“So, all courts only have power over three of the four sacred elements?”
“No. Winter is cut off from fire and earth.”
“Amos can only wield water and air?”
“Yes,” Caius said, his tone going serious, “but Amos is deeply rooted in those two, and his court is violent enough that he only needs two to wreak havoc. He is extremely powerful, Nyleeria.”
The hairs on my arm rose. “I know,” I said, and my hand subconsciously rose to my neck.
“The Spring and Autumn Courts,” Caius continued, as if wanting to soften the conversation, “wield the same powers: water, air, and earth, but each court has stronger ties to different elements—so how they are able to wield them is extremely different.”
“If Spring’s powers are derived from water, air, and earth, then how is Myron able to heal?” I asked, placing my hand back on my lap.
“Ah, well, Spring’s ties to the Mother in order of strength are earth, water, then air,” he explained. “Earth can be used in many ways. Tell me, have you ever planted something, or watched fresh spring growth, Nyleeria?”
“Of course.”
“Where do you think their life force comes from? Who do you think is responsible for life’s animation?”
“The Mother.”
“Exactly, and do you feel the Mother when you look at the stars or touch the ground?”
“The stars have nothing to do with the Mother—her energy comes from within Lumnara.”
“Yes. You see, the very essence of spring is to transform the Mother’s energy through the ground to create life, meaning Myron’s ability to heal is merely a different manifestation of that process.”
It was fascinating to learn how their powers worked. How mine might work if I could ever find a way to tap into them.
As if sensing my thoughts moving in another direction, Caius asked, “Nyleeria, how did you get rid of the wisp?”
I blinked, confused. “You were there with me.”
“Yes, I saw what happened, but I’m not surehowit happened.”
“I mean, I didn’t do anything, really. I just gave myself over to the Mother, yielded to her.” It was true; I genuinely had no idea how it had happened, or why.
His voice soft, he said, “Nyleeria, that wasn’t the Mother.”
I stared at him, looking for some indication of humor, or something else. He couldn’t really believe it wasn’t the Mother, could he?
Nothing but resolution showed on his features.
“What was it, then?” I asked, fear starting to bubble within me.
“I don’t know. I was hoping you would.”
“How do you know it wasn’t her?”
“As you know, I can commune with the Mother, hear her as clearly as you and I are conversing right now. I tried tapping into her in the void; only, it wasn’t her. It was like whatever answered me was speaking an ancient tongue,” he explained, brows furrowed as if the exchange had frustrated him.
I paused, remembering the voice that had rung out clearly.Hello, sweet child. Child of everything. Child of nothing.Caius continued tolook at me, waiting. Knowing I couldn’t tell him what I’d heard, I still needed to offer something.
“When all of you were talking about how there is no known way to get rid of Amos’ wisp, something about that triggered a thought when we were in the void, or whatever it was. It felt to me like others had always tried to rip it out. Force it. Once the colors swirled around me, I thought that if I made myself uninhabitable, the wisp might choose to leave.”
He tapped his thumb against his knee, seeming to think it over. “So, you believed that the wisp wasn’t compatible?”
“Yes. It felt dark, like a sentient entity, and I got the sense that it would only thrive in darkness. If I absorbed enough of what was being offered, then maybe it wouldn’t have anywhere to hide. Although, I wasn’t expecting it to be hidden in my chest. I think because it manifests as visions, I’d expected to find it in my head.”
