Fire Maidens: London Page 22
That spell is stronger than ever, Liam said. Thanks to you, my dear Fire Maiden.
She wanted to brush that off as just another sweet comment from her mate, but even the Guardians had commented on an increase in the protective spell. Apparently, they hadn’t been exaggerating the benefits of having a resident Fire Maiden.
Gemma gulped a little. Most of the time, she felt like plain old Gemma, with more upscale accommodations and the world’s most amazing partner. But occasionally, the responsibilities of her role reared up in her consciousness — sometimes like a ton of bricks, other times in smaller pinches that said, Remember. Everything you do makes a difference.
Then she shook her head. Her parents had always insisted that any average person could make a difference if they tried, and they were right. But, hey. Having wings and a tail sure helped.
She grinned and flew on, ticking off landmarks. Over on the left was Buckingham Palace, and — whoosh! — St. James Park slid by under her belly. Rows of buildings flashed below, and then, the dark, inky ribbon of the Thames.
That way. No, that way, Liam called exuberantly, starting out in one direction, then turning to go the other.
Gemma beat her wings to follow, staying high above the level of the London Eye. One bridge after another spanned the river, their lights reflecting in the water. Vehicles crossed those spans in steady streams, and barges glided silently over the water. Following the curve of the river, she ticked off several more landmarks — the floodlit dome of St. Paul’s, brightly lit Tower Bridge, and futuristic skyscrapers like the Shard and Walkie-Talkie.
Should we continue to Greenwich or turn around here? Liam asked.
Turn around. I’m still getting my bearings.
Me too. Liam laughed, leading her through a long, graceful arc.
Up to that point, they had been beating against the wind, but changing directions put them into a smooth, effortless glide. Gemma gulped down the lump forming in her throat in one of those pinch me, I’m dreaming moments. Was she really flying over London on her own power? Did she really get to spend her life with the man of her dreams?
Yes, you are. Yes, you do, a voice whispered on the wind. The voice of destiny?
She took a deep breath. The burdens of being a Fire Maiden certainly came with their rewards, and she vowed never to lose sight of that.
It’s so beautiful, she breathed.
Double-decker buses crossed Westminster bridge, leaving a trail of red and white lights. To her right, neon lights flashed, marking the hive of activity at Piccadilly Circus. The Mall, in contrast, seemed to slumber, along with the occupants of Buckingham Palace. Liam, on the other hand, was executing rolls and figure eights, enjoying every minute of the ride.
Bong… Bong… Big Ben hammered as they flew by.
Gemma wheeled at high altitude, listening to every stroke of the bell.
Look down. What do you see? she called when Liam joined her.
Um…London?
She laughed and gestured to Westminster Abbey with one wing. The motion nearly made her topple sideways, and she yelped, then steadied out.
When we walked down there, you complained about all the lions. But from up here…
Liam chuckled. Not a lion in sight. What’s the moral of the story?
She smiled. That it’s all a matter of perspective. Lions don’t rule London, but dragons don’t either. We need to work together to keep the city safe.
Spoken like a true Fire Maiden.
Gemma laughed and looked around. We’re so lucky. Flying in Wales was peaceful, but this is exciting.
Liam nodded. We get the best of both worlds. Like being a lion and a dragon.
She smiled. Liam might pretend to resent lions, but he would never shake his love of prowling through tall grass at dusk. And who knew? Maybe someday she would get to experience that as well.
In the meantime, she gazed ahead, trying to match landmarks to her mental map of London. What happens if we keep following the river?
Liam snorted. It loops around and leads to Richmond. We could visit my aunt. Yay?
Liam drifted closer, and their wingtips brushed. A tingle traveled through Gemma’s body, and a new set of thoughts filled her mind.
I have a better idea.
Oh yes? Liam’s voice dropped as he read her mind.
Flying over London was thrilling, but now that she’d had a good look, all she could think of was going home and getting her hands on her mate.
Enough sight-seeing for one night? she asked.
Liam rumbled in approval, making her blood heat.
In truth, she would never get enough of flying over London by night, just as she would never get enough of her mate. But, hell. She would do her best, especially when it came to spending time with Liam.
A lifetime, he murmured as they glided home, wing on wing.
* * *
Thank you for reading Fire Maidens: London! If you enjoyed the story, please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews are the best way to thank an independent author for a story you’ve loved.
Liam and Gemma’s story is Book 2 in Anna Lowe’s Fire Maidens: Billionaires & Bodyguards series. The action, emotion, and passion continues in Book 3, Fire Maidens: Rome. Click here for a sneak peek!
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Sneak Peek — Fire Maidens: Rome
Ever since the time of Romulus and Remus, wolves have ruled Rome. And with the city under threat, the Guardians of Old have called in a new generation of shifter protectors. These warriors are sworn to their duty and absolutely, positively sworn off love. That is, until destiny brings in a woman one lone wolf just can’t resist…
Book 3 in Anna’s Fire Maidens: Billionaires & Bodyguards series is set in the Eternal City, where nothing is what it seems.
* * *
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Fire Maidens - Billionaires & Bodyguards
Fire Maidens: Paris (Book 1)
Fire Maidens: London (Book 2)
Fire Maidens: Rome (Book 3)
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Fire Maidens: Ireland (Book 5)
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Lure of the Dragon (Book 1)
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Lure of the Fox (Book 6)
Aloha Shifters - Pearls of Desire
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