Forged by Fire

Jealousy coursed through my veins as I watched my sister Carnelian flirt with the Captain of the Guard on the other side of the room. I cursed at her for even going over there, neither of us should have been here. We had snuck out of the house because Carney had wanted to see what this place was all about. It was a club called Afterdark for people twenty-one and over, but she heard all the guards frequented the place and had wanted to see for herself. Since she was only twenty and I just shy of nineteen we were definitely not allowed to be here. But it was hard to say no to Carney and surprisingly easy to sneak in.

In my opinion the club wasn't even that great. People were dancing in the center of the room, gyrating against each other inappropriately. In one corner a stage was set up where someone was strumming a guitar and singing poorly. Tables lined the walls, most of them occupied with men and women drinking and smoking. There were only a few guards I recognized, but most of them skulked in the corners not seeming to participate in the pleasantries.

I had to admit Carney and Captain Erling would make a good couple. Captain Erling was a little over six feet tall with a broad chest. His black hair was shaved on the sides and the center pulled back with a tie. Next to him Carney was a vision with bright perfectly straight blonde hair, sparkling baby blue eyes and ivory skin. She was just a couple of inches shorter than him with lean curves.

Suddenly Captain Erling looked up, his eyes connected with mine. I gasped and then sunk farther into my chair as if I could disappear into it. Grabbing a hold of Carney's arm, he made a beeline for my table. Carney pouted as she was dragged through the crowd. When they reached my side, Captain Erling scowled and bent down, placing both hands on either side of my chair, so I could hear him over the music.

"You two shouldn't be here. You need to leave," he hissed, his voice smooth and rich like honey.

"Oh, now, Captain Erling," Carney purred. "We don't mean any harm. We just wanted to have a little fun."

The captain furrowed his brows but didn't look back at her. Instead, his blue-grey eyes were still on me. "Seriously, Lainey, you should go. This isn't the type of place you two should be hanging around."

Carney's mouth popped open at the familiarity that sounded in his voice. She looked at me, causing my cheeks to heat. Lainey was a family nickname, only her and papa ever called me that. But the first time the captain and I had met was when we were children, when I used to give everyone the nickname feeling like Elaine sounded to grown up.

The captain and I had only spoken to each other once. It had been years ago when I was ten and he was thirteen. Even though we were forbidden to go near the woods, I often found myself drawn to them.

Normally I wouldn't stray past the tree line, but I caught sight of something bright shining in between the trees. Thinking it would be ok if I took a few steps closer, I wandered farther than I had intended and quickly found myself lost.

Panicking, I took off running, darting through the trees, trying to find my way out. Scared, I yelled for help until my voice grew hoarse. As the shadows grew larger, I worried I'd never find my way home. Eventually I came upon a small pond and kneeling next to that pond was the captain.

Of course, at the time he was just a thirteen-year-old boy. He had been leaning over the pond, holding out an empty net.

"Can you help me," I asked as I approached him.

He looked up at me with an adorable, crooked smile that quickly faded when he noticed my dirty appearance. "Are you alright?"

I clutched at my bare arms as goosebumps covered my skin. "I'm lost."

He dropped the net and rushed over to me placing his arm around my shoulders. "It's ok, I know the way out. What's your name?"

"Lainey."

"Lainey," he repeated, his crooked smile returned. "I'm Gunter. Come on, I'll take you home."

He had kept his arm around me the whole way home. I stared up at his shining blue eyes as he talked about fishing by the pond and whether the so-called fairies in the woods were real.

After he had dropped me off, I couldn't stop thinking about him. I saw him often in town and gave him a few shy smiles but since he was older, we didn't share any classes or knew the same people. By the time he was sixteen he was gone, left to train for the guard. I hadn't seen him in years. Not until he came back a year ago as Captain of the Guard, the youngest person to ever become captain. After so many years I was surprised he even remembered my name.

Standing, I looked behind him at Carney. "He's right, let's go home." I was ready to get out of this place anyways.

"Elaine," she hissed.

"Carnelian," I replied, copying her tone. "Let's go."

She looked from me to the captain and then without saying another word stomped past me to the exit. Sighing, I moved to follow but a strong hand shot out to grab my arm.

"Don't come back here Lainey. It's not the type of place two young ladies should be hanging around."

I glanced back at him with a frown. I admitted it wasn't particularly my scene, but the worst I witnessed since walking in the place was some very inappropriate dancing and people getting a little too drunk. "Why not?"

He shook his head. "Just trust me. Will you be alright getting home?"

"Of course. Thank you," I gave him a smile and then rushed after Carney.

The second I walked out the door she pounced. "What was that? How do you know him?"

"I don't know him," I replied, not bothering to stop.

She fell into step next to me as I walked down the street headed for home. "Well it sure sounded like he knows you."

I didn't understand why she sounded so irritated. I could tell she liked him, but I was no threat. I had zero confidence when it came to those types of things. If the captain were going to like one of us it would be her.

Carney and I were complete opposites, both in looks and in personality. Our dissimilar looks were due to the fact that I was adopted, but despite our different personalities the two of us had always been close. We not only saw each other as sisters but also as best friends. In situations like earlier I also found myself looking out for her, despite her being the older sister. So just like always I put my feelings aside as I slipped my arm through hers.

"Trust me, I haven't spoken to him since we were kids and even then, only once," I told her. "Didn't you notice how he couldn't keep his eyes off of you?"

That caused her to brighten up instantly. "Really?"

"Really," I replied even though it caused a pang deep in my heart.