Elsa

I could actually feel the morning approaching. Ever since I had met with Serephina for the first time, I had begun to feel more in tune with the world. It was like all my senses were heightened, and after last night, I think they had reached their peak. Lazily, I opened my eyes. The room was still very much dark, the actual morning light far off.

In her sleep, Serephina had separated herself from me. Sleeping soundly on the edge of the bed, partially on her stomach, her bare leg rested outside the covers. It was her left, and I could clearly see the permanent marking that covered much of the dark skin on her thigh. Branded on her in a smoky, black design was the symbol she had drawn for me what felt like so long ago. She had told me last night when I had first asked her about it, that the tattoo was a reward for mastering your element and taking your place in the culture. In the center of hers though, was a set of crossed swords over a tree with sprawling roots.

"What does that mean," I had asked last night, dragging my finger across the center design.

"Just for decoration. It doesn't mean anything," she whispered into my ear seductively. I didn't entirely believe her, but I ended up distracted.

Now, I studied her sleeping frame from behind. She still wore that shirt of hers, but it had become displaced at her shoulder, revealing more gorgeous skin. An idea crossed my mind. I pictured myself waking her up with sweet kisses across her shoulder before I returned to my own room. I couldn't wait around till daylight for someone to come find us together like this.

At least I could say good-bye before I walked out.

My lips lightly touched the top of her shoulder. With no response, I placed a little more pressure. A finger curled around the shifted collar of her shirt. Tugging it lightly, I exposed more skin of her beautiful shoulder. In her sleep, she moaned softly, encouraging me. I smiled between kisses before pulling even further. I was just about to land another kiss when something caught my eye.

Where the collar of her shirt now rested, a thin, raised, and slightly discolored piece of skin peeked out. I pulled my face back a ways and stared. Serephina was still asleep, but I wanted to know more. As carefully as I could, I pulled down her shirt more, revealing the skin that spread across her spine and onto the other shoulder blade. What should have been flawless like the rest of her, wasn't. I covered my mouth with one hand as I took in the sight of over a dozen long raised scars across her back. Some crossed making tragic X's, but all were horrific and made my stomach crawl.

Slowly, I settled my other hand onto the uneven skin. As soon as I had, she instantly awakened. I drew back my hand as she sat up and stared at me. Her gorgeous eyes were wide, not in anger, but almost in embarrassment. Then they shut, and I could no longer peer into their depth. She began to readjust her shirt to hide those scars she had been desperate to keep secret.

"Stop, you don't have to hide from me. Please, tell me. Let me in." For the first time, I really understood how Anna felt when we were kids. I wanted to know her further. I wanted her to tell me how every mark on her skin got there. Serephina's life was a mystery to me still, and I wanted that to change. "Please. Nothing could ever change what I think about you."

She laid back down, taking me with her. Under the covers, the two of us laid so we faced each other. A few inches separated us, but our joined hands helped fill the space. I could tell from her expression that the memories were painful. I was patient, waiting for several minutes, watching her lips part and shut again.

"I was born into a home similar to yours, but not even close to the same lifestyle." She finally whispered.

"What do you mean?"

"I was born into slavery. My mother was a slave and…" he voice failed her again. She shut her eyes along with the rest of her.

My fingers softly reached out to stroke her cheek, "Your father too?"

"No," she said bitterly, "my father wasn't a slave. He was one of the managers on the plantation I was born on. I was the product of rape. Since though, I was born with lighter skin, I was taken in as household help."

The look that struck her beautiful face was of pure hatred. She carried something with her that was dark. Every time she looked into a mirror, she was reminded of it. Reassuringly, I squeezed her hand, hoping she would trust me enough to continue.

"It didn't matter if I was in the house or out, I was treated horribly. Every mistake I made, every word I said wrong, I was beaten horribly for. I had no rights, no freedom. I was not to speak unless spoken to. At the same time, I began to realize my gift for fire. I tried to learn in secret, but it was not safe for me, nor did I get much alone time. The others in the house… they all hated me for my origins. Constantly yelling at me and hunting me down. My mother was sold off when I was young as well, because of me. I don't know where she went or if she is even still alive. But I suppose you know what it's like to lose your mother before you're ready."

