#sorah

Ignam was in Sorah’s alcove as usual, sprawled out on their shared bed while she finally got out of her festival clothes and into sleepwear. Fabric rustled as he shifted and mussed with the blankets.

Sorah shook her hair out and turned to him. He wasn’t smiling. “Are you still mad about dinner?”

Ignam waved a hand. “I guess I’m…” He chewed his lip, and Sorah sat next to him, playing her fingers through his hair. Trouble finding words said a lot for Ignam.

He sighed and twitched a smile at Sorah. “Can I get serious for a minute or two?”

“Of course.”

“All this business with Trika and Mayra, it’s got me scared.”

“We’ll beat them.”

“No, not…” He sighed. “It’s not them, exactly. What happened to them, and to Fayran. Fading.”

Sorah stopped with his hair and cupped his face, turning his head towards her. “The mortals love you, Ignam. And they still need fire. You aren’t going anywhere, I promise you.”

“I know.” Ignam batted Sorah’s hand away. “I won’t fade, I’m not worried about that, but I might...I don’t know. I might change.”

Sorah frowned and tucked her hands in her lap, waiting for him to continue.

“I mean, back before Trikhar, fire was this double-edged sword. Useful, but also dangerous. There were wildfires, and accidents, and people were scared of me. Now it’s all...under control.”

Sorah’s lips twitched. “You want the mortals to be afraid of you?”

“I want them to respect me.” He groaned and pushed both hands through his hair. “I don’t know. I just...the way they worship half the time feels like I’m some sort of hearth god. I don’t hate it, but I want to be powerful. I miss that.”

Sorah didn’t know how to respond. Before she could formulate something, a knock sounded on the edge of the alcove and Kayram peeked in the corner.

Ignam popped up behind Sorah, back to his default impish grin. “Hey.”

“Sorry to interrupt,” Kayram murmured.

“No, come in.” Sorah patted the bed on her opposite side from Ignam. “Is something wrong?”

“Um.” Kayram scratched her head. “Ignam?”

“Mm-hmm?”

“Thanks for sticking up for me at dinner today.”

“Well, you were right.”

Kayram flashed a smile. “But can I talk with Sorah alone for a bit?” “For sure.” Ignam sprung up from the bed. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he told

her, then dropped his voice and added to Sorah, “and I’ll see you tonight.”

“Gross,” Kayram protested.