out. It was hard enough when I wasn’t under pressure. I’d settle for a candle’s flame at the moment. It was better than nothing.

  Focusing on my hand, I put all my energy into creating fire. A small flame appeared in my palm. It had changed colors. Instead of the normal orange, it was a light blue.

  “Zoran helped push it along. It’ll change back until you learn to control your temperature yourself.” He ran his finger through it. “I guess Zoran prefers this color to the rage of red.”

  Aedus shot flames from his fingertips. I jerked back and blocked my face.

  “Hurts, doesn’t it?” He yanked the blade out of the wood.

  I nodded.

  “Fire is meant to cause pain.” He tapped the blade in his hand. “Not give comfort. But nothing can be done, so I might as well use it.”

  I searched for an escape route. “I should go find Zoran.”

  “Go ahead,” said Aedus. “Even better.” He stabbed the blade into the windowsill and snatched my wrist. He yanked me to my feet. “I’ll show you the way.”

  The god dragged me into the hall. He led me down multiple corridors until we stopped outside a room. I heard laughter coming from inside. The doors were slightly ajar.

  “You think Zoran cares about you,” whispered Aedus. “He’ll fall to the temptation just like any man. My birds barely had to do a thing to convince him.”

  I glanced from him to the crack between the doors. Creeping closer, I peeked inside. I quickly closed my eyes and turned away at the sight of what Zoran was doing inside with Amber and Ashleen.

  “My reward to Zoran for putting on such a good show today,” chuckled Aedus. He walked around me and ran a finger along my markings. “I wonder what color they’ll glow when I have you.”

  I jerked away from him, shaking my head. “No.” I hurried down the hall.

  Aedus appeared in a rush of smoke in front of me.

  “That was his reward, Fin,” stated the god. “But I deserve something as well. My bed will be rather empty without my girls. So we traded pets for the night, because that is what you are to Zoran. A pet.”

  “He really traded me?” I glanced up at him. My chest felt oddly right.
/>   “What man would choose a boy over two lovely women? Zoran isn’t gay. He’s just learned to never let an opportunity be wasted. It’s quite comical, really. Three girls, and then when it’s finally his turn, the first boy is born.” Aedus smiled at me and moved closer. “It won’t hurt that bad. Amber and Ashleen have learned to enjoy it.” He tilted my chin up. “Blow up on me again and I’ll have you frozen for a decade or two. Got it?”

  I nodded. Aedus put his arm around my shoulders and led me away to his private quarters. My heart was pounding. Was this really happening? Zoran really had traded me off to his brother. He hated his brother, though. Why would he do this? We approached two very elaborately carved wooden doors. Aedus pushed them open and ushered me inside. The room was as large as the town square in Gail. A large bed was pressed up against the wall.

  Aedus slipped behind me. Rubbing my shoulders, he leaned down and kissed my neck. “It’s been awhile since I’ve had to do it with a male, but I couldn’t fight the temptation to feel that fire of yours while it’s still blue.”

  Taking a deep breath, I followed him to the bed. He pushed on my chest, and I sat down on the end of it.

  Aedus started to remove his clothes. His body was just as defined as Zoran’s—even more so, actually. He was what the first fire god should look like, and that scared me.

  I moved to the center to the bed with Aedus following close behind. I settled into the pillows and watched him. He traced his finger along my abs up toward my face. His other hand rubbed my thigh.

  “How old are you?”

  “Eighteen.”

  He nodded. “You’ll fill out with time.” Undoing my shorts, he pulled them off.

  Biting my lip, I looked at the wall. It was too strange to be naked in front of someone besides Zoran. Moving between my legs, Aedus attacked the crook my neck and started to suck on my skin. I felt that zip of heat being sent to my core. It prickled. It was not the same as his brother’s, but my body was still reacting to it.

  Aedus chuckled and grabbed my erection. “Very honest, but males always are.”