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I didn’t know how, but I was willing to try if it meant being able to take a breath again. Dizziness swarmed my mind. I braced myself on the yellowing grass, squeezing the brittle blades between my fingers—focusing on the feel of its coarseness. Giving it a tug, I released it before snapping the plants free from the ground. I repeated the action, rocking my body back and forth softly with the movement. Pull, then rock back. Release and lean forward.

“Good. That’s good. Ground yourself to the earth; let it anchor you,” Chrome encouraged in a gentle tone that surprised me, like he genuinely believed in me.

I continued this movement several times, taking my mind away from the panic and suffocation.

“You’re a queen. Make itfuckingbow.” I could feel echoes of Chrome’s intensity carried to me by the roaring wind inside.

It didn’t want to bow.

But I needed it to. Iwantedit to. Chrome was right; Iwasa queen. And I was tired of being ruled by others.

In the recesses of my mind, almost as if I were on another plane, I rose to my feet, seeing a gust of wind in the form of a devastating tsunami towering over me from behind—threatening to obliterate me into sand. Everything was white, and no sound existed. I turned around and faced it down—daring it to move another inch toward me. It did, so I threw my arms in front of me, palms facing outward, toward the air-tsunami. I finally managed a breath, deep and reviving.

“You will bow. You are bound to me,notthe other way around,” I said, my voice deeper, rawer than I’d realized—imbued with command.

The wind-wave crashed to a halt inches from me. I didn’t flinch. “I know you’re angry. We’ve been locked away for so long. But you need me to harness you.I’myour justice. We are one and the same.” Its iridescence hovered, my hair flowing in my face. “Now, bow.”

The air-tsunami inched forward as if it contemplated wrestling the oxygen from my lungs again.

I held my ground, refusing it—either in my head or on another plane, I wasn’t sure. I didn’t understand where this power originated, but I had felt its strength in my words.

As if my element did, too, the wall of air began to retreat like a tide returning to the sea. The swell at the top of the air-wave got smaller and smaller until it deflated, drifting above the ground. The shimmering veil hovered, stretching far and wide, swirling around my feet.

“I’m honored to be one with you,” I said to my element, realizing that despite having not been awakened to my Elemental side, I’d always felt a kinship with air all my life. “I’ve always sensed you try to comfort me when I needed it most. I just never knew I needed to accept our bond. So, I thank you for never giving up on me. We will make those who kept us separated pay. You have my word.” The flat veil of wind rippled at the mention of vengeance.

The air drifted toward me. And like a dog with its tail tucked, it crept forward to caress my ankles. I relaxed at the soothing gesture. I took it as a positive sign as it gently coiled itself around my body in a comforting and protective manner until it embraced me completely.

I sank into it, the feeling of comfort and protection foreign to me. Knowing I now had the ultimate loyal ally had my eyes burning against the tears I fought. I eased out a shaky breath as it cooled my scalp, combing invisible fingers through my hair.

A long-forgotten part of me snapped into place. Over the years, a slow wound had woven itself into the fabric of my being. Like some vital part of me I’d never known was missing until now. And now, I felt whole…well, almost. I hadn’t expected my element to be a force of its own in addition to being my loyal companion filled with love, compassion, and protection.

It was strange, but for once, I allowed myself to feel at peace. I opened my eyes, my consciousness returning to the training fields, still squeezing the grass strands between my fingers. I gasped. My hands were no longer the light bronze I’d known all my life. No.

Gold. They were fucking gold. My skin glinted with a sheen of gilded luminance.

I jolted, scrambling to my knees—the hardened earth dug and scraped as I did. I shoved the sleeves up my arms to observe my new golden skin.

Well, fuck.

Speechless, I rotated my hands back and forth in front of me, my mouth open, eyes wide.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I snatched my gaze from my gilded fingers to the forgotten presence. Chrome stood there with a slight smile and softened look. It was strange to know I shared something with him and everyone else at the Hollow. That maybe I could belong somewhere.

“It’s…” I trailed off, looking at my hands again. “It’s so surreal. I didn’t fully believe I was an Elemental.”

“You are,” Chrome said. He took two long strides in my direction, dropping to his knees only inches from me. “And it’s regal on you.”

My breath faltered. The wind remained with me, but it was subdued— a light breeze constantly stirring. But the lack of air this time had nothing to do with my element.

“Thanks,” I mumbled. It felt like such a lame response, so I cast a sheepish smile, glad that my gold skin could hide the blush that arose. Well, hopefully.

Chrome rocked back on his heels as his swirling metal eyes met mine. His jaw slackened, a subtle gasp hitching his breath. His lean, muscled shoulders relaxed. Dazed.Hewas dazed! “Your eyes…” he whispered.

On instinct, I brushed my fingertips against the corners of my eyes. “What do they look like?”

He shook his head. “This is something you have to see for yourself.”