In Her Element
Chapter 1

Centuries Later…

The beautiful forest could be seen from high above. The treetops danced in the wind, their rustling sounding like a bunch of whispered footsteps across the green, plush carpet that it looked like. Twisting here and there through the trees was a small man-made river that spilled into the larger body of water at the edge of the forest where the mouth of the river opened. And there is where this story shall begin, at that water-bank, where Almyra enjoyed spending her time when she could get away from the pressures of her life and family.

Almyra leaned over and twirled the long stick in the water, watching as the ripples spread, moving further and further into the sea until they lost their strength. After a moment, she stood up straight and moved away from the embankment.

A few feet away, there was a boulder that was most conveniently shaped to resemble a chair, upon which she sat down. She leaned forward, impatiently pushing back her hair that she had loosed from their braids and it fell around her small, round shoulders. She lifted the hem of her skirts, arranged them neatly around her and held her right hand over them, palm flat and faced down. She concentrated hard, her forehead wrinkling with the intensity of it. Her hand glowed red for a short moment and then expelled heat from her fingers, drying the skirts instantly.

“Almyra,” A large shadow fell over her, and she gasped and jerked her left hand almost imperceptibly before clutching her hands into fists. The small tendrils of steam that had risen blew away and she stood, wiping her dress.

“Your mother is looking for you, Miss Almyra. What have you been doing out here, all alone? Magic?”

Almyra shrugged and stood, looking up at her big guardian, Rupert, innocently. She waved her hand airily, as though she was dismissing someone from her presence, and grinned as a sudden breeze came out of nowhere and ruffled his sandy locks, as well as her own russet curls. “Did my mother say why she needed me? Or was she just checking up on me?”

“She only asked why I was not with you as I am being paid to be. I told her you requested some privacy. I think she might be getting suspicious, Almyra.”

Almyra frowned at her hulking protector. That couldn’t happen. Her mother could never know the abilities she held in her hands, quite literally. She was already so over- bearing. Heaven forbid that a young woman like her, especially one who was soon to officially enter society, have some time to relax and enjoy herself, especially not while alone.

She sighed deeply, “I shall have to spend less time out here then. I hope I can manage, what with these abilities of mine growing stronger yet.” She frowned at her pale, smooth hands, the red color and the heat having faded completely.

Rupert held out a rough hand to her, helping her step over a fallen log, “Me too, Almyra, me too. Now come along.”

Almyra entered the foyer with Rupert trailing close behind her. She stopped short when she caught sight of who was standing there in the elaborate entryway, and her mouth fell open in complete surprise.

“Matthew!”

She hitched up her skirts in a way that was unfitting for a young woman in her standing, something which she knew and did not care, and flew to him, flinging herself into his strong arms and wrapping hers securely around his neck.

Her brother, who had been away with several professor friends at a convention, laughed delightedly at her elation and grasped her around the waist; holding her tightly, he lifted her high and swung her around twice, her feet nearly upsetting an antique vase that was displayed there, before setting her on her feet. Steadying herself, she noticed their mother looking on disapprovingly for a moment, and then leaving the room, although not before throwing an ominous look at Rupert.

“I’m happy to see you too, little sister. How I have missed you.” He squeezed her tightly. “And you, Rupert,” said Matthew, leaning over Almyra to shake his hand. “I take it you didn’t tell her I was coming, judging from her shock,” he continued, while slightly ruffling his sister’s hair.

“No, he did not,” Almyra answered for Rupert, bouncing excitedly, a broad smile on her glowing face. A smile that disappeared abruptly when Matthew gestured toward another person there, standing slightly to the side, who she hadn’t noticed before.

“You remember Frederick.”

It wasn’t a question. She stiffened in anger, and Rupert went to her, standing at attention and lightly touching her shoulder, reminding her to stay calm. She inhaled sharply through her small nose and for a moment strained against him and her brother; but she composed herself with the dignity of her class, and stood there stiffly with Matthew’s arms around her. Besides, it was entirely futile to resist against Rupert, and even Matthew stood more than a head taller than her, with muscles she hadn’t seen before.

She yanked herself away and turned to face him, deliberately ignoring Frederick, the boy—or man, and a handsome one at that, a traitorous voice whispered in her head—who had betrayed her confidence.

She glared at Matthew with eyes that were still bright, but now with anger. “How could you? And you!” She turned to Rupert, pinning him with her stare. “How could you not warn me?” she hissed. “You—“

A smooth, deep voice, so different from when she had heard it last, interrupted her tirade. “I did not come to rile you, Miss Almyra. I am here for personal matters and I needed a place to stay. Your brother and I crossed paths as we both moved toward this area and he was kind enough to offer me your home once again for a temporary stay. I do apologize for invading your space, but perhaps we can get along now. It would be easier for us both, as we shall be seeing much of each other for a while now.”

Almyra looked up at him, subconsciously noting how much taller he was, and narrowed her eyes. His voice sounded almost…hopeful. She met his gaze sharply. Then again, maybe not. His expression was as haughty as it had always been, even if his eyes were still the same beguiling clear blue that she remembered so well. She smiled at him sweetly in a way that was well practiced, but she did not bother to hide the contempt behind it, her eyes not portraying the kindness that her mouth did.

“Perhaps,” she repeated, mockingly. “But I would rather keep my distance, thank you very much. Now, if you would excuse me, I would like to change.”

She swept past them in a rustle of skirts and petticoats, head held high, leaving all three males staring after her. Deep inside her blood was boiling.