“It was…” A shiver rippled across my skin from the memory, his touch, his magic. And damn if that hole in my chest didn’t pulse with an ache at the memory. “It wasn’t even close to the same. I’m not sure how to describe it other than ‘his magic called for mine to release.’”
A deepVformed between Artton’s brows, and I didn’t miss how his eyes darted down to Endymion’s gift and back up. His shoulders rose as he took in a taut breath before sighing as if resigned.
“What?” I asked.
“Well, I’m going to have to confer with Caius and Sidrick, but it appears your powers go dormant when you’re afraid—which is less than fucken ideal. We’re going to have to come up with a game plan to help you access your powers at all times, no matter how terrified you are. And”—he drew out the word as if not wanting to tell me—"you’re going to need full-time protection until you get a handle on it."
I opened my mouth to object, but he put his hand up to stop me.
“It’s not negotiable, Nyleeria.” His words were nothing but purecommand, and while I wanted to argue, I shut my mouth still feeling unsure of this male.
He reached a hand out to me. My eye darted to the floating sandy platform behind him to the right, then down at his hand, and back to him. “Aren’t we going to dispel?”
Shaking his head, he said, “No. You wouldn’t be able to right now.”
I hated just how right he was, and a new wave of shame filled me as I slid my hand into his, valenning back to the palace.
The white sand of the Clarian Sea was already warm by mid-morning as I nestled in on a sheet of fabric, one of Endymion’s tomes in hand.
I hadn’t sought out company for breakfast and had asked Kai to leave a tray for me at the door when she’d come to check on me last night. Twice now my training had been abandoned, and I couldn’t help feeling that if Endymion were here, none of this would be an issue. He just seemed to get me. Or maybe my powers. Perhaps both?
I wasn’t sure if it was Artton’s intensity, Endymion’s absence, or the fact that the clock was now ticking down on when I’d see the twins again, but I was restless. And not in the way my powers pooled for release. No, this was in my bones, making me feel on edge.
Artton’s words played on a constant loop last night, meaning I hadn’t slept well.You’re going to need full-time protection until you get a handle on it.He hadn’t made good on that promise yet, and I was glad to have slipped away to the beach before he could. Maybe he’d overreacted. Caius had to have known what happened, and he hadn’t shown the same concern. Then again, he’s never seen me wield.
Forcing my muscles to relax, I took in a deep breath. Leaning back on the balls of my palms, I closed my eyes, tilted my head to thesun, and soaked in her warmth.Gods, Eithan would have loved it here.The thought of him was bittersweet, and a smile dusted my lips.
Placing the tome on the types of fae magic to the side, I lowered down onto my elbows and let myself get lost in the melodic cadence of the soft waves lapping at the shoreline as I watched the sunlight dance across the mass of water that seemed to fall off the horizon. My focus meandered to the cresting waves scattered across its deep belly like white scars, and I let myself get lost in it.
The brush rustled behind me, and I came back to myself. I wasn’t sure how long I’d been staring out sightless, but apparently it was long enough that I was idly twirling the dagger Endymion had imbued. Stars, I hadn’t even realized I’d drawn it.
Another sound came from the canopy behind me before a sharp whinny followed. My blood went cold in my veins.Luca.
Sheathing the dagger, I bolted through the forest.
Another sharp whinny.
“Luca, I’m coming,” I called.
The second I laid my eyes on him, my heart began to race. I’d never seen him this agitated, not even when the na’li had attacked.
“What is it? Are you hurt?” My hands were already on him, frantically looking for injuries or heat where it didn’t belong.
He pulled back from me, pinning his ears behind him as if hearing something. I listened, but even with my fae hearing, there wasn’t anything in that direction. Or at least nothing that should be upsetting him this much.
He raised his head and hoofed the ground before he whinnied again.
“Luca, let me help.” He reared back slightly when I tried to offer him a soothing stroke.
What the hell happened?
He snorted loudly and partially turned away from me in the direction his ears were pointed.
“You want me to follow?”
He stomped as if annoyed.
“You want me to ride you?”
