Page 26

PRUNED

O ver the next few weeks, our team prepared as best we could. Sparring. Working with our ember. Researching various creatures and how to defeat them.

Preparations for the ball and Winnowing Trials had the palace staff, including Letti, in a tizzy. The Great Hall, the library, and everywhere in between were far more busy than I’d ever seen.

My eyes stared absently at the wide expanse of grass ahead of me. The training field was abuzz with excitement and activity, people moving in and out of the forest.

My ember hummed along my skin as I practiced with it. I looked down at my forearms, the glowing branches slowly spreading from my fingers to my biceps, my nape thrumming eagerly. Kaden and Breena were on either side of me, their auras whirring over their bodies. They’d been helping me work with my ember methodically since I lost control all those months ago.

My gift had something to do with absorbing other Druik’s auras. What that meant, I wasn’t entirely sure yet, but little by little, I’d loosened the reins on it to see what my limitations were. To sharpen my control.

To avoid hurting anyone again.

“… and I heard rumors there’s an underground cavern.” Letti’s giddy voice broke through my wandering thoughts, the toes of one slippered foot tapping upon the grass.

Xeni nodded. “Accurate.” Letti squeaked with glee, and the warrior’s lips quirked. “It’s so large that it spans the entire training field.” She stretched her hand as far as she could toward the far tree line. “It’s only used during the final trial and is otherwise secured with various spells. The main entrance is hidden behind the barracks.”

“Ah, that’s why people keep wandering in and out. I thought I was missing some party in the woods,” Breena said, concentrating on her aura as mine lapped at hers.

On the other side, my energy drank in Kaden’s, too. My brows furrowed as I focused on tethering my ember’s hunger. It shuddered in spasms throughout my muscles. I expanded my lungs, held my breath, and expelled it slowly, counting my measured heartbeats.

You’ve got this, Seryn.

“Are you both okay?”

“Never better, firefly.” Breena smiled. Kaden bobbed his head, sweat beading on his brow. Xeni took a step away from me, grabbing my sister’s hand. I wasn’t offended. I’d rather have Letti protected in case this got out of hand.

But it wouldn’t.

I’d made progress.

Or at least I had struck a truce with my ember—I let it play so long as it didn’t take control. Until now, that tepid deal had held.

Clover-and-cherry-colored radiance mixed with my iridescent glow. I channeled the consumed energy through my arms, their mingled hues rippling through the boughs. My ember sifted through theirs as it churned within me, creating something entirely different.

I widened my stance, toes curling in my boots as I sensed the transmutation. My focus went to the invisible cord joining me and my friends, and I imagined snipping it.

My aura flared—disgruntled—but I severed the connection nonetheless and pushed my attention to my throbbing, burning palms. The creature within me relented, seemingly more interested in the kaleidoscopic light contracting in my hands.

With stiff joints, I moved my fingers, weaving the energy into a spinning, pulsating ball. Tiny sparks ruptured from the orb, popping and fizzling.

Kaden sucked in a gulp of air, the skin that dipped above his jaw flexing. Breena moved to him, resting a hand on his shoulder and squaring her stance. Letti and Xeni moved a few more steps away.

This was the first time I’d coaxed the temperamental power into a distinct form. Bound it in a way that could be useful.

I grinned, digging my top teeth into my plump bottom lip. A shiver ran through my arms, scurrying through my bones and down my spine. My shoulders pushed back, and I lifted my chin. Warm, silent excitement jumped in my throat, and a giggle slipped out in a whoosh of air. “I’ve got it. Don’t worry.”

“Of course you do.” Gavrel walked over, distracting me. We hadn’t interacted since after my meadow nightmare when he had checked on me. The orb wobbled, its shape now more of a wiggling blob. “But it needs to be expended now that you’ve pruned it.”

“Was getting to that, you fun assassin,” Breena mumbled.

Eyes wide, my gaze snapped to Breena, voice raising an octave. “What do I do with it?”

“Well, you could try to call it back and disperse the ember.” She stuck her bottom lip out, propping a hand on her cocked hip as she scanned the area.

My heart thumped in time with my scar. I was losing focus, and the shimmering, molten-like blob sloshed around my fingers. Panic was intruding. My thoughts raced. “I … I can’t.”

Breena yelped, noticing my chest heaving erratically, and rushed to my side. “It’s okay, Ryn. Throw it into the water,” she ordered, putting her hands on the back of my waist and pushing me toward the edge of the training field.

As we reached the railing, my upper body bent over it, and I released my ember creation into the abyss. My aura fizzled and then seeped within me, my body slumping from the exertion of handling my gift.

The energy globule zoomed downward, slicing through the crashing waves. A spinning vortex sucked in behind it as it sunk, and then suddenly, a towering column of water exploded upward, the obsidian walls on either side of the river vibrating. Shining slivers of stone fell from the cliff faces.

Breena and I turned, looking at each other with wide eyes, mouths forming shocked circles. I gulped and murmured, “I hope I didn’t kill any fish.”

Breena blinked rapidly a few times and then burst out laughing, holding her stomach.

Letti ran up and threw her arms around me. “That was amazing, sis.”

Xeni approached, nodding in agreement. A reserved smile curved her mouth.

“Well done,” Kade said, patting me on the shoulder. His smile not quite reaching his eyes.

I tilted my head, my eyebrows drawing together. Before I could ask him what was wrong, Gavrel bowed, rubbed his lips together, and then walked away to a group of guards sparring, readying his sword. I sighed, focusing on the group.

“Winnowing, here we come!” Breena pumped her fists in the air excitedly.

I began to roll my eyes but thought better of it, smiling instead and rubbing my tingling hands down my dress. Progress was a good thing, and it was time I recognized it within myself.