Chapter 49

He decided to let them be. Their curiosity and awe could be understood.

There were even a few more courageous than others who stepped forward to properly welcome her. Mostly it was Victor and Rylan and who preferred to stay on that level of the house. While others, like Kael and Aziel, said that there were too many male hormones there for them to survive. And they only went there when they wanted to train, or gamble with the other warriors. 

" There are so many of them, " Flame said as she waved to a group of three who were staring at her with unblinking eyes. They waved back, as if unsure whether it was them she was waving to. 

" We have a great army, and such is required for a strong kingdom. "

She looked at him, then asked if they always went to war. And if so, then against who. 

" We haven't had a threat since eleven years ago when Rylan called the prince of Greyden an ungrateful son of a bitch, "

It spoke a lot about the angels character. And the king had not taken the matter too lightly, though it had luckily not ended in war because Kalen had apologised on Ryan's behalf. 

" Why would he call him that? " Flame asked, her brows raised and a curious look on her face. 

" The prince wanted to expand their land to our territory. He got into a physical brawl with Rylan due to the issue and words were exchanged on either side. "

Flame was starting to realize that most of the other angels clearly had issues that needed to be checked, preferably by specialists. 

" Those two haven't been in the same room since, Rylan doesn't even like to hear the name Greyden mentioned close to him. "

Though Nuriel suspected that there was more to the matter than just that. Rylan had always despised the other kingdom, even before his fight with the prince. 

Flame tried to make him tell her exactly what kind of beings lived in Greyden but he once again refused. 

They got to Victor's office and walked in. But as soon as Flame stepped one foot inside, the burst of energy emanating from Victor hit her. Even caused her to stand still because she suddenly felt dizzy. 

" Flame? Are you okay? " Nuriel asked and she tried to nod, but it took too much out of her to do so. 

" I don't know, I just feel really dizzy all of a sudden. "

Understanding dawned on Nuriel. And he turned to Victor who was standing by his desk, staring at them.He spent a lot of time in his office, so it was only logical for his energy to fill up the entire space. And Nuriel had heard that it was possible for one to fall out of consciousness if they weren't accustomed to the wave of energy. So he decided that it would be best to leave and have the conversation another time. 

" Victor, I'll be back later on. "

" Understood Sire."

He led Flame outside and immediately she felt better. Even convinced him that they could go back in since she was fine. So he explained the issue to her and she slowly nodded. 

" So, Rehan had wings that just cry for me to touch them, Kael can read my mind and now Victor can make me pass out by simply being close to me, I'm really starting to get the hang of this place. " she sarcastically declared with a hand on her waist. 

" You forgot Phelan. " 

She turned to him. Waiting to hear just what he would say. She had met Phelan and he seemed normal to her. 

" If you place your hand in his you'll forget about consequences. I think he's actually the most dangerous of us all. "

But the good thing was that the effect wore off as soon as the contact ended. 

Flame recalled feeling such a thing when Phelan had taken her hand. But she had not really thought much of it then. 

" You know, I think you should go and talk to him, I actually wanted to take a walk outside. "

As expected, Nuriel refused. He claimed that it wasn't safe and that the only way he would allow her to go was if he was with her. But she argued with him until a few minutes later when they saw Rylan pass by and Nuriel called him over. 

" What are you planning to do!... you literally just told me that he has a bad temper! " she hissed at Nuriel. Then Rylan got to where they were and Flame replaced the scolding look with a faked smile. 

" A bad temper huh? Nuriel, I never knew you were one to gossip. " Rylan stated. 

He towered over Flame by at least two feet. And she was sure that if she spent more than two minutes looking up at him, her neck would begin to cramp up. Flame had forgotten about their super hearing. Which meant that she would have to watch what she said around them.

" Hi, " she said. Taking a second to look up at Rylan before looking away. He smelt like the untamed forest and a smoky musk tinged with the smell of iron. 

Power.... she thought, he smelt of power. 

And he had just been granted the responsibility to watch over her. 

                        ❇️✳️❇️✳️❇️

Flame tried to concentrate on triggering her senses. The voice in her head had told her to do so and she had been waiting for a chance to try. But nothing seemed to be happening with each attempt she made. 

" What are you doing? " Rylan asked. His hoarse voice made her jump. Everything about him made her jump. 

" I'm trying to trigger my senses. "

" I beg your pardon? " 

She blew out her cheeks. Placing both hands on her waist. Then she turned and faced him, he was holding a flower in his hand. Carefully as if trying not to ruin the soft petals. And once she actually took time to study him, she realised that he wasn't that bad. 

She told him what the voice had told her and he seemed to be thinking. Then he placed the flower down with undeniable gentleness  and crossed his arms.

" And what do you wish to achieve by triggering them... exactly? "

She shrugged. 

" I don't know, but I think it has something to do with that cursed fire that I was blessed with. "

" The fire is a gift. You ought to cherish it. " he sounded as if he was scolding her. But then his features relaxed and he looked more approachable. 

" Okay. Close your eyes. " 

She frowned. Looking at him oddly, then he put his hands up in a gesture of peace and told her not to worry. 

" I just want you to try something. It might work. "

She looked around once more. Then slowly closed her eyes. 

" Okay. How many senses do you have? "

She opened her eyes. Wondering where he was going with that. 

" Five. "

" I told you to close your eyes. "

She closed them again. And waited to hear him speak. But he didn't for a while, though she knew he was still there. She could smell his scent. 

" Five, that's right. Name them. "

She was about to open her eyes again but he warned her to keep them shut. 

" Um... sight, taste, hearing, smell and touch, "

Rylan nodded though she couldn't see him. Then he asked her to concentrate on those senses. 

" But that's what I was doing before and it didn't work. "

" Just do as I say. Try seeing the fire first, "

Flame did just that. She envisioned the burning flames. Then he asked her to hear them, to listen and hear the sparks as they exploded in the air and the sound the flame made once stirred by the wind. She did just that. And then he asked her to try and smell the burning smell. Perhaps of burning wood or maybe fabric. 

She did. And she could also feel a change in her. It was a marvelous feeling. Almost comparable to how she had felt when Nuriel had taken her flying. She felt free. 

" Now try tasting the fire.. "

" How would I know how fire tastes like, I've never actually -"

" Just do it, it tastes like heat. A scorching coal on the tip of your tongue...."

Flame followed his advice. And when she tried to talk again he stopped her, saying she talked too much.

" Now try and feel the fire, that should be the easiest of all, " he finished off. 

Deciding to just do it, Flame concentrated even more, then the nice feeling intensified a great deal until a few minutes later when Rylan asked her to open her eyes. She did so slowly, then she held her breath as she looked down at herself. And at the flames that were dancing on her entire form. 

It was a lovely sight to look at, especially out in the light. And she felt alive. In control. Bringing her hand up, she blew on it, and she watched as a speck of the fire flew away. But it stopped midair, balancing itself as if it were actually alive.