The Tempting Touch Of Fire (Elemental Awakening, Book 1) by Nicola Claire

chose the green one. It called to me. It reminded me of the forest of trees out on Theo's front lawn. As soon as I slipped it on I knew I'd chosen well. It hugged my body like a second skin, the silk wrapping around my frame lovingly. I felt draped in delicate leaves right down to my ankles.
    There were shoes to match. How the tailor had guessed my shoe size correctly, I don't know. But I also didn't care. I felt like a princess and for a brief moment in time, while I stared at myself in the full length mirror Theo had brought in, I forgot why I was here. I forgot what this all meant. I simply forgot.
    I'm not normally a fanciful person, but I challenge anyone to don such an exquisite outfit and not lose their head. I think I lost mine a little. If it wasn't for the pale mauve Orchid in the corner of the room, waving its long stemmed head to get my attention, I may have spent longer staring at my reflection and forgetting myself.
    My eyes got drawn to the plant's movement. I walked over, getting used to the heels on my feet, and reached out a hand. The flowers draped themselves across my palm. I inhaled deeply and let the scent of earth centre me again. Why was this happening?
    You have come home, the Orchid whispered. We have been waiting , it added and then stroked the side of my forearm.
    A throat clearing over my shoulder told me I was no longer alone. I turned slowly and met the golden eyes of Theo. They were completely devoid of hazel, entirely infused with that shining, bright yellow of gold.
    I took a deep breath in and said, "You're glowing," waving my hand in the direction of his eyes.
    "Because you look stunning communing with my plant." It was a compliment of sorts, I supposed. I would have preferred that he thought I looked stunning in the dress, but if the Orchid hadn't woken me up from the fairytale moment, his words certainly did.
    This was an arrangement, nothing more.
    "Time to leave?" I asked, walking as casually as I could manage across the floor toward him.
    He shifted his body so he could watch every step I took. When I came abreast of him, I stopped and forced myself to look him in the eyes. The gold had vanished, it might as well have not been there at all. I wondered if I could ever turn off the magic that makes my eyes change colour as easily as he just did.
    It helped to think like that. To remind myself I had much to learn and Theo Peters could teach me. I needed him, even as I tried to tell myself I didn't want him. I still needed him.
    He offered me his arm again, this time taking it didn't feel so foreign. I was learning already it seemed.
    Theo drove us to wherever it was we were going. It soon became obvious it was out Howick way, the Eastern suburbs. I was betting the Rigas had a house on the cliff overlooking the Tamaki Strait. Some of those places rivalled Malibu or Beverly Hills. I wasn't disappointed.
    Guards stood at the gates and waved us through as soon as they got a look at Theo. They all bowed their heads in respect as we passed.
    "Is everyone this courteous, or are you special?" I asked, just to fill the silence. I was thinking Theo's silence was because he was preparing himself to face the King, but unlike my terrifying reasons for preparation, his were probably just getting into the mindset to bow and scrape.
    "A little of both," he replied, manoeuvring the car up the winding driveway until an enormous structure came into sight. "Welcome to Pyrgos , Gi ," he said, as the car came to a stop in front of the impressive white steps.
    The whole place reminded me of the artwork in Theo's home. Greek colonnades, white marble stonework and sweeping, wide steps. I could picture the inhabitants wearing white, flowing robes. I sincerely hoped they didn't. I was freaked enough as it was.
    "I'm not sure this is a good idea," I admitted, as another guard came to open my door.
    "You're probably right, but he's already sensed your presence. To leave now would mean your death."
    "To stay might as