Fire of Love

In the collection:

Story “Mission Impossible, or How to Hornswoggle a Half-God”
– Trin, – Al again pressed me to himself.
Then, suddenly, he let go.
– A wedding!
– Al…
– Immediately!
– Al…
– Now!
– Alérine! – she objected—not me anymore, but my half-god’s mother. – Give her at least a moment to come to herself, rest, and gain strength.
He looked into my eyes, making it clear that arguing was pointless.
– Right, in her nightdress? And the temple is so far away… – I tried to back off.
But Alérine was already impossible to stop. He tilted my head back and looked into my eyes.
– You promised that when the apple trees bloom, you’ll be my wife, – Al reminded me. – They’re already standing white in bloom.
A solid argument. And I look into his eyes of the color of heaven, understanding that I’ll follow him to the ends of the world.

Story “The Well of Fate”
Iras looked at the handkerchief, then at me, and then back at the embroidery.
– So it’s rosian-ka?
– Yes.
– It catches insects to eat them?
– Yes.
He flashed his black, as if made of pearls, eyes and rose decisively. Will he strike back for such revenge? Or not? I carefully stood up, circled the table.
– And where are you going? – Iras asked, adjusting his snowy-white shirt and tucking his hair behind his back.
– Uh…
What should we think of?
Run away, of course! Away from you… with all that brave, strong, gratefulness.
Iras rushed at me, and I dove under the table. Predictable events.
– Varya!
– If you don’t like it, it’s not my fault! – I blurted out.
I surfaced and found myself in his arms. Great master of tricks!
– And who said I wouldn’t like it? – he whispered, toppling me onto the table.