The Flames That Bind Us (Daughter of Fire #1)

✔Chapter Sixteen: Aramis' Fatherly Advice.

Gabriel James Imarnia

"I told you, brother. I'm fine!" Lis stated for about the millionth time as she paced around the bookshelves of our library.

She sounded bored and a tad irritated, though I wouldn't blame her since I'd been asking her if she felt alright about five times a day. I sighed and trailed after her. "I know, sister. But what happened to you is not something trivial. Those bastards kidnaped you. Gods know what they put you through."

Anger sizzled at the back of my throat for even just thinking about it. Oh, how I wanted to have my way with them for hurting and daring to kidnap my little sister.

But, the word of my kingdom was law, and I made sure those men would never set eyes on the sun again for the rest of their pathetic lives. A lifetime in prison was less than those bastards deserved.

I wanted to have their shadows all to myself before they were locked down, but Lis and Aero strongly advised me against it.

Lis rolled her eyes, putting back the book she was examining in its place before turning to me. "Oh, don't be such a drama king. They didn't lay a hand on me if that's what you're concerned about, though they may have been anything but gentlemanly. It's bad enough that David is still freaking-out. I don't need you to join him too."

It's true that her fiancé has never left her side since we got back yesterday. He insisted on accompanying her wherever she went that one might think she was glued to his side. In fact, I don't even know how she managed to get rid of him since he wasn't with her. He must have been searching every nook and cranny of the castle now.

"Still, I demand to know if you're feeling alright. And not just physically but emotionally too. I mean, this must have taken a toll on you, Lis."

"Heavens!" Her eyebrows rose. "One might think I'm a fragile child in need of nurturing. Honestly, Gabe, do you actually think I'm that weak?" She shook her head.

"No, but-"

"But nothing!"

She stepped forward and placed her hand on my cheek. She had a soft, kind expression as she caressed my cheekbone, and I grasped her tracing fingers firmly.

"I know you're worried about me," she spoke softly, "but that doesn't even amount to the worry I had for you for eighteen years. Brother, you don't need to concern yourself about me. I'm fine. I always am, always will."

"You don't understand how worried sick I was. I thought I would lose you." I held on her hand tighter, and her expression softened further.

In the few seconds that I found out my sister was kidnapped by none other than wizard hunters, all sorts of emotions I had bottled up spread through me. I wasn't even sure how I managed not to surface them, but I did know that I felt anger, worry, fear, and rage all at once.

It was like fire and shadows mixed together and consumed my whole body, and for some reason, it worsened when I saw the Slifer falling down the White Woman's bridge. It wasn't until she was safe in my arms that the feelings inside me withered, and the bitter thought was that I didn't know whom I actually referred to; my sister or the Slifer? And another bitter thought announced it was both.

Lis gave me a small smile, then leaned into my chest, burying her face and tugging on my shoulders. I wrapped my arms around her and tried to shake away the thoughts of losing her. She was here. She was safe and unharmed, and that was all that mattered.

"I was worried too," I heard her muffled voice, "I thought I might never see you again, that I would leave you alone."

I smoothed her hair and brought her closer. But what she said last stayed lingering. Alone?