He doesn’t want to run from her.
Whistling wind.
It’s overwhelming and disconcerting and undeniable.
And absolutely terrifying. Whatever is happening to him is more frightening than anything else he’s ever faced.
“Cerian.” Mother’s hand on his arm startles him back to reality.
When did he turn toward the door?
“Are you thinking about her?” Mother asks softly.
Frustrated, he groans. “I can barely think of anything else. Is this how you feel?”
“At times. It’s stronger in the beginning when you’re learning to see each other differently.”
“What does that mean?”
“The heartbinding won’t make you fall in love. It will just help you see all the reasons you might want to.”
Cerian looks away. “I’m not falling in—”
“You will.”
Whistling wind. He doesn’t wish to discuss this with his mother.
He doesn’t wish to discuss it with anyone.
He’d run if it was anyone but her.
Before he can respond, a vine wraps around his ankle and rips his feet out from under him as Mother grabs the bowl from his hands.
He lands hard on his back, and Mother sets aside the bowls as he struggles to breathe.
That was a cheap shot. She didn’t even warn him.
She smiles down at him. “You may have my eyes, my elfling, but that look you’re sending me is pure Lorial. Don’t act so surprised. I was once a First among warriors, don’t forget. I won’t go easy on you.”
Then vines latch on to all four of his limbs, ratcheting him into the air, where he hovers, fighting for control.
He stares at her in shock. She’s stronger than any plant wielder he’s ever faced.
“I’ve watched you spar, Cerian. You can do better than this. Show me that magic you’re hiding from the world.”
“I’m not hiding.”
“Aren’t you? Your father thinks you are. He says you’re capable of more than you let on.”
“What? I’m not hiding anything.”
But she doesn’t respond. Her vines lift him higher and higher until he hovers near the ceiling.
And then she drops him.
A Complicated Elf
Episode 29
