She rolled her eyes, but there was a quality in her expression that made my heart skip a beat.
"Don't let it go to your head, lord daemon," she warned, but there was no real bite to her words.
Rissa's aura remained, a shimmering halo of power that clung to her like a second skin. She landed with feline grace, her feet barely making a sound against the teak.
I stumbled slightly as I touched down, still reeling from the incredible display of magic I'd just witnessed. My mind buzzed with questions, but before I could voice them, Rissa's gaze flickered towards the main cabin, where Rey, Cathy, and Jeanette were no doubt anxiously awaiting news.
"We should probably go fill them in," she suggested, though I could hear the reluctance in her voice.
"In a minute," I decided, reaching out to brush a stray lock of hair from her face. "I just...I need a second to process all of this."
To my surprise, Rissa leaned into my touch, her eyes drifting shut for a brief instant. When they opened again, they were softer, more vulnerable than I'd ever seen them. "I know the feeling."
We stayed like that for a long moment, the world narrowing down to just the two of us. The salty breeze, the faint cry of gulls overhead, the gentle rocking of the yacht beneath our feet—it all faded away, leaving only the electric connection crackling between us.
I couldn't restrain myself any longer. The magic radiating from Rissa was intoxicating, filling me with a euphoria I'd never experienced before. I threw myself at her, scooping her into my arms and twirling her around in a dizzying circle. Her body pressed against mine, the heat of her skin seeping through our clothes.
Rissa let out a startled laugh, the sound pure and joyful. "What are you doing?"
"Celebrating," I said, grinning down at her. "You did it. You saved us all."
"Put me down, you oaf."
I obliged, setting her gently back on her feet. Rissa smoothed her hands over her clothes, but there was a softness to her features that hadn't been there before, a warmth in her gaze as she looked up at me.
"So," I said, sobering slightly. "What now?"
Rissa's smile turned fierce, determination etching itself into every line of her face. "Now," she said, "I create a self-sustaining ward around our world. No more formless ones, no more threats from beyond. We'll finally be safe."
The thought of her channeling that much power, alone and unprotected, made my stomach clench with worry.
"Okay," I said finally, my tone leaving no room for argument. "But I'm staying with you."
Not that I could do anything.
Rissa opened her mouth as if to protest, but something in my gaze must have stopped her. She sighed, her shoulders slumping in resignation. "Fine. Just don't get in my way."
With that, she turned and strode back to the center of the deck, her movements purposeful and controlled. I followed close behind, my senses on high alert for any sign of danger.
Rissa settled herself cross-legged on the polished wood, her hands resting lightly on her knees. She took a deep breath, her eyes sliding closed.
For a moment, nothing happened. The only sound was the gentle lapping of waves against the hull, the distant cry of seagulls wheeling overhead.
Then, a beam of light appeared from her chest, so bright it nearly blinded me. It shot upward, piercing the clouds and disappearing into the sky above.
I watched in awe as the light pulsed and throbbed, growing stronger with each passing second. And through it all, Rissa sat perfectly still, her face a mask of concentration. She was lost in the magic, her entire being focused on this one monumental task.
An enormous pulse of light, incandescent and iridescent, began to travel up the beam from Rissa's chest. It moved slowly at first, then gained speed, glittering and sparkling as it ascended. Higher and higher it climbed until it disappeared above the clouds.
I stood transfixed, barely daring to breathe. The display of raw magical power was both beautiful and terrifying. I could feel the energy radiating off Rissa in waves, making the hairs on my arms stand on end.
She remained motionless, her face a mask of concentration. I couldn't even tell if she was breathing. It was as if she'd become a conduit, a vessel for this immense magical working.
Minutes ticked by, then hours. Rey, Cathy and Jeanette joined me, all of us waiting in silence and worry.
The sun began its descent toward the horizon, painting the sky in vivid oranges and pinks. Still, Rissa sat unmoving, the beam of light pulsing steadily from her chest.
More time passed and Cathy made sandwiches which were tasteless, but we all ate. I paced the deck, restless energy thrumming through my veins. I wanted to do something, anything, to help. But this was beyond me. All I could do was keep watch and pray that she would succeed.
