Her smile stretched as she licked her lips and held up his hand, and everyone intently watched her touch his forefinger. His chest expanded with a deep, slow breath, and Layla could tell he was pleased by the sensation of her fire. His flame-free hand crept into her hair as he reached up with the other. Then a grape-sized fireball unfurled from his fingertip.
The others watched and waited for the new trick, and Layla giggled as she glanced at Quin. He laughed as well. Then he hugged her to his chest and looked at their family. “That was her fire, not mine.”
“What?” they exclaimed.
“Yep,” Quin confirmed. “Layla decided she wanted to combine our fire spells before they left our bodies, so she filled me with her fire, like it was the easiest thing in the world to do.”
Serafin stood and moved closer. “She didn't burn you?”
“Nope. The temperature of my skin doesn't change, and the inside merely warms up.” He held out his hand for Serafin to examine, then took it back. “I can add my own fire to hers for a stronger effect. Do it again, love. Just the fingertip. We don't want to burn down Karena’s best room.”
“No we don't,” she agreed, touching her forefinger to his.
He added his own magic then pushed the combined spell from his fingertip, creating a fireball almost twice the size as the one before. “That was about sixty percent hers; forty percent mine.”
Serafin took Quin’s hand and closely eyed the spot Layla had touched. Then he handed it to Caitrin so he could do the same.
“Are you sure it's her fire?” Caitrin asked.
“Positive,” Quin answered. “Let her show you.”
“Ooh fun,” Layla approved, reaching for Caitrin’s hand.
He let her take it, and she eagerly watched his face while touching his forefinger. When her fire found him, his eyes widened and his aura pulsed. “I can't believe this.”
“Cast it,” she insisted.
He did, marveling at the flame that rolled from his flesh. “How did you figure out you could do that?”
“I just tried it, and it worked.”
“Let her show you, Serafin.”
Caitrin moved aside, and Serafin took his place, letting Layla repeat the process. “Amazing,” he praised, flashing a broad smile.
“Thanks,” she returned. “Does everyone want to feel?”
Those still in their seats replied with a resounding yes, so Layla kissed Quin's jaw then rose from his lap. One by one she placed magic into fingertips, and one by one tiny fireballs were flipped into the air. When she got back to Quin, she reclaimed his lap and picked up his wrist, placing all five fingers to his.
“I want to try something,” she said, filling his hand with fire. Then she let go, but kept her mind on the flames. “It’s still there, right?”
“Yes.”
Layla looked away and slowly scanned the room, focusing on the calming palette, the open floor plan, and the pretty art adorning the walls – anything but the magical fire in Quin’s hand.
“How about now?” she asked, returning her gaze to his. “Still there?”
“Yeah. Why wouldn’t it be?”
“I stopped focusing on it, but I guess it won't go away until it's shot. You probably shouldn't add your own to that,” she warned, glancing at his hand.
He smirked and raised his palm, shooting a fireball about a foot in diameter toward the ceiling. The flames fizzled before getting there, and Quin quickly waved a hand, vanishing the smoke before it hit the alarm.
“Amazing,” Serafin repeated. Then he offered Caitrin his hand. “See if you can do it.”
“I'll most likely burn you,” Caitrin warned.
Serafin squared his feet with his shoulders. “I'm ready for it.”
Caitrin touched the back of Serafin’s forefinger, and Serafin softly cursed while jerking his hand away. “No, it didn't work.” He took a moment to heal the burn. Then he cocked an eyebrow at Caitrin. “One more shot, my old friend. Then you'll have to find someone else to practice on.”
Caitrin smiled as he attempted the magic again, and Serafin cursed louder the second time. “No, it's definitely not working.” A devilish grin youthened his features as he reached for Caitrin's hand. “Let's see if mine's any better.”
Caitrin laughed and prepared himself for a burn, but still yanked his arm back when his skin singed. “You're not getting two attempts,” he refused, shaking his head.
Layla laughed then glanced at her grandmas. “Let the ladies try.”
So they did. Daleen was the first to try, burning Serafin with the attempt. Then Morrigan had to be coaxed into testing the magic out on her mate.