Warning- This is the third story in the Burning heart sequence. If you have not read "A Burning Heart" or "The throne Of Storms" then I do not suggest reading this. You can find those stories on my profile if you are interested. I apologize for any inconvenience.

(Alice's POV)

I tore into my little grass-made hut, and slammed the door behind me. I stormed over to a little cushion that my mother made, and threw myself down with little consideration. The impact hurt, but did little to distract from the anger boiling inside of me.

My mother came over to find the source of the noise. She was a small woman, with long brown hair flowing down to her shoulders. She had bright blue eyes, and a slightly rounded face. She would have been beautiful if she didn't have the bags under her eyes. Ever since my father died, she hasn't slept much at all. Her face fell immediately into a sympathetic expression, She walked over, and dropped a pillow behind me. Sitting down herself, she began to play with my hair and try to calm me down.

"It happened again mother." I said quietly.

"I assumed as much. Was it just the one boy this time?" She asked.

"No, it was a group of people from the village. They came and laughed at me, called me names."

"You didn't-" She began.

"No, I kept my control. I would've liked to wipe that smile off of Clay's face though."

She smacked me sharply across the back of the head. "You can't start thinking like that, because one day you may just find yourself having done it. it's a wonderful thought to foster, but a terrible deed."

"I know mother." I replied.

She returned to playing with my long red hair, and after awhile spoke softly. "What did they say?"

I waited a few moments before responding. "The called me things like witch, and demon. They asked me what hell felt like, and then… then they." I took a shaky breath. "They asked me what you thought of having brought up a bitch daughter."

"Oh no. They are just afraid of your powers darling. I love you, don't ever forget that. You always have been, and always will be my baby girl." She said strongly.

I wiped a tear from my cheek and forced a smile. "I love you too"

"If only your father could see the woman you've grown to be. He would be so proud."

I didn't respond. Father died when I was very young, and I knew very little about him. Mother had a small painting of him that she kept on the wall, but age had deteriorated it. All that could be seen from the painting is a tall male figure, and white hair. Nobody in our village had hair that resembled that color, nor had anyone that I had met. The traders all had brown and black hair.

"I probably ought to attend to my duties." I said, turning away from her. I moved towards the door and right before I left, she called out to me.

"Wait! Whatever happens, just remember to be strong, and that I love you."

"Do you plan on going somewhere?" I asked trying to keep a light tone to the conversation.

"Promise that you will be strong." She pleaded.

"What?" I asked starting to become afraid.

"Promise me." She ordered.

"Fine mother, I promise. What is this all about?" I asked.

"You'll learn in time, go and work in the garden. Remember don't let anyone see."

Feeling no reassurement, and slightly on edge, I walked out into the garden to give my daily "help." It had rained recently, and catching my eye in a puddle was immediately reminded of why everyone hated me. My eyes were bright yellow. Nobody in town knew of the powers that came with it, just the eye color alone was enough for them to mock me. Children could be cruel, even the ones approaching adulthood.

I cast a quick look around to assure that nobody could see me, and I began my work. I learned many years ago that I could make rays of light erupt from my hands whenever I wanted. It frightened me, but Mother seemed unsurprised. She told me never to do it in front of anyone else and that was that.

Years after that, I learned that if i directed the light at the crops, they grew much faster than they should. So ever since that moment, I spent a few hours each day casting my light at the plants, and picking them whenever they grew. It was the only way for my mother and I to survive without farm space or any tools.

After twenty minutes of work, I heard a sound that resembled a fire catching, and turned around to look. A woman stood tall in a ring of burned plants that had once been the path to our hut. She was no less than two meters tall, and had a dark black dress that fell to her ankles. It would have been a normal sight had every single bit of her not been on fire.

She seemed used to the flames, and none of them caught as the walked over to me with the affection of a queen. She looked down onto me as if surveying a child, and spoke with a voice loud and confident. A voice that you cannot help but obey..

"My dear Alice, I am correct in saying that your mother is home." It wasn't a question.

"Yes, she is just inside. How do you know my-" I began perplexed.

"No matter. I have come because a debt is to be repaid. Are you aware that your mother cannot have children?" She asked me with all of the kindness of a rusty knife.

"Yeah. She told me that she tried before my father died, but there was no luck. Not since me anyway."

"You should not be alive." She said stating a fact.

"Excuse me?" I asked slightly offended.

"Your mother was sterile long before you were born. You were born only by a bargain with the gods. Well one god in particular. You couldn't possibly understand how difficult it was to get her to conceive, but I did. Now I have come seeking repayment, stand aside." She ordered.

I stepped to allow her to pass, and I watched expecting her to start taking things. With a single wave of her hand the entire cottage burst into blue flame.I watched in horror as it fell in on itself, and extinguished as quickly as it had begun.

I turned back to the woman but she was gone. Leaving behind a circle burned into the ground. I ran towards the remains of the hut, and began to dig through it looking for my mother. I eventually found her buried beneath a pile of burnt straw. I shook her and tried to wake her up, but something was wrong. She was oddly cold. No part about her, not even her clothes were singed. She looked as if she had escaped the fire entirely, but there was no mistake. She was dead, and I was alone.

Author's note- That is the second mother I have killed off in the past three chapters. I promise it will be the last for a while. There is a pleasant surprise coming soon, that hopefully should make up for all of this death and destruction. Thank you for taking the time to read this introduction. As always Thank You.

Solaris- sun God

Solumque- Fire goddess

Petra- Stone and earth

Pruina-water

Ventus-Air

Pax Deorum- Sun worshippers