Steam and Smoke

Twenty years ago, they were partners in everything. Now they're professional rivals forced to work together to save the magical world from conspiracy and destruction.

Fire Master Zane Blackfire has spent two decades building a reputation as one of Ellenwood's most skilled elemental practitioners. He's successful, respected, and completely alone. Exactly the way he's planned. Water Master Xavier Tidecaller has his own walls. Cool, precise, and utterly professional, he's managed to avoid his former partner for five years of careful career navigation. Some mistakes are too dangerous to repeat, and some hearts are too valuable to risk breaking twice.

When a magical crisis threatens to destroy Ellenwood's most sacred sites, the Council assigns them to work together. But the crisis runs deeper than natural disaster. As Zane and Xavier investigate, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens not just magical sites, but the future of elemental cooperation itself.

Forced into close quarters and constant magical contact, their professional boundaries begin to crumble. Do they maintain the safe distance that has protected them both, or risk everything on the possibility that love and trust can overcome pride and fear.