Fire Stones - By Kailin Gow Page 0,9

“You're safe, don't worry. Relax. The shark won't come after you again. He knows that this area is my dominion – if he harms any of my creatures or friends, he will have to answer to me.” His voice was strong and dominant – the voice of a true ruler.

“Varun...” was all I was able to say. My mind was still in such a haze; adrenaline was coursing through me. All of this was so surreal...like a dream, I thought. Like a memory from a past I could not quite recall: Varun's mouth on mine, his arms around me.

“Mac...” he placed his lips against mine again, but this time it was no attempt at rescue. I could feel the heat of his kiss.

I pulled away. “Varun, no...” My voice trailed off. “I can't. Not like this. You know I'm with...”

“Don't think, Mac,” Varun pulled me closer. “Just feel me against you. Feel what I know you feel – in your heart.”

I sat up, trying to create distance between the two of us. I couldn't feel him like this – his smooth, wet skin, his salty sea-taste. “I'm with Chance, Varun. We're together now.”

He sighed. “Because you think you're Vesta.”

“I am Vesta...”

“So you feel it?” He grabbed my shoulders. “You must be able to feel it!” Now he was frightening me – his intensity dark and foreboding.

“Please, Varun,” I looked away, a crimson flush coming over my face. “Just get me out of the cove – I'll make it back to the hotel on my own.”

“You have to remember...” he was pulling at my clothes; I could feel the frenzy of his heartbeat. “Remember how we were. How you were with me. You could breathe underwater – you could...we did...Vesta...together, in the waves, you have to remember...” He was covering me with kisses; I backed up.

“I have to go!” I cried.

He pulled me back to him, his voice urgent. “You have to remember. Didn’t being in the waters with me just now trigger any memories? Maybe you’ll remember this.” He kissed me with a hunger that left me breathless. I closed my eyes and then shoved him back. “Stop it, Varun. Thank you for saving my life but I can’t do this. How could you kiss me like that when I’m with Chance now? I trusted you!”

“And I trusted you,” his eyes grew dark. “You were with me – before you left me for Chance. And once, Vesta, we were together, centuries and centuries ago...”

“Listen to me, Varun,” I said, growing angry, “if you don't get me to the shore right now, I swear I'll never talk to you again.”

He stopped, looking abashed. My words had taken him aback. He changed his tone. His voice was lower, now – more caressing. “Mac, please don't be mad at me,” he whispered, taking my hand. “I can only try…”

I said nothing. Varun's intensity, his surety, was making me uncomfortable. What did he remember that I didn't? I remembered what I knew about Poseidon and Vesta – their forbidden love? If I was Vesta – had I experienced that, too, with Chance? And, if so, then why didn't I remember it?

I took Varun's hand and allowed him to swim me to the safer part of the shore. I kissed him awkwardly on the cheek. “Thanks again for saving me,” I muttered. “But that's all. I can't promise you anything else.”

We were standing on the beach – not far from the garden where we had first kissed. He was staring at me, his eyes sad but serious. I wanted to avoid that intense imploring look and that nagging feeling that I should have remembered something important.

“Vesta,” he said softly, taking a step towards me.

“Sorry, I can’t. You’re the God of Water, and I’m of fire…” I turned and ran, away from Varun and away from the confusing conflicting feelings I had for him right then.

How could Varun think I wanted him? I loved Chance – I knew I loved Chance, with a passion that made me insatiable for his touch, his taste. Yet Varun was telling me that once I had abandoned Chance for him – an old affection that still burned bright in his heart.

How could I have done that?

The question lingered in my mind as I made my way home.

Chapter 4

The rest of the weekend passed me by in something of a haze. I spent that Saturday and Sunday sleeping – resting. I needed some time to quiet my heart. When my eyes