It would be a shame not to use themora. At least a little. She could use it without harnessing it. She could keep some for herself, couldn’t she? Why shouldn’t she be rewarded for all her hard work? Why shouldn’t she wield what was freely offered? Why should she send themoraback at all? She could be Queen of Lela, Queen of Magic, and doanythingin this world. She could stitch the tear from here and keep the flow of magic exactly as it was, keep siphoning all of El’Ara’s power, lock the fae away and let the Blight take them while she used the magic as she saw fit. She could end Darius in a single flick of her wrist and ensure none of her people ever had to suffer. She could obliterate enemy forces without risking any of her soldiers. She could fortify her body, her soul, and?—
“Cora!”
The voice tore through her raging, swirling thoughts.
Then another.Cora!
The two voices called her name, one inside her mind, the other ringing through her ears.
She was aware of Teryn’s touch then, the hands that framed her shoulders, bracing her like she might drift away. Then she noticed the soft muzzle that bumped her cheek, the breath that blew across her face.
She forced her attention to narrow on that warm breath, those warm hands.
Only then did she realize her palms were no longer pressed to the rock. Instead, she’d risen to her knees, her spine rigid, her head tipped back. Themoraradiated through her, howling in her veins like a vicious storm.
“You don’t need it, my love,” Teryn said, his hand moving to her cheek.
She opened her eyes. Her vision was blurry at first, but soon it cleared to show his face. He was pale, expression twisted with worry. Valorre’s head was lowered beside him, staring at her with his wide russet eyes.
Teryn spoke again. “You don’t need to harness it. You are enough as you are.”
She sagged at his words. Fatigue tugged her bones, and she was desperate to collapse. To sleep. But she couldn’t quit yet. Her duty had only just begun.
With a trembling sigh, she settled back into the feel of Teryn’s hands and the vibrant energy that was Valorre’s presence. That’s right. She could lean on them. Turn over some of the burden.
“Cora.” Teryn stroked her cheek with his thumb, his voice pitched with worry.
“I’m all right,” she managed to croak. “I wasn’t prepared for the temptation to harness it. I…I’m ready now. This time I’ll rely on the two of you.”
Teryn nodded. “Don’t do this alone. You don’t need to.”
He was right. She wasn’t alone. She could share this.
Teryn moved aside, giving her space to press her palms to the stone again. He moved his hands to her back, his touch both firm and comforting. Valorre kept his muzzle near her shoulder, bumping her with it, blowing hot breaths against her cheek again.
She wouldn’t forget them this time.
Gritting her teeth, she faced themoraagain, but she didn’t turn herself over to it.Reverse, she demanded, pushing back with her resolve. Fighting its flow. Urging it back underground.
Are you certain?it asked. It pulsed through her, infusing her mind with visions again.
Yes.Cora breathed the temptation away, let themoraswirl around her, through her, and into her companions, taking some of the weight off her chest.
You wouldn’t rather wield it? Harness it? Take it?
NO. She pushed back even harder, shared more of her burden with Teryn and Valorre.I am Queen of Lela, Queen of Magic. You yield when I tell you to yield. You move when I tell you to move. Now GO! RETURN.
Teryn held her tighter.
Valorre’s presence grew warmer.
Themoracycled through the three figures, then radiated down Cora’s hands.
Through her palms.
Back into the rock.
And finally, its flow reversed.
