I take a breath. ‘I’m worried about … about what happened last time. With the ice. I couldn’t control it.’
‘Discipline is an art,’ says River. ‘Be patient with yourself. Don’t be afraid of what you can do, embrace it. And most importantly, learn from it.’ He glances back towards the pool. ‘Perhaps the others could be of some use to you.’
I make a face. ‘I’m not sure the others want anything to do with me.’ I watch Marina smirk as she carves a perfectwave. ‘They’re not Rain Singers, so their water gifts aren’t Melded, are they?’
River shakes his head, drops of rain still clinging to his snow-white hair.
‘But doesn’t that make them stronger than me?’ I say, frowning. ‘I mean, I have to rely on channelling the right emotion to call the rain, but Marina can carve a wave simply because shewantsto.’
River studies my face, as though reading something written there. ‘Some see emotion as a hindrance rather than a strength,’ he says quietly. ‘But that is because they forget how powerful emotions can be. Never underestimate the way you can feel.’
I hear Grandmother’s voice in my head.
To feel is to be alive, Blaze. And I swear to you that no matter what, it is better to feel everything than to feel nothing.
‘As for your Melding,’ River continues, ‘I’d like you to keep it to yourself. It is a secret that has been protected for hundreds of years.’
‘I will,’ I promise him.
When I return to the pool, Kai offers me a half-smile. ‘Congratulations.’
I’m slightly taken aback. The other Heirs rarely deign to speak to me. But I just shrug casually. ‘Took me long enough.’
‘You know, if you need any help, I’d be happy to show you how to make ice.’
‘Really?’ I ask, startled by his generosity.
Kai glances at Fjord, who looks away quickly, pretending not to be listening to our conversation. ‘Sure,’ he says. ‘Why not?’
I hesitate. It’s a kind offer, only it’s not as straightforward as simply accepting, not after learning my water gifts are Melded. Kai’s methods won’t work on me. We would just be wasting each other’s time. But I can’t tell him this, and he’s looking at me, waiting for an answer.
‘Thank you,’ I say tentatively. ‘I’d like that.’
First Kai gets me to clear my mind, which is a lot easier said than done. We sit facing one another at the edge of the pool, my hands folded in my lap. I meant what I said to River, about being worried. I don’t want to lose control. I don’t want to hurt anyone.
In the darkness behind my eyelids, I see the criss-cross scar on Hal’s cheek.
‘I want you to think about nothing but ice,’ Kai says. ‘Think about the way it coats the ground, the sound it makes when it cracks. Think about frost, icicles, frozen dew. Lean into the coldness.’
After a while, I open my eyes, frustrated. ‘It’s no use. I can’t do it.’
Kai appears to be contemplating something. ‘New plan,’ he announces. ‘You realized you could freeze water after breaking a bunch of wine glasses, yes?’
A grimace is my only response.
‘All right, then. Ask for a glass.’
I frown. ‘Ask who?’
‘The Keep.’ Kai chuckles at my expression. ‘My father told me that the Keep will give you anything you desire, so long as you ask it politely.’
I can’t help but stare at him. I doubt I’ll ever get used to the enchantments in this place.
‘Go on,’ he says. ‘Try it.’
I glance around to make sure Marina isn’t anywhere in earshot, then clear my throat.
‘Give me a glass.’
