Four rumbles mingle with my gasp as the weight of a Veilatara sits on my chest.
The pressure continues to build to the point I’m afraid a scream may rip out of me, but then that pressure turns into liquid and flows through my body.
First, it fills my stomach. The sensation stretches it fuller than it originally started. Just when I think my belly’s going to pop, the flow moves on.
Simultaneously, six different spots expand. They feel as though they’re moving toward one another. I swear I sense the space left between them and the daunting realization of what that means smashes into me.
There isn’t a doubt in my mind, body, or soul that once those places meet, I’ll have all my power.
The flow slams shut, snatching a gasp out of me, and my body ricochets forward.
Strong hands catch me by my shoulders and I suck in a shuddering breath when my eyes collide with a pair whiter than the clouds.
“You did it, my endling.”
Creed’s voice is so deep, powerful, and it takes me a moment to break myself out of the trance his gaze has me in.
He stands me back straight, and I turn in a circle as I gawk at all of them, their powers on the surface, staring at me like I just gave them the realm.
“I wish you could see yourself the way we do right now, little goddess.”
My head whips to Kyzen and the baby blue rings of light around his pupils flare. I could lose all track of time staring at him.
“Your skin is glowing. Stunning, truly spectacular.”
So is his.
The gold sheen covering Amick’s skin makes me feel like I’m gazing into the sun. He’s beaming, radiant, and I want to soak in his heat.
“Angel.” Riven sings and I whirl around.
Whatever he was about to say dies on his lips as we hold each other’s gazes. His eyes swirl independently from one another, but his pupils are no longer black. They’re the correlating color.
“Blue, gold, burgundy, gray, black, and white swirl in your eyes. It’s hypnotizing.”
A surprised breath mixed with a laugh tumbles out of me and with it, my power simmers, then settles under my skin. I didn’t realize I was seeing everything in a hyper-focused way until it all appears clear—incredibly clear.
This is so different. I didn’t feel my power this strongly after the Veiling whatsoever.
“V, something’s different,” I say.
The five of us turn to face him where he’s standing at the edge of the hot spring.
“Well, of course, you just received a great deal of power.”
“Yeah, I know, but it feels…settled. Like it doesn’t have to settle. It already is.”
“That’s because it is. You didn’t tell it to release slowly. Just release.”
My jaw falls open. “You didn’t tell me to tell it to release slowly.”
“I’m aware.”
Riven tosses his head back, laughing. “Mischievous creature. I love it.”
“We’ve got to go,” Kyzen says as his eyes flash navy and baby blue.
“Here, I’ll carry that.” Riven offers, holding his hands out for the Binding, and I pass it over without complaint.
