“Give me your hands.”
My words came out as a demand as I clasped my palms around Delani’s dainty fingers. Though it took a bit of force, my mind traveled to the deep—considerably deeper than normal—quarters of peace within it. With my eyelids walling off my vision, I ordered Delani to, “Jump up and down as high as you can.”
Her hands broke free of mine and relief coated my skin at the familiar feeling of static in my cheekbone. Magic flared within my constellastones, prickling at my flesh as unrestricted power released into the air. Upon opening my eyes, I became witness to my sister fulfilling my command.
Her bronze hair, significantly longer than when I’d left her last summer, tangled in response to her slim frame’s vigorous bouncing. I released her before the knots became too unruly, fighting the entertained smile that tried to make its way onto my lips.
“I am so beyond relieved that I can still do that.” At least I knew that one aspect of my magic worked as expected.
“That’s so weird.” Delani ogled, her eyes wide with pure wonder as she strummed her fingertips through the webs in her hair.
“I thinkamazing, is the word you’re looking for.” The unmistakable crudeness of Kade’s voice echoed from behind us.
I whipped around to him strolling into the arena. He ran a hand over his black, buzzed hair before positioning himself between Delani and I.
“My turn.” His tone was dead serious, but a taunting smirk forged his lips upwards.
“No way,” I lipped amidst a scoff.
“Why not? I want to have theMaeve Willawood experiencefor myself. Make sure you aren’t full of it.”
“I don’t think Sebastian would be too keen onthatidea,” Delani muttered.
“I don’t even know you,” I replied to Kade with a snap of my tongue.
“Your point? Do you need toknowsomeone to use your powers on them?” he questioned, bending his neck to the side until it crackled.
Though my height had nothing on him, I stood further upright. “No. I just don’t want to waste my magic on you.”
Kade nodded slowly, fighting back his ever growing grin. “Ah. I see.”
My brows sank into the creases of my eyelids. “What?” I snarled, my teeth clenched.
“You’re scared.”
A singular snort of laughter filled the space between us. “Scared? Ofyou? Fat frickin’ chance.”
Kade took a step back, spreading his arms out wide like he was an open target. “Then what are you waiting for?”
Something along the lines of a growl poured out of my throat.
“Fine,” I spat, tempestuously giving in to his coercion. I had never been too good at denying peer pressure.
“I’ll command you to leave the arena. How’s that sound?”
Kade’s head tossed back as he laughed with a palm spread across his stomach. “Sure. Go ahead. I have things to do, anyway.”
Delani masked herself by using my body as a shield. “You could compel him to leave Lumosia all together,” she encouraged with a whisper in my ear.
“Do you think Daddy dearest would have a problem with that?” I breathed back.
On the cusp of summoning the god-granted forces within me, another voice terminated my focus.
No privacy in this damn place.
“Kade?” Venay’s harmonious voice flowed into my ears like a vocal waltz. “Your presence is requested at the stables.”
“Too bad. I was really looking forward to seeing what you're capable of.” A heavy sigh of disappointment charged Kade’s disdainful words.
