The three of us stared quizzically at Lana as she stared right back at us, like we should know what she was thinking.
“My magic came to be when I accepted Kade as my mate. When I made that realization and accepted it to be true, my whole body filled with light that exploded out of me. Clearly something about my magic is tied to Kade, since my prophecy stated, ‘with lover’s touch she shall ignite’.”
Chuckling, Ian came and placed both of his hands on Lana’s shoulders. “The prophecy isn’t so bad now, huh? Mates haven’t existed for over a thousand years, and yet the one person who still believed in them ended up finding her mateandgetting one-of-a-kind magic.”
“I told you they still existed.” Lana stuck out her tongue at Ian and moved to stand before me. “So I think I need you to be the one to help me.”
I tucked a wisp of hair that broke free from her braid behind her ear. “Of course I’ll help you.” Tilting my head to the side, I asked, “How about you give us some space, guys?”
Ian and Jax nodded in agreement and moved back to the campfire. Jax took over tending the stew.
My focus shifted back to Lana, and my shadows pooled at my feet. They seemed happy, giddy. They couldn’t wait for Lana to be near them once more. As if those mere moments where she paced alone were too much separation. They swirled around her ankles and circled their way up her legs. She grasped my hands and the shadows continued up both of our bodies.
“Where is your magic, Little Rebel?”
Lana closed her eyes, and I could feel the beads of sweat forming on her palms. The shadows continued growing around us, creating a cocoon.
“Focus on wherever that feeling of home resides. Somewhere that light stems from.”
Her brows furrowed. “That’s what Storm said.”
I huffed as she gripped my hands tighter. “Well, at least I know he gave you good advice.”
My shadows around us swirled faster, practically pleading for Lana’s magic to come out.
Please, come play with us. We promise not to hurt you. Come out, light. We’ve been missing you for so long. We must be one again.
Slowly, and with hesitancy, a glow emitted from Lana’s entire body. The shadows became frenzied with their excitement, filling every crevasse within me. I could barely contain the anxious energy thrumming through me at their anticipation.
Lana’s eyes grew wide. “It’s working.” She couldn’t stand still, and she hopped back and forth on her restless legs as more and more of her light magic radiated out of her. Together, swirling in perfect harmony with my shadows, Lana’s light shone brighter, reaching beyond her frame.
Suddenly it disappeared and Lana looked over her shoulder toward Ian.
“What is it?” I asked.
She worried her lip between her teeth. “My magic was always inside of me. If I had found a way to harness it sooner, Ian could have been spared so much.”
“What?” I took her chin between my fingers.
She clenched her fists. “I’m angry,” she admitted. “Angry that it didn’t help him. Help us with Andras. Now it’s out and I should be ecstatic, not weighed down with guilt. Sometimes, I wish it hadn’t come. Then I wouldn’t have to live with knowingI should have been able to do more back then.” She inhaled sharply before finally meeting my gaze. If she expected to find reproach there, she’d be wrong. Instead, I softened toward her, feeling my shoulders slump as I took in this beautiful, selfless woman.
“No, Lana. If Ian heard that, he’d correct you immediately too. For some reason your magic was trapped. Yet even so, it protected you from the darkness Andras wanted to inflict on you.” I brought my fingers up to her side to where her scar lay, tracing it over her clothes. My shadows continued to caress her even as I pulled my hand away. “Your magic came when it was ready. Whenyouwere ready for it.”
She unclenched her fists slowly.
“Fighting against your magic will prolong discovering your strength.”
My shadows flared.Like you did.
I released her chin from my grasp. “Are you ready to try again? Try to accept that your magic was limited, but now it’s here to help you. Help Ian. Fates, help all of us.”
She nodded, a new resolve dawning on her features.
“Now, my shadows and I may help you by being there, but each of those moments you remember were times when you pulled yourself together from the depths of emotional despair. They were moments that could have paralyzed you, and instead you fought through them.”
She searched my eyes and let out a small sob. “When I accepted you were my mate, I also…” Her lip trembled, and I brought my hand to rest at the base of her neck, running my thumb along her jawline. “I told myself I was worthy. That I was worthy without magic. I accepted it.”
“Ah, see? Not just me, Little Rebel. It’s you. Now try again.”