"Yes, but I got to know mine first. I had my family for long enough. And now I am lucky enough to have you," I smiled, trying my best to cheer her up. Her response was moving her face closer till our foreheads rested together.

"Back then, I thought I had one ray of light in my life," tension seemed to control her body, "my first love, Miss Victoria Harrows, my owner's daughter."

I fought back a wave of jealousy, but I couldn't fight the idea of her loving someone else. It boiled under my skin and made me want to freeze the woman. The look on my face must have given away my plans because Serephina kissed me softly. The tiniest smile returned to her face as she seemed to try and fight back my self doubt.

"She made her desires known and we had… relations. Slowly, I began to love the girl who made me feel so wonderful in secret. She almost had me fooled that my life could mean something one day. But… she didn't love me as I did her."

"What happened?" I asked, no longer feeling an ounce of jealousy by how hurt she looked.

"One… one night, the two of us were caught. Vic… Victoria told her father I had attacked her. That I had tried to do grotesque, unspeakable things to her." Serephina's tone became angry and hateful. I knew that this girl had broken her heart and insulted her in the most despicable way.

Gently, I began to softly kiss her face, my hope being to reminder she was safe and cared for. "They nearly beat me to death, the men. After, they strapped me to a tree and tore away my clothes. She… she watched as they whipped me. She just stared coldly as they were going to torture me to death."

I held onto her tighter and moved closer, "I hated the world at that point. I hated life. They were whipping me continuously. I can still feel it sometimes. I was so hurt and angry. That's when I lost control. I summoned all the strength I had left and used my fire to save my life. I escaped into the trees, but not till after doing quite a bit of damage. I hid in the forest for days, trying to nurse my wounds and my accidentally self inflicted burns. Only sixteen years old at the time. I was half dead when…"

"When what?" I whispered when she began to grow lost.

"When my new life found me. Her name was Aura, and she had been doing what I had done with you: following the pull to another elemental. A young air elemental herself, she saved my life and brought me back to her home, Annwfn. There, her and her mother, Haizea, nursed me back to health and taught me about their culture and our gifts. I mastered my element with the help of the women and Aura's brother Nereus, a water elemental, and joined their ranks as a member of their family." Her tone lightened, and I could see the happier memories returning.

"Wow, they sound incredible! Tell me more about them. Does Aura have a family now? What about Nereus?" I encouraged more, but I began to rethink it when her expression turned for the worst again.

"Nereus did marry and has two beautiful daughters. Aura though… she never married. She died I'm afraid, three years ago." The way her eyes fell, I began to see the truth. They were the same as when she spoke about Victoria. Serephina had been in love with her too.

"Tell me," I prompted. She needed to get it out, even if she didn't want to.

"When I first began my journeys, fully trained at eighteen, she persuaded me that she was to go with. Aura had become one of my best friends on the isle, and I agreed. We travelled throughout Asia together seeing all different cultures and ways. It was incredible."

"What happened?"

"We were attacked in the middle of the night by some marauders. I couldn't keep her safe, I barely saved myself. She died in my arms, and I brought her body back to her mother. I never forgave myself for what happened. And for what I never said to her." She shut her eyes, and pressed her forehead below my chin, her cheek against my chest.

"Don't blame yourself. Losing my parents was out of my control, hurting my sister the way I did was out of my control too, both I almost let the blame destroy me. I'm here, and I'll stay here." I cooed softly into her ear. This new softer side of her held on to me.

"I hope so. I can't have my heart thrown around anymore. And right now, it rests in your hands." It was the kindest thing ever said to me. I would take care of this woman. The flame that she lit in my heart was worth fighting for. I was in love with her through and through, and she deserved a happily ever after.